Port Hardy, BC

Port Hardy, the small layover town on the very North end of the island, doesn't offer much.  Thus, I've discovered why few venture up here.  There are hiking trails to be enjoyed, but they take several days, and I am only here for a day.  Meteors shooting through the dark, star filled sky last night highlighted the stay here, as I watched with Ann, Sarah, Beet (the young man from Switzerland), and a few others who stayed up to see this rare event.

Just outside the hostel is a small harbour area that has two old sailing ships, used for youth to discover sailing around the islands for 30 days.  These two ships seem to be the most interesting things around.

Last night I spoke momentarily with Patrick, a young man traveling to Alaska to see the Northern Lights from Arkansas.  He is a quiet man, who seems to be searching for something, an air of mystery surrounds him.  I hope he finds what he is searching for.

Rest, finally, although interrupted by the other dorm guests departing for the ferry to Prince Rupert, but then deep sleep.  The hostel was quiet this morning as most of the guests have gone now.  I walked down the inlet, often being overcome with the stinch of rotting fish, and enjoying the simplicity of the town.  A few hours later and returning to the hostel I laid down for a nap.  Today is a day for rest.

Struggling to access the Internet here caused some dispare, but after trying several locations I returned to the hostel and asked to bypass the Wi-Fi router and use the cable directly.  Now I have Internet, but only for a bit.  Something about this place brings a desire to head South, back down to Central and South America.  I'll continue on Eastward to Novia Scotia, having to learn how to live on a strict budget.  September 8th brings a flight from Halifax to New York City, so Eastward is required.

Port Hardy, BC

The change in thoughts has been good, maybe I'll loose some weight.  Being alone allows plenty of time to ponder things, but learning to still my thoughts will be good, thus, meditation.

I would like to quote something from the Shambhala book I'm reading, as it helped me to refocus on my concern about society as a whole:

"Some people feel that the world's problems are so pressing that social and political action should take precedence over individual development.  They may feel that they should sacrifice their own needs completely in order to work for a larger cause.  In its extreme form, this kind of thinking justifies individual neurosis and aggression as purely a product of a troubled society, so that people feel they can hold on to their neurosis and even use their aggression to try to effect change.  According to the Shambhala teachings, however, we have to recognize that our individual experience of sanity is inherently linked to our vision for a good human society.  Se we have to take things one step at a time.  If we try to solve society's problems without overcoming the confusion and aggression in our own state of mind, then our efforts will only contribute to the basic problems, instead of solving them.  That is why the individual journey of warriorship must be undertaken before we can address the larger issue of how to help this world."