Hey Gang, I had a chance to spend some time in California back in April and this might be posted a bit out of order but here it is, finally. This was a day that I had out with a couple of new friends, we were in and around Golden Gate Park. There are also some other pictures mixed in, Enjoy. Oh and if you can't hear the last part I am just talking about having a great day. I actually have another close up video of the water I want to add to this page in the future, keep an eye out for it, very beautiful.</h3>
All photographs are copyright FRA 2015-2022
In January 2016, I left small town Brantford for an even smaller town, near Owen Sound. It was a slightly chilly day when my friend drove me to the meeting place. It's always a bit unique the way each host makes plans to meetup with a helper. Previously, I had been met at the train station on a late night, which was totally different than this meeting. On this day, I was driven to a hospital to meet my future host as she waited for her mother to finish her appointment, very convenient and it saved me a ton of money. Traveling can be quite reasonable if you don't mind going with the flow of each person's life.
I could tell right away that my hostess was a happy person by the smile on her face when she recognized me. It was all about greetings and making new plans for how the day was to go once my driver had gone on her way, Thanks Jess, my friend.
My hostess chatted for long moments as we waited for her mother to finish up with the doctor, then we headed on our way out the door. Her mother and I waited patiently for her to drive the car around near the exit. It was obvious that her mother had been through the meeting new people all the time dance before. She wasn't swayed by a new face, but very open and inviting as her daughter had been. It was as though there was a connection just from what little her daughter could have shared about me, the information gleaned from the emails we had written.
It makes me wonder why so many people are afraid of one another the fear has no real root, except being something that has been put in our heads since childhood. BEWARE OF STRANGERS , Just because you have not met someone or have no history with them shouldn't make them your automatic enemy, meet them and become friends or at least acquaintances, its really okay they are people too.
During the trip mostly I watched the country side and made very few comments. I had decided to try to keep more of my life private this time because I feel I tend to "over share." It was a bit hard and awkward because this mother/daughter was so forthcoming and friendly. Eventually, I began to share tidbits, nothing traumatic, you don't want to scare off hosts with your worse flaws up front, or what seems worse to you at least. In the end, it was a relief to just be myself and relax. It took nearly four hours to arrive at the farm, I had no idea of this distance. It didn't seem quite so far on the map, does it ever? When we finally did arrive, I commented something like OMG, we are the middle of no where where have you all taken me, we all laughed.
Admittedly, getting out of the car in the middle of the snow I was a bit turned around, it took me until the next morning to figure out what exactly was all out in the dark. Luckily, it wasn't much, a wood shed, an old barn and another building, which was used as a studio. Not what I imagined in the dark, it was laughable when I saw it in the light of day, the things one imagines can definitely be worse than the reality of the situation.
My job at this location was very simple, to help sort out all garden seeds, the usable from none usable and then I would soak them in paper towels near a window to see if they were viable enough to be planted in the spring. I also helped with some herb work, she owns an herbal business. She taught me how to garble herbs and to put together herbs to make teas. It was very fascinating and something I plan to do myself in the future.
My favorite time with Anna was when she took me with her to the free-dance night, not sure what its called, at her friends dance studio. I took me a while to get relaxed, but it was fun trying and watching everyone else. I was very enamored with the idea that we were in a building that was all hand made including the floors and walls, it was quite enjoyable. Afterward, we had gone inside the owner's house which also was made from hand, it was a two story log cabin. The cabin was elegant and quite large and ornate inside, just beautiful.
The mother, Jean and the daughter were awesome hosts, and one of my favorite aspect of this adventure was interacting with Molly the dog. I call her my starter dog, just so lovable. I will always remember, sweet Molly. I have to tell you about this doggie, she sleeps in the bathroom and sometimes on my nightly visits she didn't want to move for me to use the toilet and she would "groan" so funny, but she would still move despite my inconveniencing her, gotta love that. The homemade meals were also an interesting aspect as we all shared in the cooking routines so I learned a few things about doing this from scratch that I hadn't practiced.
On the final morning, Jean was concerned that I had not used her homemade bread to make a travel sandwich, but she didn't know I had made those sandwiches before bread and had them packed away already. She was so happy, I enjoyed those sandwiches between Toronto and Detroit, thinking of fun times playing scrabble and word games near Owen Sound. So many memories, of snows, bringing in wood, long fun chats with both mom/daughter and walking Molly outside, it was a truly special adventure.
The entire experience of having a chance to be in a family oriented environment in the middle of the winter in a country I had always wanted to explore more fully than just a visit for a day or so was simply amazing to me. I speak of these lovely people often with a glad smile of remembrance, it was that kind of a stay.
Sunday, January 10, 2016
This is part 1 of the Brantford, Ontario volunteers interview. The 2nd one ended up being posted first but here a the rest. I had a great time getting to know the volunteers and the locals, they will be missed.
Tuesday, December 15, 2015
We spent two days in Toronto roaming around in the Kensington market and China town areas on the first day. We had a cool veggie tamales that were cheap and yummy. Margaux spent all of her christmas money at the ART museum with fun gifts for her family while I browsed. We also had Frites from Moos that are highly recommended. Next up we spent the night at Emma's a couchsurfing host that I swear is the spitting image of Michelle Williams, cute blonde from Shutter Island fame. The next day hanging out with Florian and Carlos was fun as they had places they wanted to see also, like the CN Tower and the harbor views, which were great at sunset. All and all an amazing two days.
Wednesday, November 11, 2015
Another fun day near Quebec, this time with a mutual friend of mine and Stephanie's, Natalie. We met up hung out near ...hmmm not sure exactly but there was big ships and a great view of the St. Lawrence river. Afterward we went shopping for groceries for brunch then headed to Natalie's for food and conversation for hours. A fun day all around. In the video I try to cover up the sounds from the radio with other music that was our driving soundtrack, I think it works out fairly well, Enjoy!
This is a bit more not mentioned in the video. I arrived in Canada on Thursday. Besides for the confusion caused by my American money at Walmart things here have been going great. My friend, picked me up at the Walmart in Magog and took me into her home. I wanted to post what was going on but there is not a lot to share we have been like family getting along just fine. Her daughter has allowed me to use her room which was very nice of her, I enjoy having a bit of my own space even if its borrowed. The Halloween night out was fun at Stephanie's favorite bar and then off to McDonalds for after hours chatting. I am a bit fascinated by the similar culture here, but we are people after all. I will update again soon.
I have to tell you all about my first gardening experience. It has been several years since I wanted to put my hands in the dirt to make something pretty grow. I finally had my chance to get outside and play in the soil.
--
Well, let me just say I felt like a bear in Hawaii, with no idea where to start. Luckily the gardener was helping me as she showed me how to cut the big roots sticking out of the ground, who knew right. I haven't actually ever been real close to outside dirt before. I was on my knees cutting and I saw little ants and worms minding their business, it was pretty cool to me, you know life in action.
--
Wait I have played in the dirt before, near my house was a park and I volunteered to do some planting of trees with some other people about two years ago. Yes, that was fun, it was something to do with a rain garden, I think.
--
Back to yesterday, after a few minutes she called me over to show me how to plant some flowers in the ground. There was a former arrangement that we had to alter, which involved taking up some of the walking path and adding the flowers in the same place. It was pretty easy but I never realized how heavy a shovel could be, I had to get used to the weight of it but after a few minutes I felt like a pro.
--
Near the back side of the house where I saw the ants we added seeds for grass to grow up in the spot that now is just dirt. Unfortunately, the watering information didn't get to the owner of the house here but I was able to try to make up for it by watering later in the day.
--
Today I feel stiff after the bending and stretching yesterday but its a good aching because I know I didn't something I had not done before that was fun for me as well as helpful.
--
Tomorrow I will take a picture when the sun is out to add to this post. There isn't much to see from my efforts yet but the former helpers made a cool little garden that I can show off that meanders near the path.
Thanks for reading.
~Rene~
These are the garden images I promised. It was shady outside so I took pictures by sections.
I planted two of those daisies on the right side :)
Now the reason all the posts are showing up for the same day, is I am trying to find a home for this blog. I started on wordpress repurposing my images blog, now I am considering this blogspot, we will see. I actually wanted to have a chance for people to discovery my photography at wordpress but it might distract from the whole Travel blog mentality in one way because most are local photographics but a few are from my trip to California.
www.mzrenestravels.wordpress.com check it out if you want to see those images !!
I thought it was time to seat down and write why I am going on these adventures. Actually its very simple, I have always been a bit of a rebel, a person prone to random ideas and actions that others might not see as normal. You know the type: the hippies, the revolutionaries, the ones that actually change the world with their open minded thinking and sometimes well... you get the point. My way of being was just me being authentic, it wasn't always acceptable to others but when I was allowed within society to Express, I felt more whole.
--
I wish I knew when it all started but I believe it began several lifetimes ago or possibly the essence of the Atlantean that I am, surely cries out to blossom fully on this earth. Some don't believe in reincarnation but I can NOT believe in it. The urge, the desire, the inclination is too strong in me not to realize that something pushes me from a sometimes, undeniably strong intense source. I will call it SOURCE, one connection oneNESS. It whispers, it's okay be fearless, "I got you."
--
My journey now is directly related to my current philosophy of life. I have gone the gamet from Religious to lightworker, turned around, circled back on the path to what I think is the darkness before the dawn for me and all others that are wearing the skin of humans, the earth suits.
--
I know this wasn't what you expected from my actual travel blog introduction, but I am just doing the typing my mind is busy sending the signals to my fingers. I couldn't stop if I wanted.
--
All the time I have spent researching how life is connected to the earth, how earth is connected to the universe, how we were created, why any being outside of us would bother to create us then leave us on our own, are we living in our minds, what are are holographics, is this a multidimensional reality, is CERN opening the pit to hell, and so much more. How important was all of that to me in this moment, it turns out those questions open one's mind to possibilities outside the illusion that is so firmly pulled over our very minds/eyes.
--
Searching, seeing, being open to explore is where my path is leading me. It is an interesting yet joyful ride. Some well, many do now understand, but how they ask? You don't have a job. Or why now and be safe, as if!! Others are more calm and see the desire that is so strong, and any having known me at all accept it as the inevitable release that has been needed for years. Bravo they say, just take notes, I want to be there in spirit with you as you follows those dreams "girl". See the states, see Europe, see the World, I move forward one step at a time.
--
Admittedly this wasn't what I had planned to write either but, inspiration happens. I do plan to share actual fun facts, locations and fond memories along the way, be patient with me, it will come in due time.
This is my first set of interviews from my travels, from time to time I might run into some others who are having similar experiences that might like to share. This group of people were very welcoming and kind to me, please comment and share the video. Thanks.
The first of my travel blogs is here, the travel section will be added later. I have considered because of time restrictions on you tube I will do one vlog for hair and others for locales, interviews etc. This first video you will see is all about my hair and the hopes of traveling and talking about how learn to deal with curly hair situations.
