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Holding Pattern



So I'm here in London (Ontario) for the next week or so.  I would've been long gone by now but I have a long-standing opportunity coming up next week in Toronto it would be unwise of me not to try to take advantage of.  If it doesn't happen, no big deal, and if it does I should still have plenty of time to explore the world.  I'm in London vs. Toronto for the week because this is where my family is, and the hotels cost a hell of a lot less.

London is a mid-sized Ontario city.  Being close to the 'downtown' as I am makes for an interesting juxtaposition between the small wholesome suburb-like city one imagines when they might bother to think of London and the reality of a core just as sketchy as one back home.  Within a few blocks I've seen beggars, guys getting arrested, and people clearly on drugs.  Outside of that small area?  Clean-cut with the slightest hint of hipster.

For the most part though, it's kind of boring.  But the free time gives me some space to prep for both the aforementioned opportunity and for my trip.  Speaking of which, the last couple of (expensive) weeks has had me reconsidering my path.  Originally I was thinking of starting in Europe and heading east.  But seeing as how I'm starting in August, still part of Europe's high season, I'm giving more and more thought to going to Asia first.

The lodging costs are lower, the airfare is reasonable, and a lot of places are so close and so well-traveled that the cost of criss-crossing is also well within my means.  The only real con is that I need to shepherd my money wisely if I want to enjoy Europe to the fullest.  But let's be honest, I was going to need to shepherd my money wisely anyway.

So, nothing's in stone as of yet but I might soon be across the Pacific seeing new sights, meeting new people, and hopefully seeing some family I haven't seen in far far too long.

Here's to getting back on the road.

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