I noticed the usually littered space , about 30 trees huddled to form a dwelling. Just a comfortable fit for people(s) .
With ;
walnuts
watermelon slices
water
icepack
LOVE, in hand I met the residents of the now swept and white blanket flagged landing.
"Hello, is this your dwelling?"
This weeks heat thus far has been 'hot hot hot' and it is being felt. The air is too. I believe humidity is not to be muddled with humans.
"I didn't know what to expect"
Landing here on a pass through. She spoke on behalf of them both.
"You look well" - I meant it .
"It's been years since anyone has told me that" - she did too.
Hugs
I'm near.
My alarm clock this morning felt like a dream.
"RAAIIISHA"
"RASISSHA"
839am the stove was being delivered and my landlord was calling me from the door. I woke up and it was hot already. The blinds let through just the right amount of sun the rest of the day and just the right amount of too much in the morning..
I've been thinking about the two humans and todays humidity.
At work I told my co-workers I am a box whisperer. I say to the boxes, thank you for distracting me from the temptatious (that needs to be a word!!) whispers of the kinder variety,whilst singing Cat Stevens 'Wild World' .
Life is always bringing about a .. je ne sais quoi.. I'll be working 7 days a week, as of this week, until ...je ne sais quoi. ..
There will be a plentiful opportunity for saving for future travels and for some good old at home mind focus time. Also made known upon asking the question;
"what do you do in your 'free' time"
Make mixtapes
Invent deserts
watch coffee drip
live slow.
I am hoping to see my new acquaintances today if time permits.
ta ta for now. xx
Wednesday, 27 September 2017
Wednesday, 20 September 2017
Mi Casa es Su Casa
"Does anyone even come to Brantford?"
"Not really and everyone who actually lives here is always trying to leave."
There is a lot more to this metropolitan median , Brantford. Last week I had a couch surfer ,Wanda , spend 5 days; learning some of the history ,charmed by walking trail winds and meeting some radical Brantfordians.
Wanda is originally from the Queen's home land.. she has the accent to prove it . For the last few years she has lived in Spain and the 5 days in Brantford with me , were her 3rd homely stay in Trudeau country.
The first night was full on conversation about colonization , history, anti capitalism, rainbow societies, over consumption, travel and of course a "Welcome to my crib". Wanda has a passion for understanding Indigenous cultures and the full history of Indigenous Canadians. Her conviction and pure love of knowledge made listening to her a learning opportunity and a crash course in economic enlightenment.
I live about 15 minutes from the Woodland Cultural Centre aka Brantford's infamous residential school. I've never been there before but from Wanda's review and the pamphlet she gave me, it is worth checking out . Brantford has more than Tim Hortons and Wayne Gretzky to be thankful for!
She made me vegan bolognese for lunch. VEGAN. BOLOGNESE. whaaaattttt... I came home from work and there was a stove top prepared for the love of animals and me alike. So so tasty, thanks again chica!
Wanda met a local activist /equality enthusiast , joined him in walking about the city and finished the night with an open mic. His posters are maintained in about 30 different locations in Brantford. The signage is black and white, bold and professing the importance of First Nation justice and the natural freedoms, respects for all that we need to untangle to truly exist in harmony . There are a variety of posters, I have about 20 prints for anyone who is interested!
Our second last day together I drove to Port Dover, we had ice cream, chocolates, wind blown hairs, life chats and basically a best friends perfect day dream.
She mentioned a friend of hers who spent 15 years traveling and now hosts couch surfers to stay in tune with the world's music. As my first couch surfer, she not only made me excited for her next adventures around the vast globe, but I explored Brantford with an equal excitement!
Wanda has set off on this wonderfilled journey across Canada , the USA and who knows where else the vagabond spirit will guide her. Hopefully one day back here!
How sweet it is to be connected with heritage, community , knowledge and spirituality. 5 days listening to the rhythm of voyager footsteps . I couldn't help but dance. Thanks for everything Wanda, bon voyage :)
...
Without further adieu , from the Wanda herself:
...
ps. I left the internet alone whilst and after meeting Wanda, to be fully present...Friday I lost my phone at work and it was THANK FULLY. returned to me Monday. ..I'm doing a night shift this week.. which means my mind and body are more confused than usual. yikes.
Never a dull moment in Raisha's world.
Stay in orbit <3
"Not really and everyone who actually lives here is always trying to leave."
There is a lot more to this metropolitan median , Brantford. Last week I had a couch surfer ,Wanda , spend 5 days; learning some of the history ,charmed by walking trail winds and meeting some radical Brantfordians.
Wanda is originally from the Queen's home land.. she has the accent to prove it . For the last few years she has lived in Spain and the 5 days in Brantford with me , were her 3rd homely stay in Trudeau country.
The first night was full on conversation about colonization , history, anti capitalism, rainbow societies, over consumption, travel and of course a "Welcome to my crib". Wanda has a passion for understanding Indigenous cultures and the full history of Indigenous Canadians. Her conviction and pure love of knowledge made listening to her a learning opportunity and a crash course in economic enlightenment.
I live about 15 minutes from the Woodland Cultural Centre aka Brantford's infamous residential school. I've never been there before but from Wanda's review and the pamphlet she gave me, it is worth checking out . Brantford has more than Tim Hortons and Wayne Gretzky to be thankful for!
She made me vegan bolognese for lunch. VEGAN. BOLOGNESE. whaaaattttt... I came home from work and there was a stove top prepared for the love of animals and me alike. So so tasty, thanks again chica!
Wanda met a local activist /equality enthusiast , joined him in walking about the city and finished the night with an open mic. His posters are maintained in about 30 different locations in Brantford. The signage is black and white, bold and professing the importance of First Nation justice and the natural freedoms, respects for all that we need to untangle to truly exist in harmony . There are a variety of posters, I have about 20 prints for anyone who is interested!
Our second last day together I drove to Port Dover, we had ice cream, chocolates, wind blown hairs, life chats and basically a best friends perfect day dream.
She mentioned a friend of hers who spent 15 years traveling and now hosts couch surfers to stay in tune with the world's music. As my first couch surfer, she not only made me excited for her next adventures around the vast globe, but I explored Brantford with an equal excitement!
Wanda has set off on this wonderfilled journey across Canada , the USA and who knows where else the vagabond spirit will guide her. Hopefully one day back here!
How sweet it is to be connected with heritage, community , knowledge and spirituality. 5 days listening to the rhythm of voyager footsteps . I couldn't help but dance. Thanks for everything Wanda, bon voyage :)
...
Without further adieu , from the Wanda herself:
"Why did a wandering traveller come to Brantford? Between the delights of Algonquin, Toronto, Niagara, why take a detour here?
It was to discover an untold story, one missing from every Canadian history museum. What happened to the indigenous people?
Brantford brought me the truth - the story of the genocide that my race committed, and the indigenous history of peacemaking, extended to my ancestors, who stole all they could and whose descendents refuse to return it.
Brantford brought me tears, heartache, anger - none of which matter. What matters is truth, reconciliation, reparation and recovery. But the first ingredient is missing from White Canada - the truth is hidden.
Whitewashed.
Instead, we are allowed to believe that modern indigenous problems are unrelated to their treatment by us, then and now, still hiding the truth, still allowing the injustices of the past to prevail today, still failing to address the consequences.
Why Brantford? Because the truth must be told."
...
ps. I left the internet alone whilst and after meeting Wanda, to be fully present...Friday I lost my phone at work and it was THANK FULLY. returned to me Monday. ..I'm doing a night shift this week.. which means my mind and body are more confused than usual. yikes.
Never a dull moment in Raisha's world.
Stay in orbit <3
Wednesday, 6 September 2017
Teenage Fever
I'm not sure how late I am to hop on the band wagon but I have been listening to Drakes -Teenage Fever like it's my anthem. The past week has been quite feverish in a most babe /adult manner.
I spent the weekend on another planet.
An emotional one.
The solar system I was orbiting in , was around the burning star of love.
Family love, friendship love, love love.
Day and night, literally the darkness that came as I spun around those planets, those peoples, and a new light came timely after.
Some days brought pizza and tea others showed why I usually close my eyes in darkness. Why I am meant to rest when the night comes and not be about in the hours when darkness defines my footsteps. Why I give people infinite chances.
Humans are so interesting. Forget personalities, facial features, hair colours. I mean like bone, flesh, vital organs, centre of control squishy scull covered , art forms.
"and if somehow you knew
that your love would be untrue , would you lie to me?
Why we like what we like, don't what we don't. Need what we want or want what we need. On my way back to earth (like yesterday..) I was going to apply for a Tea Sommelier course at Mohawk, just something to start mending some brain cells, make a routine and get a cool certificate that says I know some things about Tea.
I changed my mind/my mind was changed. In perhaps a well needed re-evaluation/ 2nd person's view at my current situations vs where I want to be...need to be.. Tea will always be there. Do I really need a piece of paper that tells me Tea loves me back?
I might change my mind back, when the next semester is rolling in January .
Than I started my first day at Ferrero Chocolate Factory.
On the contrary to usually meta me. Real world me said mhmmm 57 and packing rochers.? 53 and sitting pretty..?
I thought I stopped caring about being pretty a long time ago. And I hate money. And I keep reminding myself greatness is in the eye of the be greater. Than I get a bill for car repairs, or I get home and I think damn . Rent is cool because like having a place to live is cooler.
"This shit feels like teenage fever"
But I'm kind of scared of it.
For the record I can't take any products home so don't place any orders for Nutella in the comments... unless your offering to feed me and pay my rent...
*outro*
"So please forgive me
more ideas and stuff coming, yeah
yeah fam I'm waffling, tired fam..."
I spent the weekend on another planet.
An emotional one.
The solar system I was orbiting in , was around the burning star of love.
Family love, friendship love, love love.
Day and night, literally the darkness that came as I spun around those planets, those peoples, and a new light came timely after.
Some days brought pizza and tea others showed why I usually close my eyes in darkness. Why I am meant to rest when the night comes and not be about in the hours when darkness defines my footsteps. Why I give people infinite chances.
Humans are so interesting. Forget personalities, facial features, hair colours. I mean like bone, flesh, vital organs, centre of control squishy scull covered , art forms.
"and if somehow you knew
that your love would be untrue , would you lie to me?
Why we like what we like, don't what we don't. Need what we want or want what we need. On my way back to earth (like yesterday..) I was going to apply for a Tea Sommelier course at Mohawk, just something to start mending some brain cells, make a routine and get a cool certificate that says I know some things about Tea.
I changed my mind/my mind was changed. In perhaps a well needed re-evaluation/ 2nd person's view at my current situations vs where I want to be...need to be.. Tea will always be there. Do I really need a piece of paper that tells me Tea loves me back?
I might change my mind back, when the next semester is rolling in January .
Than I started my first day at Ferrero Chocolate Factory.
On the contrary to usually meta me. Real world me said mhmmm 57 and packing rochers.? 53 and sitting pretty..?
I thought I stopped caring about being pretty a long time ago. And I hate money. And I keep reminding myself greatness is in the eye of the be greater. Than I get a bill for car repairs, or I get home and I think damn . Rent is cool because like having a place to live is cooler.
"This shit feels like teenage fever"
But I'm kind of scared of it.
For the record I can't take any products home so don't place any orders for Nutella in the comments... unless your offering to feed me and pay my rent...
*outro*
"So please forgive me
more ideas and stuff coming, yeah
yeah fam I'm waffling, tired fam..."
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