Hello again!

It's that time again, to pack up the backpack and hit the sky one more time! But there's something different about this trip... for the first time I will not be travelling solo. Most people have always travelled with a companion or in groups, but myself on the other hand have always travelled solo, this is about to change.

In exactly one week, Leah and I will be departing from Toronto on our way to Scandinavia. You might be wondering why Scandinavia? Well, back when I lived in Australia in 2007, I made some incredibly good friends and contacts. For the most part I haven't seen most of these people since, but have managed to keep in touch from time to time, via facebook and e-mails. Therefore, this trip was well overdue. Not to mention that there is a tone of history and interesting places to visit along the way.

Our plans are to arrive in Helsinki on Friday, August 6th. We will meet up with Henrik who was one of the Finns from down under and spend the next day exploring the Finnish capital city. On the evening of the 7th, we embark on an overnight cruise to Stockholm, Sweden, where we will spend 4 days checking out the capital and surrounding areas. We also plan on meeting up for dinner with a few of the Swedes I met while on exchange. On the 11th, we will take the cruise back to Helsinki to meet up with Sven and Kim, together forming the original news team, and an amazing trio. No set plans, but hopefully spend a night at Kim's cottage and just go with the flow. On the 15th, we will leave Finland at mid day and stop in Paris for 2 nights on the way home. There we will meet up and stay with my friend Raphael who I met while he was studying here in Canada two years ago.

I am really excited to see all these places and to see old friends and especially to be back in Paris, and to be there with Leah. I was in Paris almost 10 years ago to the day, and have great memories of the place. But I know I could not fully appreciate how wonderful a city it is at such a young age, and just can't wait to be back.

The thought of travelling together with someone is both new and exciting for me. It will be great to be able to share the experiences of new places with someone and to explore new countries and cultures together.

I hope everyone is doing well, and enjoying the summer or winter wherever you may be! Stay posted for a blog or two along the way.

All the best, Minshufik!

David W.

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