The 10th message from Canada

Saturday, April 18, 2015

"I have slept well and do not want to make any arrangements. I feel sick of that; I like to ride my bicycle!

I have some bread left and make breakfast myself. Again, I search the internet for airfares. A flight from St. John's to Saint John, New Brunswick, costs $600, and that without any fees for my bicycle and the additional weight of all my gear. That, or a ticket to Montreal which is less than $300.

I am looking at the weather channel on TV and notice that Canada is indeed afflicted by a very cold Spring, especially on the East Coast. The TV shows images of flooding in New Brunswick and in addition to all that flood water, rain is expected there for next week as well.

What to do?

First I ride my bicycle to Walmart to purchase tape for the bicycle box and to shop for some other items. I decide to eat a hot meal on the way back; then, in the evening, I just can eat bread in my room.

I am back at the motel around 3:00 PM and skype with my family. I decide to buy a ticket to Montreal. Not only is that cheaper, the weather over there is nicer too. I will also have time in my schedule to absorb any other setbacks. Although, I hope I won't be disappointed again.

The booking does not complete when I try to purchase my airline ticket online. I call the airline company and they assist me nicely and they also make arrangements for my bicycle. I am on the phone for an hour, but then everything has been arranged quite nicely.

I skype a bit with my cousin and then go to pack my bicycle. Within an hour it is boxed-up neatly.

The day has flown, but I know that I will soon be back on the road and am now very much looking forward to it.

What a hassle and what a state with the weather! I could have expected this, but this is extreme. The weather on Newfoundland, Nova Scotia, and Prince Edward Island can turn in 20 minutes and before you know it you are in the middle of a snow storm – and those can be severe out here.

Tomorrow will be a quiet day without a bicycle!"

Han Schomakers, editor

Translation by Albert Dijkstra