Journal

The first day of our road trip around the Gaspésie Peninsula, Caroline asked me my intentions for our time away. I had turned my cellphone off the night before, which it would remain for the duration of our two week trip. Our directions would be provided by a paper map and asking locals. Perhaps it stems from a nostalgia for a simpler time, but my heart tells me it comes from a desire to think deeper and to connect more profoundly with myself and the world around me.

I replied to be present and observant. I didn’t want to be pulled out of my peaceful maritime surroundings by notifications and emails from back home. I would be back soon enough, and I would answer upon my return.

I wanted to breathe deep, to fully observe the nature around me, and experience what lay on our path.

We drove the coast in counterclockwise direction so we would always be driving on the ocean side of the highway. Looking out over the endless expanse of crystal blue, it was difficult at times to distinguish the horizon line, the colour of the water blending seamlessly into the sky.

In limiting our access to information we’re left to wonder. The easy answers provided by the internet and artificial intelligence tempt us to avoid the time-consuming work of deep thought and introspection. Why think for 10 days when you can get a response from ChatGPT in 10 seconds?

Exposure to the variety and grandeur of nature that this country has to offer tends to reinforce in me my deep fondness for time spent in the outdoors. When I’m living closer to nature, I find myself following a more natural rhythm, my sleeping patterns following the sun and the stars. Detaching from the internet and screened devices this trip further pushed me to follow my intuition.

Gaspésie feels an apt place for such an experiment. Along our course we were charmed by the cordiality we encountered amongst locals. It felt somehow vintage to witness fellow customers say hello to one another in the stores.

We passed through a small fishing town nearing the end of our trip to go to a thrift store inside the local church. One customer was telling the volunteer working the cash about the bounty of chanterelles she had picked on her property. I saw Caroline’s eyes lit up. Somehow the customer noticed and offered to go pick us some and a few moments later returned with a brown paper bag containing a few handfuls of the brilliant orange mushrooms.

Maybe there’s something we can learn from paying attention to the past ways of doing things. As with any holiday, it’s easy to fall back into routine upon returning home, resuming where you left off. When we go back home, I hope I can bring with me the sort of kindness, patience and generosity I witnessed. And maybe keep my intentions of being present and observant too.

I read Into the Wild a few years ago and ever since, it has been one of my most frequently recommended books to friends. While an unfortunate tale, I find the protagonist’s ideals in the right place and inspiring in response to our current society.

During my read, I remember his quoting Thoreau, “rather than love, than money, than fame, give me truth.” Since then I have often encountered quotes from the author’s infamous work Walden. After finally getting around to reading, I realized why his writing is so quotable and profound.

I had tried to get into the book a couple years ago but it failed to capture my attention. However I tried again last month and I was struck by the beauty in his writings and his ability to portray the ordinary most poetically.

While there were certain passages that showed their age more than others, the values put forth feel just as relevant today as when they were written. His philosophy which advocates for simplicity and reconnecting with nature remind me of more modern minimalist philosophy, with which I am both familiar and aligned.

In my reading, it reaffirmed certain notions I already felt — the value of spending time in nature, making things yourself, being content with what you have — as well as shined light on certain others which I hadn’t thought of as much — rediscovering your childlike curiosity, . It’s a short book, but dense with wisdom, and after reading, the copy which I had borrowed from the library was swollen with sticky notes. I felt moved by Thoreau’s work and compelled to engage with it through my own. Below are my 8 drawings I made inspired by a few of my favourite passages of the book.