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Someone told me there was no lanaguage barrier in Canada/America. That person lied. Every person we have asked for directions has stared at us blankly, though I guess this may be the default facial expression around here. Even my cousin David's fiancee cast unsure glances to David for assurance as to what we meant by our innocent British idioms. I don't think my mumbling and non-queens english accent help the situation.
Despite the language barrier, which we are negotiating, people have been strikingly friendly and hospitable. One guy I met whilst in Starbucks in Vancouver (I was only there for free wi-fi and to charge my phone - honest....) invited George and I to spend 4th july on his 40ft yacht in Seattle on Union lake with his family, and everyone we speak to has one piece of advice or another about variations we should make to our route, although I suspect it's a certain type of person that speaks, or in some cases shouts, at the two english people on a bus. As long as you ignore the odd token moan about how Vancouver doesn't look the same since immigration took over there's something welcoming and settling about how willing people are to help you with which bus stop you need to get off at. At one point in Seattle yesterday (Friday) we had 6 people arguing on a bus which was the nearest stop to gasworks park (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gas_Works_Park).
The wildlife around these parts is occupying George's psyche quite a lot. We bought bear mace, which speaks volumes. Also been told to watch out for coyotes, racoons (i saw one where we camped on monday), hobo spiders, and maybe rattlesnakes, so i've decided the best thing is to stick my head in the sand and not think about it. One of the more incredible sights so far has been 2 eagles soaring above us around the washington state national park area we cycled through in the north. They glide with an air of untouchability and just survey their land below.
There was a sign in a park we stopped for a rest in just before Seattle reading:
'Bears have been sighted in this area recently. If you see one, shout loudly and wave your arms. If it attacks, fight back aggresively. If you begin to lose, play dead.'
Really offering little hope towards the end there.
The only other wildlife of note was a ladybird that sat on my cycling glove for about 6 miles, seemingly unabashed by the hazardous condition created by my swooping and dynamic cycling. Ahem..... But yes, it was nice to have some company on the road other than George and I just hope the ladybird found it's way back to it's family. I didn't name the ladybird.
Since arriving in Seattle (well, Bellevue to be precise), we've had the questionable luxury of commercial American television when we are at home. Even the BBC has adverts here. The most common advert has been one paid for by the American Petroleum Institute telling the nation how much untapped coal the states has under the slogan 'Its affordable, it's accesible, and it's ours'. They claim to have centuries worth of coal under the land here. If/when they do decide to use it, I wonder if there will be centuries of anything.
So I realise I haven't actually talked about what i've done much. Well, arriving in Vancouver last Saturday night we slept in the airport. After a long day flying we were a bit delirious and i ended up sleeping curled up by our bikes like a guard dog over a pile of bones despite there being much more comfortable options available. Sunday 1st was Canada Day, so a big party in Vancouver with fireworks, parades, dancing, music and other generally great things to experience. Unfortunately, George and I slept right through with jet lag and missed it all. Bugger.
Left Vancouver on the Tuesday for the border after meeting cousin David and aforementioned fiancee Anessa on the Monday. We heard you couldn't take fruit through the border, something we didn't realise was untrue until after George had forced down 3 oranges 2 apples and 3 bananas. Cycled the postiviely beautiful Chuckanut Bay (http://www.google.com/imgres?q=chuckanut+bay&um=1&hl=en&client=firefox-a&sa=N&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&channel=fflb&biw=1920&bih=976&tbm=isch&tbnid=xGy3A6wAdbmr1M:&imgrefurl=http://guelker-cone.blogspot.com/2010/07/our-big-boat-adventure.html&docid=KLrINhBpzAo97M&imgurl=http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_mFKHzBKDE6M/TEKG9My-4JI/AAAAAAAAH2M/Y1fbIQXXLnA/s1600/chuckanut_bay_view-1sm.jpg&w=768&h=576&ei=0DT3T5vwI4fxqQHywfWLCQ&zoom=1&iact=hc&vpx=739&vpy=156&dur=1069&hovh=194&hovw=259&tx=129&ty=113&sig=107346882030009197221&page=1&tbnh=148&tbnw=243&start=0&ndsp=45&ved=1t:429,r:3,s:0,i:84) on Tuesday/Wednesday (4th July) and arrived at Cally and Noel's house on the 4th (they are family).
Their hospitality has been, and continues to be, amazing. Took us for slap up meals and made us feel totally welcome in their home. (Dad - you owe David a burger in England). Seattle as a city is really invigorating. The range of people is eclectic and the vibe of the place is postive and varied. From the old town in Pioneer Square, through the Pike Street fish market and on down the waterfront to the Space Needle and Gasworks Park there is a lot to do and see here. Last night waiting for the last bus home we were chatting to some aspiring rappers recording some undoubtedly innovative tracks on the their mobiles. The one guy told us to watch out for him as he's going to be big in a few years. I forget what he was called. We ended up parting ways when they went to the bridge to 'face it up' with some guy who had beaten one of them up in Juvenile Hall. Lovely.
Celebrating 4th july with real American fireworks was nice. The show was spectacular as to be expected (American's seem to love putting on a show), I only wish I was at San Diego's (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-18725855). The only thing to take the shine from Seattle has been that last night (Friday) a number of bars decided that our UK driving license's wouldn't suffice for ID, so our night out in Seattle ended up being sat in the Mexican Bar (the only place that would serve us) eating free Nachos and moaning about the $40 cab ride home. Not to worry though, seeing Mount Rainier (active volcano, America's largest standalone peak at 14,000 feet) on these clear days in an all american heatwave cancels that disappointment out ten fold.
Today is our last day in Seattle. To celebrate we are heading out to a lake in the Cascades mountain range for a spot of jet skiing. No biggie. It helps that it's about 30 degrees outside, but apparently the lakes are still freezing. I guess you can't have everything. Tomorrow it's off fully laden on our bikes again heading out around the Olympic National park where the Twilight books are set.... Apparently the books are based on the belief of the native american tribes around there that they a descended from werewolves. So that's another wildlife worry to think about. We'll head around the coast of that peninsula to hit the pacific coat around Port Angeles then head down the 101 and come into Portland. Internet/ phone access may be limited for the next week or so. I've already had a taste of getting bitten when camping (or rather they've had a taste of me, geddit?) so I expect to add to my repotoire of inflamed irritations over the next week.
If you have skipped over the bulk of this blog, and I wouldn't blame you, just rest assured the first week has been wicked. Though the next ten may have some very different focuses I'm optimistic they'll be equally great. With the cycling ahead of me now, i'm reminded that 'He who seeks rest finds boredom, he who seeks work finds rest' (that's Dylan Thomas that, i'm getting well cultured out here).
Finally, this:
Oh, feel free to comment, give me aunties/parents some company on the comment board and tell me that i've managed to miss out the interesting parts of the trip.
Lots of love. Take it easy.
Vancouver
People: 6/10
Place: 6.5/10
Food: 5/10
Seattle
People: 8/10
Place: 8/10
Food: 7.5/10
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Auntie Fliss
non-member comment
Accents and Dialects
Sounds like you're having fun as well as being witty! Perhaps you could inform those giving you blank expressions when you ask for directions that your wonderful accent is one of the older ones in England, predating the Queen's English by several centuries. That'll sort 'em! Stay hydrated! Lots of love and hugs xxxx