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The Spirit of Giving and Caring

Today, I volunteered for the Action Terroriste Socialement Acceptable (ATSA). Translated in English, it means Terrorist Action Socially Acceptable. I was assigned to the clothing distribution table and loved the experience.

We have so many prejudices against homeless people. Today, as I was distributed clothes to the needy, I thought them quit nice. They seem just so happy to be able to get some warm clothes before the snow fall.

ATSA have organised the State of Emergency which take place for 5 days, with shelters, food distribution, care and artistic shows 24/24 for 5 days.

It aims at bringing awareness to the local.

I got to talk to a few people and it had been a nice chat. One of them came to my friend and I and talked about how people keeps looking down on them and shouldn't. The news talk about their miseries, labelled them "itinerant" and he didn't like that. He told us that he was one, but got out of it and we should talk about those who succeed in getting out of the streets.

I also got the chance to talk to a guy named Philippe. He has a degree in literature, but decided that he was going to be a street worker instead, dealing with kids in the streets. It was so much more valuable. He's been doing that for two years now and got some CEGEP students in social work to volunteer some of their time for the State of Emergency. He said that many students asked him how they should be dressed for the volunteer work, if they should be dressed "crappily"... Not all the people in the street looks awkward!

I remember many people were "picky" on the clothes we gave them, and one said, "it's not because we live in the streets that we can wear anything". They do care about their image and the way they look.

It's been a very gratifying experience. I felt that they were glad to get some new clothes and I must admit, the clothes we receive were really nice. Although they were second hand, I am pleasantly surprise that the clothing were quit modern, adapted to everyone.

For more information:

http://www.atsa.qc.ca/projs/eu09/uk/motatsa.html

November 27, 2009 | 12:01 AM Comments  0 comments

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Selfless act of generosity
Translations available in: English (original) | French | Spanish | Italian | German | Portuguese | Swedish | Russian | Dutch | Arabic

I just wanted to share this with you guys.

A few days ago, as I was sited in the subway on my way to meet a friend, I witnessed something that marked me.

As we entered Sherbrooke station, all the passengers and I heard a big noise, like someone just being hit by the train. Actually, a drunken guy crashed in the moving wagon, it made a terrible sound... Lots of people stood up at once to look out the window to see what was going on.

Then, the door opened and the guy felt, face first, into our train. He was about 40is, dirty looking, his clothes covered with vomit. All the persons on my side of the wagon just left their seats or stand and rush on the other side...

Right behind the drunkard, a guy in his 20s was helping him out. They just met at the station...

The asked if anyone has a cellphone so that he can get an ambulance to check on the guy, but everyone gave a negative answer or didn't even seem to want to help out.

At the next station, although he was on his way elsewhere, he still help the poor guy, leading the way up the station to seek for help...

That's where my story ends.

While all these unfolded in front of my eyes, I sat still on my seat in the subway... I couldn't help much, no cell, no medical training... But that guy, that helped the other one, made me realize that there is still some good in this big, fast-pace city. Some people do take the time to help one another, although they were perfect strangers.

It was a selfless act of generosity.

September 14, 2009 | 2:08 AM Comments  1 comments

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Two months in Spain, 20 days in the rest of Europe
Translations available in: English (original) | French | Spanish | Italian | German | Portuguese | Swedish | Russian | Dutch | Arabic

The past three months has been intense. I first decided to leave my hometown for a while as I was starting to be edgy, staying here for such a long time (meaning two months for me!). As I'm starting to forget my Spanish and need it to work in Latin America, and I've always dreamt visiting Europe, I told myself, why not visit Europe while studying Spanish in Spain.

It was one of the best things that I can have choose for myself. I was free again, travelling the world, meeting new people and enjoying life at its utter best.

So on D-Day, I arrived in France, but had to miss the ceremony of the 65th anniversary of the landing. I rushed and catched my flight just in time for Madrid, after an eternal wait to get in the Schoegen Area. From Madrid, I have to work my way around the metro to find the Estacion Sur.

These were two of the best months in my life. I met incredible people from all around the world. I was surprised at the number of Japanese people studying Spanish over there. I got to visit a few cities in Spain with school and went to Portugal visiting relatives I've never met.

After my two months in Salamanca, I headed to France and visited the place I've always wanted to go, that is the Juno Beach Centre, locating in Courseulles-sur-Mer. I have a profound interest in Canadian military interest and especially during the Second World War. I spent a few hours wandering around the area and just loved it. It's just so peaceful now, and the beach so beautiful. Thinking back on how those poor soldiers had suffered, I'm glad that they kept some vestiges such as the bunkers and made a few memorials to commemorate those who died in the name of freedom. We shall not forget them, they must not have died in vain. We are just do lucky nowaday.

...

August 27, 2009 | 8:18 PM Comments  0 comments



Intensif month in China
Related to country: China

Translations available in: English (original) | French | Spanish | Italian | German | Portuguese | Swedish | Russian | Dutch | Arabic

To be completed...

Last month, I had the incredible chance of going to visit China, where my roots lie. It was my very first time setting foot in the country and I came back to Canada, changed.

My perception about China differed a lot from the China I have always heard of in the news, in school, in book and in movies. My family used to tell me a lot of stories about their native land and I had come to believe that China was, all in all, the China they were telling me about... However, things have changed a lot since they last went back...

What I've discovered was beyond my expectations. I went to the countryside in southern Guangdong, in the search of my ancestors' hometown. I got the chance to go where few tourists would ever go. I went way back in the countryside, in the rural area where only few houses stood, grouped in little communes. Then, I knew exactly what my mom has always told me about her "home", the home of her childhood. Although it had went through major construction, the atmosphere of the commune was one of sadness and hardship. Things have changed, yes... But they still cultivate the lands, trying to find a good way of living...

November 20, 2008 | 2:36 AM Comments  0 comments

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Quito, Ecuador
Related to country: Ecuador

Translations available in: English (original) | French | Spanish | Italian | German | Portuguese | Swedish | Russian | Dutch | Arabic

In my last year of university, I had the urge to visit a country in Latin America to discover how life was over there. I also wanted to see a bit more of the world, see from my own eyes how things are instead of just sitting in class and listening to my professors lecture about it.

So, a few months before leaving, I considered my options and chose Quito, Ecuador, nested in a valley at some 2800 feets above the sea, right next to the volcanoes. You can bet that breathing was hard the first few days I arrived! Especially where my host family lives uphill of the the city.

I heard that the Ecuadorians are people that speak Spanish in a "despacio" way, thus it might help for the understanding as my Spanish back then wasn't that great. So that was a plus for me.

I thought myself well-prepared for that kind of trip... But was awaited me what more overwhelming than expected. I have to admit now that I was a bit shocked. As I browsed through the streets of the city, I felt a bit insecure. Not the same feeling as when I walked here in Canada. I remember my hostmom telling me to be back by 5pm, at the latest 6pm, because then, it was pretty dangerous to walk around. And if I get home later, just take a taxi. This didn't help me at all...

In the daytime, I saw lots of kids, as young as four carrying their baby brother or sister on their back begging for money. I believe that most of them are Quechua, local aboriginal. I could just feel my heart break. They were tiny and they would stretch out their little dirty hands in the hope to get a bit of spare change. I could see the gap between the richer and the poorer, you can't miss it.

There were also a lots of stray dogs in the streets. Some of them are in a pretty bad shape. Either they had been starved and you can actually see the bones through their skins, either they were involved in a fight and are covered of scars and injuries, or even both. I was pretty afraid of them, I had been warned against rabbies and dog attacks. Still, I decided to go to Ecuador...

Overall, I did enjoy my trip to Quito, Ecuador. I learnt a lot, more than any book can tell me. This was the trip of a lifetime.

Although at the time, I was pretty suspicious of everything/everyone and was feeling quit insecure, now that I reflect upon it, there were a lots of nice people who did help me. The people, overall, are welcoming and curious people. I remember someone in a "phone booth" asking me where I was from and was very curious about my background.

I also remember that Ecuadorian girl who went to study at York University at that time, she has been so nice to me and gave me her phone number and email, just in case I needed help or anything.

I could also have went into one of those "chifas" (Chinese restaurants, they were everywhere!) and talk to local Chinese people. I'm quit sure that it would have been interesting.

However, as my first real trip out of the "known", I tend to hang out more with foreigners than the locals. Next time, I'll know better... It had been a quit exciting trip.

January 1, 2008 | 11:52 PM Comments  0 comments





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