The Final Leg

This (most recent) journey began back in late April.  A bumpy ride in a big white truck from San Pedro la Laguna, Guatemala to Antigua, Guatemala.  Then to Guatemala City.  From there, a big winged beast transported me first to Houston then to Calgary.  From there, a rental car delivered me to Cochrane.  Then, 12 days later, the same car returned me to the airport where I caught a flight to Montreal and then Halifax.  Another rental car brought me out to Hammond's Plains, where I've been hanging out for the past week. 

Today is the final leg of the journey: I'm driving from Halifax to Pugwash, NS.  And there I will remain for six months.  Excepting, of course, running back to Halifax to pick up some stuff not available in Pugwash and, a week from now, returning the rental car to the Halifax airport... only to take a bus back to Oxford and then figure out how to get to Pugwash.  At this point, I will not have a vehicle (not counting the bike I bought yesterday) for my stay along the shores of the Northumberland Strait. 

And where is this Pugwash, you ask?  Right here:


View Larger Map

More to come...

On The Road Again

Another trip looms!  And a summer of fun awaits!!

I'm leaving San Pedro today.  I've been here since the end of November (after 2 months in Mexico) and I'll miss the tropical weather, nutty people and general hijinx.

This afternoon I'm off to Antigua Guatemala, the country's original capital located about 45 minutes from the big, bad current capital.  Easter celebrations are in full swing, so Antigua is going to be crazy. 

On Friday I fly to Calgary.  It's a midday flight and doesn't get in too late.  I've got a rental car waiting and I've been invited to dinner.  Nice.  Although the weather appears to be significantly cooler than it is here.  Dammit!

And then on May 4, it's off to Nova Scotia for the spring/summer/fall.  I'm really looking forward to that.

But have no fear, San Pedro.  I'll be back -- on Nov 8. 

Cheers!

From the "winding down" dept.

Less than two weeks remain before I leave San Pedro for Calgary.  And then Halifax.

I don't like this period, because it means the return of things I've been living happily without:

- Lists
- Schedules
- Paperwork
- Packing and storing
- And saying goodbye. 

But, I am excited.  Calgary will be a breath of fresh, cold air.  And the prospect of six months in Nova Scotia has me giggling like a school girl.

I've been writing some thoughts about my time here in San Pedro.  They'll be posted here soon.

And so I goes...

Roadspill Turns 8

Roadspill is 8.  Wow.  Time flies. 

Where the travel bug first bit: 

Halifax airport - Waiting to fly to Portugal - 1993

For the past eight years, interesting bits of my life (or censored versions of it) have been captured on this blog.  The ups, the downs, the challenge of make a living on my own while travelling this big planet.

Lately I haven't been writing posts as often as I should (blame Facebook), but I will make an effort to do so in the coming months.

Roadspill (spilling my guts, tales from the road) is the place where I announce the big things happening in my not-so-normal life:  Moving to Africa.  Moving to Guatemala.  Moving to Edmonton.  Moving back to Guatemala.  And today, another announcement:

I'm moving to Nova Scotia!

It's not permanent -- but it is long term.  Six months, in fact.  May 4-Nov 8.  After which, I'll likely move back to Guatemala for the winter.

This has always been my evil plan:  Live on the shores of Lake Atitlan, Guatemala for the winter and on one of Canada's coasts for the summer/fall.  I always thought a return to Canada would mean a return to the Pacific coast.  But not this time.  This time it's the East Coast.

As you may know, I've been trying to get back to Nova Scotia for a long time now --  17 years -- but it's never really worked out.

Even though I know half of the media and PR professionals in the province, I've never been able to make things click.

I've often wondered why this was -- and I think it may have been fear.  It's a pretty big chance to take -- just moving back to a place that you've been away from for so long -- hoping to find work and having enough cash to cover the expenses if things don't work out right away.

I've visited Nova Scotia many times over the years and each time that I returned on holiday, familiar feelings would well up inside.  A love of place.  A sense of belonging.  It was as if my former home was calling me back, punctuated by many close friendships that hadn't faded.

I've been to a lot of places, but Nova Scotia -- Halifax, The Valley, Cape Split, Cape Breton -- all of it -- has always had a special pull.  I enjoy it more than any other place on earth.  If I ever had to put down roots and stay still, I know where that place would be.

I often think that this connection is odd.  While I was born in Halifax (a Grace baby), Nova Scotia was never really the place I came from.  I grew up in Manitoba and only lived in Nova Scotia for 6 years as an adult.  But the connection is definitely there and it only seems to grow stronger as the years pass.

Friends in Pugwash, up on the Northumberland shore (warmest waters north of the Carolinas, don't ya know) have made this possible.  While they head to the cottage for the summer, I get their house.  The bonus: I'm centrally located between all the places I want to visit.

My flights are booked (April 22 to Calgary, May 4 to Halifax, Nov 8 to Guatemala City) and everything is in place.  This is going to be a kick-arse summer.

So, on this, Roadspill's 8th birthday, here's a line from the classic tune Farewell To Nova Scotia to sum things up:

"For it's early in the morning I am far, far away."

But I won't be for long.  


Cheers, byes!

Yes, Yes, I know...

... it's been a while since my last post.  Not that I haven't been writing posts.  I've actually started two - I just haven't finished them. I will soon.

I'm still in San Pedro, safe and sound.  I'm working (building blogs/social media) and enjoying the warm weather.

I just noticed that Roadspill will turn 8 next week.  8!  Go figure.

More to come.  Soon.  I promise!

Cheers!!

Back in Mexico

It was my second attempt in as many days to travel to Mexico.  My Guatemalan visa was fast running out, and I was required to leave the country for three days -- and then re-enter -- in order to get a new 90 day visa.

The first attempt failed after the main Central American highway was blocked due to either construction or protests or new electrical transmission lines.  It could have been all three.  And, unfortunately, I didn't learn of the road closure until after I woke up at 4am, took a 6am boat across Lake Atitlan and hopped on the shuttle bus only to be told that we weren't going anywhere.

Take two was yesterday (Feb 25, 2011).  Same routine:  Up at 4.  Boat across the lake.  Hop onto shuttle bus.  And we (I'm travelling with Steve, a fellow San Pedro ex-pat) were off!

The road up to the Mexican border was nice.  Just two years ago re-construction of the PanAmerican highway was nearly completed.  Most of the CA-1 from Guatemala City to the Mexican border at La Mesia is four-lane. Or, at least it was, until last year's heavy rains caused numerous landslides that wiped out much of the work.  However, repairs are ongoing and they've made really good progress.  Just in time for this year's rainy season.

The shuttle from Panajachel, Guatemala to Comitan, Mexico cost $25.  For this you get squished in a tiny seat, stuck between a traveller who has forgotten her brains and one that has forgotten to bathe.  Ah, travel!  The drive to the border is quite beautiful.  Lots of river valleys and mountains to gawk at.

At the border things got crazy.  We had to switch from a Guatemalan shuttle to a Mexican one.   First, though: Guatemalan immigration.  There were a few dozen people trying to get stamped in or out of Guatemala -- and just three guys working behind the desk.  Only one appeared to be doing anything.

That finally done, we walked into Mexico and boarded a new shuttle bus.  The girl that had forgotten her brains still hadn't found them.  She thought it a good idea to stand in the middle of the aisle on the shuttle so no one could get by.  Duh.

Eventually we were headed up the road to Mexican immigration -- about 4 km from the border.  The Mexican office was actually worse than the Guatemalan one: Just one guy was working.  And before you could get an entry stamp you had to fill out a form that you had to get from that one immigration official who was busy examining passports and stamping them.  Why they couldn't leave a pile of forms for people to grab is one of the great mysteries of the ages.  T-I-M:  This Is Mexico.

Back on the shuttle we continued our journey to Comitan.  There were numerous military checkpoints and accidents to keep us entertained.  Then it started to rain.

About an hour later we arrived in Comitan and tried to walk, in the rain, to the hotel.  After getting soaked we  gabbed a taxi (20 pesos/$1.66) to the hotel.  We're staying at the Hotel Eugenia (on Calle. 1 Ne. Pte. 22 -- just a few blocks from the central park).  For 220 pesos ($18) you get a clean, comfortable room with TV and wi-fi.  The shower is amazing:  Tons of pressure and super hot water.

After checking into the hotel we set off to find a bank machine and get even wetter.  That done, we sloshed into a coffee shop on the central park and had some damn fine Joe.  This was followed by a visit to a grocery store which, conveniently, had a restaurant inside.  I dropped about $15 on food that doesn't need to be refrigerated, water and a bottle of wine.  Steve had chicken for dinner ($2) and I had a couple of slices of mediocre pizza ($2).

It was then back to the hotel for a nice long sleep.

And today's adventure?  Walmart.

More to come!

The Suicide Shower Explained

This is one of those times when the picture really does tell the story:

The ubiquitous Lorenzetti ducha

Unlike the comfort addled nations of the so-called developed world, you won't find a lot of hot water heaters in Central America.  Cost is the primary factor -- most families simply can't afford such a luxury.

But most people also like hot showers -- especially travellers -- though, unfortunately, this does not apply to the faux hippies that seem to think that BO somehow increases their Bohemian street cred.

Thankfully, the fine folks at the Lorenzetti ducha company have come  up with an economic solution to this developing-worldwide lack of hot water:  The Suicide Shower.

Quite simply, it is a 110 volt electric heater stuck on the end of a water pipe.  The device automatically turns on when there is water pressure.  Turn the tap, the water flows over the electric heating element and - voila! - hot water!  The temperature of the water is controlled by the amount of water pressure.  You want scalding hot?  Turn it to trickle.  You want tepid?  Turn it the tap 1 millimeter.  Careful!  Turn it too much and you'll be drenched in ice cold water.  Fun!

In my decades-long experience in using Suicide Showers, I've discovered some work better than others (if at all).  But if you get one that works well (like the one pictured above), you'll find yourself relaxing in a sprinkle of warm water and forgetting about the live wires dangling just inches from your head.

A word of warning, however:  There is a switch on the shower head that supposedly regulates the temperature.  Do not touch this -- especially if you are taking a shower.  110 volts coursing through your wet body while standing in water is not a great experience.  Memorable, yes.  But great?  Not so much.

From the "Short and Sweet" Dept.

One of the things I haven't written much about is daily life in San Pedro.  So, in what will become a continuing series, I'll cover some of the day-to-day experiences of living in Guatemala.

A very small part of Lake Atitlan

San Pedro la Laguna is located on Lake Atitlan, one of the most beautiful places on the planet.  The lake is a mountain-top caldera surrounded by volcanos.  Despite San Pedro's elevation - 5,000 feet - it never gets too cold.  About 17,000 people live here and most are of Maya descent.  There are three Maya languages spoken around the lake.  Most indigenous people in San Pedro speak Tz'utujil and Spanish.  There is very little English spoken outside of the ex-pat and tourist communities.  Lake Atitlan itself is located in the southwestern part of the country with the Pacific ocean a few hours away by bus. Volcan San Pedro towers over the town and is, hopefully, dormant.

Weather:  Winter and spring are dry.  It seems it's always sunny.  Cool nights (mid-teens) and warm days (high-20s).  It gets warmer during the day as we get closer to summer. The summer and fall are wet.  The temperatures are warmer, but it rains every afternoon.  Last year it rained so much that there were a number of mudslides around the lake. This time of year is perfect - cool nights, warm days, no rain.  It's like groundhog day.

Banking:  There are two bank machines connected to the outside world.  There is now a third, but it is for local bank customers only.  You can take out 2000 quetzales per transaction.  That's about $250 at the official exchange rate of about $1-Q8.  Money is usually available, but sometimes there is a run on the weekend.  Luckily, I am able to run tabs at most businesses if I run out of cash.

Cost of Living:  I spend about $1000 a month.  That is actually high for living here, but not outrageous.  I am living in a hotel that costs about $190 a month.  The rest goes to eating out 2-3 times a day, a few groceries, coffee, laundry and general entertainment (beer).  If I had a kitchen, I could likely reduce my expenses by 30% if not more.  Last night I spent about Q150 ($18.75) at a local pub.  I was there for many hours using their internet and chewing the fat.  I had 2 imported Guinnesses, a couple of local beers and a plate of nigiri sushi.  My tab also included a 10% propina (tip).

In San Pedro you can eat cheaply (3 for 10Q tacos) or expensively (white table cloth dinner with wine $10). But at the end of the day, nothing is really expensive at all.

More to come...

Torn

Responsibility Looks Like This

Once again I find myself in the middle of a battle that I wish would just go away.  Freedom vs. Responsibility.

You may be aware of my long term life plan: To travel/live in the tropics during the Canadian winter and return home to enjoy the first half of summer in BC and the dog days (plus fall) in Nova Scotia.  Surprisingly, I'm on the road to doing just that.

But:  I still have a bit of a yoke around my neck in the form of debt.  This is no one's fault but my own.  It comes from trying to live the dream before having the financial base to make it easy.  But things are changing. I am now working as a digital nomad, making decent money.  There is now light at the end of the tunnel.

Over the last few months, everything has been going swell.  I'm in a comfortable, clean and reasonably quiet $6-a-night hotel.  I'm busy.  I'm earning.  I'm paying off debt.  Every day is sunny and warm.  Perfect!

Then opportunity knocks:  How would I like to spend the month of April in a Manhattan apartment for the low cost of $50 a night.  Would I?!

Then opportunity knocks again:  How would I like to spend eight weeks housesitting in Lunenburg, Nova Scotia.  A seaside residence, complete with car.  Would I?!

My initial reaction to both offers was "Hell ya!"  I can use my freedom to live anywhere.  And those two anywheres sound perfectly perfect.

I jump on the internet in search of cheap airfares and/or points flights to make the dreams happen.  In moments I realize that there are none.  I ponder further and suddenly I see these opportunities come with price tags.  And they're not cheap.  Deflated, I decide that I can't take advantage of either of these opportunities.  At least, not yet.  Once there is no debt, there will be true freedom.  It's not far off, but it won't happen next week either.  The universe is delivering -- just a wee bit too early. 

Sober second thought allows me to see that these opportunities aren't perfect.  New York would be great, but expensive.  The good thing is that it isn't going anywhere.  And I'll be able to stay there again in the not-too-distant future.

As for Lunenburg:  While I desperately want to return to the sea-bound coast, I must be patient.  Nova Scotia's charms will wait.  Plus:  Do I really want to return at the end of February?  No.  I want to return in August.

A trip to my home and native land will happen.  I have to renew my passport and deal with my taxes.  I've also got my fingers crossed for a Gulf Islands (BC) housesit in July and August.  

So here I am, being responsible.  I've decided that it's better to live in a cheap tropical paradise than return to the cold.  There could be worse things.

Now the plan is this: I'll stay in Guatemala, likely until late April and then head north to Calgary.  If I'm lucky, I'll head to the west coast for a few months, then to the east coast for a few months, then hit the road again for the winter.  Not a bad rough plan.  I think I like being responsible.

PS: Know of someone seeking a housesitter in the Vancouver area this summer?  Or Nova Scotia?  Or both?  Let me know!

Going Abroad

 

San Pedro Redux

I've been in San Cristobal for just over two months -- and it's been (and is) great.  But after a long, tough week, I've decided that I need a break.

Early Sunday morning I'll board a shuttle.  Eight hours later I should arrive in San Pedro la Laguna, Guatemala.  The plan is to recharge my batteries, swim and relax.  I'll head back to San Cristobal in about a week.

It'll be fun going back to San Pedro after a year away...  I can't wait!

Cheers!

Protecting Your Identity on the Road

When I travel I usually pack my laptop.  There are several reasons for this:  I write for a living, so I need my tools with me.  But I also use my laptop to access all my sensitive information while on the road -- especially banking.  The thought of using an internet cafe to check my bank balance is terrifying.  You never know who might get access to your account information and passwords.

But using my own laptop to connect to an open WiFi network in a coffee shop or library isn't as safe as I thought.  In fact, as the (always excellent) travel blog Gadling reports, hackers can easily gain access to your non-encrypted traffic.

This is what they say:

"Now, however, sites like Facebook and Twitter are encoded with such simple technology that web developers can write apps to steal random social media passwords -- all inside of a simple web browser. This means that any old person with Windows XP and Firefox can boot up their browser, turn on an application and start poaching Facebook data. Five minutes after sitting down with your tall non-fat latte you might find yourself with a new fancy status message, group of friends and password to boot." 

[ click here for the full article]

I tried it and it works.  Seriously.

So what can you do?  Be very careful or use a hardwired connection.  Resist the urge to use unsecured WiFi in public places.  And if you can't, be prepared for the consequences. 

Cheers!

Top 5 Things my friends have posted on Facebook - Friday Oct 22, 2010

Sure, this is yet another cheap trick to drive more eyeballs to Roadspill (fingers, too).  But it also an easy way to share some pretty cool stuff from the innertubes.  The perfect way to waste part of your Friday workday... (you're welcome).

Up first:

#1 -- Cat vs Printer - Translated version (salty language advisory)

 [VIDEO LINK]

#2 -- A scary and thought provoking video about self-esteem and girls. 

A New Dove Film : Onslaught - For more amazing video clips, click here

[VIDEO LINK]

#3 -- Thoughts on a new Google service called Baraza that is aimed at connecting Africa and Africans.

#4 -- John Gushue discovers El Caminto del Rey -- the scariest hiking path ever:

#5 -- A tasty treat from Top Gear!

Happy Friday!

This is not The View walk off

So you think watching Joy Behar and Whoopi Goldberg walking off the set of The View because Bill O'Reilly is a dork is entertainment?

Ha!

In the real world, a neighbour's chicken breached our compound. And the hilarity ensued.



Just another day in Mexico.

from the "early impressions of San Cristobal" dept.

One of San Cristobal's Walking Streets (Andadors)

I've been in San Cristobal for a few days now and I must say I'm very impressed. From the welcoming gift of local coffee and a friendship bracelet from the governor of Chiapas to the positive vibe that fills the streets, it's not at all what I expected.

Welcoming Gifts!

And it's certainly not what you see on the evening news. No drug wars here.

Sure, there are the aural reminders that I'm in Mexico: Barking dogs, crowing roosters and ringing church bells (It's 7:30am!) -- but even they have a certain calmness to them.

My year in San Pedro la Laguna, Guatemala was chaotic in comparison.

Over the past few days I've been strolling around town. There are two main walking streets (andadors) that form a T in the heart of the city. Locals and tourists saunter up and down, past wine bars, restaurants and shoppes. It's all here, yet none of it is in your face.

I feel like I've discovered a secret place.

Last night, Kelly, Dennis and I sat outside at a little wine bar and watched the world go by. A few Mayan street sellers (mostly women and children) stopped at our table to offer us various trinkets and whatnot. But a polite "no, gracias" was usually more than enough to send them on their way. Again: Calm.

Dennis takes a shot from his perch at the Wine Bar

After a few glasses of a cheap but tasty Sirah, we wandered over to a pizza joint to pick up a couple of pies to eat back at the house. The pizzas didn't disappoint: thin crust, cooked to perfection and loaded with my favourite toppings: Anchovies and olives. Yummy, nums.

We enjoyed a bit more wine and then called it a night.

It's been an eye-opening experience. I've only been here two full days and yet I feel like I've been here for months. That's how comfortable and pleasant San Cristobal is. Of course, living with Dennis and Kelly has helped a great deal.

As I write this I'm beginning my third full day. There isn't much on the schedule. A walk. Some wine. Enjoying the here and now.

This will change a little bit next week when I dive into my internet work. I've got five days to build the first website that I hope will generate a trickle of income.

But that's Monday. Until then, I'll be content to simply enjoy San Cristobal's charms.

Cheers

from the "hold your horses" dept.

Promises, promises.

I'm not in Mexico. Yet.

Long story short: I was unable to fly out of Calgary yesterday due to mechanical problems with the aircraft. This resulted in me missing my connection - the twice a week flight from Houston to Tuxtla Gutierrez, Mexico. The next opportunity is Wednesday, Sept. 29.

So I'm back in Cochrane for 4 more days.

A longer story to come.

Cheers!

from the "vangroovy" dept

Home Sweet Home (one of 'em)

I should write a love song about being torn between two coasts. Left and right. East and west. Atlantic and Pacific.

How is it that I came to be so attracted to two cities so far from each other? Halifax and Vancouver. Talk about an expensive long distance relationship.

The songwriting is for another day. Today I'll focus on my current visit to the left coast. I've been here in Vancouver for a week now and I've been having a blast: Enjoying a social life, getting out and doing stuff, visiting old haunts.

Hanging with former VTV/CTV colleagues at the Irish Heather.

I've written before about my rekindled love affair with this city, and that hasn't changed. In fact, my love has grown -- especially as I now have something to compare it to (10 months in Edmonton). Talk about night and day.

It's far from perfect, but it's a damn nice place to hang out in. And maybe move back to, one day. Or, in the evil plan in my head: Live in the tropics from November to May. Live in Vancouver from June through August. And then Halifax for September and October. Wouldn't that be grand? Better put that on the white board.

I've still got a few places left to see and a few people left to visit. And then it's back to the Prairies. Getting stuff sorted in Calgary. Visiting Southwestern Saskatchewan for another photo safari. And even more, before heading down south on Sept 25.

It seems like there's lots of time between now and then. But the window is closing. And I better get my arse in gear...

Cheers!

from the "time machine" dept.

A book of dreams? Of history? Or just junk?

Despite my constant wanderings, I still keep a large storage unit just outside of Vancouver. It's big -- 7'x9'x7' -- and it's packed with the remainders (and reminders) of my material life.

There is some stuff in it that needs to go, like old furniture. There's some stuff that I want to keep, like travel souvenirs and books. And there's some stuff I have to keep, like 7 years of tax paperwork.

As much as I'd like to do away with it all, I can't. Due to the amount of stuff I have squirreled away and the logistics of paring it all down, the path of least resistance is to just keep it in storage for 100 bucks a month. For now, anyway.

Sadly, I totally fall into the storage company's business plan. Sucka!

Last weekend I went to visit my stuff at its home in a big warehouse in Delta, BC. I opened up my storage container and was nearly crushed by a cascade of cardboard boxes overflowing with reminders of my previous adventures, of which there have been a few. Paintings from Ghana. Sand from Malta. Beer cans from Portugal.

I wasn't visiting my stuff to risk life and limb or to take a stroll down a junky memory lane. No, I was looking for some specific stuff to take with me to Mexico at the end of the month: hiking shoes, rain gear and other assorted bits and pieces that I want to have down south.

In one big Rubbermaid tub, I spotted a thick black book. A Daytimer. The faux leather was cracked and pieces of paper stuck out from between its pages. Feeling like Indiana Jones, I blew off a layer of non-existent dust and threw it open.

Inside was a treasure trove of a past life. Specifically from the years 1996 and 1997, when, at a tender young age, I:

- Quit my job at CKY TV, Winnipeg
- Decided to travel to Bosnia to produce a documentary
- Went freelance and turned down an investment opportunity with Frantic Films (d'oh!)
- Moved to Vancouver to start a new television station (now CTV BC)

The more things change, the more they stay the same.

Anyway... Inside the front cover, a clear pocket held a mix of memories. Vancouver Television business cards, notes from girlfriends (!) past, and a label from a long ago enjoyed Moosehead beer. But this was just the beginning. There were more old business cards, a yellowed Far Side cartoon and lists of phone numbers of current and not so current friends.

My favourite Far Side panel

Pages and pages of people, places and long forgotten important reminders including hockey games, Spanish lessons and fancy dinners in L.A.

Hangin' with Wolfie, no doubt.

I'd intended to toss the whole collection into the trash. But in my ongoing struggle to banish stuff my life, I find I win some battles and lose others. This one may be lost.

Can I really toss out a phone list from 1992? A stamp from the United Nations post office in New York? My Halifax and Dartmouth library cards?

Flotsam and Jetsam

A pragmatist would say yes. But I think I'll say no. Not because these bits and pieces in and of themselves mean much. But because taken together, they mark a major transition in my life when I quit a full-time job and travelled to distant lands before starting a fresh, new chapter.

Sort of like today.

from the "day 4" dept.

Go West...

So far, the first week of the latest chapter has been going well.

I've sorted through my stuff, tagging items as "to be sold", "to be junked" and "to be taken to Vancouver". I've also made Cochrane my official address and alerted anyone who cares.

I continue to pitch a writing project centred on the Celtic Colours music festival this October in Cape Breton. No bites yet. It seems a long shot.

In the meantime, I'm preparing to depart for Vancouver tomorrow (Friday 9/2). I'm going to drive there, leaving first thing in the morning to hopefully avoid crazy long weekend traffic -- especially between Hope and Vancouver. I hit that the last time I drove out and it was BRUTAL.

I'll stay in Vancouver for a week or so, sorting through my storage unit in an attempt to reduce the amount of flotsam and jetsam that I have. Spending $100/month to store what is essentially crap makes no sense. I want to whittle it down to just photos/papers/negatives/travel trinkets -- and find a smaller, cheaper storage solution.

Four days into this new life I feel pretty confident. I've been poking away at formulating a plan for Mexico (I head there 9/25). And everything seems to be going smoothly. And it's funny: The last 10 months have seemingly disappeared from my memory. Weird.

And so it goes...

from the "turn that frown upside down" dept.

I'm not quite sure when the latest chapter of my life actually begins. For some reason I think it should be Monday. But in reality, the page was turned when I left Edmonton on the bus yesterday.

Rather than look back and complain about the last 10 months -- it was my choosing AND there were many benefits -- I'll look forward and try to be thankful for things. With that in mind (and just a wee bit of looking back):

Friday August 27, 2010 - I'm thankful for the nice send off at work -- and those who attended post-work drinks.

Saturday August 28, 2010 - I'm thankful for Trisha and Ella for getting me to the bus. And Dave for picking me up in Calgary and driving me to the airport to get my rental (surprise!). Also Dave and Karen for a great dinner, party and introduction to several new people.

Sunday August 29, 2010 - I'm thankful for Karen giving me aspirin this morning. Trisha & Graeme for the lobster they brought back from Nova Scotia (which I just ate) -- and also for a roof over my head for the past two weeks. And to Dave, yet again, for providing another roof. And storage.

And so it goes... (with a lot of help from my friends)

from the "life reset" dept.

"Which way to San Cristobal?"

And so, it begins.

This morning finds me in a completely different situation than yesterday. My gig is over. I'm about to leave Edmonton. And the sky is still firmly fixed above.

I'm reminded of a quote by the Grinch, when he awakens Christmas morning to find that Christmas had arrived despite his best efforts:

It came without ribbons! It came without tags! It came without packages, boxes, or bags!

And sure enough, despite taking a giant leap of faith, a bright new day arrived. I'm healthy, have money in the bank and a new direction in life.

So far so good.

Today will see me leaving Edmonton. I have a one-way bus ticket for Calgary. My ol' pal Dave (from the Halifax chapter of my life) will pick me up and I'll hang at his place in Cochrane for a few days. Then I pick up my rental car for some Prairie and West Coast exploring.

A return to Southwestern Saskatchewan is high on the list, as is a stroll on Chesterman Beach outside Tofino.

Mexico isn't far off. September 25. But with the upcoming buffer, I'll be relaxed and ready to hit the ground running -- or a similar cliche.

I had a nice send off at the office on Friday. A long-term staffer (Ivor the amazing IT guru) was also leaving. Thankfully he took most of the spotlight. Sometimes I like being the centre of attention. Sometimes not. It worked out well.

After finishing the workday I headed to a local watering hole for drinks with my (now former) boss Jessica, the newest member of communications Sarah, and a team of reporters (Min, Faiz & Charles). Plus Dan, the lucky winner of my job.

It was a nice way to end the week and the experience. I also received a nice card from the folks in the newsroom.

At the end of the day, most of the frustration I felt was not about work, but about place. If this gig had been in Vancouver, Halifax or even Calgary, I'd be on board for another year. But Doug and Edmonton are like oil and water. I didn't expect that.

Time to pack and get on that bus... Southern Alberta awaits...

Cheers!