La plus belle des mers est celle où l'on n'est pas encore allé.
Nazim HIKMET


Day 1

am

pm

Rides= 4
Arrival=Richibouctou, NB
km travelled = 83
$ spent = .25 cents (apple)
Time passed on the road am= 4pm=6.15 pm
km walked = 2

Time to go

I am not gone yet but today is the day that I am finally leaving on my hitch hiking trip. I have been planning this for so long, working extra time at the Cave à Pape in order to save more money. I am a bit nervous but also just anxious to be on the road.

The weather is so so, not too hot and not too cold. I am sitting in the big lazy boy in the living room at my parents' place. From the big chair I can look at the long grass dancing in the marsh and at the clouds going by. I am waiting for René who is suppose to come and give me a ride to the highway.

3:30 pm June 27 on the 4 lane highway in Dieppe, New Brunswick
René came with his red truck. He is laughing out loud as usual and really making a big emphasis on how lucky I am to get away. He takes my backpack and throws it into the box of his pickup. He turned the key and with the loudest backfire on this side of the continent, here we go. I looked at the house for as long as I could. With its disappearance, my journey began. We drove a few miles, with the windows down and our elbows out. The radio is spurting waves of disco. The cabin is filled with wind, sounds and smoke from the cigarettes we smoke. After a short drive we stopped on the shoulder of the highway not far really from town. René closes the radio, we smoke more cigarettes and talked about my trip but also about the 375th anniversary of Acadia . This is something big, something so important for the Acadian cause. Imagine 375 years ago the first Acadian came to North America. There are going to be so many parties during the whole summer and I won't even be there for that.... So it is with mix emotions that I am going away. René took my diary and scribbled some good luck wishes in it. We hugged each other and suddenly I am there by myself. The road is wide open and the wind feels good.

I am going to Richibouctou, about 50 miles from Moncton. My friend Monique lives there. My first lift was all right. Good Omen! The guy travelled all over the world. After a few rides (4) I arrived in town, Monique is not there but should arrive around midnight. Her Mom welcomes me and offers me food. At about midnight Monique arrives and we stayed up talking about the whole world for a couple of hours.

-Daniel



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