Road trip – Calgary to Victoria

Lucy parked in my grandparents old yard in Kelowna

March 29, 2012

The trip from Calgary to Kelowna was the most enjoyable drive through the Rocky Mountains that I have ever experienced. The Classic Supreme (Lucy) provided a unique level of comfort, while the bed in the back allowed a perfect rotation of pilot, co-pilot and naps. We took time to listen to a podcast called the Alchemy of Happiness by Al-Ghazali, which focused on the ancient teachings of Islam. The underlying message was that true wisdom comes from the heart and to purify your heart is to live with the ultimate joy of inner peace and love that makes every moment in this existence worth celebrating.

My favourite bridge in Lake Louise

A quick stop in Banff provided the opportunity to watch the sushi train plod along its tracks, as the carts created a constant temptation of artistic Japanese cuisine. This kind of visually stimulating gastronomy definitely prepares the mind for it to reach new levels of palatal delight.

Sushi House Banff – a must for great Japanese cuisine

A coffee break in Lake Louise was a great moment to stop and meditate on the magnificent mountains that summon travelers from around the world, generating complete awe at their magnitude. The winding road focused my attention between the lines of “safety,” assuming the other iron horses remained in their socially specified tracks.

Kelowna has always felt like a second home of distant family, but this time was different, as my grandma was no longer in her beautiful city acreage home, but now living in a “retirement home.” I have to admit that when I heard this change of location, I was fearful of her accommodations, but after feeling positive vibes from upbeat residents and seeing the animation in her eyes, I was reminded that home is wherever you make it. There is no better inspiration to live life with vitality, than witnessing the enthusiasm and courage my grandma exuberates on a daily basis.

The view from Nanny’s new balcony

Saying a quick hello to my other relatives in Kelowna helped focus my purpose back on forming connections, as my life legacy will be defined by the souls I meet along the way.

The drive from Kelowna to Vancouver brilliantly displayed the blanket of trees over the mountains. How does such resilient life grow from rock?

From there, we were on the ferry from Vancouver to Victoria, and I was able to – as they say – stop and watch the world go by. The ferry ride created a rare moment of relaxed public transport and a sense of community that North American culture desperately needs more of.

Upon docking, the plan was to find a campsite, set up our home on wheels, shred some hills on the longboard, and search for an abode in Victoria to use during my time in residency.

Saud and Reid grabbing the all important helmets before longboarding

March 31, 2012

Yesterday, we planned to get up early, but our sleep was interrupted by the patter of H20 on the roof of the Classic Supreme. So today, we decided to forgo the material world for a few more hours of dreamland adventures, the kind that always seem to become more vivid when you are on the edge of consciousness.

One of the best combo’s to break the fast

We moved the van from Beacon Hill down to the ocean’s edge to enjoy the view of the Olympic Mountains. The “three bro shuffle” allowed a collaborative teamwork that made the set-up of the van an extremely enjoyable experience. To celebrate, we feasted on fruit salad, eggs with turmeric, avocado, and salsa.

My Mom arrived later that day at 1:30pm, and we headed directly to meet Fergus, the enthusiastic and friendly real estate agent that would help us find the pad I would call home for the next two years. At that time, the market was flooded in Victoria, making it a “berry pickers choice” according to Fergus, but too many options made it much more difficult to choose. After narrowing it down to a few, we left to enjoy the easygoing vibe of retired hippy Victoria. We got some exercise walking around the Harbor, which was a great way to take in the scenery. A quick workout, followed by a succulent seafood dinner at Pescatoires, was the perfect night cap.

For two nights in a row we enjoyed the warmth of our home on wheels while parked beside the pond in Beacon Hill.

An early breakfast at an inviting gluten-free café was the perfect way to begin the adventure of exploring the urban streets for a dwelling. The day consisted of 6 condos and 2 character homes. Every place offered a very comfortable layout to call home, and the decision was made increasingly difficult as Fergus guided us with Schumacher speed to each location.

The Russian woman who owned this cafe brought this hat with her when she moved to Victoria

After hours of debating every feature, with resale value, comfort, and possible renovations in mind, we put in an offer on a vaulted ceiling condo in the central area located on View Street. The paperwork to get it all finalized was definitely a test of patience. Everything is temporary and the only thing that you can control is your reaction to the situation, or so I have to continually tell myself.

A roof top view of Victoria

An awesome longboard cruise around the harbor reaffirmed my love for this cultural hub of western Canada. Dinner at Rebar was a great opportunity to connect with the positive energy of my makeshift family. We truly enjoyed consuming the healthy energy around us, breaking down the particles and reassembling them into usable components, aiding us in our quest to continually elevate our internal vibrations.