Floating to Café WIM
I prepare carefully. I had memorized a day earlier where to go in the By-ward Market. The finely balanced fruit assembly that goes into the Royal Dutch Breakfast plate. Plenty of fresh fruit in the Market stalls.
At 6:30 am on June 25 1982, the planet had made its 12 hour turn and made the river ripples show a glitter of shiny spikes when looking East. Still early in the summer. A new, fresh, up-and-about animal generation.
Half a banana down a young man pointed at the bench. I waved a hand over the free part of it. I am a Dutchman, my name is Wim. Oh, Cafe WIM? Yes, I am on my way there. My name is Abedabun Meness. Oh, welcome.
This river is impressive. The width of it, coming down from Timiskaming, I said. Yes, in fact from Central Quebec, the point of Capimitchigama. Well, good, had no idea. What is your country of origin? This one Canada, I come from Holland, Canada is good. Abedabun said, the water at our feet lies in the Ottawa Bonnechere Graben. All this water moves through a 175-million-year-old valley, from the time of the last ice age. Kitchissippi. What does the name stand for? He said, Great River. I agree, I am impressed.
The housing along the river was expropriated. People lived in great un- certainty. I know the history. From school? No, I am an Algonquin Indian, we stood. I bowed to him. This land is full of beautiful people, Shook hands.
I sat back, to Dutchman all people who are from outside Holland are warming. Love the colourful faces, the aura of a foreign person. A bit of romantic thrill.
I write this blog page to say you can make a day as good as all this, to go to the Western Parkway, going East and sit for some food along the Kitchisipi, the Great River and leisurely swirl along the Parkway path and meet an aristocrat.
Meness was Chief of Algonquin People in 1982. He didn’t say that he was a son. His whole demeanour, his walk, gestures and fine hands indicated high birth. I tell about that brief meeting because they are part of a lucky and great day.
What is it that made me float along? I can tell you. I plan the night before and leave early. There is no rush, whatever. The feeling of floating is provided by…. my bicycle. From Britannia Village to the City Center: 40 minutes, No racing.
Be at the cafe at 8.00 am is fine. The going to town can also be part of daily exercise, ride the bicycle for 35 minutes. Come at your workstation all fresh ready for useful things to do. In Wintertime go by OC-bus for 3 months.
Of course, you buy a car. A car you really love to have, A dream come true.
Enjoy your smoke and -not water, drink. OR buy a bicycle -about $600.
From time to time rent a van and sleep in Algonquin Park, Sure, why not. A well-oiled, hard tire bicycle. Just for hard reality, car + “goodies”, $9000.-p.yr. There is no exspending on a bicycle, for a car & goodies one does EXSPEND. $9000.- p. yr means not spending $750 p. mo. that put aside for 25 yrs is a house.
An upscale house, free & clear. For Cafe WIM Guests who are a bit further in years – 45(?), add 25 yrs of the most enjoyable living imaginable and ..freedom at the time of retirement. Suck-in good air for 9 months of the year. Feels good.
Prepare next day/ Leave early/ ENJOY the bike and good air/ Stay trim/ GREAT.
Thank you for reading and your patience,
Wim