This still doesn’t feel real.

I announced it to the world… I quit my job… I bought my train ticket… I had a goodbye party… I cherished final moments with the loved ones in my life: Deep hugs… Encouraging words… Joy and tears. My life is in 15 boxes and 4 saddle bags. Many of my things now live at Goodwill, with my friends, or on the curb… My room echoes with the sound of emptiness… My stomach churns.

I am on the train.

And yet it still doesn’t feel real.

Perhaps it’s because I’ve barely had a moment to process any of this. Almost since back in February – when I first decided that I was going to go on a big food themed trip…and that it was going to be by bike – it has been a whirlwind of preparations, which, needless to say, escalated in the past two weeks. But if there is one thing that has firmly planted itself in my heart amidst all this it’s the incredible love and support that the people in my life have shared with me. From my “Tour de FUNdraiser” and going away gifts (in tiny packages) to heartfelt hugs and expressions of love – these times of transition bring out the best in people.

I want to thank my housemates for their eternal patience as I annexed the entire 2^nd floor with the contents of my bedroom for over a week. Using the 1 Year Rule, I managed to avoid my three-time pattern of moving stuff I never use. I’m impressed at how methodically I handled the whole thing, especially considering how I was freaking out yesterday morning, calling VIA Rail to see if I could exchange my non-exchangeable ticket to buy myself an extra day of anxiety. No dice.

So I plugged away last night despite degenerating productivity, until it was safe to sleep. This morning one friend cooked me breakfast and another came buy for one last hug. The housemates gathered, captured the moments on camera, and on my fully loaded bike I rolled down the street feeling wobbly in more ways than one.

Many people in the past few weeks have asked me if I was excited for my trip. The answer is yes – but it’s so much more than excitement – it’s a mix of fearfulness and fearlessness, sadness and joy, heavy and light. And then sometimes, it just is. When the future is uncertain, serenity is sometimes the best foot to put forward. One foot after the other. One pedal stroke after the other.

I will miss my friends… the conversation… the inspiration. All of this, however, I will experience with other beautiful souls I meet on my journey. The continuity I got from my friends, however, will be hard to replace. From now I’ll need to draw that continuity from within myself.

Here’s to adventure! First stop – Montreal!