"Home" for a while.

home

hōm/

noun

1. 1.

   the place where one lives permanently, esp. as a member of a family or household.

   "I was nineteen when I left home and went to college"

   synonyms:

   residence, place of residence, house, apartment, flat, bungalow,cottage; More
2. 2.

   an institution for people needing professional care or supervision.

   "an old people's home"

   synonyms:

   institution, nursing home, retirement home, rest home;

What makes home feel like home to you?

For me, home is wherever I sleep at night.
At least that is what it's become over the past year.

Home was a hostel, a squeeky bed in a dorm room,  a mat on a floor or someone's couch.

But, with much reflection upon arriving back in Canada, my view on the word "home" became different.  I can remember staying in places where we weren't treated nicely by the other people there.  In those instances we would say something like, "Let's go back to the hostel." or "I'm going to the house."  On the contrary, if we stayed in a place where we were welcomed, accepted and loved we would say, "Let's go home." or "I'm glad to be home.".  My subconscience figured it out before I did.  Home is where there are people who care, where you can relax, be yourself and close your eyes at night without a doubt that you are loved.

Home is where the heart is.
With that being said, I'm happy to be home.

My arrival in Canada came with a jolt... I don't just mean the bouncy airplane landing or the luggage hassle afterward, I mean the COLD air that froze my lungs and turned my South African tan into a wind-whipped red and my uncovered appendages blue.  The warm welcoming from my best friend was heart warming (haha) and distracted me from the frigid temperatures.  

It has been hectic since that day.  But before life in Canada went into full-swing, I made sure to give myself one day of reflection upon my last year spent travelling the world.  I tried to come up with an answer to that notorious question,

"So, how was your trip?"

Had it been a week long vacation, the answer would be no problem.
Try summing up an entire year.  
Just try it.
Struggles, near-death circumstances, tireless amounts of work, drama, life-changing experiences.  Eleven different countries and cultures.  Thousands of people.  Hundreds of projects.  Planes, trains, automobiles, bicycles, tuc-tucs, sungtaos, boats and scooters.  Sleepless nights, foreign food, bucket showers, hand-washing laundry, parasites, thieves, bed bugs and public transport.
We taught seminars at universities, we swung on vines in the amazon jungle, we rode elephants, we played soccer in muddy fields with naked children (that sounds bad), we survived riots, we made movies, we lived in the red light district, we went in places no one else dared to go.

So, how do I sum up this year?  What do I say to people who see me in passing for the first time this year?

They ask me,
"So, how was your trip?"

I reply,
"It was good, thanks for asking."

What can I really say?

For those who have been following my journey since the beginning, I thank you from the bottom of my heart.  Your prayers and support has been keeping me strong this past year.

Now I am in Canada, sleeping in my parents attic and working, working, working.  I have an exciting new job taking Santa Photos at the White Oaks Mall in London.  I also work at Park View Retirement Home on my 'off' days.


It is exciting to share stories and personal growth experiences with people at home, most of which aren't even posted on this blog.  I will make time to those who want to hear it.  I also want to hear about your year, and what home means to you.  I love you all.

 My nieces and nephew grew up so fast.

 Jason, the photographer for my first night in Brantford.

 Steve.  My ever-so-handsome brother.

Phil and his offspring.

POST COMMENTS BELOW.

Behind The Curtain Documentary

"You can do whatever you like.  Anything is possible."

What do you think of when you hear of Amsterdam?

Freedom. Do whatever you want.

Tolerance. It doesn't matter.

It doesn't hurt anyone.

Everything is ok.

Let's just party.

But what if you're wrong.

Find out what really happens.

Behind the curtain.

Follow this link to the documentary:

Behind The Curtain

Don't pretend that your actions don't matter.

Each time a person stands up for an ideal, or acts to improve the lot of others, or strikes out against injustice, he sends forth a tiny ripple of hope, and crossing each other from a million different centers of energy and daring, these ripples build a current that can sweep down the mightiest walls of oppression and resistance.
  -Robert F. Kennedy

Muizenberg

CapeTown, South Africa has been one of those countries where it truly feels like home, second only to New Zealand.

 We are staying in Muizenburg, a small surf town on the coast of Cape Peninsula, just a 25 minute drive from the city.  Muizenburg is a vibrant place, mixed with black, coloured, white, Indian and Asian people along with a variety of tourists, missionaries, hipsters, surfers, hobos and security guards. 

Mountains stretch along the coastline creating one of the most stunning horizon lines I have ever seen, especially when looking at it from the water as I bob on a surf board waiting to catch a wave.

My new shoes - special thanks to Saucony - climbing up the Muizenberg mountain.

Skate and surf competition at the infamous Surfers Corner.  An attempt for the world record of 'most surfers riding a wave' was made on this day as well.

A train runs along the shoreline, stopping at all the neighbouring towns and goes all the way to Simonstown, where you can visit penguins.  I often run along the beach in the mornings or to Kalk Bay, and up Boyes Drive which runs along Muizenberg Mountain and offers a spectacular view of the ocean and the towns down below.  I am priviledged to be staying amongst some of CapeTown's finest artists and coolest surf crew.  If schooling and work didn't take up most of my time, I would be painting and surfing and climbing mountains everyday and having a braai (BBQ) with them every night.

Meet Martin.

His talent and friendly personality has brought him around the world leaving creative masterpieces on walls, canvases, wood and most any other paintable surface.  

He's prepping for a big expo coming up in December.  Marti is passionate about art, and for good reason - he's good at it!

An idea called "low-brow" amoung local artists, including Marti is making art accessable to everyone - not just the elite, deep-pocketed art connoisseur.  

Everyone can enjoy art, no matter your budget and go home with something - even if it's just a postcard.

Visit his  Onine Portfolio

Masiphumelele

 The apartheid laws, a huge part in the history of this nation, forced segregation between the races of its citizens and created barriers and unjust land laws between them.  The majority of the black South Africans were made to live in Townships and were disadvantaged by almost every standard including income, education and housing.


 Although Nelson Mandella and the "freedom charter" have done wonders in reconciling the nation, many blacks still live in these townships.  I had the privilege of visiting a township called Masiphumelele and was taken aback by how many people lived in such a tight place but had a plethora of joy and laughter streaming into the streets.  Masi is amazing - it's alive - you can feel the heart and soul of the people as soon as you step foot there but the history of Masi's residents is one of pain and suffering by the hands of their fellow citizens.

The townships can get hectic with gang related activities, drugs and crime.  Youth there are particularly at risk for adopting bad behaviours and getting themselves into trouble.  This is where guys like Apish Tshepsha can make a real difference and help to change the cycle.

Meet Apish. (left)

Apish is a certified surf instructor and life coach through a program called Waves For Change.  

 When Waves for Change opened in Masiphumelele in 2011, surfing had never existed in the township.  The goal in the program is to use surfing to create jobs, connect with young adults in need of assistance and to bring new skills to a community where 60% of it's population is unemployed.

Apish mentors 28 young adults from his community and uses surfing to connect with kids from vulnerable backgrounds.

I loved spending time on the waves with these kids and getting to know them.  I only wish there was more time!

Creating local solutions to national problems - by riding waves!  STOKED!!

-taken from Waves for Chage facebook page. 

Chillin at Bailey's Surf Shack

This is Bailey.  Baxter is in the background.

David, Sarah, Rachel, David and Bailey

Little grom heading out for a surf. 

What a great place to be!!

Special thanks go to 
1 - Jonathan and Layne Grime - for their special visit, and teamwork skills  
2  - Steven Schallert - for teaching and sharing your heart  
3 - Mathu Thomason and his crew for lessons on leadership and bringing refreshment and love to us!

-Christmas soon-

Athens and Amsterdam

This blog post is being written on a train ride to Paris.  Europe has really left it’s mark on  me.  I’ve fallen in love with this culture, and it’s people.  Greece and The Netherlands came as a welcomed change from the previous countries we visited this year.

The public transportation is a real step-up.  I’d even go as far as to say that a European train ride is rather enjoyable.  After many trips from Amsterdam to up north or down south almost every weekend I never got bored or uncomfortable.  There is even a quiet section, and section you can take your bike.  These things would never be possible in the over-crowded trains and buses of South America or Indonesia.  However, a two hour bus ride in Peru costs maybe two soles, but a two hour train ride in Europe is about twenty-three Euros.  Yikes!

 Sarah and I at the molen (windmill) in Harkstede during a weekend visit with my family.

 This is my bicycle, Herman.  He was a necessity in Amsterdam.

 Rachel patiently waiting for our boat to get fixed up for our ride through the canals of Amsterdam.

 Cars and cyclists waiting as a lift bridge allows boats to pass by.

The Three Sister's Pub in Groningen.

Greece is a beautiful country.  It is currently in a debt-crisis, and therefore mostly everything is cheap.  We stayed in downtown Athens for two weeks and ventured south to the Temple of Poseidon and to Corinth on weekends.  Adam King, from my home-town Brantford, came to teach us.  We learned about marketing, made a magazine, further developed our website, and made a promo-video for Amsterdam.  Every student also developed relationships with people and wrote a photo-story on that person.

The debt crisis in Greece has left the country and it’s people in a hopeless situation.  We met with closed-doors and boarded up windows where what used to be a thriving local business.  People live on the streets everywhere you turn not to mention most of the downtown streets were used as the public toilet.  Our bed and breakfast was on the corner where the prostitutes ran their business.  The days were hot, and the nights were cozy warm, but there was this lingering sense of uneasiness in the air.

The population of homeless people astounded me.  I felt sympathy for those living on the streets who could have been forced there through financial difficulties.  I wondered what it would be like to go from the top of the heap to sleeping on the street.  So, one night, we decided to experience it for ourselves.  We went out late at night armed with only one thing in our pockets, and vowed not to return to our residence until 8am.  We found a park, and some benches.  When the temperature took an unexpected drop, the item in my pocket turned out to be very useful - a pair of socks.  We tried to find card-board or plastic or an assortment of items to keep us warm.  I laughed at the predicament we were in when, while rooting through trash at a restaurant, we found a jackpot... there was a pre-loaded grocery cart with a bunch of warm looking card board and other fun things.  Then as we tried to free some of the cardboard from it’s bonds the thought occurred that we might be looting some other poor guys cart, and laughed as we walked away defeated.  Long story short, sleep was sparse that night and I woke up to a dog licking my face.  To those homeless people who experience this night after night, I have a new respect for you.  

Amsterdam was a new city altogether.  I have never seen a city so clean and put-together.  Every piece of land and space is used to it’s maximum potential, but not in a squishy way.  I would describe it using the Dutch word “hazelleg”  meaning cozy, quaint, comfortable (or something like that).  The canals weave their way through the city and flowers bloom in the window boxes.  Everyone rides bicycles, rain or shine.  In Amsterdam we lived a two minute walk from Central Station and a one minute walk from the largest red light district.  It was the perfect spot to work on our documentary, “Behind the Curtain”.

As new “video-producers” this documentary on Amsterdam’s notorious Red Light District was a large under-taking.  We met with people who shed some light on what really goes on ‘behind the curtain’ in this seemingly free-choice and tolerant lifestyle.  Day after day while editing the video, I heard the stories of a trafficking victim and an ex-pimp describing the horrors of how deceiving the freedom of legalized prostitution can be.  My heart broke for the girls standing behind the windows.  Personally, for me, this video was tough.  The more I thought about it, the bigger the problem got with no resolve or solution in sight.  At one point I caught myself asking, “What is the point of making this documentary?  Will it even change anything?  How can a documentary help the girls who are trapped in the sex industry?”

Adam King wrote me some encouragement about the subject.  He compared our documentary to being one brick in an entire wall of change.  It’s not up to us to build the entire wall in one shot — that view would leave anyone defeated.  Instead, the wall is built one brick at a time, and each little bit counts.

We called the documentary
"Behind the Curtain"

Music is by IAM studios in Brantford, ON.

Amsterdam

Working Hard On Making Change

Team Amsterdam is working on making an mini documentary about the pending law changes regarding prostitution in the Netherlands.

We also created a new team website.  It features stories that we have collected throughout our travels.

www.what-is-missing.com

The Middle East

   After spending two weeks in Jerusalem and two weeks in Bethlehem we took flight to Greece.
I have to admit, I was more than ready to leave the Middle East.

   As much as I loved to experience and see with my own eyes the biblical history and places where Jesus had walked, it became tiresome to be inbetween the constant religious tensions.
The old city is divided into 4 unequal "quarters" making separations between the Muslims, Christians, Armenians and Jews.  From a street running between one section and another you could notice a drastic difference in the atmosphere of that area.
   There were also some disappointments in the way some monumental places looked compared to my imaginative "Sunday School" depiction.  Jesus' tomb looked nothing like a carved out cave in a stone wall with an angel sitting atop the giant stone rolled to the side of the entrance.  There was no garden, no path, no cave, no stone and certianly no angels.  Instead, a giant church was erected upon the 'supposed site' and the grave was made into a shrine sort of thing with candles, insense, paintings of the apostles and gold-lined carvings.  People lined up to go inside for their spiritual experience.  I wanted so badly to tell them that Jesus is alive now and they could have an encounter with Him anywhere and anytime they want, but in a place such as Jerusalem, this ancient argument - as old as it is - would be as pointless as fighting fire with gasoline.  The Mount of Olives also looked much different than what I saw in my mind's eye.  Instead of mountain peaks of green grass with random grazing sheep and a few rocks and olive trees here and there, the Mount of Olives was more of a large hill and was covered in graves.

   Through out the time in the Middle East, I learned so much.  My eyes were opened to how real the continual spiritual battle is.  Caleb Thomason taught us firstly about Jesus in the Old Testament, and secondly of Jesus in the New Testament.  Here are some photos from Israel.

The Western Wall (Wailing Wall) with the Dome of the Rock in the background.  The Dome is the Muslim's third most holy place, and the Western Wall is the last remaining wall of the temple built by King Herod.

Caleb Thomason leans against an Olive tree while teaching outside the Old City of Jerusalem.  Outdoor classes were pretty distracting, but so cool.

Our group sits near Jaffa gate for class.  It was pretty cool to study the Bible in a place like Jerusalem.

The Dome of the Rock with the Mount of Olives in the background.  This was the view from the "New  Petra Hostel" in the Old City, Jerusalem.

Yasif was very friendly and offered for me to take a photo of him.

Some encouragement from a fellow monk outside the Garden of Gathsemane.

The Garden of Gathsemane.

A Jewish man visits some graves on the Mount of Olives.

Three Muslim ladies walk throughout the Old City of Jerusalem.

In the Muslim quarter we found many kids playing with toy guns.

In the Church of the Holy Sepulchre a woman lights candles near the place where Mary Met Jesus after the resurection.

Walking throughout the Old City, Jerusalem.  People watching was one of my favourite things to do.

 mmm.. good food!

 Having a traditional Shabbot meal with some people we met at the wailing wall.

 Visitng the nativity church in Bethlehem.

 Some relics from inside the nativity church.

 Streets of the Old City, Jerusalem.

 On their way to the synagogue.

 Walking to our hostel at night.  This is the outside wall of the Old City, near Jaffa gate.

 Some more streets of the Old City in Jerusalem.

 Nearing the Church of the Holy Sepulchre.

 The Dead Sea on the Jordan side.

 Ancient Ruins of Jerash.

 Visiting the Citadel in Amman, Jordan.

Walking the streets of Amman, Jordan.

Blog post about Greece coming up soon!!