Dani California

Have you ever been in the situation when something happened that changed your plans around? And in that exact moment you think that this is unfair, and why did it have to happen? And after a few moments of anger you calm yourself down and start to think more closely about the Why's and that maybe there was a reason for this to happen, as maybe you aren't meant to do it the way it was planned, but doing it differently and taking another path?

Well, this kinda happened with the next part of my trip. I was meant to meet my cousin in LA and we'd planned to head up North to Vancouver. But things changed and my cousin had to cancel on me. So, I was there, thinking, "And now what?" How am I going to handle this situation? I have more than one week inbetween arriving in LA and actually having to be in Vancouver. And I'm never going to find someone who will join me on such short notice. May I add that it has been quite difficult already to get all these people who are joining me together.

So, inbetween all this trying to find alternatives I was in contact with someone I knew while having lived 9 months in LA.. We'd planned to meet up for diner or such. Not more I guess. As I hadn't planned on staying in LA for more than 3 days. So me, still very upset about the change of my plans - telling like everyone I know about this - I also told her ... and what did she say ... "Why don't you just stay with us? We have a spare room. I could take some days off and we could tour around locally."

In an instant, everything can change for the better. I now can stay with Teresa and her husband Derek and their daughters Teri and Liana. And I am truly grateful and happy that I get to do that. I am really looking forward to meet you guys again :) Thank you for your hospitality!!

And really spontaneously decided, I'll also be heading down to San Diego for 2 days with a girl from Ireland, Claire. She's on the "Southern Sun" trip with Trek America too. Unexpected things happening now :)

So, there you have it. The reason why things changed. I do believe now that it had to happen this way. That I needed to have this week off. For once not traveling around on a very tight schedule.
We may not always seem to understand why things happen the way they do. But maybe the next time something like this happens to you, you'll think back to my story and you'll reflect on this and remember that the paths you had planned on taking are not always the paths you need to go.