EPTI'm almost set to hit London. By this, I mean I've still no place to stay, no ideas what to do or visit. I do have one night lined up with a guy from CouchSurfing, but other than that, it looks like I'll be surfing hostels. I will be sleeping at the airport on 14th, and Poland will be a relief after a weeks' worth of solo backpacking.
These ideas have led me to think I should bring a companion along on the trip. Thus ...
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Teddy, please introduce yourself.
My name is William, I live in Montreal, and I am a bear. Rawr.
Why have you decided to travel with me across Europe?
(Teddy puffs on his pipe.) A multitude of reasons, Watson. It’s been getting boring poring over the same old books when no one is around, and I can’t exactly see myself walking into a Chapters to get some new ones, being a bear and all. I’m small enough to fit in your bag without hindrance, and you like me because you think girls will find me cute. I should also come along to keep some sense in you – goodness knows someone who thinks a plush teddy bear can improve their chances of finding a place to sleep is denser than a neutron star.
What do you think your main role will be?
Have you seen Castaway, the movie where Tom Hanks talks to a toy throughout his shipwreckedness? That.
Of the places we’ll be visiting in the coming months, which are you most excited to see?
I’m a fucking teddy bear – anywhere outside of your stinky bed is marvelous.
Alright, let’s think… The first week in London, you’ll be running on adrenaline and tripping up and down the streets with no clue where to go. You’ll be exhausted by the time you get to Gdansk, so we’ll have time to relax and I can breathe in the air. Stockholm is where it’s at, so I think that’ll be most exciting. It will be the true beginning of our adventure: a new city, plenty of time, and no one around – perfect grounds for testing theory.
Aren’t you worried you’ll get homesick?
Yes and no. Of course, it will be a drastic change getting on without all my teddy friends, but I think there will be so much going on it’ll take a while before I notice the loneliness. Contiguously, I hope to meet like-minded teddies and find some plain-thinking, sensible friends that wear none of the Emperor’s clothes.
Anything else you’d like to say?
Philosophy is useful insofar as it helps us on a conscious level. The most useful realization is that we always have a choice. There is no reason to be afraid of making the wrong decision, as long as we try our hardest to make the right one for us. The difference between choosing what we want and what we believe is called will.
Thank you, William.
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