17 Comments
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Gayle Mavor's avatar

Almost welcome home! I’m so impressed you have been so intentional in your planning, (but you love that part, I gather), and it has been wonderful to follow your journeys. Your insights in this post, while you are still in the midst of the experience, are impressive. I suspect you are changed in ways that you’ve yet to learn and I hope your transition back into daily life is not too challenging. Thanks for sharing! Loved your photos. 🍁🇨🇦

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ElinorW's avatar

Thanks for being so open about your experience. I have often said that I travel to far away places to learn about myself and my country. In the 1980's, my brother said travel is the best education. I've been educating myself that way since then. You speak to both of those in several ways. Remember to go easy on yourself during re-entry, it can be bizarre. Culture shock is part of coming home after a long time away in different cultures.

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Valerie Robinson's avatar

It's been an absolute blast to follow you throughout this last year Justin! Travel can be both life-changing and life-affirming.... I think you've nailed that balance! Safe travels home!

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Nancy's avatar

What a lovely summing-up-and-going-forward piece. I appreciate your honest, thoughtful and brave writing. Bon courage!

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Karen Cowley's avatar

Such a joy to follow along on your journey. Thank you so much for all you shared. Bonne chance & many adventures in the years to come. Cheers Karen 🇨🇦

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Keith Johnston's avatar

Maybe the best note of your trip away! Great reflections, ambitions and resolutions with the supremely humble and human touch that is your trademark! It’s been a lot of fun following you on your excellent adventure, Justin!

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Corkscrew Annie's avatar

Thank you for sharing this year, and these reflections, with strangers like me. Priceless!

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Stewart's avatar

I have so enjoyed your essays and especially the daily logs and videos.places I have visited seen through another lens. I too enjoy travelling by train. Best way ever. Thanks Justin and welcome home

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Shirley Silva's avatar

Best of luck on your new life at home!

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Corkscrew Annie's avatar

Justin thank you so much for the slide show last night! It was such a pleasure to hear your frank and thoughtful comments, to see your photos, and to be part of the warm outpouring of affection and appreciation from the community that has embraced your work. I'm so glad you did this for you, and so glad for me that you'll be back on the air soon sharing your well researched and chart-enhanced reporting. WELL DONE!

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RikkiC's avatar

This paragraph hit me: “I also like that I’m not particularly good or an expert at any of these things, nor do I feel the pressure to be:…”

I’m a couple years older than you (mid-50’s) and I feel I have JUST started to learn this life-lesson. I think our hyper-connected, hyper-commercial world has made us hyper aware of our perceived inadequacies. Everything we do has to be “worthy” of public attention. “Crafting” has to be “Art”, a hike has to be to the very top or very long or very dangerous …. Doing for the love of doing and sharing the joy of doing, is where we all can find ourselves. (I really admire your way with words and photos … I struggle to find mine … maybe I’ll work on “that” 🙃Sorry for all the air-quotes🤣)

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Lil C.'s avatar

Thank you for sharing your journey with all of us. You made me love travel more than I already do and made me wish I had gone to more countries than I’ve travelled to thus far. Welcome Home to Beautiful British Columbia

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David Clarke's avatar

So glad you had a great year! Welcome home. We look forward to seeing you on CBC soon... will there be a chart/graph to sum up your travels?

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Tasha G's avatar

I have loved this very much. Thank you so much for sharing it all with us.

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Susan Jahnke's avatar

Thank you so much for sharing your year with us, I looked forward to seeing your photos each day! There's nothing like traveling alone, is there.. so many people around to interact with should you choose to, but nobody that you *have* to talk with/factor in/just plain be aware of. Even the most wonderful people, people that we love and like being with, can feel draining to be around for some of us. I'm glad you've had this freedom the past year, and these realizations :)

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Jan's avatar

Have loved following your journey and reading your insights. I wonder if you will experience reverse culture shock upon your return. I look forward to buying your book. Thanks for taking us along on your travels.

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