Earlier today I gave notice for terminating the lease on my basement suite. This was followed by having dinner with the adopted family, which was full of great conversation and laughter. I’ve been asked several times why I don’t sub-lease my place while I’m away and the answer boils down to Serendipity. I’m only in Canada because of two events: Driving around Australia with a minimal plan and going to the pub one night in Melbourne for dollar tacos. The first one allowed me to end up in Melbourne during the summer of 2010-2011 and the second one allowed me to meet the person who ended up encouraging me to look into a working holiday permit for Canada.

Dollar Tacos at the Dan O'Connell

Dollar Tacos at the Dan O’Connell

By not having a place or a job to come back to, I’m free to explore the possibilities that present themselves over the course of this adventure. I don’t quite know where I’m going to end up, which I feel is exciting and slightly foreboding.

I’ve mostly finished getting everything that I need for the bike and the trip, from upgraded suspension and new tires, to RAM mounts and a video camera. Some of it is still in the mail, but most of it has arrived. The longest wait was for the rear shock spring. After Canada Post had received it in Vancouver they sent it to Malta for some unknown reason.

Some of the items to go on or into the bike

Over the course of the next week I’ll be performing some major work to the bike so it looks like I’ll be on transit for the commute to work. At least it will be motivation to get the bike fixed quickly.

44 days until the adventure begins. I’m getting quite excited.