Perspective and Travel

Not that long ago, I had the opportunity to spend an evening speaking with some fellow young adults in Lafortuna, Costa Rica. (As always, the term adult applies loosely to me, as I know some debate whether or not I fall into that category). At one point the conversation turned to talk of national and regional identities. The Costa Ricans I was with readily identified Canadians as being polite, peaceful, and caring. When they inquired as to what qualities I identified Costa Ricans with, I admitted my perceptions were relatively new. Prior to visiting the country I read a little bit about the history, geography, wildlife and culture. However, it was not until I actually spent time in the country and interacted with people that I began to get a better sense of the history, culture and people. In reflecting upon my perspective, I find myself wishing I had more time to spend with people in Costa Rica. Similar to my previous experiences abroad, it was the people who were the best part of the country. The moments when one was able to engage people in actual conversations it was evident they were passionate about their nation’s culture and achievements. In response to the question posed to me that evening I felt the people I met to be progressive, kind, joyful, and peaceful. Yet, more than the specifics of the question, it was the nature of the conversation itself that made the evening one of my favourites in Costa Rica.

I was extremely fortunate to participate in a number of adventures and activities in Costa Rica. While these experiences left me feeling appreciative of where I am able to go and what I am able to participate in, I was also left with a number of questions on perspective. Most people in the world will never be able to take a trip abroad. Even fewer will live for an extended time in another country. Is it a sense of flaunting fortune and waste to engage in these endeavours? There is certainly a lot of joy and experiences to be found close to home (more on that in the next post as well). Conversations around national identities and human relationships can happen within one’s own neighbourhood.

Thoughts like these though, actually lead me back to the beginning of the question, and I believe (or at least hope) my perspective balances out. Each time I have gone away for adventures, I have grown to appreciate the adventures right here even more. Conversing passionately about social and cultural topics in a different country gives me a new perspective about these topics back home. It is this worldly perspective that the others may have been referring to when they felt Canadians were caring. By going out into the world and engaging with it, you develop a greater understanding. Thus, in the end I think it is important to get out there if you can, but at the same time, balance it all, and look at your adventures through different perspectives. It is important to at least consider how travel could be a wasteful, narrow-minded, and wealth flaunting activity – even perceived “budget travel”. In this way it serves as a reminder that one should strive to make the activities meaningful, and not just accomplishments or crossing things off lists. Further, perhaps the most meaningful part of travel is the people. The conversation that night in Costa Rica was not on any list of things to do, but it will always remain one of the best experiences there. Be ready for those experiences in your own life, and be prepared to engage in them. Perhaps they are more important, and could come at the cost of the “to-do-list” activities. As was explained to me that night – Pura Vida. As usual, your thoughts and questions are welcomed on this. Maybe I’ve got the balance all wrong – it wouldn’t be the first time.

I am most fortunate to have met some great people while traveling this time, and they helped make the adventures truly awesome and full of laughter. Thus, in closing, special thanks to M, Rainforest Club, and Daniel.

Stay tuned for upcoming posts, in the next few days – I promise! In fact, they’re already partly written:
– perspective on adventure in BC (yes – again)
- Terry Fox Run
– annual Labour Day reflection

August Adventures

Adventures can take place without having to travel. Many worthwhile, and even necessary adventures keep people in physical places they consider local, or home. These “local” adventures should never be discounted or regarded as second rate. One of the primary purposes of adventure is to learn about one’s self, and one doesn’t need to always be off on travels to do that.

However, travel doesn’t hurt, and there’s a lot to learn both from taking the show on the road, both about the world and about one’s self. A lot of great learning and adventuring takes place away from home. So, while heeding some previous lessons of adventure, including some from last summer, it is off adventuring. This one will have some old travels, as well as some new to it, and it’s been calling for a couple of months now. Here’s hoping you get off the computer and up to an adventure. You don’t have to leave home. A new project, books, relationships, pursuing joy, sharing experiences, hobbies, goals, education, reflection, these are all adventures – ones that we can all spend more time on. Perhaps when I get back I’ll have lots of new photos or I’ll get back to that series on success. It can all wait – I’m sure you won’t mind.

A plus,
IR

Inland Ferries

I have not neglected posting, rather I have been enjoying summer activities that have kept me away from the computer. I view this as a good thing, and make no apologies. As a part of these activities I took a two week stretch to jaunt about Southern British Columbia. While I spent the majority of the time in the East Kootenays – that magical place that exists a whole hour in the future from the rest of the province – I did bounce around to a few places I had never been to, or had neglected for some time. No matter how many times I gallivant about this province I continually remain in awe of its size and diversity, and this time was no different.

I rolled out with a map and some vague ideas, which is fairly typical of how I begin most days, only minus the map. It all led to the renewed and concrete reflection that traipsing through British Columbia is a fantastic way to bring about some balance. Numerous stats, editorials, politicians, and businesses will easily extol how thriving BC is. The Lower Mainland is now Metro Vancouver, the Olympics are coming, the Okanagan is home to cities now, not towns or villages, we’re building bridges and widening highways. Yet, within a day I found myself in a mountain valley, tenting alone, hours away from cell phone service, and apparently one day removed from a bear sighting. The nagging disappointments about my evaporated worldly and national travel plans began to slip away as the expanse of one small section of the province took hold. The next day saw these disappointments slide away completely as I began with a hike through a part of the West Kootenays I had never been to. The lushness and variety of the greens around the Upper Arrow Lakes reminded me of Korea, yet remained characteristically British Columbian. By mid-day I had come to a stretch of highway that simply ends, and one has to catch on of BC’s inland ferries. I love a good ferry trip, I mean, who doesn’t, they’re just plain cool. You’re getting somewhere without having to do any work, not even press the pedal. The scenery, from nature to people watching, is usually some of the finest. Ferries, are also one of my favourite photo-ops as well. So, I made sure to use a ferry route I had never been on before and traversed the Upper Arrow Lakes. The views were worldclass, and a few of my dozen or so fellow passengers reaffirmed it. A German family was making the same crossing, having chosen to go RVing through BC for their summer vacation. It reminded me that visiting BC is a worldly trip, there is no need to hop on a jet plane if one is already here. This was reinforced throughout my two week trip, as I encountered Koreans, Italians, Japanese, Germans, English, Greek, and likely many more nationalities. The world comes to BC, because it is worthy of the world. It is a tiny part of the world when you spin the globe, but it is absolutely immense. For all my travels to different parts of the planet, I have never been more secluded than the times I have ventured into back-country BC. It is the perfect place to get away from it all and still experience the world.
The Arrow Lakes ferry trip also hosted a logging truck, which took up almost a third of the deck space. It served as a reminder that the good times we are all loving in this province are finely balanced on natural resources from far fetched places. Ever present evidence of the pine beetle infestation, coupled with constant roadside literature about the “new sollutions” served to reinforce this tricky balance. What I actually discovered to be reinforced more than anything, was how little humans can control in balancing the natural resources of this province. We can certainly get ourselves into a lot of trouble, but only time and natural processes alone can ever truly correct the imbalances.

Another boat ride, on a larger ferry across Kootenay Lake, and hundreds of kilometres through some of the most stunning scenery, and beautiful stops the Kootenays, BC, Canada, or the world has to offer, I took up residence in the East Kootenays for a while. Day trips took me to different places, including glaciers, streams, lakes, mountains and wildlife. The best things: it all felt world class, it was out in the wilderness, but by being in BC, one felt all at home and extremely fortunate.

I made sure to take in off-the-beaten-path places on the return trip as well, and it didn’t disappoint. Overall, I took hundreds of photos and will put a few of the decent ones up. Again, it was utterly fantastic to be away from the internet for a good stretch. Thanks for putting up with a rambling post as I get back to blogging. Upon my return, I was showing some friends some of the pics and they were slightly surprised to learn one could take a ferry ride in BC 700 kilometres inland from the ocean. There is always so much to learn right at home. Hopefully I can take in some more before the summer closes. Hopefully you can too.

Woraksan 월악산

Hiking is popular in Korea, and autumn seems the perfect time to head to the hills. The pinnacle of a fantastic weekend was reaching the top of Woraksan. While the trail was easy to follow, the hike was an excellent physical challenge. During the descent we were treated with fantastic vistas I will share soon.

The construction and maintenance of the trail was impressive. Laying within Woraksan National park the mountain was obviously well visited. The planning, labour and time necessary to scout the route, move rocks, build stairs, and post exemplary signage was obviously extensive. These measures are to be found throughout Korea and they allow for easy access to nearly all of the country’s highest peaks. One could argue the constructed trail detracts from the experience, and distorts the natural terrain. This should be balanced with the fact Korea is densely populated and people have access to only small areas of land in comparison to some other areas of the world. In Canada for example, numerous types of trails are in countless places. This is not feasible in Korea if people are going to be allowed access.

Koreans take full advantage of the park’s resources and their personal preparedness overshadowed most in our party. While we certainly had all the necessities, we were outdone in comparison to the boots, pants, shirts, vests, sweaters, hats, gloves, walking sticks, and packs of all others on the mountain. Having given up on the Grouse Grind because of the state of those congesting the trail, it was comforting to see everyone on the mountain understand what they were getting into, and coming prepared accordingly. Actually, the average Korean hiker comes with plenty of extras. Lunches are hearty, detailed, and likely include celebratory refreshments.

The other endeavors of the weekend were fabulous as well. Korean hospitality throughout was – again – absolutely amazing. I hope to post photos soon.

Thanks to Cam, whose birthday was the catalyst for the whole event, and to all those in our Workasan party for their special efforts.

Also:
-We searched Worak mountain in vain for the legendary Goral.
-Happy National Foundation Day (today in Korea).
-추석 잘 보내세요 (Happy Chuseok…. Korean thanksgiving is later this week.)
-Season opens in Buffalo on Friday: Go Habs Go

The Colours of Korea

Arriving in late summer I found Korea to be a vivid collection of many different greens. Trees, hills, gardens, water, and insects are a few of the integral pieces to the refreshing green kaleidoscope. Other colours have hinted at their presence along the way. From red peppers hidden amongst the leaves, or a yellow butterfly flirting on a flower, these subtleties are a brilliant contrast to the green. In addition to natural displays, the colours on traditional buildings are stunning and detailed. As autumn picks up speed I have confidence Korea will remain colourful, only that the focus of these colours will change. While I will miss the greens, I look forward to the reds, yellows and oranges that are being hinted at.

A few of the new photographs I just posted (as well as previous ones) capture some of these colours. Seven of the twelve or so are shown on the left. (With new one’s posted these have gotten pushed down.) Click on “more photos” to see them all. I have taken many others as well, but they will have to wait to be shared. There are also some boring pictures of my apartment because there were some specific requests for these shots (I’m looking mainly at you Chris). I also threw in a picture of one of my neighbours.

AOB:
-Tennis on a dirt court is a different game.
-Please feel free to leave comments or questions about the photos here on the blog or directly on flickr. If you want to leave comments on flickr you need to be a member, but it’s free to sign-up, and a cool place to post your own shots.
-Vinokourov did spring an attack at the worlds, but the strong Italian team held the race together for the favoured (and deserved) Bettini to take the win.
-Favourite advertising slogan: “Fresh Taste Keeping System”. As featured on cans and bottles of Hite beer.