Hello from the speed train to London. We began the final leg of our journey today – and in 14 days we return to Canada. Just writing that statement leaves me choked with tears. Nonetheless – here we go.
Presently, we are traveling by train from Paris to London. There are a few subtle differences between this train and the other trains we have traveled on this far. For starters, this train has wifi and a canteen. We also have been traveling at over 300km/h for the last few minutes and I don’t think that the other trains we traveled cracked 50km/h.
To say that these last 5 months have been a privilege would both be true and an understatement. One of the things we noticed shortly after arrival in Paris was that there were people living on the street. Of course, this wasn’t a huge shock. Paris is a big city and big cities have people living on the street. (Except for Singapore) Furthermore, we observed lots of people living on the street, or very nearly on the street, throughout much of Asia. Compared to many of the countries we visited in Asia though, France is a much wealthier nation and after traveling through some harder to reach places in Asia, the wealth of France was visible everywhere we turned. Our wealth, and my own personal wealth, is a reality I have come face to face with many times throughout this voyage. And if the wealth of Paris was highly visible to me during my glorious 8 days there, then I can only imagine how conspicuous my own wealth must have been to the people I encountered in Sri Lanka, Vietnam, and Cambodia. It sometimes occurred to me that my family was traveling with more on our backs than the sum total of the possessions of the individuals in the families that we were traveling past.
I don’t know what this says about me, as I am about to crest over into my 40th year, that I am just truly learning this lesson now. I don’t know if this lesson about the reality of the distribution of wealth in the world will stick with my kids. I am now searching for the way S that this learning will influence my life and my decision making going forwards.
This is us navigating Waterloo station today. Navigating This busy place would have overwhelmed us a few months ago but after almost 6 months on the road and on the rails, we sailed through several train and tube transfers and landed smoothly in West Sussex where we are visiting friends. I suspect that we have some overwhelming navigation ahead as we make plans to resettle in Ontario and bring our learning home with us.
3 Ginger Snaps 
I have said the following about some prior posts and will say it again about this post:
“deep”
We are very much looking forward to your return and seeing all of you!!
LikeLike
I can’t believe the trip is almost over…what will those of us living vicariously through you do now? Hope we’ll get to see you in person soon. Safe travels the rest of the way.
LikeLike
That’s so awesome I’m counting down the days 14 left!!!! I miss you guys so much ❤
LikeLike
How is it almost done? Way to wind up this experience of a lifetime!!! Would love to catch up when you land back in T.
LikeLike
How indeed… six months went by in a flash. I’m back at SHS in September. Is Cameron still a student there?
LikeLike
We r at Gatwick, heading home after 2 weeks with family. Would have loved seeing u here! We’ve followed your blog and loved your comments and insights. See u soon! Kaylyn
LikeLike
So thrilled that you all had this incredible experience together.
We can’t wait to soak in your presence when you are back.
Hugs to you all!!
Xoxo
Sarah
LikeLike
How can that be ?? 2 weeks and you’re 🏡 .. I can imagine it’s bittersweet .. has it gone so quickly for you to ? I am in Bruges today on my way to Antwerp and Amsterdam . Have fun in London .. try and take the DUCK TOUR .. the girls would love ❤️ it !
LikeLike
Thank you Drew for such a thoughtful post. I have loved vicariously sharing some of this trip with you. I wish you safe journey home on your last leg, one I am actually familiar with! Wishing you all the best, please let us know where you settle ❤ Sarah
LikeLike
Great thoughts as always Drew. I feel that what you have seen since January will impact you more because of your writings, photos and reflections. I look back at some of my journeys wish I would have written a bit more. The photo taking has grown by leaps and bounds in the past few decades for sure.
I really wish I could relate and share my crazy experiences from backpacking more often with students or others. Some days it comes to me when I am trying to illustrate a point. Other times, it may be a random story popping into my head for some odd reason.
My biggest take home from the tiny bit of worms travelling I have done is being hospitable to those on their own journey. I cannot forget the love so many strangers showed me and my travelling cohorts for no reason at all except they wanted to help someone out. Don’t know if I would be so hospitable if I didn’t get this affection from people all over who could not always communicate in my language. That hit me then and hits me still today.
Regardless, your eyes are open a bit wider. And I think our heart is too!
LikeLike