Prince Rupert – Day 5

Today started late – well certainly later than I intended – as I didn’t wake up until 10:00. I will set my alarm clock for tomorrow as this would be a small disaster.

I had breakfast and then caught up on the blog entries. As I had bought a new phone card I thought I would use it, and as it wasn’t too late in the day in the UK I rang my Mother. Caught up on all the news from home and then thought I would give it a while and ‘phone my brother.

I sorted my bags out and double checked that I hadn’t left anything out. Updated a bit more of the blog and then rang Pete. Had a chat with Sol, Tracey and then Pete. Many apologies mate, my ‘phone card ran out as you were telling me about the boiler – I will ring again when I get to Alaska and get another ‘phone card. (At least I got the full use of the ‘phone card though!)

Had a wander down to Safeways and stocked up on some chocolate, peanuts & crisps for the ferry journey – high protein & energy stuff as I guessed the cafeteria would be much the same as the BC Ferry I arrived on.

After getting back I made some coffee and the latest visitor arrived at the hostel – a guy from Michigan named Ryan. I stashed all my “ferry goodies” in my small rucksack and got everything ready for the next day, including the alarm clock set for 7:30. My intention was to get all showered and clean before turning in for the night so I could get away with breakfast & tooth cleaning in the morning and be ready to go. Plans can fall flat as one will see.

I went down to the kitchen to cook up my stir fry. Jessica was sitting about in the lounge and speculating on what would happen to my Frosties when I left. I happily said she could scavenge any of my foodstuffs, which she seemed quite pleased about. Roland and a German guy (apologies, I didn’t get his name) were going off to play volleyball so I kept out of the way until they had finished in the kitchen – then I had the place to myself. (Anyone who knows me & kitchens will be aware that I like total run and control of it! It has been a little difficult getting used to a shared kitchen and not practicing one’s filleting techniques on “invaders”!) While I was getting my stir fry prepared Ryan came to stand in the doorway and chat. (Good man, he kept out of the way.) Ryan is a writer from Michigan who is travelling to Wrangell to be a journalist with the local paper. He is going for two years and driving up in his car so during the course of our conversation he asked if I wanted a ride to the Ferry Terminal. “Thanks” I said – I was fully prepared to book a taxi but a bit of company wouldn’t hurt. Ryan is one of those walking contradictions – a sensible American. He wanted to get away from Michigan and try “somewhere real” along with finish his latest book. This was his fourth and he hasn’t had anything published yet, but as he said himself: “I don’t think they are good enough yet.” I just congratulated him on doing something he wanted to do and going for it. There are many people who have the dream but don’t even try to live it – and yes I am one to talk because I am and loving every minute of it. The places I have seen and the people I have met so far have made it worth it.

Ryan asked if I drank wine, “why yes” I replied whilst cooking up my dinner. He disappeared for five minutes and came back with a bottle of local Michigan red wine – and very nice it was too. By this time I was eating my dinner and sipping some lovely wine when Jessica joined us. Another glass was poured. Christy appeared – she had passed her exam “congratulations” – and had a very small glass of wine as she was off to play hockey – as in ice hockey. As the bottle was empty by then Ryan asked if we wanted any more. The general consensus was “yes” so off he went to his car and came back with another bottle of very fine Michigan red. This was a different wine but very drinkable. Jessica, being two parts minx, ensured glasses were topped up. (She was the young lady who fully endorsed my “Breeding Licence Plan” – good girl. She originates from Whitehorse in the Yukon but has done a lot of travelling too. The poor thing ended up staying in Forest Gate when she went to London because the hostels in Central London wanted £100 per night! I do agree with everyone who says London is expensive and let them know it is not called “rip off Britain” for nothing!)
Travis joined us a bit later and Roland and the German returned from sports activities. It turned out they had played badminton instead of volleyball but had enjoyed themselves nonetheless.
We had all decided to reconvene on the front porch for a communal smoke (I told you it was sociable) when Will and his girlfriend arrived. I feel awful because I cannot remember her name but I saw her as I was walking down the road earlier and thought “I recognise that lady – but I can’t remember where from.” Anyway Will joined us and we all huddled out of the rain chatting & smoking. My plans of getting all cleaned up ready to go straight off in the morning turned to vapour and blew away. We all shuffled back in shaking off wet jackets and someone made coffee. As things progressed people drifted off to bed leaving Will & I sitting in the lounge area chatting about our travels, plans and hopes. Will is from Manchester and a plumber by trade. He had been travelling in Australia and then up through America before travelling back across Canada to spend some time checking out the east coast before returning to the UK. His intention is to work enough to save some money and then take off for the Far East. He is a firm believer in travel broadening the mind and thought what I was doing was brilliant. As this is another tick in the “Good Move” column I get the impression I am not doing something terribly wrong.
We chatted about all sorts of things and found we had similar outlooks and philosophies on the world. Having put the world to rights we decided to turn in for the night as it was now 2:00.

I very quietly packed up my laptop, which I had left out and switched on with the intention of updating and posting this. As neither Roland nor Ryan woke up and gave me abuse, I think I got away with it.

Ensuring that the alarm was set I crawled into bed for a few hours sleep.