Never been to Canada?

Well, I have but this question isn't so much about if I've been or not but people I've met who haven't.

Growing up on a boarder state ( you know, one that boarders another country) it would only seem to make sense for me to have gone to Canada. Last time I went was around eight years ago. I'm sure plenty has changed and with the Olympics approaching in 2010, I'm considering going up; just to get the Olympic vibe.

Like I've said, I've encountered people who have never been, who have grown up in the same state as myself. I'm not trying to speak as I'm some superior person but this issue was brought up a few months ago and I just recently thought about it last night.

I was hanging out with a friend and his girlfriend (now fiance) brought up the issue "I've met people who've never been to Canada!!!" She later mentioned how this seemed odd by stating something along these lines; "it's just right there! Wouldn't you be curious to see what's in Canada? I would say the same if you lived in California or Arizona and have never been to Mexico!" I couldn't agree with her sentiment more.

Although, now it requires a passport to go to Canada (unless you live in New York, Vermont, Michigan, or Washington and carry an 'Enhanced Drivers License') its relatively cheap, maybe even a tank of gas, to get to the 'Great White North' (or round trip train ride on AmTrak for $70)

If you're under the age of 18 and your parents don't have the money afford a family trip to Canada, I understand but if you can afford an xBox360 or a Ps3, you can surely afford a trip to Canada.

Maybe the issue is what she stated, 'wouldn't you be curious?' Perhaps people aren't curious. Sometimes I really think they would rather fill themselves with meaningless materialistic garbage rather than seek any sort of adventure. Its a shame really because Canada is awesome. I think this can be best summed up with the following quote:

"Without new experiences, something inside of us sleeps. The sleeper must awaken." — Frank Herbert

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How many more episodes? Where to next? And other thoughts...

After completing the eighth episode, I thought about what footage I have and how many episodes I can make of the rest of the footage from Japan. Surprisingly, I have enough, which I would assume lends me around 15-25 more episodes (2-5 minutes a piece).

Taiwan on the other hand... I'm not so sure what I will be able to pull from my tapes. Some of the camera movements are less than desirable and nauseating. I didn't document my trip as well compared to Japan. This would make me guess I might be able to pull together around 10 episodes total. For now, I'm ok with that. And won't be worrying about putting the Taiwan pieces together for a while.

Now, where to next? What is my next adventure?

(Aboard a train in Hokkaido, bound for Tokyo)

Considering I lack funds to go anywhere far, I'll probably do some episodes that would take place around the Pacific NW. I have already shot a few outings and will probably shoot some more.

When I began working on this project, I neglected to even consider my own backyard. Not only are people interested in International travel but shorter trips as well. Take for example someone who might be from San Fransisco and would like to know what there is to see in and around Portland...

The content for a show like this is nearly infinite.

With regards to International travel. I really really really want to go back to Sapporo; it was that awesome. But I am open to other destinations. I have friends in Europe and airfare to London or Frankfurt is much cheaper than to Tokyo, language wouldn't be much of a barrier, as well as cultural customs.

I'll have to make a top ten list sometime of places I want to go, of course, its always changing...