Travels, New Friends, and Coming to an End.

Hockey Hall of Fame in Toronto

Thick, white, wet fog looms outside the train window on this Labor Day Monday as we wind our way along along the mountain passes, the river just down the side along the tracks.  Through the fog some lights appear, the train slows, but still steadily swaying and creaking, the interior lights brighten; and suddenly a small village appears through the darkness, yet the sun has been rising for some time as noticed just over the mountains with an ever brightening morning sky of pale blue.  The cresent moon still visible as the train stops, I don't see a station here, perhaps we are just waiting on another train to pass.

New children....

This is the last leg of my coast-to-coast Canadian adventure.  Time has eluded me over the past several days with long, sleepless bus rides, busy days, meeting new friends, intellectual conversations, attending my first Unitarian Universalist church, and leisurely drives from Chataugay, New York, to Montreal, Quebec.  Time presents itself once more; however at a time when my mind is clear of any desire to write, yet write I must.  There are so many things to write about, so many thoughts.  Having believed the train was to arrive early this morning in Halifax, Nova Scotia, I believed the day would be filled with discovering the new city; however, the ticket says 17:10, not 5:10.

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From Toronto the bus drove from 9 PM on Friday evening, making its stops in various locations along the way.  The young college students, Jakob, Sienna, and Olphelia, talked to everyone around.  Asshole, or so the game is called, we played until some desired sleep; then it was a few games of Speed.  One of the young men playing was becoming increasingly drunk (I do not know why Greyhound doesn't inspect all luggage in all locations, as this one practicce would eliminate many problems aboard the buses) and suddenly stopped because he couldn't find his bag of marijuana.  His state of being caused several of us around him to stop playing cards and find other things to occupy our time.  5 AM arrival in Montreal to city streets quiet in a misting rain.  Backpack lifted and placed, the other bags hoisted over shoulders and into the mist I walked.  Breakfast had to be found.  Police cars and orange tape blocked many passages; however, being observant prevented any issues for myself, yet for others less observant the police shouted orders in French.  Thus, around the dark and quiet streets I walked searching for a place to find breakfast.  Nothing was open, only a small convenience store where orange juice and a candy bar were purchased.

The cabin in Chataugay, NY

The sun has risen lighting the area around the still parked train, revealing another train beside us and trees along the way, but no village, only fog.  Sitting quietly while others sleep I type, recounting the events of the last several days. Wandering back in thoughts to Montreal.

The awesome stream behind the Cabin.

Circus, the only after hours night club in downtown Montreal was open, the music's bass beat pounding out of the open door, and people walking around outside on the pedestrian only street; most drunk or high it seemed, some speaking French as I walked by.  The three college students had mentioned this club, a gay club, as a place they were thinking of going to when we arrived; they didn't go, but I informed them where it was.  With an hour more wait at this point, my place in line secured, and conversations enjoyed with others while we waited for the next bus to New York.  The line grew longer and longer, stretching beyond sight around and through the Montreal bus terminal.  Three buses in all were called and brought to the door, two would be express buses to New York City, one would make stops in the small towns along the way.

My new friend.

Having only two hous before the first stop, I sat at the front of our nearly empty bus, quickly falling asleep.  "Anyone for Prattsburgh?"  "Anyone for Prattsburgh?" the bus driver called, awakening me from my deep sleep.  Raising my hand and asking if this was it.  No this wasn't Prattsburgh, it was the border crossing.  Waiting a bit, a Home Land Security officer boarded the bus and began asking questions, informed us to take our passports, leave all of our luggage on the bus, and for us all to go stand in line.  The overall experience at the border crossing left a sick feeling in my stomach as I realized just how ridiculously stupid the United States has become because of fear, fear caused by political leaders so they could attack another country for oil.

New friends, Kathryn and Ted

Fear isn't a good way to rule, it only proves that when a person instills fear in others it is for selfish purposes.  Yet the citizens of the United States allow such control, and even allow unrealistic fears to govern.  Many people are becoming increasingly unhappy with the current state of affairs in the United States, crooked politicians, political parties that bicker worse than children, and an ever failing economy; thus it shall be either reform and change or a revolutionary enforced change.  Shouldn't people take notice and change on their own, why should it be forced upon them?

Me on the VIA Rail train to Halifax.

The border crossing lacked any form of organization.  Through the chaos, anyone could have slipped through the process without ever being noticed, only those respectful people waited, remained in line, and processed through.  No wonder the United States is in such trouble, government doesn't work, chaos and fear rule.  I believe it is time to become extremely active in political affairs, it is time for major governmental change, something that was hoped for when Obama became President.  However, with a two party system mostly situated to only make the other party look bad, nothing good is accomplished for the people and the country's state of affairs worsen.  It's time for the feuding to end, it's time for politicians to stop favoring parties and start working for the people who elected them.  Term Limits of 2 and your out should be adhered to preventing career politicians, some say this could allow for better government.  Some call for a new Constitutional Convention, as mentioned in the conversations at the Coffee Party's website.

The sun shines brightly orange, yellow and red through the morning fog now, the mountains rise skyward, the fog wrapping them like a shawl, the train moves forward, rocking, swaying, creaking.  The sign on the road next to us says Campbellton this way.

Can there really be governmental reform without a revolution?  Cannot the politicians see that their actions or lack of actions are causing the people to become eager for something better, will there be a revolution?  Why shouldn't there be?  The middle class was what made the United States strong, and now it dwindles into nothingness, thereby weakening the country.  Government reform has to take place, the citizens have to regain control of the political system, freedoms have to be provided once more, or the state of affairs will decline into chaos, such as we see now with business failures, bank failures, unemployment not seen since the great depression, and government that doesn't work.

The houses, cemetaries, forests, rivers and mountains pass by outside the train's window now.  Altholville.

Living in the moment, trusting the Universe, and being aware (alive with an open and active mind) brings about such great opportunities to meet new people, to see new places, and the freedom to know that where you are is the right place for that very moment.  Thus, not spending any time in Montreal allowed the opportunity to meet Kathryn and Ted in Chataugay, New York.  The only connection being a current client in Austin, Texas; Kathryn is Marie's mother.  Their graciousness, open minds, and intellectual pursuits allowed for learning, kindness, and new experiences.  Their summer home here is a 100 plus year old log cabin with incredible ages old (beyond age into primordial) energy.  The intellectual conversations about government, the Coffee Party movement, Religion, education, history, and love caused the time to quickly pass.  I so enjoyed sleeping comfortably in the warm bed, even though my dreams reached into that primordiall energy and didn't allow for deep rest.  I hadn't expected to connect with this primordial energy, but glad now for it has changed me, taken me to a place which will allow for greater awareness and further education.  The conversations assisted this aspect by causing a stronger desire to know more about the issues our country is facing, more about life in general, more about people.  Throughout this adventure, the basic human goodness has shown through from many people into my life.  The affects shall reach far and wide, unknown to any at present but the very participants.  Noticing that the congregation of the Unitarian Universalist Church seemed to be more educated, either by degree or by life experience, generated an interest in learning more about this church; the Universe had invited me to such a church years ago when a dear man, Lee Heck, had invited me to attend with him in Dallas.  I have searched for Lee over the years, always curious as to his whereabouts and well being.  He is another one of the people that had a profound affect upon my life.  Thank you Lee.

It's time for breakfast, is the restaraunt car open or only the small cafe?

Quiche, fresh fruit, coffee, bacon, and toast was enjoyed in the restaraunt car while seated across from an older Irish gentleman who calls Toronto home now for over 40 years, with his Irish accent still strong.  We discussed traveling, retirement, living free, being free spirited, and the commitments of having a home, a family, and cars.  He asked if I enjoyed Montreal, with his question came my response and story of not being able to stay in Montreal (not able to book a hostel or inexpensive hotel due to the Labor Day weekend) and my resulting enjoyable stay with Kathryn and Ted.  I'm not really sure why I was to miss Montreal, other than viewing it from the car, bus, and train windows; however, I trust that the Universe allowed me to meet the people I needed to meet, and to see what I needed to see.  He mentioned that I would enjoy Quebec City with its great histroy and old town Montreal, so I mentioned that I had intentions of returning one day.  He further inquired if I had visited Europe, and I haven't, so he informed me of how beautiful and relaxed Ireland is, green from farming, feilds of cattle and sheep, and quaint little towns scattered along narrow country roads.  My comments were that one day I shall visit Europe and Asia, probably to adventure there for years, and with the probability of not returning.  My mind still ponders the many adventures of traveling through Europe and Asia, living there and learning the cultures of centuries old.  One day.

French is such a beautiful language as it gently rolls, thus the announement of our arrival in Nova Scotia also brought about a time change.  Another hour passed in a blink - 8:20 AM became 9:20 AM, but now I have no idea of what time zone I'm in, so I curled up in my seat with blanket and pillow and slept.  Slumbering for hours provided needed rest and a break from the hours yet to travel.  It's now 10 minutes till 1 PM, four more hours to go.

Kathryn as we drove to the Unitarian church in Prattsburgh.

This adventure has prooved challenging, yet brought about the desired results of improved health (mental and physical) and has provided many thought provoking ideas for further review, research, or consideration.  Acroyoga, introduced to me my Tom in Banff; new ways of speaking about deaths and funerals, introduced to me by Sam in Calgary, and the question of how to expand my consulting to include Hostels highlight.