Ah, the gulf islands. Where alternative liberal culture seems mainstream, where free organic apples populate the road side, and where life seems just blissful. I'm currently on Salt Spring Island. Hilly, yes, beautiful, check, delicious vegetables, a definite. All in all, it's quite a magical place to visit, to reaffirm that these liberal haven's do exist, and to visit it with my new friends who share the same excitement as me for all these things, makes it all the better.
After a picnic in the warm fall sunshine beside the famous farmers market in Ganges, following continuous mmmmmm's from all of us as we devoured local peppers, tomaotes, kale, tapanade, sprouts, we cycled up the hills en route back to our host's plot of land. About halfway through the 12km, we stopped at a beautiful freshwater lake and myself and two other team-mates tore off our clothes, and jumped into the water. We sure did hoot and holler, as the cool water shocked our warm bodies to attention. As we scrambled up the doc, and sat in the warm sun, we reveled in the privilege that we all share to be surrounded by such abundance and beauty, and to be able to partake in this wondrous journey.
Sending you some of my love.
Sunday, October 16, 2011
Thursday, October 6, 2011
No one said it would be easy
Life in a group is, well, challenging. Especially when you have a large group with a very diverse set of needs, energy and attention levels, and then you throw in some unique scenarios, like pouring rain, flus and colds, and still expectations from the outside world to perform.
Let's rewind a couple days to our absolutely lovely mid-tour retreat at Linnea Farm on quiet gunflint lake on Cortes Island, where we had a cozy space warmed by a wood stove for debriefing, rehearsing and cooking. The farm itself is set in a super unique eco-tone where there is fresh water, bluffs, and small flat valleys for farming in. There are many neat things about this place, but one that was of particular interest to me was the farm school program that they offer for 8 months. Students learn everything from vegetable farming to wildcrafting, permaculture, animal husbandry, welding, carpentry, and biodynamics. We had the wonderful opportunity to have a potluck with a number of the 11 people who are part of the program, and it turned out that they were all young women, much like the women on our team, and conversation and inspiration ensued about each other's adventures with learning! I warned our host that they might just see an application from a certain Kayla someday down the road for this unique program...
As we adventured onward the cold that was running through our group worsened, I caught it, and a few others were starting to have the flu. We were heading out of Campbell River, post performance, down to settle in Royston at an organic strawberry farm, where we'd be camping out while in the Comox Valley. The land and our hosts were beautiful, gracious and warm, but the weather certainly was not. Those in the group that were feeling the cold and flu, were in less then excited moods at the prospect of staying outside for a few days in rudimentary facilities, away from tow in the chilly pouring rain. So, we sought indoor space. Luckily some of my other contacts here set us up at the community centre where we now have warm space to sleep.
But it really made me reflect on just how very very lucky we are to have warm indoor spaces, and how I feel so selfish and spoiled when I even consider the fact that I might feel hungry, or cold. There are so many folks out there who deal with such feelings in a chronic way, who am I to acknowledge these feelings? To consider that even though our bellies were full, we had tents and camp stoves but the group still wasn't satisfied really made me sad.
In an effort to keep our group harmonious, healthy and happy I moved into town, tried to show as much gratitude to the folks at the strawberry farm as possible, and smiled at the generosity of our new hosts. But I really still crave the simplicity of the farm. I like experiencing some discomforts, so that I might feel a little closer to those folks who don't always feel warm, safe and cozy. Uncomfortable situations are some of the best opportunities to learn about yourself, and to learn about your group...and learn I have.
Flash forward to today, a visit, with just five from my team who felt they had the energy to get on our bicycles and cycle 20km out to a family operated woodlot. Harold Macy, who wrote an amazing book that I am so excited to read entitled "The Four Storey Forest; As Grow the trees, so too the Heart" was a great inspiration to us five who visited the sustainably forested woodlot, and did a walk around with him on his land. He takes such time and care in the forest, and truly respects Mother Nature's power and force and unique ability to tell a story that we will never quite understand.
A part of Harold's epilogue reads:
"I have learned to recognize the pragmatism of the forest and not dwell on the unchangeable, but to get over it and move on."
A good lesson beyond the forest too, eh?
"The trees have a way of welcoming us, nurturing us, and subtly allowing us to grow, even as they do. I encourage you to walk in the forest, to work among the trees with tools in hand, and to allow time for the subtle voices to tell you their stories. You will be rewarded."
A good lesson indeed.
Let's rewind a couple days to our absolutely lovely mid-tour retreat at Linnea Farm on quiet gunflint lake on Cortes Island, where we had a cozy space warmed by a wood stove for debriefing, rehearsing and cooking. The farm itself is set in a super unique eco-tone where there is fresh water, bluffs, and small flat valleys for farming in. There are many neat things about this place, but one that was of particular interest to me was the farm school program that they offer for 8 months. Students learn everything from vegetable farming to wildcrafting, permaculture, animal husbandry, welding, carpentry, and biodynamics. We had the wonderful opportunity to have a potluck with a number of the 11 people who are part of the program, and it turned out that they were all young women, much like the women on our team, and conversation and inspiration ensued about each other's adventures with learning! I warned our host that they might just see an application from a certain Kayla someday down the road for this unique program...
As we adventured onward the cold that was running through our group worsened, I caught it, and a few others were starting to have the flu. We were heading out of Campbell River, post performance, down to settle in Royston at an organic strawberry farm, where we'd be camping out while in the Comox Valley. The land and our hosts were beautiful, gracious and warm, but the weather certainly was not. Those in the group that were feeling the cold and flu, were in less then excited moods at the prospect of staying outside for a few days in rudimentary facilities, away from tow in the chilly pouring rain. So, we sought indoor space. Luckily some of my other contacts here set us up at the community centre where we now have warm space to sleep.
But it really made me reflect on just how very very lucky we are to have warm indoor spaces, and how I feel so selfish and spoiled when I even consider the fact that I might feel hungry, or cold. There are so many folks out there who deal with such feelings in a chronic way, who am I to acknowledge these feelings? To consider that even though our bellies were full, we had tents and camp stoves but the group still wasn't satisfied really made me sad.
In an effort to keep our group harmonious, healthy and happy I moved into town, tried to show as much gratitude to the folks at the strawberry farm as possible, and smiled at the generosity of our new hosts. But I really still crave the simplicity of the farm. I like experiencing some discomforts, so that I might feel a little closer to those folks who don't always feel warm, safe and cozy. Uncomfortable situations are some of the best opportunities to learn about yourself, and to learn about your group...and learn I have.
Flash forward to today, a visit, with just five from my team who felt they had the energy to get on our bicycles and cycle 20km out to a family operated woodlot. Harold Macy, who wrote an amazing book that I am so excited to read entitled "The Four Storey Forest; As Grow the trees, so too the Heart" was a great inspiration to us five who visited the sustainably forested woodlot, and did a walk around with him on his land. He takes such time and care in the forest, and truly respects Mother Nature's power and force and unique ability to tell a story that we will never quite understand.
A part of Harold's epilogue reads:
"I have learned to recognize the pragmatism of the forest and not dwell on the unchangeable, but to get over it and move on."
A good lesson beyond the forest too, eh?
"The trees have a way of welcoming us, nurturing us, and subtly allowing us to grow, even as they do. I encourage you to walk in the forest, to work among the trees with tools in hand, and to allow time for the subtle voices to tell you their stories. You will be rewarded."
A good lesson indeed.
Thursday, September 29, 2011
Cycling my way into beautiful people.
Hello from Campbell River. I write to you again, as my 14 other team mates are mostly asleep in thier bags on the school gym floor, and I somehow find myself still awake and not quite exhausted - yet. We had a lovely (but early) day today, up at 5:45 to catch the 7am ferry over to Vancouver Island, after spending the last number of days in Coastal Powell River. Then, we cycled, along the ocean side, beside farms, and the sun was shining, the air super crisp. After my bike buddie blew a pretty good flat and we finally got her bicycle going again, we stopped for a marvelous lunch at Oyster Bay. Stunning scenery of blue mountains looming on other islands in the distance, with clouds no where in the sky except around those seemingly distant mountains. When we hit the road for the last 20km of the day, my bike buddie promptly had another flat, so we unpacked her bike again, patched the tube once more, and realized her whole tire was in need of replacement! Since this isn't something we carry on ourselves, we did the $5 bill trick, where you slip it in the tire before the tube (credit to the cyclist passin' by).
Needless to say, we eventually got here, and our team mates already had some yummy supper on the stove, and the angel of a custodian was fixing us up with anything and everything that we might need to make the school cozy for us. Whew. People are just. so. great. Over and over again we are meeting people who are open and willing to help out. Like the couple with the beautiful garden yesterday, whose door I promptly knocked on when I saw they had a composter, and I stood with near dripping food waste bags, asking if we could deposit our food scraps on their land. As my two bike buddies for the day curiously looked on, we got nothing but a jolly response from the man in who answered the door, as he told me stories of their fig tree, their hazelnut tree, and their bay leaf bush! my oh my...
I also keep bumping into this woman who is just sweet to talk to, saw her on our ferry ride to Saltry Bay, again at the Powell River Fall fair, and then again today on the ferry to Comox! She was just so curious and interested in what we were doing, so genuine. And when she shared what she is doing, volunteering with a group of youth advocating against drug and alcohol abuse, I was so excited that she was excited about her work. Inspiring she was...
I can't wait until tomorrow - when I might meet another curious soul, inspiring soul, helpful soul.
Goodnight my dear loved ones.
Needless to say, we eventually got here, and our team mates already had some yummy supper on the stove, and the angel of a custodian was fixing us up with anything and everything that we might need to make the school cozy for us. Whew. People are just. so. great. Over and over again we are meeting people who are open and willing to help out. Like the couple with the beautiful garden yesterday, whose door I promptly knocked on when I saw they had a composter, and I stood with near dripping food waste bags, asking if we could deposit our food scraps on their land. As my two bike buddies for the day curiously looked on, we got nothing but a jolly response from the man in who answered the door, as he told me stories of their fig tree, their hazelnut tree, and their bay leaf bush! my oh my...
I also keep bumping into this woman who is just sweet to talk to, saw her on our ferry ride to Saltry Bay, again at the Powell River Fall fair, and then again today on the ferry to Comox! She was just so curious and interested in what we were doing, so genuine. And when she shared what she is doing, volunteering with a group of youth advocating against drug and alcohol abuse, I was so excited that she was excited about her work. Inspiring she was...
I can't wait until tomorrow - when I might meet another curious soul, inspiring soul, helpful soul.
Goodnight my dear loved ones.
Monday, September 19, 2011
Patience and Tolerance
Patience. A most necessary attribute that you need to fully submit and live as a collective group. I am constantly reminded that I have plenty more work to do in this area, that I have heaps more growing and learning to do to become a more patient person. Whether this means being patient at the beginning of a group meeting, being present and aware of your surroundings, or whether patience means cheering on your cycling buddie as they slowly creep to the top of the hill, but all you want to do is cycle fassssst. Patience is listening to each persons thoughts, opinions and comments, and actively, presently absorbing what they are saying, and taking it into consideration. Patience is recognizing that every task, when being done by or with a group of 15 will take heaps of time, but that same task probably couldn't be done on your own either.
Tolerance. This is another attribute that I am finding really important during an intense group living experience. You need to recognize that everyone is coming from entirely different life experiences, and each with their own strengths and weaknesses. These things have to be accepted and tolerated.
<br I'm writing from the dark corner of the basement of the Rockwood centre in Sechelt, BC. Were staying in a church youth space. My team has settled down for the evening, and the lights are out, but the glow from this computer in the corner may be bright enough to disrupt. We had a hilly but pleasant ride today, it was sunny,and the air was fresh beside the sea. The three trailers that the team is pulling are proving to be quite challenging. There are certainly some stronger and some weaker cyclists that are on our team, so we are trying to equitably spread out the work of carrying the trailers, and not necessarily have equal sharing of them. But my, I've done alot of cycle touring in the past, and these trailers are heavy up these sunshine coast hills! So heavy that sometimes my touring baby, Poppy, can't make it to the top unless I stand and pedal real hard. I'm afraid my back is tiring, but my overall energy levels certainly aren't. The place we are staying right now has showers - though i still feel like I could do okay for a few more days, I am welcoming of this shower I will take right now - but you can count on the fact that I will be staggering it (google it if you're not sure what I mean :)
Thinking of all of you and sending big hugs from afar.
Tolerance. This is another attribute that I am finding really important during an intense group living experience. You need to recognize that everyone is coming from entirely different life experiences, and each with their own strengths and weaknesses. These things have to be accepted and tolerated.
<br I'm writing from the dark corner of the basement of the Rockwood centre in Sechelt, BC. Were staying in a church youth space. My team has settled down for the evening, and the lights are out, but the glow from this computer in the corner may be bright enough to disrupt. We had a hilly but pleasant ride today, it was sunny,and the air was fresh beside the sea. The three trailers that the team is pulling are proving to be quite challenging. There are certainly some stronger and some weaker cyclists that are on our team, so we are trying to equitably spread out the work of carrying the trailers, and not necessarily have equal sharing of them. But my, I've done alot of cycle touring in the past, and these trailers are heavy up these sunshine coast hills! So heavy that sometimes my touring baby, Poppy, can't make it to the top unless I stand and pedal real hard. I'm afraid my back is tiring, but my overall energy levels certainly aren't. The place we are staying right now has showers - though i still feel like I could do okay for a few more days, I am welcoming of this shower I will take right now - but you can count on the fact that I will be staggering it (google it if you're not sure what I mean :)
Thinking of all of you and sending big hugs from afar.
Wednesday, September 14, 2011
Vancouver days
Performing is the name of our Otesha tour at this point in time. We've already performed our play to a number of students here in Vancouver, and though it's been well received, we are dying for some down time to spend tweaking it, honing it, and making it our own. Were excited to make it more comedic and more hopeful, as all too often students are inundated with negative facts and scenarios in their education. Otesha has prided itself in the past on being this hopeful inspiration for youth, and I'm stoked to continue to carry on this fun, hopeful message...
Life on tour is, well, busy. If your really curious about a play by play, here goes...wake up song sung by the time wolf at 6am. If it's your cooking squad's turn to craft up a delicious breakfast, you get into the kitchen, or light up those camps stoves asap. Sizzling Sockies (my cooking crew!) was up this morning, so we made two pots of hot cereal, both with some rescued apples added in. Top that with some local honey, and all 15 bellies are full. Pack up the kitchen things after everyone has packed up their lunches (crafted the night before) and get ready to rock and roll, cause you have to be outta the school gym that you cozily slept in by 8am. Head on over by bike to a learning opportunity at the local bicycle co-op (Our Community Bikes, and PEDAL) and do some tweaking on your bike after learning about this community driven organization that enables folks from all walks of life to feel good about their ride. Then, cycle on towards North Vancouver, 25km over the bridge, along some hilly roads, and arrive at your performance venue for 1pm. Eat your lunch when you arrive, and then jump around on stage for a while. Discuss with students and teachers important issues during the Q and A period, and then breath out. Connect with a few really excited students one on one, and feel yourself getting inspired by them simply, caring. It's time to head back and get supper on! And then, time for the evening meeting! Maybe we'll do a play rehearsal? Or maybe talk more about refining the groups food mandate? We'll definitely go over the day's logistics for tomorrow, and refresh everyones mind about what role they are (vibe watcher, host friend, compost crusader, performance set up, navigator etc, etc....) Maybe a silly game or two fits its way in there, and maybe an emotional check in too...whew...roll out your sleeping bag, and crawl in...it'll feel oh so great.
Goodnight.
Thursday, September 8, 2011
Like Roots
I love living with Otesha folks. Giant tasks seem mundane, delicious nutritious vegan food gets created in massive pots over camp stoves, love is spread in a hurry, hugs and tears and anger and rawness are expressed so openly and honestly, as a safe space is created for these emotions to be heard.
It's so interesting, embarking for a second time on an Otesha cycling and performing tour. It's an experience that already is and will continue to be entirely different then my last, though there is one similarity. The intentions of folks who show up are generally the same.
People who sign up for Otesha are interested in experimenting in group living, in dedicating endless hours towards living in harmony, in riding their bikes for 8 hours at a time, in compromising and consenting to try new diets, to live in weird places, push their comfort boundaries, reach out to youth, and be totally silly. It's wonderful to see all of these characters come together, and, not knowing one another, determine how we are going to live, day in, day out with one another, how we'll do all the work that needs to be done, while, at the same time performing a play day in day out to hundreds of students, experimenting with our sustainable mobile community.
But were not necessarily a unique breed. Anyone can do these things, and there are hundreds others that are. One quality such people do share is that we all have intention. We all have desire.
As I go forward into this journey, I do so with some nervousness about what these next months will hold. But mostly, after just one week with my new wee family, I go forward with the knowledge that no matter what comes up for us over the next months, I am surrounded by loving support structures, like roots, that run deep deep into the ground.
We have a few more days here in Vancouver, when we'll put on our first few performances, see our audiences reactions, engage in some dialogue with them, and get to know exactly how this is all going to work. Then onwards towards Gibsons, Roberts Creek, and Sechelt. I hope you all are doing well, I think about each of you heaps, wishing that each of you feel the same level of love and support that I find myself feeling in this small Otesha community, forming here in Vancouver. I send some of this positive loving support your way...wherever you are.
It's so interesting, embarking for a second time on an Otesha cycling and performing tour. It's an experience that already is and will continue to be entirely different then my last, though there is one similarity. The intentions of folks who show up are generally the same.
People who sign up for Otesha are interested in experimenting in group living, in dedicating endless hours towards living in harmony, in riding their bikes for 8 hours at a time, in compromising and consenting to try new diets, to live in weird places, push their comfort boundaries, reach out to youth, and be totally silly. It's wonderful to see all of these characters come together, and, not knowing one another, determine how we are going to live, day in, day out with one another, how we'll do all the work that needs to be done, while, at the same time performing a play day in day out to hundreds of students, experimenting with our sustainable mobile community.
But were not necessarily a unique breed. Anyone can do these things, and there are hundreds others that are. One quality such people do share is that we all have intention. We all have desire.
As I go forward into this journey, I do so with some nervousness about what these next months will hold. But mostly, after just one week with my new wee family, I go forward with the knowledge that no matter what comes up for us over the next months, I am surrounded by loving support structures, like roots, that run deep deep into the ground.
We have a few more days here in Vancouver, when we'll put on our first few performances, see our audiences reactions, engage in some dialogue with them, and get to know exactly how this is all going to work. Then onwards towards Gibsons, Roberts Creek, and Sechelt. I hope you all are doing well, I think about each of you heaps, wishing that each of you feel the same level of love and support that I find myself feeling in this small Otesha community, forming here in Vancouver. I send some of this positive loving support your way...wherever you are.
Thursday, August 25, 2011
reflections into the pool of discovery
Here I go again. As I jump into the pool of discovery once more, I do so with great anticipation, giddy excitement, fear and nervousness, lots of strong love, and glorious joy.
Every new beginning comes from some other beginnings end. A quotation that in my life I continuously return to. I know you've heard it before, but I can't help but say it again, nothing can quite be fully known in life other then the fact that things will change...often.
As I embark on this next set of travels, I find myself reflecting on the past months. Working for Otesha has brought some wonderful people into my life, and granted me some experiences that I am super grateful for. I will have great memories of slow movements with a purple cast, crutch fall counts, co-op lunch's, potluck picnics, silly wedding showers, swing dancing in the halls, summitting mountains, secret handshakes and generally having a ball while getting a heck of a lot of work done at the same time. Yes, it's possible! I'm so excited to have gained experience working for a non-profit, and learning about some of the details. And now I get to embark on my second Otesha cycling and performing tour to top this awesome job off - living with 14 other people in a sustainable mobile community, eating, sleeping, performing, making decisions with them every day for two months. It's going to be an amazing ride...
I've had the chance to move into a beautiful home here in Ottawa, and connect with lovely people over food, gardening, and common interests. I've felt so at home and welcome here since the day I moved in. The garden has yielded a beautiful bounty, and once I was back on the bike, Ottawa was a good deal of fun to explore. Beyond Ottawa, since moving from Toronto, I still kept connections in Toronto strong, visiting often, and constantly being reminded how amazing the communities I'm part of in Toronto really are. Close passionate friends flowing with positive projects, creativity and alternative ways of living - so real, so inspiring.
As this month draws to a close, I can hardly believe how quickly my time went here. I'm so thrilled for my next adventures, but leaving Ontario has also meant saying goodbye to loved ones for a little while, and reflection again about why I'm adventuring, how blessed I am to be a part of some seriously supportive communities, what special people I have in my life, and how to really really enjoy where I am at in life at the present moment.
There's a lot of unknowns in life, mysteries of the universe that we can't really predict or understand. I am continually reminded of these mysteries, and I imagine that some quiet time on the bus in the coming days will help me understand why things are happening the way they are.
I'll leave you with a portion of this new song that I'm really lovin' right now...
Break some bread
The nights been blessed
With an never-endingness
But nonetheless
End come too soon
Love, kayla
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