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Reports

During my travels, I received free accommodation for a night in exchange for writing a daily travel diary. This diary documented how I reached my next destination, the hosts who welcomed me, the food I was offered, and other experiences along the way. Below, you will find the archives of these extensive reports. Please note that English is not my native language, and most entries were written quickly, often around midnight. Enjoy!

Sunday, 16 March 2003
--> Prince George, BC, Canada

Bob and Karen let me sleep in this morning and I met up with them in the kitchen around 11.30am. Bob had also just woken up and decided to make pancakes for brunch this day.

Today was going to be a very relaxing day for all of us. I could do my updates on the high-speed Internet connection and Karen was still busy with dinners and I forgot if it was for tomorrow’s dinner of again for next week. However all her activities in the kitchen do make the house smell very nice!

After our brunch I discovered Bob and Karen’s vinyl records collection. Oh that was so cool! They had the original albums of the Beatles, David Bowie and even a rare Bob Marley. I played the songs on their pick-up player (that’s how you call these things here, ey?) and we all enjoyed of old hippie music.

Yes, both of my hosts admitted they once had long hair!

For a good exercise and to get out of the house again, Bob took me along for some snowshoeing. Snowshoeing is walking through/on high snow on these shoes that look like tennis rackets, only way more modern.

Bob drove along the river on this beautiful and warm day. I actually only worn a t-shirt and my summer jacket! Snow was melting as we looked at it and the river was full with big ice floats going downstream.

We had a walk through a small valley surrounded by a dense forest. It was my first time with snowshoes on and it was rather fun.

With the snowshoes we eventually sunk one foot in the soft melting snow, but imagine without them: I would end up hip deep in snow and that would be unworkable to get through!

After one hour we got back to the car and had our today’s work-out done again. It is refreshing for the mind too!

So today ended up as a soothing day without the rush of getting on the road again and possible get rides from drunken people or people who want to smoke marihuana during their driving (as yesterday).

I had a very enjoying time with the Rutherfords and in the evening I met up with Anna and Sarah again and with the family that was going to join them on their ski vacation next week, came over for dinner (and brought delicious sushi with them!).

Oh yeah, I teased Anna that it was her fault that I stayed another day and she had to do something in return now. And she was happy to help me out. After dinner she spent hours on making me a new hitchhiking sign! She is very creative!

At the end of the day it was time to say goodbye to Anne and Sarah and getting my stuff together again. Tomorrow morning I have to –swallow– wake up at 5.30 am…

Good night Prince George!

Ramon.