Dearest friends,
The waiting is ended... the action has begun!!! On Feb. 20, Mrs. Denise Savoie, Victoria MP greeted Jean in French before the official launch at the Legislature building. "There was a fun group of strolling musicians, many people who had come especially to be part of the event and several who were just sightseeing at the ledge, got caught up with the excitement of the moment and then learned what it was all about."
On Feb. 21, the event was repeated, but in Vancouver this time. Mr. Gregor Robertson, Mayor of Vancouver, greeted Jean at City Hall and under the cameras of the medias; they both gave the first turns of the wheels to the chariot.
The Carnival Band that greeted Jean at the airport on Jan. 30 was there again bringing in happy vibes and the Walker got under way duly accompanied by Mr. Saul Arbess, Co-chair of CDPI and "Mastermind" behind all the events organized for the Wwwalk in Canada.
After this outstanding sendoff in Vancouver, Jean started his first steps toward East and home. There was a bit of stress because a parcel containing clothes and equipment kindly supplied by Altitude Sport could not be delivered on time but thanks to Steve, a very kind man who, after walking a few kilometers with Jean, offered to pick up the parcel and deliver it to Jean's host in New Westminster, all was well again.
For more than 10 years now Jean has had to adjust to culture shocks! Can you imagine that the biggest shock is the one he had to meet with upon his first kilometers on Canadian territory! Snow and Cold were waiting for him and the whole wwwalk having been done mostly in tropical countries, Jean suffered a bit of a let down! The roads were hilly and it was difficult to push his chariot in the snow and slush. Even if he was not cold thanks to the good boots supplied by Rob at Frontrunners in Victoria and the warm clothes sent by Alexandre of Altitude Sport, it was taking him quite a bit of energy to get ahead.
As of today, he did not have to sleep outdoors in his tent! As it happened in many countries, Canadian angels are making a chain of hosts along his way and Jean is so grateful for this blessing! What happens is that he does not even have to push his chariot in the snow... His hosts are keeping the chariot in their home and Jean may walk alone and make good time till his next stop where his first host brings the chariot by car to the second host's home and so on...
On March 8, in Kamloops, he had already walked half of his route in British Colombia and on the 14, in Salmon Arm, he is 3 days ahead of schedule. He is feeling good and says he delights in the Canadian winter as it reminds him of the time he was enjoying skiing both cross-country and downhill. It is something he wants to get back to after the wwwalk is over. Phew! At least he may do that right here in Quebec and doesn't have to go all over the planet for this pleasure!!!
Apart from very sore feet that he ignores by swallowing painkiller pills and telling himself that he only has to walk a few more thousands kilometers, he is in good condition mentally and physically. He is psychologically preparing himself for his next challenge: crossing the Rockies by going through Rogers Pass in Glacier National Park. He was told that there are risks of avalanches and this year might just be more risky because there is a lot of snow.
In a couple of days he will reach Revelstoke where he plans to rest for a full day before going up to the mountains. Fortunately he is optimistic enough especially when he thinks that after the Rockies it will be flat terrain all the way to Montreal!
The Walker arrived in Calgary on Friday, April 8... one day ahead of his latest schedule.
He still has not slept in his tent as Canadians are warmly welcoming him. While in Golden he writes: "I can tell you that I am really treated with kindness by my Canadian fellows... the chain of hospitality is still going strong... I am loosing my wild instinct."
All the way, people have been extremely kind, organizing appointments for him: at the dentist to replace a lost filling, at the hairdresser for a haircut etc... Now and then he is invited for chats in schools where he is eager to promote his mission of peace and non-violence.
He was told the Grizzly bears have started to come out of hibernation but fortunately he made no such encounter and as he is over the mountain range it is not likely to happen. Phew!!!
His stay in Calgary is quite busy with chats in schools, interviews with the media and some public speaking but the most important event happens on Tuesday April 12 at the Old City Hall where the walker is "White Hatted" by Calgary Mayor Nenshi. What an honour! The White Hat Ceremony is typical to Calgary and has come to symbolize the warmth of western hospitality and it is a tradition to honour dignitaries and special guests.
Step by step, Jean is getting closer to home and I certainly cannot complain about that! On April 28, he leaves Walsh in Alberta to cross the border of Saskatchewan. He is right on time according to the schedule he made in February, but is now unsure if he will keep up to it or change his route.
There is more than one reason for that change: first, the TransCanada Highway is greatly travelled and the driving is quite fast. This accounts for much noise and constant alertness toward speeding drivers and commercial transport. Second, the villages and towns are spaced out thus giving him fewer chances to take advantage of meeting Canadians on his way. More than that, I am sure that the panorama would be better from smaller roads...
On the other hand, walking through the main highway and the big cities certainly has its advantages for the promotion of Peace and after quite a bit of thinking about it, Jean decided to follow his original idea of walking on the TransCanada highway and through the main cities along it.
For the very first time since the launching of the wwwalk on February 21 in Vancouver, Jean slept in his tent on April 27. So far, people have been incredibly welcoming, the chain of hospitality streaming nicely.
Lucky for him, the weather is getting warmer... enough so that he took off his long underwear! Let's hope the snow will not think of coming back and the sun will keep on shining on our days!
Till next time...
Luce