Farewell Canada, Hello California

Greetings from sunny San Francisco.

Yesterday I left beloved Canada and flew back to California. My time in Canada was magical. I was visiting me Aunt Meg in Guelph, Ontario, with the promise of being labour for a summer of building. True to my word, I was labour but whether I was more help or hindrance is up for interpretation. Lorenz, my uncle, took me on as "production assistant" which can translated to "slave". He spent much time teaching me about tools (who's names I promptly forgot), carpentry and generally improving my common sense.

We built shelves, I built a couple of tire racks (which I am VERY proud of), a work bench and I mowed their massive, uneven lawn. On my days off I would cycle down to Ignatius Farm, just outside of Guelph and help with weeding, harvesting, garlic hanging- whatever needed and extra hand. The farm is a CSA, Community Shared Agriculture, where people hold shares and come twice a week in harvest season to collect fresh, organic, hand picked, and much loved vegetable and fruit.

My experience on the farm was pure unadulterated magic. I love the feeling of the sun on your back and a hoe in your hand. I live for the weird walk one adopts when climbing through rows of beautiful tomato plants picking the days harvest. I crave the satisfaction of standing in a field crunching down on an oddly shaped carrot that was just pulled from the earth. In my days there I made friends (farmers and interns, as I've said I am your biggest fan), learnt a lot (did you know that a Tomato Horn Worm turns into a 5 inch moth?), and adopted new priorities (sustainable food is essential to all our futures).

For this experience I have to thank Kailea and my not-so-tenuous connection to her. You are amazing. From the afternoons washing crates with you to the day trip to other farms, you and the other interns are fantastic. Keep up the good work.

When I wasn't farming or being a slave I would sneak out to ride in the stunning countryside around Guelph. In 10 minutes one can escape downtown Guelph and ride past hay bails, between corn fields, virtually alone. I found a love for riding and a new craving for a less urban life.

Canada, and the lovely Canadians I met (I think Canadians take the cake for being the nicest people in the world) thank you for making me laugh, smile, and appreciate what is really good in this world- virtually everything.

So, with the next part of my adventure upon me, and the farm dirt fading from under my finger nails, I welcome my time in California. Here I am visiting with my Dad's old college room mate, Nancy and her wonderful family in Berkeley. Last night we shared dinner and laughs, and best of all ice cream. Today I wander San Francisco waiting for my Indian visa to be processed, and catch up for lunch with my Dad's cousin (so my second cousin?) who I've never met.

Anyway, the sun is shining and I have a city to explore.

Hugs from California.

Farewell Canada, Hello California