Set it off!

"Travel pushes my boundaries. When you travel, you become invisible, if you want. I do want. I like to be the observer. What makes people who they are? Could I feel at home here? No one expects you to have the stack of papers back by Tuesday, or to check messages, or to fertilize the geraniums. When travelling, you have the delectable possibility of not understanding a word of what is said to you. Language becomes simply a musical background for watching bicycles zoom alongside a canal, calling for nothing from you. Travel releases spontaneity. You become a godlike creature full of choice, free to visitit the stately pleasure domes, sketch a bell tower. You open as in childhood, and – for a time – receive this world. There’s the visceral aspect, too – the hunter who is fre. Free to go, free to return home bringing memories to lay on the hearth." Frances Mayes

So, this is it - I am setting on my journey around Canada. It took hours to choose and pack the right gears and clothes. Originally, I wanted to go with just a backpack but it was almost impossible to put everything inside. Additional carry on luggage was a must. I expected inclement weather in Jasper, Toronto and Halifax. I took several layers hoping it would be enough.

I knew that I did not want to spend much money on food and accomodation, so I prepared some food in advance. The whole day before my departure I cooked pancakes that were supposed to last for at least 4 days.

I left my house early in the afternoon, with a 15kg backpack and another 6kg suitcase. I do not know why, but I did not feel any special emotions about my traveling. It was raining for the whole day and an any outlook that I would have good weather was very bleak. I had some small talks with several guys when suddendly a desparate-looking guy came up to us and with an imploring look, asked for money for his bus ticket. He said that he was broke, he needed about 15 bucks to get to Calgary and was willing to give me his Ipod just to get some money for the ticket. He looked very despondent, but he did not appear to be a liar or a junkiee - just a normal guy pleading for help. Although I had limited funds, I decided to help him. I did not know when I would need some help so why could not I help someone when I can? I gave him 14 bucks and told him to keep his Ipod - it would be a very unfair trade.

My first day on bus was not particularly intersting. It was dark and I could not see anything. So I put my earphones on a chilled out.