Still a bit civilization this morning, with running water and electricity, which we are slowly leaving behind with our paddles. Learning, sharing, and strong connections are on the agenda.
Toilets 101
Congratulations to the entire group for their efficiency in cleaning up and getting ready this morning. All ahead of time!
So, we take the opportunity to talk about a topic that concerns everyone: “Pi and Poop”! In a completely natural environment, we have to rethink our habits and learn new ways. I’ll leave it to the participants to tell you all about the eco-friendly and hygienic “tricks” that Désir de Découvrir taught us. The tips and demos were as funny as they were indispensable and relevant!
A look back at the evening
Last night, the discussions focused on the values and rules of expedition life. We, the accompanying team, were surprised by the commitment of the participants. Even at this early stage of the adventure, it’s clear that everyone is here for deep, well-considered reasons; they are expressing their needs, and they are all expressing, in their own way, a desire to respect the group and to be respected. Silences, emotional displays, or the need for time to speak flowed naturally through the evening, with patience and kindness. At the heart of their concerns is life with the disease: sometimes it’s the difficulty of living after cancer as Paul and Kayla explain, or the importance of being tolerant of the limits of others that we don’t know or can’t see, as Coralie points out. When asked what motivated them to participate, Michael says that he doesn’t want to miss any opportunities after his diagnosis; since his illness, he feels driven to seize every new opportunity. Paul adds that it’s so easy to stay at home, but now he doesn’t want to waste time, he wants to try everything.
Finally, the real adventure
After an hour’s shuttle ride, we arrive at our real starting point. A nice picnic under the trees and off we go for a little technique on the beach, including chair knots and cow hitches.
The canoes are loaded with barrels and waterproof bags, the teams are determined, and we decide on a group call while brandishing our paddles: “Vérendrye” (the name of the nature reserve we’ll be crossing). And that’s it, we’re real adventurers, ready to go!
But let’s not get carried away, today we’ll do two kilometers! Perfect for practicing techniques and taking our time getting back to our campsite. Because our spot is really worth it: facing the setting sun, dotted with cedars and just for us!
Mario B. invites us to a mediation-connection with our feet in the water and our eyes closed… a much appreciated moment of peace.
The camp is set up, with some people in charge of chopping wood for the fire, others setting up the toilets, and a third team in charge of the kitchen: Pokébowls are on the menu!
The team of guides organizes an incredible buffet table for us, which I’ll let you discover through photos. Colour, flavour and good humour galore!
Why “On the tip of the toes”?
As with all expeditions, we wonder about the Foundation’s enigmatic name… In fact, there are many explanations; three, according to Mario.
1. To become an explorer, you have to stand on tiptoe to see the horizon.
2. To see the sun beyond the clouds, and thus the light beyond cancer, you have to stand on tiptoe.
3. For the First Nations, walking carefully, as if on tiptoe, avoided disturbing wildlife and leaving tracks; good advice on how to be kind, gentle, and not rushing things with others.
A little game is on around the campfire, which I’m not taking part in because I’m on the beach writing to you, but I can hear the laughter from afar and even odd sounds when Michael (an English speaker) tries to say: HUARD! Quebec’s emblematic bird, the loon, is doing us the honour of singing on the lake tonight. Too bad you don’t have sound, they’re both worth hearing!
And Mario concludes the evening by inviting everyone to say loud and clear, in French for all, because “ça se traduit mal” (it doesn’t translate well):
“EILLE LE MONDE, ON EST TU BEN!” (Man guys, this is nice!)
Fabienne Macé
On the Tip of the Toes Foundation Blogger and volunteer photographer
Translated by Lorraine Gagnon