Mayapura, India
The Bruce Trail in Canada
What follows is an article I wrote which was featured in
Padayatra Worldwide magazine:
The image was so vivid—autumn leaves spiralling down from
the heights of hardwoods. Our eyes were
widened to the stark reds, oranges, and yellows. It was captivating. A magical descent. Prettier than snow. Beauty reigned for sure. We saw it also in the lichen, fungi and
mushrooms. David sees it in the wild
ginger. He forged some for the dhal
to be cooked up for later on. For snacks
along the trail, Oksana brought her baked muffins. Jaya, ambling in pace, was quiet, focused on
japa meditation. Gyan is more talkative,
and while in queue behind me, repeated the mantra: "be
careful." At one point along the
rocky trail I had to say, "Please don't mother me." Gyan means well. His consistent smile redeems it for me.
And, there was Christopher, his first day with us. He resembles Jesus, somewhat, with his full
beard. During our trek today, he lost
balance twice, slipped and fell. So did
I fall, but not like the leaves. It was
my first fall since starting the Bruce Trail in the summer of 2018. I'm able to make the time when available, on
which occasion I bring friends.
One day a group of Southeast Asian students came along,
numbering thirty-five. They LOVED it—"It's
all green," said one (it was
summertime). New to them, also, was the
frivolous water fun. After ten kilometres
walking in grand Lake Ontario, "Isn't that an ocean?" asked another.
Challenges: The Bruce
Trail is a 900 kilometre path long the Niagara Escarpment where the terrain is
mostly angular. At one point, the trail,
a creek, the rocks, and leaves all merged.
It is tough to gain foothold. But
for the most part, the day is one of rhapsody.
There are plenty of waterfalls to calm any nerves. I take it back—no challenges. I've done 1/5th of the trail.
The greatest reward of a day like today on a Sunday, October
morning, in 2019, is the culmination of our walk—a visit to a god-brother, Giri
Jadhava, my former sankirtan leader of my early mookhood days. He prepared a great meal for our walking
group. The apple cider was a big hit,
even after a mere nine kilometre hike.
And let it be noted that a walk like this builds up
gratitude.
May the Source be with you!
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