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Published: July 10th 2009
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It has been a crazy few weeks!
Three weeks ago (three weeks already?) I signed off the Destiny and flew to Toronto. Riding in the cab on the way to my friend's apartment, I honestly cried. I couldn't believe that I was home, the contract was over . . . and when I did believe it, I just felt relief.
Work on the ship had come to an end, but I was actually returning to Canada to immediately start work! I had two days in Toronto to get myself organized and get a bit of quick visiting in with some friends. It was lovely to see people. Going around Toronto felt strange. I actually at times felt like a foreigner in my own city! Even though I'd been home at Christmas, I hadn't spent any time in Toronto. I realized that I hadn't been in the city since OCTOBER - before I went to South Africa, let alone before this last cruise contract!
Two days in Toronto and then I was on a bus headed to Quebec City. Yes, I was once again tour guiding for my EIGHTH spring season! It was wonderful and strange. Wonderful to be
back on the mic telling stories to the kids, singing songs in the streets of Quebec City, eating glorious food (that wasn't from the crew mess!). But yet strange. I just felt so, well, old, and out of place. Going around the city during the busy guiding season, I knew none of the other tour guides. It's been years since I've been around for a full season, so even most of the senior guides I don't know. Yet, I ran into bus drivers I've worked with over the years at nearly every site we visited. When my group stopped at Canyon Ste-Anne, I left them on the bus to run ahead to the ticket booth to sort things out and I passed another tour group. Of course, didn't know the guide. But the driver saw me and called out "I thought you retired years ago!" Nope. Back again.
That first week I did Quebec City. The second week I did Quebec City and Ottawa. This last week I did Niagara Falls. And in between I crashed in Toronto and freshened up on my city facts and squeezed in visits. And it was a giant whirlwind. But so lovely to
see cities that I love and people who I have missed. Even though I was tired and sort of just rushing along through it all, I still just felt such relief. Relief to be home, relief to be comfortable, relief to be doing a job I love, relief that that last chapter is over.
Although I'd been in the country for two and half weeks, I didn't actually get HOME until a few days ago. And even then, only for a night. Because then I had staff training for camp. That was also crazy. It was really really great to see all of my friends there. But going made me realize just how tired I was and how unprepared I am to start teaching.
Thankfully, I don't have to be yet! I'm not doing the entire summer this year. I decided to give myself a two week break between everything I've been doing up until now and when I start at the camp. And right now, I really know that it was the right choice. Yesterday I had two (yes two!) weddings to attend: my cousin Cameron married Sarah (whom I've already been referring to as my cousin
for years) and my friend from high school, Darlene, married her now-husband Chris. They planned things well for me though because I managed to attend both ceremonies and then returned for Cam and Sarah's reception. There were so many friends and family to see that day! It was wonderful, yet rushed when there are so many people to catch up with at once! Both weddings were beautiful and I am so happy to have shared in their celebrations.
And now . . . I am home. Really home. And I'm sitting in the house in my pajamas because, well, because I can. I have two weeks off and I intend to use them well. I have a lot of planning to do for camp. And I need to do some serious resting. But I also intend to take a vacation . . . I'm still undecided where I'm going (nothing like last-minute plans right?) but I will go somewhere!
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