It's amazing how sometimes it doesn't take much to get that feeling of lightness and freedom. Well, you might say, not as "little" as that. Anyway, I'm writing to you today with a head full of new ideas. One can say that this month spent breathing the sea air has allowed me to chase a few clouds away and redirect some of the sun's rays on my life, whether personal or professional.
A MONTH SPENT ON QUADRA ISLAND
In total, I have spent a month on Quadra. A small island, 10 minutes by ferry from the larger and more famous Vancouver Island. Life here was peaceful, quiet and unapologetically simple. The rainforests that cover these two territories reminded me very much of New Zealand. Unlike the mountains in the background, each more impressive than the next.
As explained in my previous article, I spent 1 month at Lyna & Victor's house. A month helping them with some projects around the house, painting, gardening and thinking of other more creative ideas with Lyna.
As in my experience at Terri's, what will have impressed me the most at Quadra is the generosity and welcoming of this family. The big heart and willingness to share with me their way of life, very different from the one I had experienced in Nelson so far.
Not to mention the few lucky adventures Victor has taken me on. Enough to check off a few boxes on my Canadian bucket list:
Sea fishing: ✔
Seeing whales from a boat: ✔
Seeing whales in the middle of a jump: ✔
Seeing sea lions: ✔
Picking up oysters and clams: ✔
Discover bioluminescent algae: ✔
Take a night boat ride under the stars: ✔
While my July was very busy and full of activities, this month I took the time to enjoy things in a slower way, with so much more simplicity and somehow, so much more intensity.
I ventured into the northern mountains of the Island to hike or mountain bike.
I went climbing.
I read (or listened to) more books in a month than I have all year.
I took the ferry back to the city to spend some time in Campbell River
And I sat on the beach and watched the sea for hours without feeling guilty.
In short, I took a step back, slowed down my life, and in a way, had another rebirth. It's funny, but I never realised how much more hyper the city of Nelson, with its activity, events, art and culture, made me than I already am. It's the famous "FOMO" (fear of missing out), that always pushes me to do more. When I live on an island where there's not much going on, I can tell you that it's fifteen times easier for me to stay at home on a Saturday night watching Netflix than when I know there are five parties going on downtown...
ROAD TRIP REUNION WITH MARIE
During this escapade, I also had the chance to see Marie again, who you may recognize in my pictures. She is a French friend I met in New Zealand. She left Kiwiland the time of a holiday and to visit Canada and a small part of British Columbia. So we organised a little road trip to the south of Vancouver Island, following the tracks of the visits I made last year with John: Victoria > Mystic Beach > Sombrio Beach > Botanical Beach > Port Renfrew > Avatar Grove > Victoria.
On the menu this time: deep conversations that go in all directions and for hours, good laughs, photo sessions to scare away the tourists, camping in the wilderness with bears for Marie, and nice memories this time, in the land of caribou. It was great to be able to share a bit of my Canadian life with someone from my Kiwi past. Not to mention our similarities in terms of character, with the difference that Marie, her hypersensitivity, she constantly takes it with lightness and good humour! A beautiful life lesson.
On the way to Victoria and on the way back to Quadra, I took the opportunity to explore Strathcona National Park and discover some places like Elk Falls, Nanaimo, Jocelyn Hill and my favourite: Cowichan Bay. It was a great opportunity to reconnect with my past as a solo traveller and to meet other campers, who also have the itch, like Riley with whom I spent two evenings talking about how we could change the world on one of the beaches of Cowichan Bay.
FEELINGS FROM THE PAST...
I don't know if you remember but in New Zealand I always found that life took me exactly where I needed to go... Well, with this trip on Quadra, it was exactly the same feeling...
While a few days before my departure, my naturopath told me, to my great despair, that it was strongly advised that I switch to a gluten-free diet to try to counteract the disease (Hashimoto's), I discovered upon arriving in this little family, that Lyna, too, had the same auto-immune condition. From the stress of not knowing where to start to remove gluten from my diet to the almost personal guidance, the transition was suddenly smoother and easier. It was as if the Universe wanted to take care of me.
I also noticed that my similarities with Lyna were quite obvious as soon as I arrived. High Sensitivity, creativity, hyperactive brain, great empathy, need for freedom, an entrepreneur at heart and so on. It may sound silly, but witnessing what Lyna and Victor have managed to build as a couple has given me faith in life and in love. I must admit that after the break-up with John, I found it very difficult to stay positive. I quickly blamed myself for everything, believing that if I was "once again" dumped (hello therapy talks), it must be because I was the source of the problem and that no one would ever be able to appreciate me for who I am. Spending time on the island with them (and reading 2 or 3 books on break-ups and personal development) really made me realise that sometimes, in love, things don't work out the way you want them to and that not all profiles are actually made to match.
It is therefore, having mourned the loss of an adventure that was nevertheless beautiful and rich in learning that I returned to Nelson. A step that was very close to my heart, considering the friendship and affection I have for John.
And then, Victor brought me one of the most precious gifts of the last three years. The sudden death of my father three years ago was very hard for me... Last year, I cried a lot to see the memories slowly slipping away... I don't know if it's his looks and his size very similar to my dad's, his Quebec accent very close to the one of my native North, or simply his character traits all very close to my little man of a father, but spending time with Vic will have revived my memory and brought back memories, all more precious than the others... Even his jokes were worthy of a "Marichez" joke... He filled a void that had left me for 3 years in search of the impossible. And if not having a dad for the last three years has perhaps awkwardly pushed me in vain to want to find him in my love relationships, having a "Vic" by my side, for the time of a few adventures, have been like a balm filled with pretty memories and smiles.
...FOR A TRAVEL TO A POSSIBLE FUTURE
Last but not least, to my great relief, my first day on the island marked my selection for permanent residence. A gift from the universe, just in time for me to try and get a longer term visa with the Cariboolife. The antidote to all the anguish I had endured for over a year in the hope of a few more years in this country.
Not to mention the fact that my presence on Vancouver Island allowed me to get my medical exams done in less than a week, since I was very close to Victoria (if I had been in Nelson, I would have had to drive to Calgary or Vancouver, which would have meant a 7 to 8 hour drive for a simple medical exam, a chest x-ray and a blood test...)
You see when I told you that everything happens for a reason exactly when it should happen... I am now in the long waiting phase (probably 6 months) to know if I will be accepted in this country in the longer term. One less thorn in my side and one less weight on my shoulders as everything is now in the hands of the universe!
In conclusion, if it is not without some anxiety that I found my room back, it is with a head full of beautiful memories and a heart full of beautiful lessons that I return, as if grown up in Nelson. One thing is for sure, this life on Quadra Island has reopened the door to all possibilities and I am well motivated to continue to explore this magnificent province of British Columbia (and maybe even to venture to Alberta ;))
Vic and Lyn have given me one of the greatest gifts in this country, that of having a "third" family on this planet. After France and New Zealand, I am now lucky enough to have a "Canadian Family" and it is a feeling that I must admit I had deeply missed since my arrival in Canada...
Until I hear from you in the next few months, I'll say "Bonne nuit et à demain" (those who have been following me for a long time will understand ;)) and I'll write to you soon.
Love.
Co.
Comments