I’m in Vancouver. I’m drinking Starbucks. I’m a big ball of mixed emotions. I’m listening to Alabama Shakes. That’s probably not helping. I’ve got five hours to kill and sixteen Canadian dollars to spend. Ohmygod. Cute police dog in front of me. Must resist urge to pet. “Miss You” is playing and now I’m crying in Starbucks. Not cool universe, you evil mistress, you. A child is staring me dead in the eye and singing her ABC’s. Should I clap when she’s done?  Goddamn. Now a song called “Over My Head” is playing. You’ve got to be kidding me.  Only three more hours until I can board the plane.

This is me leaving Canada. This is me after that…

Travelling for me is always one big whirlwind. You nap on the plane but wake up just long enough to get the in-flight meal. You rush from terminal to terminal and only take a second to breathe while waiting in the security line up.  You bumble your way through customs and pop your head outside the airport for 30 seconds to get a taste of Shanghai air. All you remember are snapshots.  So as the first of (hopefully) many videos to come, this is a snapshot view into my 33-hour adventure en route to Kathmandu.