Well folks, this is it. I'm currently sitting on my bed in a hostel in Victoria, BC. It is weird to think I am in a different country than my beloved U.S. of A., because quite frankly, I glance out my window and it looks, sounds, smells, and acts like any other part of a clean, major city. But I do have three Canadian quarters now, so ... I guess this is legit. :) And I have to admit, while going through customs, I was really tempted to ask the guy if he knew the one and only Robert Michael Jack, but I figured it wouldn't be the best interaction to start out our tour of the country. :) (AKA:
Canadian Border Patrol.)
It was fun to ride the ferry again; I have very little recall from the last time I rode one (To Vashon Island for a family reunion), but being on the boat brought back a lot of clear memories. The San Juan Islands were beautiful to ... drive through? float through? eh. whatever. they were pretty with the fog and such.
Priscilla and I enjoying the wind and wet of the ferry. woo.
I can't believe this is day 18 already. Time fluctuates like no other on this trip. Sometimes it feels like I've been on the road for a year, and others like we only gotten to take a breath and then moved on (like in Seattle. How sad to only spend 1.5 days in Seattle.)
The famous gum wall. Disgustingly fascinating.
This little man makes all the sweets inside. He was sweet.
Unfortunately, my tripod decided to live up to its $15 standard, and fell apart a little bit. It'll last me the rest of this trip, and with a little super glue, it will last me as long as I would like to keep money in my pocket. But it was creating some camera shake, and this is the best one I got. :( Next time, I guess.
What have I learned thus far? A lot about perceptions. It has been eye opening to realize just how many people live a different lifestyle than my own. I still get a kick out of the lady that worked in that dinky little restaurant for 30 years in Gerlach. I wish I had felt safe enough to talk to the homeless people on the streets of Seattle. I hope to remember the impressions of the souls of the people who are wandering through their lives, whether they think they have a direction or not. The world really is made up of all sorts of people.
On a more artistic level, I've learned about nature photography. I finally get things like shutter speed, f-stop, iso, etc. That part of this trip has been soooo fun.
I've learned exactly what I need to do to get into the BFA graphic design program. Which is this: if I want it, I've got to sacrifice and work my fingers to the bone, because in all honesty, it is the integrity of the work put in along with the design presented that acquires approval. So the next year of my life is going to be very intense, but I'm okay with that. Let's get it on.
I have to say, this being now my second experience in a hostel (my first being just two days ago), I like the adventure associated with hostels. It is crazy. Tons of strangers living together from unique walks of life with an uncertain amount of trust given or taken from each one. And for good reason. Seattle had some shady faces.
But I love this idea of strangers just hanging out! It is really great. People are generally kind and like to smile, because we're all in this together.
Victoria is a neat place; I haven't had a chance to really explore it yet, but the China town was interesting. The hardest part about this trip has been the rule of sticking in groups. If anyone knows me, they know how much I looooooove to be dependent on other people. ;) But I'm following all the rules, so no worries mom.
I have to say, I'm missing my friends and family and bed a lot today. Probably because it was a really stressful experience getting parked (sometimes I drive the van. I didn't today, but I was still really stressed out) and I don't like tense situations. But after a nap and some peace time things are great.
And, in the last three days, I was able to see three old friends! Daniele Vickers and a friend roadtripped up to Portland for the long weekend, and she surprised me, Stephanie (also a former roommate) and others that she knew on our study abroad. I remember hearing someone come into the room where I was trying to sleep, and being so annoyed at whoever the stranger was, because it was obviously a stranger with how she was whispering to someone, and then I heard her say "Where's Carrie Carlson?" I ripped off my blanket and sat straight up, and stared right at Daniele. It was awesome. :) Thank you for coming to visit me Daniele, what perfect timing. We even got to stay up and chat like olden days.
And Jennifer Brookes and Nicole Lopez are current Seattle-ites, after living there for almost a year. I was able to meet up with them one night and then Nikki and I toured the SAM (Seattle Art Museum) together, as well as parts of Seattle. It was great to see people I knew.
Word of the day: threnody \THREN-uh-dee\, noun; 1. A poem, speech, or song of lamentation, especially for the dead; dirge; funeral song.
