Miss Mandie

This is Greg. I had the pleasure of travelling with him on the train from Chicago to Michigan. Now, I don’t suppose I am going to have time to write about all the people I enjoy brief moments of connection with on the traveller’s path, but quite frankly, Greg impressed me.

He is studying culinary art in Chicago – something he has always wanted to do and is loving it. Sure, he feels a little helpless in terms of his nation’s political system and wont be voting in the upcoming election, saying he would rather wait until someone is up for election that he feels is worthy of his vote. But what struck me was his refusal to throw his ciggie butt on the ground.

I, myself, am usually very stringent on watching my pollution of cigarette butts (having just recently lapsed into the habit again after a year and half sabbatical) – I figure I am doing enough damage to my internal environment that I don’t need to further the destruction by littering my butts. But I’ll admit that with no ashtray provided on rail platforms, I have joined the other nicotine-starved addicts by throwing my butt on the ground. Even upon the encouragement of the conductor that someone will clean up the platform, Greg preferred to ensure it was definitely disposed of by himself on board “what if they happen to miss my butt!?” was his response.

When I expressed my amazement at his attitude, he just shrugged and stated that “the world seems to be turning to shit so I just want to do what I can.” This coming from a guy who also requested cash one Christmas and then proceeded to buy $100 worth of cheeseburgers to distribute to the homeless.

He is, as the older generations would say, a lovely young lad!

Thanks for making the world a better place Greg just by being you!

I was entertained the other day in Walmart, the epicentre of rampant American consumerism, by this little girl who was completely fascinated by a life-size, moving witch. I loved how those of us that were around to witness it got mesmerised by the girl’s obvious intrigue…it had us in fits of giggles and for a brief moment I was completely at peace with sitting in Walmart

Recently I got an offer I couldn’t refuse. My good friend Charish and the girls in her family get together for an annual “girl’s weekend”…this was to be their 11th year and I got an invite – woohoo!

It was being held in Minneapolis, Minnesota – a place I had never actually considered visiting but a cute city no less. This weekend was all about the things girls love to do best  – bonding, connecting, shopping, dressing up, sharing make-up, doing each other’s hair, drinking, laughing, flirting with men, and of course the obligatory pillow fights in our panties that all girls get up to when they are alone together!

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The Great Hitching Adventure

As I begin my first entry in six months, I want to ask the question – how do you define happiness? Is it the purchase of that car you’ve had your eye on for the longest time? Is it taking off on holidays? Is it the comfort you take in loved ones? Your annual trek to your favourite festival? Or perhaps it’s just that feeling on a Friday afternoon when you are escaping the office for the weekend? For me, it’s knowing that in every moment I am doing what I want to do. No fear of what the future may hold and no regrets for moments that have passed.

As I set off from the Alaskan CouchSurfing Collective, I was immediately consumed with the excitement of the journey. There is something about forward motion involved with travelling that resonates with the core of my being. It’s the anticipation of the sights along the travelling path, the feeling that absolutely anything in this life is possible. To me, the journey confirms that the world is indeed my playground – a place to be explored, full of interesting individuals to connect with, learn from, be amused by, to graciously receive help from and to offer love, support, humour and kinship to. What a friggin’ world we live in!

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