Back to the Future, Back to the East
Trip Start
Feb 03, 2010
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Trip End
Jul 09, 2010
Guelph, Ontario, Canada
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
February again – firing up the blog. Loved my Eastern adventure so much last year that during the whole time back in Calgary I was figuring out how I might configure my life to repeat it. 2009 was definitely a year of change – a year of movement. For those of you who hear from me very sporadically, think of this as my Christmas letter – a north American phenomenom whereby families write about the successes shared by their families, often the butt of jokes. Even so, in these times of frantic schedules and disconnection, they are a useful way of keeping connected to friends and family who we think about often, yet don't get to catch up with enough. My previous blog covered nearly the first half of last year ending when I came home for the summer. Right away I jumped right in with an incredibly busy schedule of volunteer work with the Stampede, the Red Cross Refugee Program and World Skills. I did find time for some paid work – mediating with Alberta Justice Civil Division and starting a new career as a private investigator. I am now a liscenced PI!!!! Watch out Magnum!!!! Played a lot of tennis and basically just chilled out. In August I put my lovely little house up for sale and decided to let fate plan the next steps. " Live without fear"" and all of the other tenants that served me well to get me on the road to discovery last year.
I accepted another 4 month contract with the City doing HR consulting – this time mostly working from home. Life was unfolding nicely until the first week of October when I accepted an offer on my house that came with the condition that I be out in three weeks! Needless to say, October was a crazy blur - unloading most of my furniture on Kijiji, packing up my beloved tools and gardening stuff and basically throwing clothes into bags and boxes and dropping them off at a variety of locations here there and everywhere. It was chaos and completely disorganized. Thank God for good friends who made heavy work a lot lighter. I looked at a few places to buy or rent but just didn't have the time to do much other than work at night and pack during the day. Generous friends offered to take in me and my laptop and I spent the month of November retrieving my stuff, organizing it and moving it to a garage space another friend rented me.
By the end of November I was completely exhausted but had to stay connected to the internet to fulfill my work contract. I headed east to Guelph Ontario to visit my Dad and his wife and spent Christmas in their beautiful little City. My contract ended January 1, and I planned a winter getaway for us. A couple of weeks ago, Dad, his wife Marion and I flew to Miami, met my friend Jackie there and we set sail on a two week cruise of the Caribean and the West Indies. Seven ports in 14 days – a whirlwind of islands and new things to see. The day before I left on the cruise I booked a flight to India!!! I have always wanted to go to India but was more than a little hesitant to do it solo. As fate would have it – when I put it out into the universe, the universe responded. A friend from Calgary mentioned to me that she knew a guy, also from Calgary but originally from India, who was going home for a few months and maybe we could hook up. As the discussion progressed, she, also a seasoned traveler, decided that she couldn’t miss the opportunity to see India with a local. So……….she wangled three weeks off work and we decided to go as soon my ship (literally) docked. I was back in Guelph for a couple of days, just in time to repack the little bag I used last year, and head off for the airport. All this packing – both for the Caribbean and India, has been complicated because of my homelessness. I only brought a few winter things to Guelph and most of my stuff is in the Calgary garage. Oh well – I am sure anyone reading this will agree if these are the extent of my worries, I am truly blessed. Come with me on this journey if you want, check in now and then, check in often or not at all. I will try and find strong enough wavelengths to capture some of the amazing images I know I will see, and share some of the incredible people I know I will meet. If this trip is even half of what last years was, it will be quite the adventure. In return, please let me know what you and your families are up to – I have been disconnected from Calgary and my community for many months now and I miss my family and friends and the rest of you scattered around the world. It is like a nice little present when I open my computer and find a note from a friend……..
Back to the future and off to India………on a one way ticket, without a plan……..how can it not be amazing?
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Comments
Hi Debbo! Thanks for the update, now we can go forward on your journey.
I hope you got rid of your cold by now. Nice to hear that you at least will have some experienced company on your travels for a while.
Take Care, LOL Arlene
Hey Sushine... so glad to hear you are off living life again. Look forward to catching up with you on your return. Lots to share with you! Cheers M.
Dear Deb,
I am so excited for you and can't wait to hear all about your adventures as you embark on this trip. What an experience! Travel safe and enjoy every second of it.
Looking forward to the first 'official' India blog!!
Faye
Deb, this is so awesome, good for you, and now I can live vicariously in your travels once again...looking forward to hearing about it all, have a great time!
You're the coolest sister-in-law anyone could have. All this travel that you do not for me but I love reading about how you do it ! ! ! Stay safe - and I promise to look after that brother of yours. (It's pretty easy)
How can it not be amazing? No kidding! I am still making my way through a NOVEL about India. Can't imagine really working my way through India. Jealous beyond words would be my response. Of course I'll read every blog and love every photo. How lucky you are to just take off like this. Love every minute of it!
Wow! this is amazing. I would love to go to India too. I can live through your travels! Enjoy
Hey you good to hear from you. I am so glad to hear you have retained chaotic lifestyle. Everyday is really an adventure for you. Take care and stay safe.
Knew it wouldn't be long before you were off on another adventure. Sounds so exciting!
You'll be pleased to know it's been quiet in the old 'hood. Always a good thing around here! I still haven't met the gal that bought your place, but Gord sees quite a bit of her at the store. However, we are frequently visited by her dog!! He's a good dog, just likes to explore.
Looking forward to the tales of adventure...
Cathy
Hi Deb - So glad to hear you are having such a great adventure - once again. I am looking forward to reading about your experiences. Take care and when you get back to Calgary we will have to get together.
You are so amazing--no fear--the world is your oyster! Keep on writing, so I can live vicariously through you. Bar none, I think you are going to the most incredible place on earth! Have fun and know that you are never alone (even when you want to be in India!)
Lynne
Look out India! and Deb... do keep a watchful eye out for the pythons and rats...
You go girl!
Glad you arrived and look forward to your blog updates to get me through the winter blahs. I know everyday will be exciting new experiences - I wish I was there. Enjoy - be safe and have fun.
Of all the places Paul and I visited in 1988, India was so unlike any other... the present, the past and the future, and all socio-economic levels all together everywhere you looked... truly memorable. Will you get to Nepal?
Looking forward to your always enjoyable travel tales...
Mary Noreen
Hey girl! I've been trying to figure out where in the world you are! SO excited you got things sorted for India! I'm really looking forward to the updates, and who knows, maybe since I'm on this side of the world, I'll just have find a way to come and find you. If you can find a way to get down here, we'll have to work it out. Come do some diving, relax, tell stories, you know, the things you do best! Perfect that you have some company for a bit of the journey as well. Keep the info coming, I'll be thinking of you!!! Miss you, girlfriend!!! xoxo
Hey Deb: Great to hear from you. Anxious to see some pics and read about your travels. All is well here. Will send you an e-mail.
Jennifer
No need to worry or miss all of us in Calgary. The Olympics will consume our focus for the next couple of weeks and we'll be fine. I don't think India has any teams entered into the downhill, hockey or bobsled events so it may be hard to find a cafe to watch any coverage. Hopefully you'll be in warmer climes than us and the pain of separation will be less. Looking forward to your continued evolution as a P.I. sleuthing as a professional photographer . Take care.
Debbie - we loved India and would go back in a minute. The food is great, the colours almost unbearable and the diversity/disparity thing unreal. Have a wonderful trip - look forward to your blogs and photos.
Big C.
Debbie,
You are living the life many of us wish we could.
Just don't get flagged as a terrriorist with a one way ticket and virtually no luggage.
We look forward to getting updates on your adventure.
Mark
Hey Deb, here you go again! I admire your energy and your courage! I look forward to hearing more of your travels. Jeremy and I got home from 10 days on the Riviera Maya last night (very tame by comparison!). But we had fun and love to be together, so what more could I ask for!
Have fun,
Lea
Wishing you all the best on this your latest adventure Deb! I so look forward to reading your next "novel" about your travels. I am thinking that a published work might well be in your future! Be safe! Enjoy!
Where are you and why are you making us wait so long to hear about your travels? i can't wait to read your blog! Take care and have the BEST time of your life.