Always something new

Every week has some new adventure that I never really thought would transpire.  Ahh, the magic of traveling... : )

It hasn't even been a full week here in Barrie and I feel like I know half the towns young'un population. 

Not even twenty minutes into my first exploration of the downtown area I struck up a conversation with a guy who goes by the name "Kidd."  Kidd is about 36 years old and has a kid or two that he really loves.  He doesn't seem them often.  He is currently homeless and may have been that way for awhile.  Many years ago he fell off the side of a mountain and was put into a coma.  When he awoke, he wasn't able to walk and it took him two years to be able to walk again.  He also has some type of cancer (lymphoma I believe) under his left arm in the armpit region.  Aside from all of that, he was probably the most giving homeless guy I met.  He didn't seem to be the panhandler type...I think this is because he is on disability.  However, he shared anything he had with another, including his time.  He walked me all around the downtown area and showed me everywhere I should go to meet people that are like me.  One of these places is the DIY art collective.

The DIY has a "food not bombs" event every now and then where they support the distribution of food over items that are used to harm another being.  Food is a right, not a privilege.  This event wasn't for a few days, so I walked about the town.  They have two beaches located within a short walk from the main downtown area, a path that parallels the major lake, and a beautiful park/landscape garden.  The parking is cheap too, so I bought some tickets and camped out downtown. 

My first run-in with people aside from my friendly tour guide happened while I was at a coffee shop sipping on espresso and using the internet.  They pulled up outside in a van similar to the one I want.  On the dash was a cool blanket-like item and they looked like they were traveling.  So I struck up a conversation with them.  The guy shoots music videos for hip-hop artists.  His latest work was an Aesop Rock video. I checked it out and he does a fantastic job!  Later on I laid down on the grass next to the lake with the other traveler, Aniko, and soaked up some sun.

At first I was nervous to go to the DIY event, since there were probably going to be a lot of people.  It wasn't all so bad.  I struck up a conversation with an extremely intelligent kid who loved to talk about economics.  We had many similar correlations about...things...through studying different knowledge realms.  It was pretty fascinating.  We talked for awhile until I slowly made my way around introducing myself to others.  In a strange way I feel a little like family with some of the people at the collective (as a guy is playing a reminiscing tune on the piano in the coffee shop.)  I think this is because they remind me of many of the kids I grew up with.  So I have been walking a beautiful line between a new adventure and a familiar memory that puts a smile in my heart. 

Oh!  Last night, while at one of the LCBO's in Barrie, I ran into the woman who hosted my ceremony in Toronto.  In Barrie!  That literally blew my mind and I think I had to take a few to recover.  Out of all the crazy things I have been experiencing while on the road, that one probably struck me as one of the more curious.  Think of the chances of that happening! 

So I have my next ceremony in a few hours.  This is at the Yoga room just down the street.  I met a girl at the DIY that is extremely interested in going to the ceremony, so we agreed to a seat in exchange for a lunch and some wine.  I haven't run in to her yet today, so I am not sure if it will happen.  She also invited me to a small social gathering that she is going to where the people speaking have some sort of affiliation with shamanism.  So I am interested to see what, if anything, transpires.

After that I will be on my merry way to Montreal.  The couple I met in Ottawa put me in contact with a good friend of theirs whom I will be meeting once I arrive.  : )

It seems as though leaving Barrie will be somewhat difficult emotionally.  I don't exactly know why, but this place has captured my heart...as if it stirred something deep in me that I can't really touch upon with my mind yet.   

Stay tuned for more!  : )

Cheers!

Justin