Well... the stupidest thing happened: While shipping my bike from Vancouver to Calgary (Yes, I decided to go to Calgary), my brake was broken. And they couldn't get the part for 5 or 6 weeks.
So now my bike is on its way back home, and I have moved on to Edmonton.
From Friday I'll be working at a bison farm/bed&breakfast in Bonnyville via WWOOF.
I was crying all the way back to the hostel after I had shipped my bike yesterday. I'm a bit better now though. But still a bit sad. Tomorrow I am going on a therapeutic shopping trip (if I'm not biking, I don't have nearly enough "normal" clothes with me) in the biggest mall in the world. Apparently it has an indoor lake and a water(slide)park, both of which are the biggest in the world, too.....
Wednesday, August 29, 2007
Sunday, August 19, 2007
Aaaannnndddd..... I'm back!!
Back in Vancouver.... I promise, I'll be moving in the right (eastern) direction soon!
Now, why would I be back in Vancouver???? Well, I tried cycling around the Fraser Valley, and I found it was just too busy on the roads around there to cycle safely. So I came back. On the bike, on more quiet streets. I'm going to take a bus somewhere next week. The big question being: where?
I have not decided on an answer to that one just yet. I was thinking Penticton, in the Okanagan, or Banff/Lake Louise, or perhaps move right on to Calgary, and head back into the Rockies from there.... But a decision has not been made. I don't want to miss too much, but I don't want to run short on time, either. So my plans are under constant revision at the moment.
Any input is welcome, and also: How are you faring this summer? Any good holiday stories to tell?
(BTW, I'm working on a longer post with war stories, but I want to get that all together before I post it)
Now, why would I be back in Vancouver???? Well, I tried cycling around the Fraser Valley, and I found it was just too busy on the roads around there to cycle safely. So I came back. On the bike, on more quiet streets. I'm going to take a bus somewhere next week. The big question being: where?
I have not decided on an answer to that one just yet. I was thinking Penticton, in the Okanagan, or Banff/Lake Louise, or perhaps move right on to Calgary, and head back into the Rockies from there.... But a decision has not been made. I don't want to miss too much, but I don't want to run short on time, either. So my plans are under constant revision at the moment.
Any input is welcome, and also: How are you faring this summer? Any good holiday stories to tell?
(BTW, I'm working on a longer post with war stories, but I want to get that all together before I post it)
Wednesday, August 15, 2007
Thank you for the music!
Everyone - Just want to say thanks for all the great CDs you've given me. I've listened to (parts of) all of your CDs, and I have to say, love what I heard. I can tell who's music is who's, and I was on the floor laughing when I heard Kinderen voor Kinderen's de Kerstezel.... you know who you are!!!
Anyway, I'll tell you more about my adventures when I'm not so much on the clock.... Libraries only give you 15 mins around here.
Anyway, I'll tell you more about my adventures when I'm not so much on the clock.... Libraries only give you 15 mins around here.
Thursday, August 9, 2007
Not all good, not all bad
I'm in Port Moody in the library checking my mail. If you check your map, you'll see I haven't gotten very far just yet. The weather was lousy when I left, and then I (accidentally) got on the Expressway. Not a good place to be, and I couldn't get off very easily. I don't remember the last time I was that scared.
At any rate, when I got off the road, I took a cab back to Coquitlam, and have been staying in a motel to get myselkf over the fright. Tomorrow I'm going to give the cycling a new and improved chance. Today I found the TransCanada Trail here in Port Moody (over the hill from where I'm staying), so I'll be following that for right now.
The place I've been staying at is very nice, with a great shower and BATH. It also has a small pool. And a TV in the room. It's a good place to be in. But tomorrow I really hope to be camping somewhere.
I also have a phone now. Just to be on the safe side. My parents have the number, in case of emergencies.
Okay, this computer is threatening to quit on me, so I'm going to sign off now. I'll try to let know more soon.
At any rate, when I got off the road, I took a cab back to Coquitlam, and have been staying in a motel to get myselkf over the fright. Tomorrow I'm going to give the cycling a new and improved chance. Today I found the TransCanada Trail here in Port Moody (over the hill from where I'm staying), so I'll be following that for right now.
The place I've been staying at is very nice, with a great shower and BATH. It also has a small pool. And a TV in the room. It's a good place to be in. But tomorrow I really hope to be camping somewhere.
I also have a phone now. Just to be on the safe side. My parents have the number, in case of emergencies.
Okay, this computer is threatening to quit on me, so I'm going to sign off now. I'll try to let know more soon.
Monday, August 6, 2007
Yes Folks, Alive!
It's now Monday. I've been in Vancouver for six days now. LUUUURRRVVEE the city. Love the fact I've got my bike too.
The day I picked up the bike was the only day so far the weather hasn't been nice. It was strange cycling in from the airport, since it was the first time I ever rode my bike on a highway. Before you freak out over there, they have a cycling lane on the hard shoulder (vluchtstrook). The idea of getting on the road though was pretty scary. Especially because I also had to go over this huge bridge together with a six lane (car) highway. I'm glad I got over that. It turned out to not be nearly as scary as cycling on Granville, a very long street that takes you from the airport right up to where I'm staying (almost). There's just so much traffic on Granville, I ended up cycling on the (quiet) footpath. Much better, I must say.
Tomorrow I actually start cycling for real. Apparently I picked a good day, because its supposed to rain. However, the hostel is fully booked, so there's no way for me to stay any longer.
On Saturday I had a bit of a freak-out about leaving the safe environment of the hostel. I had a to-do list longer than both arms combined, and not enough time to do it in. Also, I was doubting the route I want to take, and whether I would be able to do it at all.
So, to calm my nerves I went to the movies, and saw two films back to back: Sicko and Knocked Up. Which was a very good thing to do, because it put me in a much better mood. Now I'm pretty much packed for tomorrow, and confident I'll manage.
I might come back later this evening and post some of the things I did around Vancouver, but first I'm going to get some dinner.
The day I picked up the bike was the only day so far the weather hasn't been nice. It was strange cycling in from the airport, since it was the first time I ever rode my bike on a highway. Before you freak out over there, they have a cycling lane on the hard shoulder (vluchtstrook). The idea of getting on the road though was pretty scary. Especially because I also had to go over this huge bridge together with a six lane (car) highway. I'm glad I got over that. It turned out to not be nearly as scary as cycling on Granville, a very long street that takes you from the airport right up to where I'm staying (almost). There's just so much traffic on Granville, I ended up cycling on the (quiet) footpath. Much better, I must say.
Tomorrow I actually start cycling for real. Apparently I picked a good day, because its supposed to rain. However, the hostel is fully booked, so there's no way for me to stay any longer.
On Saturday I had a bit of a freak-out about leaving the safe environment of the hostel. I had a to-do list longer than both arms combined, and not enough time to do it in. Also, I was doubting the route I want to take, and whether I would be able to do it at all.
So, to calm my nerves I went to the movies, and saw two films back to back: Sicko and Knocked Up. Which was a very good thing to do, because it put me in a much better mood. Now I'm pretty much packed for tomorrow, and confident I'll manage.
I might come back later this evening and post some of the things I did around Vancouver, but first I'm going to get some dinner.
Thursday, August 2, 2007
Yippee!!!
My stuff is here!My stuff is here!My stuff is here!My stuff is here!My stuff is here!My stuff is here!My stuff is here!My stuff is here!My stuff is here!My stuff is here!My stuff is here!My stuff is here!My stuff is here!My stuff is here!My stuff is here!My stuff is here!My stuff is here!My stuff is here!
Now I can pick up the my bike from the airport. I'll do that tomorrow... Today I've already walked for 5 hours, so I don't want the hassle of putting my bike back together under time pressure. Tomorrow I can go in early and get it done.
In the meantime, I can have a long shower and put on CLEAN CLOTHES. Goodie!
Oh, and also: Happy Birthday Sylvie
(in about 15 minutes you'll be 25 years old)!!!!
Now I can pick up the my bike from the airport. I'll do that tomorrow... Today I've already walked for 5 hours, so I don't want the hassle of putting my bike back together under time pressure. Tomorrow I can go in early and get it done.
In the meantime, I can have a long shower and put on CLEAN CLOTHES. Goodie!
Oh, and also: Happy Birthday Sylvie
(in about 15 minutes you'll be 25 years old)!!!!
Wednesday, August 1, 2007
Welllll..... At least I'm here......
Short recap.
Now let's hope my stuff gets here, so I can get my bike up and running.
- Amsterdam: fine
- London: Asked to volunteer to possibly give up my seat to LA and get a straight flight to Vancouver. Didn't need me, so off to LA anyway.
- LA: Bike, in box that's a bit mangled. BUT: Wrong Label, so I can't transfer it. Instead, I have to drag it, by myself, to a different terminal through parking lots in the hot middle of the day. People weren't very helpful.
- LA: Oh yeah, my normal bags didn't come. Should be going straight to Vancouver
- LA: Flight delayed for 8 hours. Manage to get on an earlier one. With bike.
- Vancouver: Bike, but no bags arrived. Put bike in storage at airport. People are very nice and helpful. Hopefully bags come in next two or three days
- Vancouver: Really exhausted, take taxi to hostel. All computers are taken, and phones too, so I go to bed instead..... Stories had to wait a day....
Now let's hope my stuff gets here, so I can get my bike up and running.
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