Words from Juan Pablo Tamez-Munoz
Greetings from Tofino!
I'm Juan Pablo Tamez, and I'm thrilled to recount the incredible adventure we embarked on this week. Our journey began bright and early on a Wednesday morning. En route, we made a pit stop at McLean Mill, where we delved into the life of a logging family. Our guide walked us through the intricate steps and processes they undertook. We even got our hands dirty trying out some of the tasks.
After a while, we hit the road again, arriving at our campsite. Setting up camp was a new experience for me, and I acquired this new skill. The first day was all about settling in around the campfire and enjoying a delightful dinner. Each of us took turns preparing meals, which added a fun twist to our stay. Of course, we all pitched in with the dishes too. The next morning, I had the chance to whip up some eggs, a small victory for someone who hadn't cooked breakfast in a while.
With our bathing suits and wetsuits on, we headed to the beach for an early surf session. Little did I know, this would turn out to be the highlight of the trip for me. Surfing was an absolute blast, and I couldn't wait for our session on Saturday. We spent a solid 2 hours riding the waves, receiving valuable guidance from our instructors. Once we were done, a hot shower was a welcome relief. After lunch, we took some time on the beach to reflect in our journals, answering prompts about our experiences.
The rest of the day was spent in leisurely pursuits. As the sun set, we congregated on the beach for games like football, spike ball, and soccer. We returned to camp, gathered around the campfire, and shared stories of our day. The weather had been kind to us, but the nights were chilly. I, for one, found myself wrapped up tight against the cold.
We gathered as a group to discuss our reflections on the Indigenous culture, gearing up for our session with Tla-o-qui-aht Elder and carver, Joe Martin and his daughter Giselle the next day. Friday was a full day, starting with a bus ride to catch a water taxi with Joe. We journeyed to Meares Island, where we absorbed lessons about nature and history. In our first classes, we had studied the history of the protection of the old growth forest by the Nuu-chah-nulth nations, and it was incredible to experience the place first hand. Joe regaled us with stories about how animals played a pivotal role in their lives, and the lives of the Tla-o-qui-aht nation. We also heard about the Indigenous efforts to establish the area as a park, and how resources such as forests and fish are currently being managed.
Later, we visited Joe's carving studio and met his daughter Giselle, who enlightened us about the Tla-o-qui-aht language. It was fascinating to learn how animal sounds contributed to their vocabulary. After the bus ride back, we headed to the beach for some games, relishing the extended time together. With the day drawing to a close, we packed up for our final day, eager for one last surfing session before our departure.
Surfing turned out to be an absolute delight, and I'm already looking forward to doing it again. The trip concluded on a high note with a warm shower and a well-deserved nap. Tofino, you've been a wonderful host! Until next time.
Juan Pablo is a grade 10 student in the Ridgelines & Coastlines program from San Diego.