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So here we are. I'm writing this for selfish reasons (so i can remember what we did this summer) just as much as I am for anyone interested in reading it (you)..so hopefully I don't sound to self-righteous by sending you this link.
Wow..These 6 days have been crazy. Here we go:
On Saturday I threw literally twice as many things in the Tercel than I anticipate I'll need for the summer. Left for Halifax and got there somewhere around 8. Justin and his family were celebrating at the Old Triangle since 3pm sooo definitely had to go directly there. If you don;t have a gps GET ONE. I would have been cooked if I had to find it without one.
After some drinks and a fun night in Hali we slept for like 3-4 hours before waking up and hitting the road for Cabano, Quebec. Pulling out of the driveway the car literally scraped the ground it was so heavy, but on flat ground we're good. After an exhausting 9 or so hours of driving we get to this post-apocalypse-esque campground loaded with trailers and cars but zero people in sight. We got this site directly on the lake that was tucked away from the sketchy scene, and cooked steak and veggies while finally sucking back a few Molson Export (the Maritimes are deprived of this for some reason). Haven't uploaded the pictures yet but will do so this weekend!
So we wake up, pack up and leave for la Ferme Enchantée in Saint-Éphrem-de-Beauce, Quebec on Monday, May 23rd. Get there around 1. Literally after some brief introductions and a change of clothes we're thrown into a bunch of random work, which looking back was incredibly fair considering how much we ate at supper time.
Enough about us. This farm was owned by the great grandfather of Samual Rodrigue, who I consider to by one of the most noble and kind men I've encountered in my lifetime. I've never seen someone smile as consistently as he does, with such passion for life and for helping others. Along with being an incredible organic farm owner/manager, he volunteers for the local tv station, owns apartment buildings in Quebec city, and uses his shamanic healing ability to help others find their higher self. Manen Parent, his partner, is a compassionate and loving woman who, like Samuel, requests hard work but in exchange has provided incredible meals as well as morning/evening meditations and many other tangible and intangible gifts. She's practices reiki as well as works on the farm. Actually, tomorrow she has a full day of level 2 reiki teaching for a person coming to the house! Finally, Mami is Manen's mother. She often stays with them at the farm though she lives a couple hours away, and one of us will be driving her and her car back home on our way to Montreal. She has spent her life working hard and giving all of her heart to others, and because of this her health is deteriorating. It's so inspiring to see her in a state of physical pain having such a relentless spirit.... I hope to someday be half as wise as the three people I've just described.
Because of the season we haven't done any direct planting or garden maintenance, but have prepared the gardens with nutrient-rich soil, chopped wood, mowed grass, and other important tasks throughout the days. This work is sometimes monotonous, but the meals and the sense of connection we've been experiencing is absolutely overwhelming. Before each meal we place our hands above our plates, and either Manen or Samuel blesses our food, gives thanks to the sun and to everyone involved in bringing it to us. We ask that it nourishes every one of the trillions of cells that makes up our physical bodies. All of this in the most poetic Quebec French you could possibly imagine.
That's something I should mention. Both Justin and I haven't spoken more than a few phrases in French since high school, and we're completely immersed in it here. Even words that you'd usually say in English like "wheelbarrow" have no significance here, so I find myself explaining what I'm trying to say all of the time.
Anyways, I apologize for this entry being so long, because by now you've committed to reading it. Six days is too long to summarize, so the next one will be shorter. Take care of yourselves and of others, and stay in touch if you can!
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Lynn
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Thank you Ryan for committing to this blog: what a great way to keep family and friends informed of you summer's adventures. I look forward to continuing to read about how you grow through the experiences that await on the path set before you. Stay safe; work hard; have fun; and soak in all this journey has to offer.