Toronto to Vancouver on the Train

I didn't realize what I was getting myself into when I booked my train ticket from Toronto to Vancouver. It was a spur of the moment decision to take the train and was largely due to me being able to take my bicycle along for relatively cheap ($28 CDN). At this point I've decided to rephrase the saying, "follow your heart" to "follow your bicycle" because I had a glorious experience. I am still in recovery as far as I am deeply missing the people that I met on the journey that we shared. Which is what it becomes when you travel a long distance at a slow pace, whichever method you choose: bus, bicycle, motorcycle, train… It becomes a journey and it teaches you to slow down and take in each moment. There is no rush, no way to hurry it along, all you can do is sit back and find ways to enjoy yourself and that is exactly what we did.
Within 24 hours of getting on the train, just about everyone that decided to hang out in the observation car had a nickname. Mine was yogi, as I would get up periodically and find interesting ways to use the small space we were in to arrange my body into new and creative yoga positions. I don't understand why everyone doesn't do this! I must be in the least pain of anyone I know, or maybe I just have more tension in my body because I force myself to sleep on a train in economy for 4 nights…go figure. I believe I slept on a different surface every night due to the fluctuation of people getting on and off and different seats becoming available to "stretch" out on. Some other nicknames that we all came up with were Dimples, Head, Frodo, Chewy (aka Chewbacca), Harry Shu, Harley and Mom.
I felt like a kid at summer camp all over again. Instant friends, instant camaraderie, we were in it for the long haul and we had a lot of time on our hands. Dimples had a couple of instruments and as always I brought along my trusty ukulele, so there were many a jam sessions and constant live or digital music, beautiful scenery, laughter, games, life stories, breakfast in Winnipeg, a brisk walk around Jasper, we all got into a bit of trouble at one point. I don't even know what we did but the days passed quickly and before I knew it we were pulling in to Vancouver and saying goodbye.
It was a pleasant surprise to have so much fun and I miss it. I miss the people and I miss the feeling of not having to do anything, no expectation, no where to go, being forced to relax. A great way to travel, 10 stars.

Toronto to Montreal- train of thought

I arrived in Montreal after a week in Toronto last evening. I am currently at the apartment that I lived in 2007. The funniest thing happened just now when I was signing in to my email I typed my old password from that time without even thinking. It triggers certain memories to be here, while I create new ones as well. I was pleasant to sleep in a bed for a change, so much room. Travelling makes you appreciate the little things: a few home cooked vegetables, being warm, and sleep. Friends have been unexpectedly kind to me and other's unexpectedly unavailable. But I don't get caught up in one moment for too long and I breathe and try to let go of my expectations, allowing myself to appreciate what everyone is able to give. Each moment can become very important because it is the last for a while, perhaps forever, but a moment cannot be created or forced into an important message or package to make "your life better". It's to do a lot with presentation. My mother always told me that I should think about my presentation when I wanted something from my father. I never liked that she said this, it seemed like a game I didn't want to play. But I was afraid of my father at the time, so a positive and enthusiastic presentation was more difficult to inspire. I have had a few conversations with different women friends as of late and come to the realization that few of them have very comfortable relationships with their fathers. Is this the majority, or do we all hang out together because it unites us? Why would this be?