In July and August I biked from Victoria, BC to San Francisco (or Frisco as James calls it), roughly 1200 miles with James McNish and Graham Anderson. We have so many stories to tell - some dangerous, some funny, many with generous and kind locals that we met along the way. I would need a whole separate blog to share all of them. I already miss my two brothers, and miss the lifestyle of cycle-touring. I don't miss the insatiable appetite or the sore quads though!
We concluded our adventure together by attending the Burning Man Festival in Black Rock City, Nevada. I can't imagine a more epic way to conclude an adventure of this magnitude. Burning Man was the most overstimulting, inspiring, uninhibited and creative environment I've ever experienced, and it taught me a lot about our regular society simply by demonstrating a radical alternative. I intend to carry some of the inspired creativity and zest for expression into my daily life beyond the festival (and maybe go back next year for a reminder).
I then came home to Dawson Creek for 9 days to spend some much needed time with my family. On my way home, I had a layover in Vancouver. That was basically a perfect day - I woke up with James and Graham in San Fran and said goodbye to them; arrived in Vancouver to spend the day with Leon and his new love and be inspired by their connection; see my platonic soul mate Tanyss; visit my sister from a different mister Gigi; and then finish the day in the arms of my family in Dawson Creek. I can't imagine a better day than that.
Dawson Creek was wonderful this time around. I saw everyone I wanted to see and had good, meaningful, quality time with them. I felt relaxed and grateful for my time there. My dad and I didn't fight once! We even worked on mom's deck in the back together in peace. That means a lot to me. Veronica and I spent some good sister time together too, finding some nice common ground on a bunch of important issues like her relationship, my trip to Israel/Palestine and some tentative plans to travel together soon.
Last but certainly not least, I spent a day in Calgary with my family there. Seeing my two little cousins Abi and Lily reminded me how much I need to value my safety and well-being. I need to be here for my family. I can't imagine not being a part of their lives. We love each other so much. I also got to catch up and have some important and much need one-on-one time with my cousin Michael, as well as sit and listen to my Grandpa tell crazy stories from his past. Him and I have a lot in common in the way we adventure.
The last interesting moment before getting on the final plane was in JFK. I was heading toward my boarding gate which was at the end of the terminal. On the left was my plane boarding to Tel-Aviv, and on the right was a plane boarding to Accra. I thought that was particularly serendipitous. Aside from feeling older and more certain of myself, I felt that that moment could have been the exact moment two years ago - that I could have turned left or right and both would have been real moments from my life. It gave me a sense of calm - I'v been here before, and I will be just fine.
It's now 6am, and I'm in Jerusalem. Time to get out of bed and throw myself into this new world.
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