Remember When I Went To Canada?

This London trip won’t be the first time I’m leaving the country, nor my first time writing a travel journal. Going all the way back to my sophomore year of high school, I went on a wilderness retreat into Quetico Park somewhere in Ontario, Canada. Lured in by an elaborate Power Point presentation with beautiful pictures of pristine lakes, canoes, and lush forests, I impulsively, and what was at the time a little uncharacteristic of me, wanted to go. I had never been a boy scout and I have never even camped outside in a tent before, but something told me I had to go.

I did the best I could to try and convince my friends to go, but no one could get together the money. Luckily for me, I had begun working as a dental assistant a few months prior, and at least had a steady job. I paid my dues, packed my bags and welcomed the challenge ahead of me. Normally I might have had some reservations on going somewhere without my group of friends, but I was too excited to let that stop me.

The excursion began with a 7-9 hour bus ride on a nice charter bus. It turned out to be the first time I was on a large vehicle that was not only an alternative to a school bus, but also had television screens. It was the most minor of new experiences, yet I was still impressed. Once we got to the Canadian frontier, with our canoes, food, tents, and miniature outdoor kitchen, the real trip began.

Each day consisted of the hardest physical challenges I had ever faced as a non-athletic, computer and television-raised kid. We canoed hard across huge pristine (and drinkable) lakes only to reach land where we would have to portage over muddy trails. Each canoe weighed 75 pounds and rested neatly on the shoulders that required serious balance and concentration while traversing uneven ground. After hours of happily grueling through it all, we had the rest of the day to ourselves to explore, bond or just do whatever we wanted. I brought along a journal, and wrote almost every day and drew some pictures. It was a great practice; not only could I relive the days’ events as I wrote them, but because they were there for me to relive again and again years after I want to make sure that London will be no different.