Arrival to the Beginning: Tuum Est

Attending the University of British Columbia (UBC) for 5 years = $21,401.00 ; getting through all those 5 years = 42 classes, 100+ research papers, 100+ "all- nighters" (staying awake all night long writing), 1000 pages written (300,000 words), 1000+ books and (N= x + y) research articles read, 25 presentations, 15+ conferences, 84 exams, 4 campus-wide Canoe Championships, 1000+ beers, 2 European expeditions, a 7-week lost-in-translation experience in China, a 10-day life-changing silent Buddhist retreat in the middle of nowhere (everywhere), a 2-year high school rowing coaching career experience, the creation of a non-profit non-governmental organization (CDI), a 4-year old beard, 3 girlfriends, 6 jobs (with both terrible and excellent bosses), a network of hundreds of friends and colleagues from all over the world (literally), and a combination of stress and depression, euphoria and happiness, music and laughter, knowledge and wisdom (understanding) ; leaving my mark within the walls of Beta Theta Pi while sharing key moments with my brother + finishing off a BA in one of the top 30 universities in the world and being ready to explore the globe and make a difference = P R I C E L E SS!!!!!!

Most important lesson learned: Tuum Est (It's yours) - "Life is what you make of it; strive not to let your dreams just be dreams". - Iker

The Blue Parrot: One Year Later

So it’s been a few days since my last post, and considering that I started working at the Blue Parrot down at Granville Island roughly one year ago, I’ve decided to write my next entry about my experience working there. It’s amazing how fast time passes by when you’re having fun. I have just finished my shift and I’ve decided to take a moment to put into writing some of the most memorable experiences I’ve had while making lattes and cappuccinos at one of Vancouver’s (and arguably the world’s) most spectacular locations to enjoy a perfect afternoon while overlooking the sunset at English Bay, the Burrard Street Bridge, and watching sailors, kayakers, and rowers come in and out of False Creek.

This particular location holds a great deal of unforgettable memories for me. Not only does it remind me of the many weekends spent with my family biking around the Stanley Park seawall and taking the Aqua-Bus to Granville Island for lunch, but it also reminds me of the five high-school years I spent rowing at the Creek for Vancouver College both in the mornings (from 5:30 – 7:30 a.m.) and the afternoons (3:30 – 5:30 p.m.) * 7 days/week, and my recent two years volunteering to coach the grade 8’s. Further, it reminds me of the many weekends I spent working on my beloved red sailboat (one day I’ll get you back) at the Burrard Civic Marina. Indeed, False Creek has been a second-home to me. I have even thrown fundraisers close by, and taken every single girl I’ve taken on a first date there.

If you’ve had the fortune of paying me a visit at the Island to enjoy a delicious beverage (usually on me) while sitting on the bar and trying to keep up a conversation while I keep myself busy attending customers and working on Franke and La Cimbali (the espresso machines), I am sure you’ve come to understand some of the many reasons why I absolutely love working here. Not only do massive windows, which allow me to feel as if I am working outdoors, surround me but I also have the chance to face the water and witness some of the numerous activities that are happening around the island. Whether it is seeing musicians and magicians entertain all the tourists that come down on a daily-basis, or the rowers, kayakers, and dragon-boaters going up and down False Creek, and the hundreds of pigeons flying loops around the island waiting to be fed by a little kid. To say nothing about the baaabes that I get to see and meet (I even got to date one of them for the past three months… Thank You for changing coffee shops for me Danielle, you certainly made coming to work that much more enjoyable).

I have learned a great deal while working here. The fact of the matter is that I’ve come to enjoy being much more than just a barista. Suffice to say that my job has come to entail also being a psychologist/anthropologist/touristguide/babysitter/translator/inspirational speaker/and just about anything else you can imagine (a new category may be added on a daily-basis). This is what makes it so enjoyable. The randomness. The unpredictability. The amazing individuals I’ve come to meet. The ongoing opportunity I have to expand my network of connections for the not-so-distant-future. Some of the highlights include befriending the executive chef from the Four Seasons Hotel, meeting one of the builders of the beloved Stanley Park seawall (back in 1978), making a latte for David Suzuki along with numerous former Professors, friends, and local artists, or simply talking to perfect strangers whom I may never come to meet again and yet have profoundly affected my perspective and outlook on life.

Although, it is evident that one does not make a fortune by making lattes at a small coffee shop, the people I’ve come to meet, and the continuous opportunity to observe and learn from all the individuals I encounter on any given day is unquestionably priceless. Of course, how could I forget the amazing co-workers I’ve come to work with, especially all those who have come and gone, and are currently traveling the world (Bonnie, Charlotte, Laura, Ryoko, Tomo).

I will never forget those customers who are so desperate to get their caffeine-fix in order to “function” properly. It is hard to believe how much a cup of coffee or a shot of espresso (or at times, a large dark coffee with FOUR shots of espresso) actually means to some (many) people… Oh and how could I forget noting the customers who ask, “Where are the lids, napkins, milk, splenda,” etc... without realizing that “x” is right IN FRONT of them…yes, it’s eFing UNBELIEVABLE! Or all those who speak Starbucks-lingo (you know…tall, grande, venti) thinking they’re cool and “sophisticated” and yet cannot pronounce macchiato properly and are disappointed to hear that we carry small, medium, and large sizes…(what’s the eFing difference dude? F!) But come to think about it… that actually makes my day! It’s the tip of the day that I get—if you will. Yes, being the “observer” behind the counter (the Anthropologist).

Lastly, a quick note on one of my closing shift’s favorite activities—sweeping. There’s something about sweeping the hardwood floors surrounding the Blue Parrot that is so… therapeutic. It’s almost like a meditation. Come to think about it, it IS a meditation. You know the drill—sweep, sweep, sweep—without thinking about anything in particular other than simply moving dirt around (and fries, and migajas, and pennies, that are lying around). Indeed, being the lucky last pair of feet that gets to stand on those clean floors as they patiently wait to be stepped-on again by perfect strangers the following morning.

Note to reader: If you haven’t already done so (or even if you have), I suggest you come down and say HOLA! I’ll only be here for a few more weeks, and then it’s SAYONARA to YOU and VANCOUVER! My adventure to Japan is just around the corner, I really hope I have the privilege of sharing a perfect afternoon with you all before my departure. Come find me! You know where I am.

Let the Dance Go On: The “Spirit Dancer” in Scotland – Season II

For many of us, this month not only brings with it the culmination of a defining chapter in the story of our lives, but also marks the beginning of what’s about to unfold. From a personal standpoint, this month highlights an affirmation to everything I’ve dreamed of becoming, highlighting the irrefutable fact that “impossible is nothing” so long as you don’t allow your dreams to simply be dreams. Indeed, this month reminds me that I can get anywhere from here.

Last June, I had the privilege of taking part in Season I of the Circumnavigation of the British Isles Expedition on board of the “Spirit Dancer” canoe along with an outstanding team of UBC students. It’s hard to believe that a year has passed since we embarked on our adventure and paddled close to 200 NM of the English Channel waters as we navigated around the South Western British coastline. Since final exams ended, I have finally found the time to slowly digest the magnitude and importance of our crew’s epic journey from Salcombe (Devon) to Foey (Cornwall). Looking over some the thousands of pictures we took documenting this treacherous stretch of coastline along with the numerous welcoming communities we came to meet and made historic connections with, I begin to realize that what our crew came to experience throughout our voyage is indeed irreplaceable. Suffice to say that for me, our two-week expedition not only became the realization of a three-year dream I had envisioned since coming across that newspaper article in ‘The Province’ back in 2006, but has also provided me with a platform from which much is yet to come in the upcoming future.

In a few hours from now (05/V/09), the Spirit Dancer will set sail from Glasgow, Scotland, for its second season of the circumnavigation expedition as it “dances” in Scottish waters and makes historic connections with many of the communities which will come to cross paths with it. On behalf of the UBC 08’ Expedition Team, I’d like to wish safe waters to all those crews that are currently awaiting to get their hands on those beautiful paddles and let the Spirit Dancer gain life once again after a year of patient seclusion in Falmouth following the end of the first season.

I sincerely hope that each of you will take this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to savor the essence of each moment aboard that canoe and the warm of all the individuals you’ll come to meet throughout your journey. I hope you welcome the many challenges that you’ll encounter with open arms and come to understand that this journey (as in life) is not about turning your back to the storm but learning to dance under whatever conditions the sky sets before you.

I hope you learn to listen to what the breeze comes to tell you along with the magnificent seascape and stretch of coastline which so many historic sailors and explorers once saw for the very first time. Whether you are aware of it or not, I can assure you that many of them are still there, paddling among you, while at the same time guiding and protecting you away from danger. Most importantly, however, teaching you that there is nothing more lively than living the moment in the face of ‘uncertainty’ and ‘unpredictability’; reminding you that there’s nothing more valuable than the FREEDOM and ONENESS that is experienced while paddling to the rhythm of the moment. Let your paddles become an extension of your being and remember that whether those of us who have come to be involved in this expedition (be it directly or indirectly) are there physically or not, we too are paddling among you. Indeed, our spirit dances on with you.

With you on the journey,

Iker Gomez Goroztieta

PS - As I begin to reflect more on some of the most unforgettable events which took place during our particular leg of the first season, I'll be sure to upload stories along with pictures and video from our expedition. Stay tuned!

For an up-to-date coverage of Season II, visit the official website:

http://www.spiritdancercanoejourneys.ca/index.html

For a general idea of the UBC Expedition Team from 08’ along with its crew members’ profiles, visit:

http://www.ukexpeditions-teamubc.net/index.html

Marking the end... of the BEGINNING.

According to Lao Tzu, "A journey of a thousand li (miles) starts from where one stands". Over the past number of years, several stellar individuals (both young and old) have asked me to create a blog. Considering that this month will mark the end of one of the most important milestones of my life, I've decided that starting a blog on the first day of May could perhaps be the best way to celebrate the BEGINNING of yet another chapter of the story of my life. If you know me well, then chances are that you are well aware of the fact that I love to write. Some of you may even know that I'm currently writing a book.

Ever since I was thirteen years old and moved to Vancouver, I have always carried a pen and paper with me everywhere I've gone. Whether it's been from the top of the Rocky Mountains to a sailboat in the middle of English Bay, from the pyramids of Teotihuacan, Monte Alban, and Tulum to las Ramblas de Barcelona, or from the Great Wall of China to Stonehenge and the Celtic shores of Cornwall, England (to name a few), I have written it all down. There have been days when I've chosen living the moment over writing much; however, there have been occasions wherein I've actually run out of space trying to write down my thoughts about particular issues, frustrations, quotations, discoveries, insights, and realizations. Thus, over the past decade I have accumulated a diverse collection of words, sentences, and ideas that really don't mean much if they simply just sit there "waiting" to one day be shared. Well, waiting time is up! I am convinced that there is no better time to share than NOW. So starting today, I hereby pledge to put it all on the table - right in front of your eyes.

What will I write about you ask? Well, the truth is... I'm not entirely sure! I suppose that time will reveal what will come ahead. For NOW, the only task is to continue. To let the ball begin to roll. To let it catch momentum. A momentum of inspiration, of debate, of agreeing and disagreeing. To provide a platform for exploration through consideration. Yes! This blog is dedicated to YOU, whomever you are! Regardless of how close or distant you are from where I currently am, I give you THIS. Visit it whenever you want, wherever you are. Feel free to comment, debate, and share whatever you like. The only thing I ask in return is to help me keep the ball rolling. Help me increase its momentum. Pass it forward. Learn. Unlearn. Reflect. Play. Be.

Bienvenidos al final... del COMIENZO!