The trip began with the sound of an ice cold wind dancing with the leaves. I had arrived at a new destination that I knew very little about, but I wouldn’t take long to fall in love with its people, its culture, its cities of non-stop life and, above all, its beauty.
Welcome to Canada, Anekke.
The city awaited me smiling beside the mountain, decorated with beautiful white velvet woodland. I lost my gaze among its streets that were all lit up when a whisper spoke to me that said:
"Shhh… Listen to what the forest has to tell you".
The coming of the light of dawn drew a vast reflection on the water, where the mountains and the trees became infinite. An eternal moment where all the blues, greens, greys and ochre tones were painted in my memories forever. And, suddenly, a drop on a lake broke the stillness, spreading its effect on the lush and leafy trees, letting me see nature naked, full of maple leaves.
Leaves of hundreds of colours, living nature in its full expression, wild animals… everything exuberant, not answerable to anyone for its freedom.
I discovered a moose looking at me from the other shore, as if it was trying to read my inner self, just like I did to it. Its beauty amazed me, it overwhelmed me. It moved majestically, displaying its elegance without even realising. At that moment I felt small, like a speck of star dust that travels to feel, to be free. The look of that animal made me feel its wildness. An unexplainable connection that reminded me of how important it is to listen to our wildest side, and also to our most human side.
I decided to remind myself every day to follow my heart. Respect and demand respect. Carry on enjoying the beauty of bare things, devoid of filters or wishes, which do not need more than their reason for being to be wonderful.
And so, my nomad spirit came alive once again. Because the voice of the forest had come back to show me that is what life is all about. And because a little bit of Canada will always be with me.
And now, Shhhh…. Listen to what the forest has to tell you.
