the day I will leave on an adventure that at this moment is still unwritten (think Natasha Bedingfield). However, one thing that is certain is that I will be spending the first portion (duration is yet to be determined) in beautiful Vancouver. Why Vancouver? Let me start at the beginning of it all...
I guess you can say it started many years ago ('99 to be exact) when I first started visiting my sister in San Francisco. It was love at first sight. The city is absolutely beautiful. It is situated right by the water, everyone is very outdoorsy, great restuarants, it's artsy but not pretentious, and it just has an overall laid back vibe. It's only fault? It's located in the USA (I will hold off on my rant about my lack of appreciation for that country). I don't consider myself egocentric about Canada, but I can say that I am one proud Canadian. Anyhow, whenever I would mention this to various people, I kept hearing how I should go visit Vancouver since it was very similar to San Fran but Canadian! (light bulb brightens). Summer of 2006 was the summer that changed everything. I finally made my way to Vancouver and it was everything I expected and more. It was very different from Toronto. Now, don't get me wrong, since I love Toronto but Vancouver felt more like me. I have to say that I felt right at home. I loved being by the water; looking out the window and seeing the mountains; going to the beach and not having to worry that going into the water would result in coming out with some unknown rash (or perhaps a 3rd leg); great, great food; and once again, the overall laid back atmosphere. I was in love.
To make a long story short, after months of feeling like I needed to make a change in my life, I finally gathered up enough courage to pick up my life in Toronto and move to the west coast. I figure I'm still young and I don't have anything holding me back, so why not? If I don't do this now, I am afraid the moment will pass me by (think the scene where Julia Roberts & Dermot Mulroney pass that bridge in My Best Friend's Wedding).
What am I going to do once I'm in Vancouver? Perhaps....
- settle in Vancouver where I will live & work
- live/work/snowboard in Whistler during the Winter
- travel to Alaska
- spend a few months in Asia
- live the life of leisure
- experience different jobs other than the one I maintain in Finance
... the possibilities are endless. However, what I am sure of is how I am getting to the west coast. I will be driving across the country in a 22 foot RV with 2 of my best friends (CFL - Cathy, Flora, Lien). Yup, that's right. This is what we'll be driving and living in for 2 weeks.
I am super stoked about my first adventure within my great adventure; however, I must admit that I am somewhat worried. You see, out of the 3 of us:- only 2 of us drive (the 3rd is... how do I put this lightly... a bump on a log?)
- only one has camped before (though in the Australian Outback so that should easily compensate for the lack of experience from the other 2)
- only 1 of us isn't afraid of seeing and having to kill spiders/flies/bugs (basically anything moving)
- and finally, all 3 of us have never driven across our great land called Canada
Though one thing CFL can guarantee is that we'll have fun no matter what! I'm sure there will be plenty of laughter, surprises, amazement, and perhaps tears, but all in all, there will be lifelong memories to be had!
Let the Crazian Crusade begin...
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