What I Be is What I Be

september 3/09

i have made it to nanaimo and find that i am loving my time so far on vancouver island. nanaimo is a fair-sized artsy place that is refered to as being the "harbour city." lined with endless boating docks, the quiet waters of the ocean lapping the shoreline provide a calm serenity to passerbys. this morning i was able to run along the seawall, drinking in the view as i contemplated my deepening desire to want to stay longer in nanaimo.

that feeling has taken me by surprise and i havent quite figured out where it originates from. even as i approached the city by the ferry yesterday and gazed out my window at the lush green trees surrounding private properties, i knew i would like it here. even the rain clouds that cover the sky today have not detered me from having an enjoyable time.

thats not to say that the last few moments in vancouver were not enjoyable either. 2 days ago (september 1) it was my last full day in vancouver. kathy and i made plans to hike the grouse grind. this relatively short trail of 2.9 km has become famous because of the challenge it brings to those that attempt it. each year around the middle of september there is a race that attracts individuals from all over hoping to beat the record times. though the grouse grind is intimidating as it goes straight up the side of the mountain in a steep incline - it is not impossible. people of all ages and abilities have succeeded in reaching the top.

kathy and i became 2 more individuals to complete the challenging route. surrounded by streams of people huffing and puffing their way to the top - we plugged along, taking in the foggy view that enclosed us as we climbed. 2 hours and 20 minutes later we made it to the top. for anyone who has completed the climb, they know our time is in no way impressive when compared to the record times that sit near the 25 minute mark. we were in no rush.

after we explored the top of the mountain, had lunch, checked out the grizzly bear habitat and rode the 100 passenger gondola ride back to the base (the grouse grind enforces a one-way rule), we were ready for dinner. that night happened to be the night of east indian food. kathy and i met up with some of kathys friends and chowed down on some of the best east indian food my mouth has ever tried. a couple hours later, after an episode of flinging a visa card onto the plate of a neighboring table (we were trying to get the attention of our incompetent waitress by waving the check book in the air) - we parted ways.

yesterday flew by as i packed my things and went to catch the ferry to nanaimo. it was strange to say goodbye to the family ive been staying with for the past 2 weeks - almost as though i was leaving home all over again. but i knew it was time to go.

i made it to nanaimo and checked into the purple turtle hostel. it was wierd, but nice to be among fellow tourists again. i crashed last night with ear plugs securely in my ears and woke up today for a day of new adventures. walking around. taking pictures. drinking tea at a nearby coffee shop. window shopping. reading books at the library. im loving it.


- shalane