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. 

The Sihk Temple

Wednesday morning arrived and I was finally off to the airport… it was long 5 weeks without seeing Marc. We hugged for a long time at the airport. a long time... We spent the next few cool and rainy days around Vancouver before deciding to head out, go through Nelson and then north, home bound. Before we left though we met up with Anthony and Brandon, a friend of Marc's, at Nelson the Seagull Cafe. I couldn't leave without seeing Anthony again :) I may not get a chance to see him before he goes back to France in the spring. He will find a place in Van to live, look for work and play bike polo before his visa expires in the spring. 

Later we decided to join Brandon for a free meal at the Sihk temple. Strict rules, it was a little scary. But the food was delicious. Basically, the people of the community serve leftover food from weddings and other events to other people of the community because they do not believe in their people going hungry. So they open up the temple as a soup kitchen and feed the people. There were sinks for both male and females to wash their hands before they ate, and it is important to use the correct sink. When meal time we lined up for a full tray of food. Way to much food for me to eat. And of course, it is rude not to eat it all. But we were warned by Brandon of the british military man turned live in hindu soup nazi? with cold blue eyes he watched as we tried to finish our food. He gets pretty mad at those who don't finish… But yelled at us instead for talking. because, and I quote, " you come here to eat! not talk!" But in reality it wasn't the talking that kept me the last one there, it was the trying to finish the tray of food. I guess you can't win. But I was grateful for the delicious food. And what an experience! 

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. 

and the journey continues....

As we prepared to leave to Vancouver,  Mark found a couple to rent his car while he was gone,  so we were able to take only one vehicle to Van. James was going to hitch a ride with us to Oliver, but soon left as the day got later and later and Mark found an old friend he wanted to spend some time with before he left. So James picked up his bags gave us all hugs and said good-bye. I was disappointed to not have him for part of the journey. And when we drove away the next day I really felt I missed him.

We stayed at Naramata beach for the evening as Mark cleared out his car for the new "owners", and I single handedly killed the battery in my van. It was a fabulous night on the beach, watching the stars, swinging on swings, and dodging the sprinklers in the park! We finally left for Vancouver and after one fabulous conversation, a nap, some great music, a snack, and one pee break, we arrived. First time there, so I was pretty excited. I finally got to meet Mark's friend who will be traveling Europe with him, the beautiful little pixie called Tyese. Sweet little spitfire bubble of energy. We didn't get to visit long, she went to the airport that afternoon and waited for an available seat. Her energy really stuck with me, and I hope we meet again.... 

We spent the rest of the day organizing the van, and finding Marc a plane ticket. Both a success. $317 one way flight to London! And Tyese's family was very hospitable for the next few nights, until Marc's departure.

The next day we spent some time at a wonderful cafe, called Brown Dog Cafe. had some breakfast and a chai tea latte. Walked around for a bit and headed to Wreck beach, where the welcoming sounds of drums echoed up the stairway through the trees. The beach is beautiful, it is so secluded from the rest of the city... You cannot hear or see the noisy street, and the laid back atmosphere of people without a care in the world, freely lounging without clothing on. Its comfortable and free. People playing music, dancing, hula hooping... little naked children running in the sand, people playing fetch with their dogs.... couples holding eachother tight.... not afraid to let the world see their love.... This is where I will spend my days "away" from the city.

After dropping Marc off at the airport, well… "dropping" him off, finding out the flight was delayed, meeting up with a old friend of his, eating supper, talking some fun airport pictures, waiting around, and losing a boarding pass, we finally went to his gate, to eventually board the plane. 

I stayed in the lot where I had parked that night and slept there for a few hours. I didn't know where I would be going after the airport and in the dark, first time driving around the city and the first time alone there. I decided to set my alarm to move my van early in the morning.  After a while I drove and found my way to a park. And slept a little more...

I was fortunate to get news that a good friend would be arriving in Vancouver that morning. It would be nice to hang out for a bit! We went to wreck beach and then later on drove to the YWCA where Sally would be staying the night before moving in to her new place. She let me stay with her there where I didn't rest so easy as I was receiving messages from Tyese that Marc was nowhere to be found after "arriving" in London. After learning that the flight had landed 3 hours ago, she panicked wondering why she hadn't heard from him. more hours passed, and still no word. She waited all night for him at the station where they were supposed to meet. I got messages every couple hours. Poor girl.. Good thing she had whiskey.. They found eachother the next day. Marc's story is a very interesting one wondering around London all night long…. Maybe he will let me blog about it ;)

Sally and I had great adventures around the city. As we pulled out from the YWCA I noticed a chair in a big dumpster in an ally and thought how cool would it be to take pictures of it in different locations. :D So naturally I turned around, pulled the van up beside the dumpster, climbed up on the roof, yanked the chair out, passed it down to Sally, and the fun begins. We took our first photo right the beside the blue dumpster. It was junky and dirty and great contrast with the reddish color chair.  We put it in the back of the van and drove downtown to water front station. parked and lugged it to the train tracks… then a next to a stone building, then to great back ally. I was a spectacle, walking through crowds of tourists with a chair over my shoulder. :) We then took it to a park and took pictures of it in the trees. We powered out and were getting hungry so we had to ditch the chair, because there is no room for it in the van with me sleeping there. We had intentions of taking it to the beach too but, the chair was gone the next day :(

Sally and I had more great days together, exploring the city and spending time at the beach. Playing drums and singing! the adventures of mr potato head, finding our way to Stanley park by bus and back again, a bus driver who clearly didn't want us on his bus.. (LOL) realizing the struggles of being a goose,  nearly being robbed by a raccoon! and seeing WALRUSES!! Or could they have been seals….?  and learning the difference between Howe and Howard.  Ahhhh.... good times, with good people :)