Why Settle?

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When I made my decision to return to Canada, I struggled with the thought of "settling down." To my nomadic mind this implied immediate marriage, pursuit of a serious career, home-ownership and a plethora of other dreadful sounding traps for the free spirit. Stressed by the thought of instant immobility, I spent a long time ignoring my own declaration that I needed to come home, searching spastically for jobs that would keep me on the move.

Numerous lengthy discussions with Dad in Ireland assuaged some of my unfounded fears that I was closing the door on all future adventures as we dreamed up career options and travel plans to last a lifetime; but it was a walk through Montreal's Trudeau airport that convinced me I was right to come back. Even as I deplaned, I caught snippets of Frenglish conversation - Montreal's unique dialect that switches effortlessly between French and English every few words. I smiled when the customs agent greeted me with "Hello, Bonjour" and beamed with pride when he said, "Welcome home."

Struck by the diversity and open-mindedness of my own country, I felt suddenly inspired to explore it more thoroughly. After a wonderful week spent with family and friends in Montreal, I made my way to Calgary to begin my next adventure - an in-depth exploration of what this city and the vast area surrounding it have to offer. Since I got back last Friday, I've already been for a delicious steak dinner at Saltlik restaurant and zip-lining (sliding down a cable) from the top of the ski-jump tower at Canada Olympic Park. With hiking season and the Calgary Stampede just around the corner, I'm sure there won't be any shortage of bloggable events in my life; and I certainly won't feel settled.

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