Home At Last

I took the ferry to PEI for the first time since the bridge opened back in '97. It was a brilliant way to come home - waves lapping gently against the boat, the white sunlight streaking its way through the heavily hung gray clouds and, of course, the ruddy red cliffs greeting us with open arms. It was a sweet way to return to my roots.

Originally I was planning to take the shuttle back to the Island, but Patrick saved me from that horrible fate by deciding to head to Halifax for a weekend of couchsurfing & partying. He had the company of two travellers - Sebastian, from Romania and hitchiker Dave, from the UK. Hitchiker Dave made it from Calgary to PEI in a mere four days. That is impressive.

Friday afternoon the guys rocked up at my sister's place and after a brief visit, we hightailed it to Halifax for a couchsurfing shindig, picking up Natasha on the way. I was soooo happy to see both Patrick and Natasha, as they are both fellow wanderlusts who haven't fallen into the whole 'hatch, match & dispatch' mentality that seems so prevalent on PEI. After the couchsurfing shindig, Tash & I retired to her place on the navy base, intending to have an early night, but I had already indulged in too much alcohol and at around midnight insisted that we hit a pub in town so we went to a brilliant Irish place on Barrington and I kicked up my heels like I haven't for ages. It felt great! Eventually, the DJ handed the reins over to The Boys Next Door, whom I've been trying to see for ages. Yay! But seriously, why do people keep telling me I look like Betty Boop?

On Saturday Sahra, Tash, Schemida and I headed to the farmer's market, which would have been thoroughly enjoyable if I'd had more sleep and less wine the night before. Well, in any case we then made our way to the Greek Fest, where we enjoyed some delicious souvlaki and pastries, and watched little Greek kids dance in a circle.

Eventually Sahra, Schemida and I made our way to the public gardens. It ended up being prom day, so there were loads of high school kids decked out to the nines getting their pictures taken. Some of the dresses were breathtakingly beautiful - I think Sahra might have gotten a few ideas for her wedding dress. I, meanwhile, found myself admiring one or two of the men who were wearing forties style hats. So very nice.

My heart is tugging. I need some distractions. It's a good thing I am back home - job-hunting, apartment-hunting, working out and catching up with friends/family should provide almost enough in this regard.

Stranger Than Shannon

It's 11.39 a.m, I just woke up to find myself snuggled up on my sister's couch with two black cats perched upon the living room furniture (one enjoying the softness of my bath towel), watching my every move as I groggily made my way to the bathroom.

That's when I finally woke up.

I am back in Canada. The Australian chapter of my life is closed. My interlude in Michigan has come and gone. I'm 26 years old. I have a backpack and a suitcase full of clothes, an ancient Toshiba laptop and some random furniture packed away at my parents' place from university days. I'm unemployed and basically homeless. My bank account is fast dwindling, thanks to student loans and credit cards used to finance my explorations of Europe and Australia.

It would seem that I have nothing, and yet I feel as though I have everything.

I've decided to hang up my travelling shoes for a couple of years, but it feels like I am about to embark on the greatest adventure of my life so far. There is nothing tying me to one place or another, to a particular job or way of living. It's like I'm at the Universe's buffet table and I just have to pick and choose what I want from the endless options available.

I'm excited. Life is beautiful.

A long time ago I promised myself I wouldn't let fear guide me through life. This resulted in me booking one-way flights to countries far from home, throwing myself into the unknown before I could think rationally about what I had done. A lot of people have labelled me as brave because I've lived abroad, not knowing a single soul in the country I landed. The truth is, I wasn't brave, I booked my tickets on impulse, painting myself into a corner that I couldn't get out of without a significant financial loss.

And you know what? Things always worked out some way or another. Life has a way of doing that, if you just let it.

Everything happens for a reason. You just have to have faith. Australia and Michigan taught me that.

Job? On PEI? Anybody????

So yah. I'm heading back to PEI next week. YAY!!!! Finally, a summer in PEI !!! I am stoked - really and truly I am. It's just that, well, I need a job. And fast. If anyone knows of any position that requires more than the ability to operate a cash register or serve food, please please let me know. I will soon become desperate . . . and I really don't want to know what would happen then....