'Real friends...[are t]he ones who go into the forest to find you and bring you home.' -Mindy Kaling
1984
I joined the government-run youth group Katimavik. As a self-described loner, I joined to see and serve Canada. I also had trouble taking my next step after high school and thought Katimavik could open more doors for me. As a participant, I lived communally while volunteering in three Canadian provinces--Newfoundland, Ontario, and Quebec.
In the final months of Katimavik, all the participants in my group contributed to a book of memories. As most of the group was from English Canada, all but three (or more accurately two and a half) contributions were written in English.
2011
I began writing a memoir about my experiences as a Katimavik participant.
2022
I asked my friend Manon to translate the French contributions in the Katimavik book.
Manon supplied me with the translations and suggested I get back in touch with my group.
I immediately rejected that idea. They don't want to see me again, I told myself.
Manon said something like, "I've gotten to know Brigitte through her writing and I'd like to get to know her better."
I promised Manon that I would try to find Brigitte. It didn't take much online digging to unearth Brigitte's email address.
Manon contacted Brigitte and "CC"ed me. So Brigitte replied to Manon and me. In her reply, Brigitte told me that our group had a Facebook page and invited me to join. I thought about doing that for two seconds but put it on the back burner. Before I knew what was happening, Brigitte had reunited me with the group. And... And reunion plans began to be set in motion.
2024
Southern Ontario
Linda and I took a Flair plane from Winnipeg to Toronto. Linda became my travel buddy throughout this part of the trip. If you have travel anxiety... If you have dyslexia... I highly recommend a travel buddy. Being a travel buddy has its challenges but Linda was a master. In Toronto, we claimed our bags and --. I discovered that I no longer had my purse. Huh? No sunglasses. No cellphone. No wallet. No ID. Oops.
Okay so... How did that happen?
Well...My purse was tiny and I had planned to wear it on board but the flight attendant insisted that I stow it under the seat. I had two options--put it in my cloth bag or on my backpack. I put my tiny purse on top of my backpack but told myself that I had put it in my cloth bag. And so when I went to disembark, I grabbed my cloth bag and backpack and my tiny purse tumbled farther under the seat. It lay there, unseen by all--except, thankfully, by another passenger. He brought it to Flair's Lost and Found. The passenger found Linda and me and told us what he had done. So all Linda and I had to do was pick the tiny purse up from Flair'a Lost and Found. All...? Yeah, right. The trouble was that Flair's Lost and Found was only open when they had a plane in the air. No plane was in the air so the Lost and Found was closed. Linda and I raced around the airport from Information to the Flair check-in and back. We even divided to try to conquer. All, the time I'm telling myself happy tales like I'll never see the purse again and even if a miracle happens and I do retrieve it nothing Nothing of value will be inside. But unbenounced to Linda and me, a flight attendant was working very hard to solve a mystery--where exactly is Leanne Dyck? She found my cellphone and used it to phone my recent contacts. My recent contacts also phoned me. Everyone was working hard to solve the mystery. And yet I thought I was alone. Finally, the flight attendant phoned Linda and... The mystery was solved. The flight attendant gave me back my sunglasses, cellphone, wallet, ID and everything of value that I had put in the purse and she gave me back my purse. I gave her a smile that stretched from ear to ear. And Linda even had the presence of mind to offer her money but the hard-working flight attendant refused to accept it--all in a day's work.
Relieved, Linda and I continued our journey. This time we took a train (it would have been called a Skytrain in BC) to terminal one. Eventually, the Flexbus arrived and took us to London, Ontario. Linda and I were charmed by the picturesque small (population of 10,000) city. We were charmed by the city and pampered by the luxurious Park Hotel. And...
photo by ldyck
Jack Astor'sWhile in London, Ontario, my friend Linda and I ate at Jack Astor's. Rooftop dining offered picturesque views of the charming city. Mandy, our server, gave prompt, fun, responsive service. The food was delicious! I highly recommend Jack Astor.
In our room at the Park Hotel, I finally had a chance to review my cellphone messages. And I'm still very sorry I put through all that Jerry.
We spent the day sightseeing in beautiful London. A highlight was visiting beautiful Eldon house--the oldest house in London, Ontario.
Linda and I ate supper at Jack Astor's and then at 6 PM my friend Jerry drove us to Walden Place (a walking distance from Grand Bend).
photo by Linda
Jerry (our volunteer driver) and Me
Jerry got this Katimavik sign specially made for the reunion.
If I could have I would have stuffed it into my suitcase.
(Note: bring a bigger suitcase)
The Reunion
May 23 to 27
Group house in Whalen Place, Ontario
Linda, Fani, and Me
Back row: Lorrie, Rich (Angie's husband), Angie, me, Sandi, Denis, Brigitte, Jerry
Front row: Lise, Fani (Tim's wife), Tim, Linda (my travel buddy)
I'm finding it hard to summarize the reunion, but Angie (see above) wrote a beautiful summary...
'A writer is someone for whom writing is more difficult than it is for other people.' -Thomas Mann
Angela Giacomelli wrote...
We had an incredible good time. We never starved and we laughed from sunrise to sundown! We learned that distance and time have no interference between the bond of a group of kids from across our beloved country Canada. Our time spent together after 40 years apart was truly magical and a testament to our enduring friendship now and always. We all still agree how much we loved the Katimavik program and how it helped make way for our futures!
Me, Jerry and Sandi
Keep partying, my Katimavik family
Until next time...
Travel Tips...
-take a graphic novel. I was given Hyperbole and a Half by Allie Brosh. It made the perfect travel companion.
-for those who are dyslexic and, or have travel anxiety, I recommend a travel buddy (someone to travel with)
-pack all liquids in checked baggage
-take a neck pillow and a butt cushion
-pack light--all of your clothes should easily fit in your suitcase with room leftover. You will no doubt acquire more items.
-celebrate the end of your trip by taking yourself to a day spa
Next Sunday...
I celebrate Indigenous Peoples Day on this blog
