Past HugTrains
In 2009, I was moving from Montreal to London and I decided to take a break between my
crazy job and my crazy job search. What kind of a break? I would travel around the US by
train.
At the time there were plans for a Global Hug Tour but it fell through so I decided to take that
on and make it more sustainable & local. The holidays are a tough time for people, I was
travelling and so I decided to give it a shot! I quickly put up a website, got some friends to
help, bought a train pass, got a US SIM card and off I went!
Moment of the trip: On the second night of the Chicago to San Francisco leg of the trip, I
remember completing a puzzle in the dark by phone & MP3 player light with fellow travelers.
We were stranded in the middle of Utah by a broken wheel!
The following year, I was already living in London and was unsure if I could do another train
ride. Sadly, I had lost a good friend, Danny- a victim of poor mental health- and didn't have
the strength to fly abroad and travel via train for two weeks.
But then the most wonderful string of events happened: I met a young lady who was wearing
brown feather earrings (Danny loved brown feathers), was from Israel (Danny loved Israel)
and was named Dannii. If that wasn't a sign, what else could it be?! Then and there I decided
to ride and I quickly planned the itinerary. I knew I had to do it for him.
Moment of the trip: On the second day of a 53 hour journey (Chicago to SF which staff do end
to end with minimal sleep), one staff member found me and told me she hadn't gotten her hug
for the day…
