Peace Belt Canada 2009

PHOTO JOURNAL PART II By Eli

2009-07-06T19:56:00.000-07:00

OK, so we did it! We made it to Canada and back bringing the total number of countries the Peace Belt has traveled through to 17! Now only 178 to go before it is retired in the Smithsonian museum, which will hopefully someday become an international museum where citizens of the world will visit and say, "Wow, can you believe humanity used to live like that? My grandfather used to tell me stories of how chaotic it was before nation states came together to recognize the global country. That was back in the days when people actually feared the clash of civilizations, nuclear war and the end of the world."

Even if I don't experience that beautiful day in my lifetime, I am at least grateful that me and my friends got to play a small part in invoking this spirit of a united Earth and becoming part of the history that will someday grow into a mighty revolution to bring it about. As I told my friend Simon, it will be a wonderful day to travel between the U.S. and Canada and not be charged outlandish data roaming charges for our iPhones. :-) In a not so distant future we'll all connect to a super fast 10G network whether we are in Afghanistan, Zambia or Antarctica. This of course is only an afterthought compared to how good it will feel taking up residence wherever you want on the entire planet and call it your country. You could decide on Somalia for your winter home and then fly to Japan for your summer cottage while not needing a passport to go in-between and not noticing any economic disparity or imbalance in infrastructure between the two regions.

I am very grateful to have played a part as caretaker in the Peace Belt's journey and I look forward to following its travels while counting down as we approach 195 nation states where it will have worked its magic; helping to break down barriers while remove the blinders from people's eyes showing them, that like beads and coins on a belt, we are all bound together on the same planet as one human family towards a common destiny.

The official Peace Belt Website: http://www.artistsforworldpeace.org

Simon with Jamie right before we left on our journey.

Dancers at the drum circles in Montreal.

This is the drummer in the park we got to perform with the Peace Belt.

This is me with the Peace Belt at the Montreal Olympic Stadium.

Jamie helping Madeleine Peyroux figure out what she wanted to wear with the Peace Belt.

Madeleine performing with the Peace Belt. (She had to wear it on her waist so it wouldn't interfere with her guitar playing.)

Group shot with Madeleine Peyroux and her cousin.

Jamie and Simon back stage with Les Belvederes in Saint-Jérôme, Quebec.

Back stage with Vincent Lemay Thivierge.

Les Belvederes performing with the Peace Belt.

Vincent with one of the lead singers for their interview.

Simon and Jamie installing our new and improved Peace Sign.

PHOTO JOURNAL by Eli

2009-07-02T20:13:00.000-07:00

During the course of our journey, I've been documenting some video along the way. The following is a collection of stills from the last week beginning with our ill fated blow out on Friday the 26th.

Here's what happened to the back of the camper.

We were much happier once we picked up our new set of wheels; a Suzuki Sidekick.

We made sure to invoke the power of the 60's for our peace belt mission.

When we made it to the Canadian border, we were ready with our passports.

After Simon introduced us to Poutine and the farms of Quebec, we finally made it to Montreal.

One of the many cool examples of street art we saw in Montreal.

Showing off the Peace Belt to Simon's grandparents.

After checking out Montreal, we headed north towards the ski town of Val David.

It was very mountainous along the way and felt like we were driving in Vermont.

We tried to get in touch with a dancer in Val David who would wear the Peace Belt. Unfortunately she couldn't but we were treated to a free dance performance.

Simon's aunt was kind enough to put us up for the night in Val David. She was very inspired by the story of the Peace Belt.

The next morning, we headed back to Montreal from Val David. Simon took us up to Mount Royal and showed us the spectacular view of the city.

The Quebec flag on left.

View of Montreal from the top.

That evening we headed to another park with the drum circles.

Hundreds of people were riding the wave of energy the drummers were creating.

This girl found a good place to sit in front of the park's statues.

This was the angel statue at the top of the park's central pillar.

At the base of the statues was a quote very appropriate to the Peace Belt's journey.

After stopping downtown for some food, Simon unwittingly scared a pigeon into a pizza place. Fortunately, Simon was kind hearted enough to help the poor critter out. He cornered and finally got ahold of the frightened bird, walked outside and set him free.

Here's a peace sign garden we found at Simon's other grandparents we met.

The next day, we took the Peace Belt to one of the largest cathedrals in Montreal.

The inside of the cathedral was magnificent.

That night, we traveled to downtown Montreal to attend the free Stevie Wonder concert at the International Jazz Festival. The storm clouds threatened and rained on us a bit, but did nothing to stop Stevie Wonder from performing.

Stevie Wonder's daughter was on hand to show off her amazing voice.

Stevie kept the audience participating in most of his songs.

The concert kept us up and dancing well after midnight.

The next day, we celebrated Canada Day and saw some awesome fireworks.

More pictures to come in part 2 of my photo journal.

AND SO THE JOURNEY BEGINS by Jamie

2009-06-29T20:13:00.000-07:00

After loading up the camper at my parent’s home, Simon, Eli and I left with great expectations of an adventurous trip to Canada - and if the first few hours are any indication of what is ahead, then we are bound to have an exciting trip.

About 45 minutes into the drive en route to Montreal, we experienced a near collision with death. The rear tire on the driver’s side popped causing us to fishtail into the Jersey barrier which divided the two halves of the interstate - It was truly a miracle we had not rolled over (Thank God it had not been the front tire!) After stopping the vehicle and making sure we were each okay, we quickly got out to assess the damage. Adrenaline now surging through our bodies, we found ourselves caught between six lanes of highway, and still within Connecticut borders. Our commute prior to the blowout was serene and gave little warning of the day ahead. A car stopped to ask if we were okay and if there was anything that they could do. “Can you call the police?” was my reply as I reached in my purse for my cell phone to call my father. Within two minutes, a state trooper pulled up, then another. As the third joined them, they began joking at our expense and misfortune.

Then came the rain. It started as a sprinkle which seemed to cool things off a bit. As soon as things became comfortable, the sky seemed to open up. Rain came down in sheets as we retreated to our dilapidated camper.