Spoiled rotten in Seattle, Vancouver and Victoria

Washington had been a blast, with so many experiences to file away, I was content to muse over as I rode the Amtrack North to Seattle. On a long warm evening I met up with Natalia, a friend from Humboldt who had moved to study her Masters in Physical Therapy. She took me to her lectures to the gym and for dinner and easy conversation. What a contrast to the previous weeks excesses. We spent an enjoyable time sharing photographs and healthy meals.

I rode the greyhound from Seattle, uneventful save that one Sikh guy was peeing with the door open. One lady shouted out, you are not in India now, and threatened to punch him! If she had been there, she would not be shocked, and think twice about abusing members of an ancient warrior caste.

Vancouver has been described as Vansterdam for its excellent BC Bud, and liberal views. I wondered what the laws on entheogenic plants was, and entered a head shop. I got talking to one of the staff, who offered me some truffle chocolates. She made them herself and suggested I drop by if I wanted to buy any. Her apartment was again televisonless and stacked with books, plants and art. We drank many cups of tea as we shared photographs. A little later, bowls were filled with salmon chowder, caught by a friend. Later a fresh leafy salad and homemade cake emerged.

I was so well looked after, once again warm-hearted folk had invited me in, and made me feel totally welcome. What a run of good fortune, this had been my experience the whole distance as I traveled up the West Coast. By the evening I had accepted the housemates invitation to stay for the upcoming Salmon BBQ, an annual event to raise money for the fire fighters. The organization of this event at the farmers market fell to my host - who made up the sofa bed. Described as an interesting anti-cultural experience, I was taken to watch the Ultimate Fighting Contest by her boyfriend. I could not believe what I was really watching these pituitary retards beat their skulls together, stirring the crowd to near frenzy. I went to yet another party, then returned to the house. The preparations kept my hosts up late, nobody got more than a few hours sleep.

Despite the early start, we remained in good humor, the BBQ being a huge success. The Salmon tasted even better for the anticipation, and shifting heavy tables.

The girl's flat had was in a big pink 1980s apartment complex, with a pool, floating on my back, letting the strains evapourate I felt especially lucky. This was my first experience of Canadian hospitality, what a treasure these folks are.

I searched Craigslist for a ride across Canada, one offer sounded promising, 58 hours straight driving in a van with a guy and his dog, from Vancouver to the East coast.

Before leaving I decided to visit Mark and his family in Victoria, standing inline I one of the passengers offered me a ride to the ferry terminal, what a friendly place. Mark, and his daughter Kate were staying in the same accommodation in Cambodia before picking up their motorcycles to rode through Vietnam. I stayed for dinner during which Kate shared tales of Indian bus journeys which included peeing in a zip lock bag, when the driver refused to stop. She told a chilling tale of a stalker, which is sadly not the first one I have heard. Such a luxury to sleep in a real bed, for the first time in weeks, then spent the next day at the Royal museum. A fine lunch by the sea with Mark's wife, then dinner in town before we rode on his Harley Davidson to reach the ferry.

The ferry operated a reduced schedule, I had been lucky to catch the last ferry. I was a bit nervous as I had not yet managed to contact the man with the dog. I stocked up on food for the journey, and bought some exotic fruits to share with the girls who had not only put me up on their sofa, but even made me breakfast in bed with a pot of tea! Eventually the guy rang to apologize that his vehicle could not make it, but gave me lots of hitch hiking tips.