An old Oteshite had a farm, and a Yahk too.

Wow, British Columbia is a taking my heart by storm. We spent two short nights in Fernie, B.C. and it was fabulous. People were astonishingly friendly, saying hello always and striking up a conversation usually. Everyone seemed to be cycling. They have an eco-community garden in town and it seems to be a rather progressive community in terms of environmental movements. Though it seemed to be quite a touristy centre, it certainly felt like we were there in the off season, and that those people that were around were the real Fernie folk. B.C. has continued to impress me with the beautiful generosity of the people on this planet; from kind Otesha-alumni bringing us treats after a long cycling day, to generous health food store owners who let you go shopping in their aisles for free because you have a 'beautiful mission'. The scenery was stunning on our journey from Fernie to Cranbrook, might I add. We are in the Kootenay's now, and I am impressed by the wooded mountains, hills, rock outcrops, lush river valleys, and natural springs from the mountains.

Our group continues to have a good deal of performances. In Cranbrook yesterday, we preformed for three different schools in three one hour slots. Just yesterday alone, we reached about 900 Grade 7-10 students with our message. Though all of these students might not start making tangible changes, if even one of those 900 students makes a commitment to change, we have made a difference. Judging by feedback, I imagine we have impacted and inspired many students already to be aware of issues, and know that they have the power to change things if they desire! Our performances usually include an introduction of what Otesha is all about, a seriously impactful sideshow demonstrating some issues that we wish to bring forth, our play about a young high school student who is trying to figure out what he wants to do with his life, and in the process is made aware of a number of injustices in our society, an open floor for discussion, and a concluding empowering slide show. As a group, we spend a great deal of time discussing how performances went, and how we can improve our whole show to make it as powerful as we possibly can. Aside from our performances, we recently had a meeting regarding group dynamics. It gave each of us a chance to express how we felt the group was melding, and point out any things that were bothering us or that we think could be improved. I'm learning such a great deal about community living, about communicating effectively and being an open listener and acceptor. It's totally empowering when the group sits down to a meeting, and each person is given the undivided attention of the rest of the group. Long ago we established polite hand signals that we use to indicate when we wish to speak, when we want to propose something, or when we agree or disagree with a group proposal. I'm really enjoying learning so much about consensus based decision making and living without any sort of 'leader'. It's a shame really, how so many 'communities' in North America lack just that: community. There is often no connection, no sharing, just the odd whisper about how ugly Bob's grass is or a gossip about how a cop car was at number 88 last night. I am thoroughly enjoying the communal experience I am having now, the intricate consensus meetings, and the family that I am growing to rely on here, when I am away from my family at home. I certainly feel the community in this group, and I'm loving it.

So today we are in the verrrry small town of Yahk. It has a population of about 350, and we are sleeping and cooking and interneting at their little elementary school, which houses their 13 students. It is between Cranbrook and Creston, and the town is on a beautiful river which we cycled along for the majority of the day today. The river is moving quickly and is briskly cold as the mountains clear themselves of their winter snow during this beautiful spring day. After biking just under 70 kilometers today, we will cycle about that distance again tomorrow to make our way to Creston. I will share some photos with you as soon as I am technologically able!

I'm thinking about you all back home, hoping you are all doing well. I am also smelling dinner cooking, as one of the other cooking squads prepares our vegan stir fry in the other room.