Lethbridge, Alberta
Beating the Pride
The wind was beating hard on the pride today. The additional gusts created by the transport-trailer could almost throw you off. At spots I had to struggle to keep that balance. My rationale simply kept saying that it’s a good beating because that's what pride deserves.
The day on the road began at Coaldale. It's 4 AM. A local street-cleaner in his truck pulled over and asked if I wanted a ride. I told him I'm trekking across Canada, "No rides for me, thanks!"
"Really, and you're doing it in those crocs?"
"Well, it's good to have lightness on the feet," I said.
The Crowsnest Pass, or Highway 3, had been consistently an ego basher with intense traffic. The only relief was a short three kilometre stretch amidst the Coulees along Old Man River and under a railway bridge, "the longest and tallest of its kind in the world," said a park personnel. "The engineer's life ended in a morbid way. He hung himself. The project was too much pressure for him."
For a good portion of the day I had Karuna with me. He's great company. The last chunk of highway was a dalliance with wind and sun - some dust too.
A pick-up pulled over. It was dust-covered. I figured "here's a farmer." And it was. Out emerged a tall, blonde-haired, blue-eyed, third-generation Dutch chap who introduced himself as Dean Vanden Berg. He said he was Christian and was curious. I offered to say, "I'm a monk from an old tradition - roots from India. Monks in our order spend time walking. It's good for calming pride."
Dean was sweet, even offered a donation for the cause of pilgrimage. I asked him if, being born and raised in Canada, he was into hockey. With a wholesome smile he said, "I'm just always workin." We shook hearty hands and he went on his way.
May the Source be with you!
36 KM
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