To conclude – Post 4 of 5 – What I took and came back with

• It is amazing how well I did the packing considering, I am very happy with what I took and how.
• The wheelly bag was the right size and decision.  It was bought in California nine years ago and has survived well.  The little Berghouse rucksack which I could use as cabin luggage, day pack and for up to two weeks away from the red bag worked very well until the last week when a zip went.  I got to know where everything was within both (or should be, occasionally I threw myself into confusion by changing one thing!).  The three Tupperware containers and two big compression ziplok bags helped organise the loose bits and pieces.
• The technology worked – The little netbook was great for writing the blog, the camera was perfect, , I had plenty of data cards, and the only frustration was that I used many many batteries in the camera.  The most valuable thing I had were my Oakley sun glasses which were guarded (and invaluable to me for their optics rather than coolness).  The phone suffered in the dampness of the Borneo jungle but made it all the way.   A watch was eaten by deet based insect repellent, and its Loas street bought Seiko self winder is a lovely addition to my collection of old watches.
• I may have lost a few hats but only a disposable electric toothbrush (one of my little luxuries) permanently and nothing (I noticed) was stolen.
• I took various mementoes and photos of friends and family.

To conclude – Post 5 of 5 – A final set of conclusions

• Looking back one month on; Do I have any regrets doing such a wild and in some ways decadent adventure – Not one.  It ticked so many boxes – Such a variety of sights, people, food, colours, light, cultures, challenges, new places and memories.  I tried not to be too frugal around friends but with myself I was very disciplined; the result was that the cost was not much more than I could have spent at home.
• The sharing of the blog has been one of the highlights for me and I am glad to have shared so many of my joys.  I miss the discipline of the writing – diary writing has never been strength and it has been the sharing has been fun, in this world of social networking one maybe I need to return to a blog, start tweeting, or use facebook but currently feel that my everyday life is less interesting and a little inconsequential.  Your presence out there kept me writing and in some ways ordering my explorations… thanks again.
• Warm thoughts for my dear departed Father who would have delighted in much of this journey, and Carol who passed away at the end of the journey but was an avid reader of the blogs.
• This is the end of this blog … as implied above there may be another or something of that ilk.  The photos will stay up, and I will add to what is there with professional work .  Thank you all, love ya Px

Leaving for home, Toronto, and Independent Living

Last but one posting of this Travel Blog…

• Toronto and its suburbs.  Toronto is a city I have visited many times (12+) and it is always a pleasure.  It is a very diverse city with significant areas of shops and residences from many nations yet there is a relaxed mixing everywhere.  As a city it is clean, well organised, has a vibrant arts / education community and some innovative city/building planning so has much to recommend it – the American characterisation Canada being boring I feel (as with Vancouver or Mortreal) is very unfair especially given some of its cities (many will know I lived 2 years in Cincinnati which does not compare…. ).  Suburbs here spread lots, there is plenty of space, and the houses are large yet the newer ones are built close together, and generally one has to say its not as interesting as Toronto can be (but maybe one can say that of most cities).  There was a time when I thought I would be emigrating here and Toronto would become home.
• Independent Living. I have been visiting my Aunt Doreen for the last 10 days.  She is 81, emigrated here more than ¾ of her life ago, and lives with her little dog, Penny, in her house of 25+ years while awaiting a hip replacement.  It is a model of how to be determined, independent and focused.     The many friends, supportive neighbours, a rolling walker, home help, visits from an agency nurse, gardening and cleaning services enable her to remain in control of her retirement and decisions.  Doreen has enjoyed my company and looking after her nephew as much as is possible, and I enjoy looking after her as much as she will allow – we quickly found a happy balance.    
• Shakespeare, theatres and fesitivals. Canada has a Stratford town, on a river Avon, so they have also theatres (4) and Shakespeare orientated summer festival theatre.  It is a busy and pretty place which is a good drive from most large cities in the area but seems to be thriving.  The quality of the Shakespeare productions is high, and the theatre architecture interesting (Three of them thrust theatres inspired by Tyrone Guthrie, it is a precursor to the Chichester theatre for instance).
• Another thank you… When I last posted the blog I thanked all the many friends old and new who have shared experiences or their home with me over the last 6 months.  One other feature of my travels which is not reflected fully in the photos or blog is how much poking around theatres I have done by curtsy of lighting technicians and production managers all along the way.  It has been a part of my ongoing education and redefining my career interests, I have 1000+ photos of 60+ venues (lots of sorting yet to do on this).  These last two days I have seen one of the Stratford Theatres, and the new award winning concert hall and opera house in Toronto.  Thanks to Robbyn, Lee and Malcolm there, and the many others on my journey, it has been fascinating sharing. 
• Leaving this continent; This will be the last but one set of posts; I intend to post from home when I get there after the birthday open house (anyone thinking of coming please let me know in advance).  I fly off this evening overnight, volcano willing, to arrive back in the UK in time for my oldest nieces 18^th birthday.  I have to get home not only for some work but also as the iPod and watch are broke, the phone is becoming more awkward, a couple of small glitches in the travel arrangement happened and various socks etc will be thrown due to holes!!

NYC – Connecticut Creative visiting; and a thank you

• Vancouver I had delightful visits with Claire and James who used to work with me in Leeds and have an inspirational creative life.  They are testament to the power of networking, of nurturing creative talent, of creative partnerships, and of competing for the funding/presentational/educational opportunities.  I look forward to their international musicals, operas or dance pieces – it is great to bounce ideas with people who understand the technology, particularly lighting and sound, that can assist with creativity.   Sheila, my friend who stage manages for the Opera here; is so solid, organised, focused and supportive, but with that amazing overview of process and results which one needs to fully support creative process.
• Creative in / from a buzzing NYC.  In New York I stayed with Jim and Shanna.  Jim, who studied lighting with me in Cincinnati, is the Lighting Assistant/Associate extraordinaire.  He works very hard at ensuring everything is ordered, attainable and delivered alongside the creatives.  Jim is a good designer but the delivering of Christmas Extravaganzas, TV programmes, museum layouts and broadway musicals has provided the regular cheques to support living in Manhattan and the health insurance.  Even working at a good level he is a middle class professional who may benefit if the medical bill is ever split from the lobbying groups interests who wish to undermine/not pay for Obama-care.   Shanna having had her first Broadway show has attained one pinnacle of Stage Management now is developing a real job in publishing without the hassles of company/actor politics which I totally sympathise with.
• Connecticut; I escaped New York (actually a city I very much like for the transport, buzz, theatre, and shopping – mainly photo and hi-tech) for the leafy surrounding towns.  Hartford, where I am near, has a little more going for them than some of London’s satellite cities but still the train service is woefully slow and expensive.  Tina is a set and lighting designer I met in Banff, who is now nearly a full time mother.  Todd is a full on ex pro mountain biker who now sells LED lighting components.  The opportunities to teach and design on the side locally have slowed down with the recession but there is a good balance – the two children take a lot of time and energy as well.  The joys, and trials, of children were again fun to experience – although I get to walk away after a couple of days when they are demanding or moody.  Their lives and home is creative and beautiful, sharing and designed, cosy and welcoming.
• A thank you to sharing, caring, friends. Quakers call themselves Friends with a capital F to indicate in part how they are equal and caring.  The openness, supportive, developmental and positive times I have spent with friends in North America has been a joy and humbling from the time I set foot in North America.  I wish I could have fitted a few more stops in and a few more days almost everywhere but I would have not changed any one of the days.  The giving and sharing works both ways, although I am rushed at times so are their full joyous lives – Thank you my hosts I am a blessed with many wonderful friends here (and the world over).  I look forward to spending time with my one relative here in North America on my last stop (although also a little time with a couple of friends in Ontario around that).

Mountains of Memories

• Mountains – I am back in the mountains of Canada staying in Canmore and visiting where I used to work in Banff – www.banffcentre.ca .  It is always stunning.  I have said many times that I feel most at home near the sea or mountains – The photos I post will be duplicates in many ways of ones I have from the many months here, but each time one sees slightly different things.  Enjoy them; you will see why it is one of my favourite places. 
• Memories – With all the travelling to friends I have to try to put in order the complex comings and goings around my career(s) and studies.  There is a vagueness I have decided to accept in my past, many of the lovely memories of people, places and events thankfully I remember.  Dates I cannot quite sort – did I work in Banff in 88 or 89, 97 or 98, and 01 or 02? (I was in there for some of all of them but I admit I had to look at my CV to work it out!!!) .
• I had one day of snowboarding with my gracious host John (my former boss) and his family (Betty and Jackson (8)).  We were at Sunshine which is a wonderful large open bowl which goes up to nearly 9,000 feet with amazing views as far as one can see.  I will never be great at it but I can confidently swoop down any blue slope – I snowboard rather than ski as the flow of it I prefer and attainable given my infrequent practice. There is also speed, freedom, nature all around and working on developing skills. 
• Challenges and Achieving – John as a combination of production, operations, recruiting and training manager within the wonderfully creative and opportunity full cauldron that is The Banff Centre is a champion of developing careers and getting the best.  He and Betty both have built a good career and here by focusing on skills and staying put.   John challenged me positively about how I can achieve satisfaction, become a world renowned expert, and develop a career.  The notion of a sabbatical / break, and switching as often as I have was awkward to John.  The discussion allowed me to clarify my plans.  We were both excited about the design of theatres and I hope this will be part of my future … but who knows, some of it will be down to luck I find and make….
• Luck
  • One makes ones luck…. in part.  I am a believer in being generous with time, sharing, and friends and in part the luck makes itself.  The living in beautiful places comes from having freedom, education (privilege), and pursuing jobs/training but also maybe some luck …. Atlantic College, Chico, Denby Dale, Whitstable and of course Banff – I really cannot complain on my lot (even in very occasional moodier single guy moments).
  • On to Vancouver – one purely lucky event is talking to Connie in the Banff Theatre complex whose husband is driving to Vancouver on Wednesday so I will accompany him (so I will not be travelling overnight by bus on Wednesday). 
  • Nature is a challenge which we pit ourself against and can be the arbiter of luck.  Nature via Eyjafjallajokull volcano has inconvenienced more people in the western world than most events (but its far from the tornados, earthquakes or tsunamis in scope).  I am sure there are positives to accompany some of the very real frustrations;  for me friends Jo and Claire will not be able to attend a dance conference in Liverpool – Claire I have the luck to see in Vancouver while Jo emailed to say she will Malta’s weather and start another book.
  • Another area where Nature is a law unto itself is the weather.  The changeable nature of it makes always a good discussion topic as it is likely to change except in places like Singapore.  I have been lucky here in Banff, the combination of snow on the mountain, warmth in the valley, and clear views.  The last 5 months have been a bit of a mixed bag, I did not expect the rain in Australia or Malaysia …. not that there was anything I could about it and one just is positive so do what you can.  My regrets are few but was not seeing all the colour of the great barrier reef due to overcast skies and I should return to Borneo to get upriver oneday.

For Carol

Today as I write this I think of a friend who passed away today after a very long battle with cancer.  Carol was a keen reader of the blog and commented on one post from Laos.  Part of her comment reads that “a traveller wants to see a place as it really is” and that she had “only ever been a tourist”…..  but Carol really was someone who knew people, listened well, had lived abroad, knew (and taught) languages and so I feel was very much a traveller in spirit.  Family life and medical matters were what restricted her recently, I was very glad to be a part of the travelling mind via the blog.  My thoughts go out to my dear friend of 35ish years Phil and their three children.   I repost the following colourful image within the blog, one of Carol’s favourites, in her memory.

Street Market in Luang Prebang

Observations on visiting places and areas

• National Parks I have visited multiple national parks in all the countries I have visited, they are such a joy, I am very thankful there are places Nature wins out generally over man and that they usually combine so many of the things I like such as Mountains, Rivers, Waterfalls, Coastlines, and walking trails.
• Visitor centres and welcoming. I have not been buying lonely planet guides etc as then my luggage would be all books.  What I generally do is visit the visitor centres everywhere I go, problem is in some places, notable the US so far, they do not exist (even in large airports like SF) or are very limited.
• Public transport. Imagine a place where there is one train a day and getting to the next big city takes nearly 3x as long by train or bus (which goes 4 times a day) and costs nearly as much as hiring a car ….. you have Chico (and various other places in the US).  Having said that I have been very impressed with the New light rail from Seattle Airport, the BART trains/buses/trams in San Francisco and the train line from LA to San Fernando Valley …. maybe it will get better.
• Currently I am in Port Angeles, just north of the Olympics Mountains National Park in Washington State. Tomorrow I fly from Victoria on Vancouver Island which is a short ferry ride away to Calgary and Canmore which is just outside the Banff National Park in the Canadian Rockies (where I used to live and work … ).  Nice photos to follow I am sure but not so many for this post.