Amy is a tiny person; BUT a tiny person full of explosive energy. A true a definition of the japanese word 'genki' that I've ever come across. It was great to see her again and hike around Squamish too!
Vancouver was at once as I remembered it, and not // As I hauled my belongings from the Amtrak station the dusk light dimmed and sounds of sea-gulls carried on the wind. Ah! The Pacific! I smiled.
... it's always strange visiting half-forgotten places; roads and junctions, the funny little roundabouts at crossroads, record stores on Main St, tree-lined streets. People watching was interesting being back in such a diverse city; lots more funny looking folks, a lot more evidence of alternatives, a city where you don't have to fit in to fit in, where you are as likely to see triathletes training as bums pushing shopping trolleys.
I feel ready and excited for what's next, my next home, next job, next challenge. After constant motion for so long I want a place I can return to at the end of the day. A place that holds my music, my books, my bicycle, my loves.
Guess I'm almost ready to be homeward bound.
The bus ride down the west coast was long and shambolic. We were delayed due to shattered windscreens, people left behind at the border, drivers walking out on the job, and delayed fuel-stops, but was at least made enjoyable by the final driver, "I'd like to thank you ALL, for choosing to ride in Daddy's Caddy. Now will you JOIN wi' me to ask the Lord for a safe journey, can I get a A---MEN??!"
Riding through Northern California the smoke hung heavy in the air, evidence of the huge number of forest fires that have blazed through the summer. We would squeeze through mountain passes, and where ordinarily huge vistas of ridges and hills would open out beneath, there was only an eerie whiteness in every direction.
The approach to San Francisco was hugely impressive as it appeared little by little, silhouetted against the bright sunlit sky across the bay. The long bay bridge from Oakland took us right in. But I wasn't going to stay for long. I grabbed all my gear and taxi'd to the train station to get to San Jose to see My.
I was surprised at just how many place names I recognised, how many building styles I recognised, it felt like being in a movie. American pop culture was such a part of my youth without me even realising it; film, television, and music, even the warm stark light bouncing off the concrete.
It was really great to see My and Pin. My and Pin like food. I like food. My and Pin like naps. I like naps. My and Pin like watching the Olympics. I like watching the Olympics. I like My and Pin.
It was fun seeing the places and peoples of my friends' youth. Wandering around Chinatown in 'the city', "That's the park where I learned that crazy old black dudes get along with crazy old asian dudes."
I visited Pin in Japan just before I started this trip and it was great to see him again at the end. Nice bookends to the trip. It's always good to see friends again to see how you measure up.
I've been thinking a lot about this trip and what it might mean to me, how I will look back on it. I think perhaps for the first time in my life I was more excited by what I was leaving (or rather who) than what I was approaching. It's imposiible for me to consider this trip as a single thing. I have to break it down to individual cities, individual friends, individual mornings or rides or views. It doesn't make sense any other way. It feels like a VERY long time ago that we left Boston.
I've had this trip in mind since my final year of school... just waiting for the opportunity and when it came ... having to stop early and watch as Wei continued on alone, questioning whether I'd have had the will to carry on if the situation was reversed. In many ways I was ready to stop when I did, and I know it was the right decision. I'm really happy Wei rode on and am looking forward to seeing him again in the UK and comparing notes.
When I first read my fortune I was amused. Without thinking I translated it as needing a car... but then my friend pointed out that it could equally mean a shopping trolley... maybe I'm destined to remain homeless a little longer.
1 comment:
you know, it could just mean training wheels for your bike...
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