OTTAWA:
Sometimes you just have to follow your intuition and trust that little inner voice telling you that it's all going to work out fine. My new friend & comrade along this journey was Djuna. She offered to take me around the city today and it was the best day I've had so far since I got here. We crossed the canal and the river, and set off for exploring where the beach meets the wilderness in Quebec. We hiked for hours through the Gatineau Parkway which spreads itself along the wall of ancient Canadian Shield rock shaped by the passage of glaciers thousands of years ago. Well, actually more percisely 450 million years ago! On its two lookout points are exceptional views of the Ottawa river from the Eardly Escarpment towards the valley of the Outaouis River. It was breathtaking. The nature, ducks, seagull, forest, chipmunks, lakes, and boulders were enough to restore my faith in the beauty of all living things unhindered by technology. But the best part of my day wasn't the Michael Semak photography exhibit, which was fuckin' incredibly bold and brilliant. Nor was it the double expresso that had me reeling out of control for half the day. Nor was it the Italian gelato I had after dinner. Nope. It was a sparkling new friendship of courageous capacity. I feel so blessed and grateful for this small window of time to connect with my new friend. The world is a little smaller today, and my life is a lot richer. Thanks, Djuna, for sharing your beautiful city me, but most of all for sharing your personal feelings, insight, wisdom, clarity, and belief. You are a genuine treasure!!
heartfelt spasms,
wendy
OTTAWA:
First things first: HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MOM! May you be surrounded by words of love and adoration throughout your day.
It always feels like a crap-shot when it comes to setting up these tours, particularly when everything is arranged by email. You've confirmed dates, times, locations, and yet the big unknown dangles precariously like one wet shoe that you're never quite convinced will ever dry all the way through. Fortunately, my track record is stellar, from London to Aussie to New Zealand, back to Aussie, and now to Canada. If my first workshop last night was any indication of what's to come... then I'm in for a fabulous ride because attendance was very high, everyone had either already bought the book or went home with it, half the group stayed another 30 minutes after just to pick my brain for more stories, and I even got a friendly offer to go to the beach the following day! I'm ecstatic and overwhelmed with delight! The folks here at Venus Envy (where I'm staying) are just wonderful, so down-to-earth, and very accommodating. That means YOU: Michelle & Shelley!! A thousand thank you's for your hospitality!
Yesterday I made it to the National Gallery, taking 3 hours to walk through an extensive Canadian artists' exhibit, the Contemporary art exhibit, and the Asian art exhibit. All of which were sensational, but what really stood out was the Inuit and native aboriginal art work--unbelievably intricate bead work and amazing ritualistic carvings of stone and wood. I also watched/listened to a short film on an Inuit breathing technique for creating music. It had that same trance-like effect of Georgorian chanting, hypnotic and healing in its depth and tones.
Not much else to report except that I've been sleeping well, eating well, and enjoying the calming flow of Ottawa and its friendly nature.
My love is with you all,
wendy XXOO
