Thanks for sharing your trip, I love the idea of 52 countries in as many weeks. About the absence of history in Vancouver: I felt that very acutely when I spent some time there during my studies. Coming from Europe, I appreciated it so much. It felt refreshing to live in a city still so hopeful and excited about all the ambition, and not weighed down by previous generations’ greatness and abhorrences … thanks for picking up this topic, I loved your thoughts on it.
Ahh, just wait until you get to travel Europe on the trains, where you can buy your ticket online, reserve your seat and there are electrical outlets. Modern, efficient and comfortable. And your seat mate stranger is usually happy to share a few words. Loads of experiences there and most of them great.
Modern, yes, they resemble the most ubiquitious bus travel western Canada used to have available
Comfortable, only outside of holidays, long weekends, & Friday evenings in the summer
Efficient in that you only need arrive a few minutes prior to departure time since boarding is so simple…but for those occasions when your track is reassigned last minute and announced by a garbled multilingual PA through the station-just follow the crowd-or your train is delayed and you stand on the platform waiting,
And waiting
And waiting
And waiting
For the train to appear
Still, I agree with the overall sentiment, despite occasional hiccups like I mention, train travel in Europe is still so superior to here. One, just cannot beat the low cost of it. Two, compared to flying & in some parts of Europe, taking a bus, train stations are often in the heart of every urban core, so much more practical for tourists and travellers
Awesome start! The Canadian is awesome. I had the pleasure of taking this trip last fall. Husband and I had the misfortune of being rear ended in southern Ontario as we drove back to Vancouver from the Maritimes. Our car could not be repaired and quickly so we asked that it be ‘shipped’ home. Rather than fly, which seemed pretty anticlimactic, we saw a deal on VIA and hopped the train after a delay of a couple of weeks sorting out the car and insurance (afforded us more time to visit with some dear friends …not really a hardship).
Those 4 days on the train - what an opportunity to see Northern Ontario, the Prairies and the Rockies, Jasper, Fraser Canyon. We travelled through the Fraser Canyon at night and husband stayed up for a few hours to experience the trip with a bullish moon and clear skies. I love trains!!! No one gets enough exercise but that is the only drawback. We were in berths and spent our time in the various dome cars meeting people.
In the fall (I don’t expect this is an option in the popular summer months) the few remaining rooms and berths are sold offs. So with shortish notice the fares are 50% off - online only! Given our circumstances we could take advantage. Our final 4000 km were an event and worthy of 4 posts in our trip blog.
We have done Vancouver/Seattle twice enjoyed it both there & back. September 2018 took the Canadian to Toronto on our ancestry trip to Nova Scotia. Did RV rental from TO the rest of the way. The Canadian, what a glorious country we live in, although we had a 'stateroom' I had difficulty [going through the Rockies, mostly at night and trying to make up time. Unfortunately wanted to see them on the "on time" sched.] staying firmly in my upper bunk, we were rocking and rolling through what felt like chasms, mountain goat trails teetering on bluff edges. I finally sat down on the bottom of the lower bunk and looked out the window. It had snowed so still worth the views. The rest of the trip in the RV was still beautiful avoided 401 where possible took old roads, Maritimes absolutely stunning. Would do it again, BTW the food was very good on the train. Looking forward to the rest of your adventures.
We've taken the Amtrak Cascades train multiple times between Vancouver and Seattle. It's less stressful and more comfortable than driving. But it always feels a bit archaic as you pass by train stations in the centre of smaller towns that are now bypassed by highways.
I'm so happy to be able to follow you around the world! But I'm listening to it on sub stack. The woman's voice does not come close to approximating your timbre. The pauses and pronunciation are all wrong.
Can you please just read it out for us so we can listen to your podcast?
Jeez, Greg - he’s going to be busy enough just getting from place to place and taking a look around. I’m grateful that he’s taking the time to write any of it down.
I've travelled across Canada by train three times east and once west - it truly gives a sense to the vast expanse that makes Canada. I'm so glad to be along for the ride!
Thanks for sharing your trip, I love the idea of 52 countries in as many weeks. About the absence of history in Vancouver: I felt that very acutely when I spent some time there during my studies. Coming from Europe, I appreciated it so much. It felt refreshing to live in a city still so hopeful and excited about all the ambition, and not weighed down by previous generations’ greatness and abhorrences … thanks for picking up this topic, I loved your thoughts on it.
Enjoying reading about your adventures Justin. Feels like I'm there with you!
Ahh, just wait until you get to travel Europe on the trains, where you can buy your ticket online, reserve your seat and there are electrical outlets. Modern, efficient and comfortable. And your seat mate stranger is usually happy to share a few words. Loads of experiences there and most of them great.
Hahaha.
Modern, yes, they resemble the most ubiquitious bus travel western Canada used to have available
Comfortable, only outside of holidays, long weekends, & Friday evenings in the summer
Efficient in that you only need arrive a few minutes prior to departure time since boarding is so simple…but for those occasions when your track is reassigned last minute and announced by a garbled multilingual PA through the station-just follow the crowd-or your train is delayed and you stand on the platform waiting,
And waiting
And waiting
And waiting
For the train to appear
Still, I agree with the overall sentiment, despite occasional hiccups like I mention, train travel in Europe is still so superior to here. One, just cannot beat the low cost of it. Two, compared to flying & in some parts of Europe, taking a bus, train stations are often in the heart of every urban core, so much more practical for tourists and travellers
Bon Voyage & a votre santê!
The Canadian sounds like an amazing journey to have gone on! Good luck with the rest of the world!
Awesome start! The Canadian is awesome. I had the pleasure of taking this trip last fall. Husband and I had the misfortune of being rear ended in southern Ontario as we drove back to Vancouver from the Maritimes. Our car could not be repaired and quickly so we asked that it be ‘shipped’ home. Rather than fly, which seemed pretty anticlimactic, we saw a deal on VIA and hopped the train after a delay of a couple of weeks sorting out the car and insurance (afforded us more time to visit with some dear friends …not really a hardship).
Those 4 days on the train - what an opportunity to see Northern Ontario, the Prairies and the Rockies, Jasper, Fraser Canyon. We travelled through the Fraser Canyon at night and husband stayed up for a few hours to experience the trip with a bullish moon and clear skies. I love trains!!! No one gets enough exercise but that is the only drawback. We were in berths and spent our time in the various dome cars meeting people.
In the fall (I don’t expect this is an option in the popular summer months) the few remaining rooms and berths are sold offs. So with shortish notice the fares are 50% off - online only! Given our circumstances we could take advantage. Our final 4000 km were an event and worthy of 4 posts in our trip blog.
I've been really enjoying your travel tails, but they've stopped coming. Hope you are well.
We have done Vancouver/Seattle twice enjoyed it both there & back. September 2018 took the Canadian to Toronto on our ancestry trip to Nova Scotia. Did RV rental from TO the rest of the way. The Canadian, what a glorious country we live in, although we had a 'stateroom' I had difficulty [going through the Rockies, mostly at night and trying to make up time. Unfortunately wanted to see them on the "on time" sched.] staying firmly in my upper bunk, we were rocking and rolling through what felt like chasms, mountain goat trails teetering on bluff edges. I finally sat down on the bottom of the lower bunk and looked out the window. It had snowed so still worth the views. The rest of the trip in the RV was still beautiful avoided 401 where possible took old roads, Maritimes absolutely stunning. Would do it again, BTW the food was very good on the train. Looking forward to the rest of your adventures.
I’ve used trains in the US, Europe and China. You will love it!
Really happy you decided to share this adventure and I honestly can’t wait to see how you will be changed at the end of your year.
I’m not able to take the Canadian, but you’ve convinced me to take rail on my next business trip to Seattle.
Loving the journey. Thank you! If you write/publish a photobook when you are done now THAT will be ultraepic.
Enjoy the journey. Be blessed.
I am really enjoying your travels, photos and writing. You have such a wonderful and unique perspective.
We've taken the Amtrak Cascades train multiple times between Vancouver and Seattle. It's less stressful and more comfortable than driving. But it always feels a bit archaic as you pass by train stations in the centre of smaller towns that are now bypassed by highways.
Loving these little essays/musings! Thanks for taking us along on your adventure!!
Playlist?
Playlists??
Food & Drink, please share over your next 52 weeks worth of posts.
I'm so happy to be able to follow you around the world! But I'm listening to it on sub stack. The woman's voice does not come close to approximating your timbre. The pauses and pronunciation are all wrong.
Can you please just read it out for us so we can listen to your podcast?
Jeez, Greg - he’s going to be busy enough just getting from place to place and taking a look around. I’m grateful that he’s taking the time to write any of it down.
I've travelled across Canada by train three times east and once west - it truly gives a sense to the vast expanse that makes Canada. I'm so glad to be along for the ride!