Written in the evening of Aug. 3 from Alexanders house
The moon rose red tonight. Although it is not full until Wednesday, it is hard to tell by looking at it today. It is a big and round as blushing tomato. It could be magic or it could be the heavy mist of smoke in the air. There are no fires here but many burning on the main land. Sometimes we can smell the char in the air
I slept in a bit this morning. Zander’s alarm woke me around 6:30 but I didn’t pay much attention. Isn’t it nice when the alarm isn’t ringing for you. He had threatened to hit snooze several times…but I didn’t hear it. I didn’t get up til 7 ish and then I just stayed in my bed looking out of the window at the water. It looks like something I might have seen in a painting. It took me a while to drag myself away and pick up my journal.
Alexander’s home is a curious mixture of water front cabin and long house. It has electricity but water is collected in a cistern in the rainy season. Since there is no toilet to flush, laundry or showers to have, the water lasts well. Everything is harvested and used with absolute efficiency and honour to the place it has come from. The conversation around the table is philosophical, intelligent and fun. I am enjoying the company and the freedom to ‘just be’ here.
After breakfast Alexander offered to come with me on a hike up a near by mountain called Sleeping Beauty. He said it would be about 2 hours to the top and about the same back. I remembered my last hiking experience and was nervous but it seemed like a good opportunity to get to know Alexander better. We finished a few chores and headed out over the narrow but beautiful dirt road to get to the head of the trail. I kept Vincent slow. I pulled over for a couple of cars but we mainly drove in the company of the trees. Coming around the final turn he waved his hands toward a mountain in front of us. “That is where we are going,” he told me. My stomach lurched. This was nothing like the hill I had tried to climb in 100 mile. “It is like a long set of staircases” he told me and off we went.
I explained to him how slow I would go and told him to go up front. I would follow if I could and not if I couldn’t. He insisted that I go up front and set the pace. That way he could walk with me and wouldn’t his pace wouldn’t push me. Ok. So that is what we did. I walked, climbed, scrambled up over rocks and roots and I actually didn’t do too bad. Oh, I was slow, don’t get me wrong. It first, I pushed myself a little hard and then Alexander had a ‘talk’ with me. He clarified that he was there to walk WITH me and was not judging my progress. I had to trust him at that point so on we went. I hiked up for over an hour before my knee started to really twinge. Then I had to start to think about the decent that would be harder on my knees than the hike up. My breathing was strong and we were starting to come to a height where the trees were thinner and I could begin to catch glimpses of the incredible view to come. I could have gone on and it was with that knowledge that I turned around. By the time I reached the bottom my knees were weak. I think I made the right decision for that moment….but…it felt like a triumph compared to the last time. Oh heck, I am getting cocky. I think that if I stayed here for another week or so and climbed it every second day for all of that time…I bet I could make it, still not fast but up. Not Everest to be sure but do-able for me. What a thrill. I have to thank Alexander for his patience, enjoyment of our time together being the only goal.
I am adding hiking to the list of things that I have to keep up when I get home and yoga but that is another story.
After that, we went to the info centre so I could post to my blog and then went shopping at Alexander’s favorite Island store. We got some incredible deals there (also another story) and then went and shared some of the wealth with some of his friends. By the time we got home I was ready to relax and so glad that he prepared a beautiful meal. Both Alexander and Zander are on a raw food diet. I remember Celeste telling me about it and I said, “sure” I like raw veggies but I can’t imagine eating just that.” Well, now, having experienced the gourmet food preparation and seen some of the range of ‘yummy’ nuts, seeds, grains and vegetables, I need to take it much more seriously and looking into it for my trip nourishment. Here is food that doesn’t spoil fast, is nutritious, healthy and amazingly varied in colour texture and taste. Oh yes.
I am learning so much on the road. Each family or person I have stayed with has challenged my notions of how life is and should be and has given me something more to take in and consider. Oh, poor Fred. I wonder if he knows what he is in for when I get home and shake the dust off.
Tomorrow I hope to go to the cultural centre and what ever else comes up. For sure I will have a quick stop at the info centre for a quick check of my email and to post this message.
Wow Vicki
What great pictures of you and Alexander. He sounds like a wonderful gem!!!
When you get home one day you will be in terrific shape physically and mentally. Your limbs and your mind are being stretched and strengthened!
I laughed when you said poor Fred does not know what he’ll be in for when you get home and shake off the dust. Hmm I think he might have some idea with the recent shaking of the dust when you set off on this trip.
You look great and healthy and happy.
All of the newness and the unknown must be agreeing with you.
lots of love
Janice
Don’t you know it. 🙂
I can’t wait to see the book this wonderful adverture will give birth to. Pictures and philosophy stir the mind from everyday soup.
Love it!
Vicki there are an amazing number of raw food cook books available from the library (in Toronto anyway). Milton has borrowed quite a few and the variety of recipes are delicious. It really isn’t that difficult to go raw.