So I’m heading over to Vancouver after spending the night in Nanaimo, with good friends. On the ferry, I watch the gulls fly around the boat; riding the wind. There’s a thin layer of white snow on the beach. The water looks COLD. I won’t be back this way for a while and I’m realizing how beautiful it really is. Cold and cloudy and beautiful.
I love that the house I grew up in can be seen from the boat, although it’s harder to distinguish when all the roofs are white! I spent twelve years of my life watching these ferries come and go, from the hills surrounding the bay. I get a special, nostalgic, feeling upon seeing Mnt. Benson, Gabriola Island, downtown in the distance…Harmac (the pulp-mill). Anyone who knows Nanaimo knows the wonders of that special Harmac smell… how else would we know the weather is changing?
“Welcome aboard BC Ferries…our sailing time will be one hour and thirty-five minutes…”
The cat has been safely stowed at a friend’s place. He adjusted well after a long, loud car ride (meeeeoooowwwwwww). He was mildly sedated and very comfortable; maybe a little too comfortable. It was pretty funny to watch. His back legs stopped working properly and he actually rolled off the couch at one point. He spent the night stumbling around, exploring his new surroundings. He’s quite the little traveler himself! I’m so glad he will be taken care of while I’m gone.
The loose ends are tied up in a bow and I am, officially, on the road. No car…and, one of the biggest indicators of freedom: no keys! When was the last time you left anywhere without keys?
Looking outside at the mountains and water and sky – they are all shades of blue. My leaving the island has many shades as well… blue in nature, but hints of bright white too.
Saying goodbye to friends is bittersweet. Aren’t we actually lucky, in a way, when it’s painful to say goodbye? The pain could be seen as indicative of the strength of the friendship. It’s sad but happy too. We will all see each other again soon, and we will have so much to talk about.
…
Theme songs for the day:
In the Flesh? – Pink Floyd, from the album The Wall
Boa Sorte (Good Luck)– Vanessa da Matta & Ben Harper, (Deeplick Remix)
5 comments
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March 2, 2009 at 8:43 am
Evan
No keys…. What a powerful place to be. If there are no keys there can be no locks either. Without locks the can be no dungeon and in time may the vapors be replace with the warmth of an eternally loving light. My hope for us all. Thank you for the inspiration.
March 2, 2009 at 9:55 am
jillrushton
Thanks Evan, who knew that ‘no keys’ could be the key!
March 2, 2009 at 4:18 pm
crushton
A number of people much smarter than I am have said that life without pain is pointless – it defines the joys and gives them borders. It’s such a cliche in movies (no light without the darkness), but some cliches get that way because there’s a depth of truth in them.
Of course, philosophy aside, Australia is still a land entirely populated by criminals and the descendents of criminals.* Worth remembering, don’t you think? Watch your wallet, that’s all I can say.
* I’m pretty sure you can trust the Aborigines, though. Midnight Oil taught me that.
March 5, 2009 at 3:13 pm
Pavlina
Reading this made me definitly realize the “key” factor!… thank you for sharing your journey with us all…i am sure we will all learn a lot along the way… it’s good to know where you are; both physically and in your mindset….i know i’ve said it to you before, but I am saying it again; i am so, so proud of you…
March 5, 2009 at 11:40 pm
Jenni
This is powerful too because water is a symbol of rebirth, renewal, new beginnings, changing and reforming oneself. A good place to start, Jill!
PS: I love the “theme songs” that you put in! I’m listening to California Dreaming and feel more connected to you.
)
Travel safe, beautiful monarch.