Day 43: Opinions

Billie's in Village Aulnaise to Julie, Martin & Nathan in Cap Saint-Ignace

Wow. A long day. A new record for distance. Almost 12 hours of travel. Started off fresh, inspired and feeling loved, to getting told what we're doing is animal cruelty. It still blows my mind the amount of things that happen in one day. I guess it was always this way, just now I am more in tune to it and reflecting on it.

Waking up to the open sky was beautiful, though exhausting. I didn't sleep well that night, maybe because we were on the roof in the open... it was cool to wake up in the middle of the night to clouds clearing to reveal the big dipper directly above me. I think it was the first night I've ever spent the entire night sleeping under the stars, au claire de la lune. We made our coffee and oatmeal in the big kitchen, then started getting ready. It was an easy start because Billie was driving our things again. We were hoping to get out by 7am, but were a bit delayed to 7:30. It was so sad saying goodbye to Billie. She gave me the biggest hug, it was so nice, and I felt a little heartbroken heading out. But as we walked away, Guillaum (one of the roommates) yelled "You guys are spreading magic everywhere you go! Don't forget that! I already feel it." It made me so happy to hear that, and our day started off right.

It was already hot by 8am, and we were in our tank tops in no time. It was a long day. We stopped at Les Enfants du Soleil, which Billie had recommended, in search of bracelet making materials. Although they didn't have any string, they did have healing rocks and crystals, so I finally got some Rose Quartz! A recommendation from Laura Fevez to bring with me. "(Rose Quartz) emits a calming, cooling energy which can work on all of the chakras to gently remove negativity and to reinstate the loving, gentle forces of self-love."

We stopped for some snacks at a small Marche and met some people and got our first donations for Dog Guides in Quebec so far! We stopped at a lookout, and sneakily made a fire behind some boulders for lunch. We all agreed we were spending too much money on food, and need to cut back to bare minimums, so more rice and beans for us.

I even had my first interview in french! Also the first newspaper to contact us in Quebec. Jewel was impatient to keep going, as was I, but I also knew it was a good opportunity for people to know more about what we're doing, and hopefully get a better reception.

Later in the evening, with only 5km left to our long day, 6pm, this car stops in front of us, then turns around across the road to talk to us. I'm having a hard time hearing her, let alone understanding her. She starts asking me how far we're going, but I'm gathering she had heard about us. She says, (in french) "isn't it hard for you horses?" No, I respond, they are in good shape and health. Then she goes on, and it takes me a bit to realize she is saying what we are doing is unfair to our horses, and it's not right and it's too hard for them. As soon as she gets her mean point across she starts driving away. "Well that's your opinion" I yell back, finally understanding the intention behind her words. "It's not my opinion its the reality." She yells out the window. Now I'm heated. "Do you eat meat?!" I yell back. Wanting to make a point but she's already driven away and parked in another homes' parking lot.

I'm mad now. Fuming. Who is this lady! She doesn't know us, or how we treat our horses. I'm just thinking of the million things I want to say to this woman. This woman who most likely eats meat, will be ignorant to the fact that she's contributing to animal cruelty when she buys from large farm corporations, is accusing us, two vegetarians who care attentively for their horses - of animal cruelty. I have always been a huge advocator of animal rights. I pay attention to the products I consume, check for animal testing constantly. I've never eaten meat in my life, and was vegan for the last year - a lifestyle choice I plan to return to after the trip. My horse is my number 1 priority, and has been always, and throughout this trip. I put baby powder in his boots each morning, and vaseline on his scrapes and scars each day. I hose down his legs after a ride and not to mention he eats like a king! Either way, I found it so infuriating this woman would accuse me of animal mistreatment.

Then, I see the car coming back, I'm pretty sure it's her, and I have the idea to just lead Lux into the road to stop her to piss her off. But I don't, I stay near the white line. She nearly hits us SPEEDING by. I can't help but flip her the bird (or multiple birds...continuously). Ride-Rage. So we're cruel to our animals, but this lady can almost hit us with her car.. nice. People. Am I right?

Jewel and I vented about it, she wasn't sure what was happening until she heard my tone of voice change.

I take a breath, I don't want this to affect my day. I hear the wind in the grass. Then I get heated thinking of another petty comment we got on one of our video's earlier that day. Breathe. I hear the wind in the grass. Look around me. Ah yes, but these are the ways of the world. It's why wars are started, why people shoot each other to death. I cannot face hate and anger with hate and anger. Misunderstandings and different beliefs. If this woman thinks that riding my horse across canada is animal cruelty, that is her opinion, and she has a right to it. But I will not let it ruin my day another second. That is my choice.

I reach into my fanny pack and grab my crystal I got earlier that day. Maybe it sounds silly, but it totally made me feel better. I clutched it to my chest, and just breathed. The anger started to pass, and in the end I feel more educated as to how I would manage this kind of confrontation in the future. Calmly. Always. With more breath. I don't process when I don't breathe. The best thing to do is walk-away. A lesson I was taught repeatedly by both my parents.

Jewel and I had talked about it earlier in the day too, before all this happened. That you'l never regret being nice, but you will regret being mean. Sure, I'd love to give that lady a piece of my mind.. but then what? So just let it pass.

We arrive at Julie and Martins, and what a welcome we got, I forgot all about stupid-lady and was overcome by the kindness of this couple and their son Nathan. Nathan, at 14, cooked us the best stir-fry with tofu and crispy asparagus, and even made us this incredible dessert with home-made caramel sauce!

They were all so sweet, and their old farm home was lovely. We each got our own bed in this cute loft after a warm shower.

So much had happened. A new record of walking, so much love leaving Billie's, some hate from some stranger, but back to so much love. I will focus on that. The love, the endless love we have been given on this trip. "If ten good things happen in a day, we always focus on the 1 bad thing." My mom would tell me, "Why not look at the ten good things". And so I do.