After much deliberation, we decided that we would
write
about our impromptu trip back to Canada in mid October. Mostly because
we feel
that our travel blog represents time. Anything that occurs during our
time traveling affects us and molds us into the people we are. On Friday
morning,
we received sad news of the passing of Danielle’s dad, Raymond Maurice
Belanger. The last year was as tough as they come for him and those
close to
him as he battled an aggressive form of cancer. Danielle and I jumped on
a
flight back to Vancouver immediately. We always love going back to
Canada but
this time was different. The first two
weeks of our stay was especially hard as the emotions intensified leading up to
his funeral which was a solemn, catholic celebration of his life. The wake that
followed provided a much lighter air for the friends and family, and served as an
opportunity to look back with affection and reminisce positively at the impact
that one person can have on the world. When something as intense as this
happens, there are a range of emotions that we go through, but whilst we remain
sad, we do not despair because life goes on, with or without us.
Whilst we were back in Vancouver we managed to catch up with
the entire Ng family, and the many friends that we last saw six months ago. We
spent a few nights at dinner parties with Danielle’s close friends down at
Drey’s place in lower Lonsdale, and spent many nights with Bretto, Lynn, Mark
and Randy playing ping pong and watching the desperate Vancouver Canucks hockey
team try to find some form after last year’s heartbreaking loss in the finals. I
also managed to do some mountain biking on the North Shore courtesy of a
borrowed bike from Mark (cheers mate). I’ve always wanted to ride up in the
mountains but whenever I’m in Vancouver it’s winter, so I was stoked.
So after three intense weeks we are now heading back to
London and onto Amsterdam because as I said, life goes on and I’m sure that Ray
would want us to live our lives to the fullest. Make everyday count.
