Richard's jaunt

Saturday, February 05, 2005

Credits, thanks, lists and thoughts

Well its over. One of the most intense, happiest, tiring and eventful periods of my life. No regrets. It cost me approximately £3500 for the trip. Most of the expense was in the US and Canada, but I did everything I wanted to do and a few things I never imagined.

In hindsight I would have made a few changes to my itinerary to ease my passage. There are parts I would skip out and maybe doing the whole of the West coast meant I traveled too quickly at times. In Latin America I would have definitely benefited from going to learn Spanish in a language school.

The highlights for me were San Fran, Guatemala and Panama, mainly due to a mixture of great scenery and good company. I would certainly like to go back to Guatemala and get to know the people more, San Fran I could I live there, as I would Vancouver.

Thanks for reading the blog hope you enjoyed it. I give special thanks to all those at home who mailed me and gave support during my journey. In particular:

Mum and Dad - for sorting out my mail and hassles with credit cards
Jill and Neil - For providing equipment, a home, numerous other stuff
Alan and Judy - For providing equipment, storing my junk
Mark - For setting up the web site


This is the equipment I ended up with, which I would probably take again for a following trip. The only changes would be to use a digital camera and I would possibly consider adding a mosquito net and a sleeping bag.
Generally I tried to travel as light as possible as I often added extra gear (such as a tent) and food and water, which really up the weight.

Luggage
rucksack - Berghaus Voyager 55 litres
Daysack - drawstring gym bag

Bicycle cable lock (to lock rucksack to immovable objects)
Small padlock (for lockers)

Apparel
Merrill sandals, (these slowly fell apart and were difficult to clean)
Montrail Goretex walking shoes, (recommended)

Berghaus Extrem Paclite Goretex waterproof shell (expensive, but effective)
Body belt
Wide brimmed hat (avoids red ears)
Long sleeve shirt
2 Dryflo T shirts (1 got lost)
Swimming shorts
Windstopper fleece
2 trousers (no zipp off legs, its not cool)
2 pr walking socks (designed for Goretex shoes)
3 pr Dryflo underpants (so they dry over night)

Misc
2004 Footprint guide book (okay, bit out of date)
Spanish phrase book and dictionary
Silk sleeping sheet (keeps bed bugs out)
Inflatable neck cushion (great for long bus journeys)
Two Platypus collapsible water bottles (take up less space)
Camera, Olympus mju zoom and 35mm films (broke)
Duck tape
Sun glasses
Pegless washing line (lost, but useful)
Swiss Army knife
Ear plugs (vital)
Compass
whistle (never used)
Petzl head torch (best thing)
Sketch book and pencils (got trashed)
Moleskine journal
Post-it notes, pens
Paperback books (too many at times)
Paperwork: Passport, drivers license (for photo id), 3 credit cards, insurance, cash in $, TC in $, etc

Health
Basic first aid kit
Vitamins (vit B1 to annoy mosi's), 100% DEET, F35 sunscreen,
Toiletries: solid anti-p, lip balm, tooth brush & paste, razors & shaving oil, shower gel
Travel towel
Toilet roll

Oh and a half a hollowed out gourd like thing, used as a drinking/eating vessel, which I am very proud of.

Tuesday, February 01, 2005

Back to Canada

The border crossing to Costa Rica is to be believed. Just a mess of random buildings, not unlike a rough industrial park. Go into a unsigned waiting room the size and feel of a small garage where after 20 minutes some guy prods my bag and tells me to move on. Outside my bus has vanished and an eight year old kid points across the block. There are no signs, eventually find an old lady sitting in the street at a little wooden desk selling stamps to stick in my passport. I buy one on the assumption I might need one, who knows. Nearby there is a small rough hole in an anonymous wall. I peer in and get brusquely asked for my passport. It is stamped and returned I get the impression I have just officially left Panama. The kid pops up again like the white rabbit and points north and says Costa Rica. I amble through no mans land not quite sure where I am going or what I am looking for. I go past various random shops and utility buildings and find my bus again, but its empty and locked. After a few dead ends the white rabbit returns, I pay him a well earned dollar and I hand over my passport to the big greasy guy with his shirt half undone revealing a sweaty hairy torso. We are ushered in to what looks like a wire fenced tennis court, which is a little perturbing. But after an hour the greasy guy shouts my name and lets me out to rejoin the bus. Why this is all necessary is beyond me.


The flight north again is without a hitch. Miami airport was cool as I could talk to the ground staff in Spanish which surprised them no end.

Bit of a shock landing in Canada I am being frozen to death. Yesterday it was 30C and now its -5C at lunch time dropping to -14 at night.
Im not impressed with Toronto, apart from the snow its all a little dull. Very orderly and polite. Even the bums apologies when they ask for change.

I take a day trip to Niagara falls. No that place is truly weird.
The day before everywhere was green, leaves on trees, butterflies fluttered by and now I'm in a monochrome world of ice and snow.

The falls are surrounded by fractured towers of ice and snow. The falls force a plume of mist rising like if it were a forest fire. The water droplets fall and freeze all around creating wild frostings on every surface.

The main street is like a brasher version of Blackpool. Rails of yellowing T shirts 3 for $10, Movieland, House of Terror, Dairy Queen, Jacuzzi, low rates, Casino, wax work murderers.