The End Of The Great West Adventure

My summer was everything I wanted and more. To be able strip away everything and embrace simplicity was something that my soul desired. I learned how to relax again. Both physically and mentally. It had been so long since I was able to finish a day of work and not feel like I have so many other things I had to do. The weight of all that I did was so heavy on my shoulders. I continually took on more then I could wrap my brain around. Even through meditation I couldn't quiet my mind. So much to do… It took about three weeks for me to to finally feel the sensation, that I don't have anything to do….  I felt my entire body from head to toe, relax… the tension in my head disappeared and my mind was at ease. Clear. I had been fruit picking for two weeks and it took that long to be able to actually realize that there was nothing I HAD to do. It was amazing. I hadn't ever slept so good… consistently, warm and cozy and comfortable. every single night of my travels. I got peace while I was out there. Something I could not find any longer in my hometown. I found inspiration and motivation. Another thing I could no longer find back home.

There wasn't a single part I disliked while I was out there. Its amazing what happiness can bring to any situation or circumstance. I never worried about finding work. I just knew that I would. I never worried about where I would find a place to park my van and sleep for the night, and would it be safe? I wasn't sad about the people I missed, or Marc being overseas so fresh into our relationship, knowing that the distance was only a taste of whats to come. I met people along the way who took care of me, and who I took care of, people who's secrets I'll never know... people who's secrets I do know.... And we each played a small part in each of our own individual stories.. like this one I've just wrote. Being in the orchards in the valley was such a different life then the one I had in Vancouver. It was a slow paced, quiet one where I was able to build relationships, observe and think.... write. And eat. Vancouver, was a fast paced, noisy, smelly, but oddly beautiful and inspiring city. But I had to lose myself on the beach many days to bring myself back to the peacefulness I was after. But I admire those who have learned how to make it work there.

And while I was there, and everywhere in between, I learned a lot too.  I learned how to let go. And I learned how to find peace. I learned how to build relationships again.  I learned that nothing is something worth doing. I learned that everyone has a story… some much like my own and others not so much. I learned to pick up hitchhikers. They are travellers just like me. And because we are all on the same road, but you can get there faster if you do it together. I learned that I don't need my camera to capture the beauty and the moments I see around me... my iphone did amazing... and so did my memory. I read a book that changed my life. I met a person that changed my life. I learned that I could trust a man who had taken lives. I learned that no matter where you go, there are always people who are willing to help you, feed you, give you a bed, or a shower, or a washing machine. I learned how easy it is to not worry about shaving your legs. I learned how to love unconditionally. I learned how to starve the ego, and how to feed the soul...  I learned how to be resourceful, to live without running water. I bathed in a lake, a river, under a tap, under a waterfall, in a crackshack with no door or hot water, in a stall placed in the middle of an orchard with no curtain, washed my hair in a bucket, washed my clothes out of the same bucket, and then hung them to dry in the hot sun. I didn't mind a single bit of any of that. I ate well, I slept well, I felt happy and I fell in love. I made friends that I'm sure I will keep for the rest of my life. I could have carried on the rest of my life this way. The happiness was endless, so was the freedom… so was the beauty. 

To Van And Back Again

My last days in Keremeos were that of Tony and Terry getting drunk, cooking delicious campfire meals (compliments to the chef, Tony) and picking pears. I was so lucky one day to get a call from my dear friend Greg who was looking to get away for the long weekend. I said, how cool it would be if  he came to visit and picked fruit for the weekend! And we did! We picked pears together for two days but then headed back into Penticton for the farmers market and more things to do. Greg brought out a few things for me that I needed. Took back a bunch of things I thought I needed… but didn't. It was nice to have the extra room in the little van. It was a really fantastic visit, with some great conversations, and good coffee, good meals, and good sunny days on the beach. I even got a new hat that weekend in a vintage clothing shop! Greg made me miss home a little bit… and my cat, a lot… After he left, it took me a few days to realize I wanted to be back on the road headed back to Vancouver. Because it was only days away from Marc coming home. 

It was time to go. 

Sally and I had big plans again, much like the adventures of red chair and Mr. potato head. But she got very busy with school. I wasn't able to see much of her unfortunately. The few days I did get to spend at her apartment again were a little on the lonely side. With sally in school and Aki gone. I really missed Aki's presence in the apartment. His visa expired and he had to go back to Japan. He was such a delight…. he would play music in the kitchen while he did the dishes and cooked supper and would sing at the top of his lungs :) It was just like home :) Matt would get off work in the evening and the house just seemed complete the, three of them. Sally sure found herself some great roommates. I had the pleasure of doing headshots for these two aspiring actors. It was so much fun, and two of the best models I have ever had! But now that Aki was gone it sure felt different. Everyone could feel it. 

The day of the earthquake (I didn't feel a thing), I was walking down the sidewalk checking out the stores,  and I ran into Sam, a good friend of the guys! She was on her way to work but was telling me about this base coast party in the forest in Squamish…. animal costumes!! Oh I so wanted to go to squamish… I told her I was in. 

I went to the dollar store and bought a kitty mask, ears and tail and was so ready for the party. Saturday night came and I was on the winding road along the coast to Squamish. Now here's the funny thing. I got super tired around midnight, (I had a previous engagement that didn't allow me to leave north Van until about 11) and decided the best thing would be is to pull over and have a little nap. I stopped in a parking lot and crawled in the back…. woke up 4 hours later!!!! oops. So much for partying all night. I carried on and showed up at the party still before the sun did, I slinked in with my black cat mask and nobody noticed I had just arrived. I danced until the sun came up. I finally found Sam (who evidently was the only one who noticed my late arrival) And we both enjoyed the music and the sun rising over the mountain tops. This party was down long bumpy dusty forestry roads…. in the middle of nowhere (I mean no cell phone service) and I end up smack in the centre of BC coastal rainforest. Bright green mossy floors, big green ferns, large dark brown cedar tree trunks towering up so high…. misty and majestic…. wow. breath taking… And in a small clearing near the river, was a DJ booth and flashing lights… The music echoed through the mountains and we danced on the dirt floor until almost 12pm the next day. One guy commented on how I had managed to keep dancing for so long. He said…. "wow, how did you do it?" 

I replied, "I had a nap" 

he said,"….. oh… I had speed" 

HAHA good old fashioned nap. yup. Little did he know, I had only started at 5am. :)

We all sat by the river in the morning and warmed up in the sun. Some people bathed in the river but good god that mountain water is cold. No thanks, I'm not that dirty. When it was time to go, Samantha and I got in the van (with a few others) and drove into town and spent a few hours  there napping, showering, eating etc, at her sisters house. And in the evening had a slow drive down that long winding road back to Van watching the sun set over the ocean. 

And the count down begins. 3 days until I see Marc. 

Keremeos

I went to the work zone in Oliver and found a few jobs in Keremeos and Cawston area so I took down some numbers and left town. Accidentally finding a shortcut to Cawston, talking a long windy narrow road through the mountains. It was so beautiful... Im starting to like taking accidental routes.

So, four days in a cherry orchard in Keremeos. Small little town, for the most part nice but I may have continuing problems at the grocery store because my "backpack" (small purse) is to be left at the service counter. And because I refuse to be the only woman who cannot carry her purse in the grocery store. And no, it is not the size of a backpack. 

I started working for a man named, Narinder. Very nice guy to work for. We went to pick the last of the late cherries and for the first time found myself working with a crew. Not 5 people but like, a lot. Mostly angry french men. But the odd old "non french" canadian guy who is always in battle with the swarm of french.  And of course the young, new, slow cherry pickers like myself who always band together to fight off the yelling swearing french and non french old men. And Bruno. who is not old, but is young, tanned all to heck, tattooed and pink mohawk, but just as angry. There is always some people who show up early and pick the bottoms off everyone's trees and get busted because they are the only ones with 15 buckets at 5:30 in the morning. And the battle begins.  I spent much of my…. actually, all of the four days jumping around row to row cleaning up the tops that no one bothered to pick. Its a dirty job and Im slow as it is, so not much money being made. But it does score brownie points. As Narinder wants to keep me on because he wants to work with "good" people. :D  Take that, Sonny.

I've been staying at the farmworkers camp by the river in Keremeos. Its rocky and super hot, but the river is clean and peaceful and a nice way to cool down. The camp mostly consists of hippy farm workers but a few of the serious pickers, (ei: old angry french guys) And is generally a great place for free, a little noisy at night but oh well.  Mikey was the first person who greeted me there… british I think? and he invited me out to the fire that they have everynight :) But I've been sick and antisocial so I haven't gone yet.

Its been a bit of a struggle finding places with wifi, good coffee, open later then 2pm or 5pm, veggie meat and almond milk. But organic produce! yay! So I've been bouncing around a lot, in a cafe/restaurant with no wifi drinking bad coffee to charge my phone and laptop so I can sit in a parking lot to a place with wifi but no outlet that has closed at a ridiculously early time of the day. And eating a low protein diet of cheese buns and peaches.  

So, as I sit here today, in an outdated 80's restaurant, drinking coffee and eating shredded hashbrowns, I look around and can't help but be reminded of my childhood. It reminds me of a place my dad used to go for coffee. I only went with him a few times, but I will always remember it because of the fancy clock that they had there. It was a rectangular box with a clock on one side and local advertisements flipping one by one on the other side. I remember it because I was bored all to heck sitting there while my dad drank coffee and chatted with God knows who. Im sure the entire time I stared at the flipping ads and counted how many times it completely rotated. I remember once I was there very late… Im not sure why, but I was tired and was laying down but I still stared at it flipping. So in this place with brown wicker lampshades, taxidermy on the walls, metal framed chairs, wood panelling and country radio station quietly playing from behind the bar…. I spot it. There it is, up above the beer cooler behind the bar. the flipping clock. Although its dead and stuck on both 8:00 and D.K truck centre, Osoyoos. Im still staring at it, and I wonder, when it flipped its last ad.

Where the road goes.

• • News flash: bad day at the orchard, (bad three days) Sonny thinks Im "bad cherry picker" and that I smoke to much. After yelling at me one day and not talking to me at all the next day, I decided I had enough of this. hopefully spend one more night here then try to get into the street market tomorrow and sell me some goods. Then off to the next town to try me some more picking. With someone who is nicer. Anthony will be peacing out to Van soon… its been fun but now I guess we part our ways. P.S. I don't smoke. 

  
  

  • I met two really cool lesbians and an Aussie, who's the posse glue...( long story ) taking the girls with me to the next destination so they can pick up hot chicks in white shorts. Trying to convince Australia to come, because she's like, my sister where has she been all my life...? and also because I'm kinda devastated to lose Anthony tomorrow... But ALL the girls are working on him because in reality he's more of the glue then Australia is because he's a guy and balances out all the femaleness. We'll see what happens... And the adventure continues.... But I'm making money at the market today, huzzah! And a didge player from montreal sat next to me and is entertaining me while I sit on the sidewalk trying stop people from stepping on my jewelry!! and he gave me flowers, oh happy day.

  
  

  • Went to the beach after the market, met a "french" guy who I think is actually faking french but oh well.  And told me about a potluck at the nude-y beach tomorrow, so bring my friends down for some free food. !woot! Can't turn down free food! but also invited us for supper so we did that too. He talks waaaayyy too much and its a little exhausting. He hooked us up with a job near Oliver so after the potluck on nude-y beach and getting all muddy we all drove to this crazy hippy campground with snakes, bears, playful dogs and snuggly cats. The next morning we drove to Oliver only to find out that this place he sent us didn't actually exist and crazy french guy ditched back to penticton on his bike…?….. but hey, thanks for all the booze you left in my van… and the bucket of pasta! yummy…. we tried picking prunes but it really sucks. 25 dollars a bin. That takes ME 6 hours to fill! hmmm.. just enough to buy me some supper at the end of the day. The place where we are camping has a real toilet and a shower, but is other wise a scary rundown crack shack looking place…. which evidently had a shoe box full of weed in the closet..  where are we??! But there are three kittens and four adult cats who are very affectionate. It is delightful. 

  
  

  • Tune in next week for the rest of the adventures in Oliver.