Entry 5.1 / 13th to 17th June 2023
The following week involved the activities we had gradually become accustomed to in the days leading up to Sunday. Organising such a large camp required a substantial team, which is why they had us arrive two weeks early.
To mu relief, I was assigned to relatively straightforward tasks such as sorting through and cleaning Lego pieces, moving boxes, and eventually, scraping off names on benches while also cleaning them. Although these tasks might have seemed trivial, as a writer, I understood that even the smallest details contribute to the overall design. So, despite cursing the universe for the challenging task of scraping off names, I embraced the significance of the broader picture.
I was even more grateful to have these tasks instead of sanding down the wooden benches of the stage area. Sometime during the week, on a night after it rained, I experienced a bad hay-fever reaction (referred to as allergies in the USA) within the farm location, which triggered off my low-level asthma. I didn’t know sanding wood would have the same effect, but I was relieved not to find out.
It wasn’t all bad. I got to know a few more co-workers in the process, especially Janet and Ryan, a couple who had decided to work at the camp before their big move to Canada. Initially, I thought they were married due to their closeness and interactions. However, I was surprised to learn that they had only been together for roughly a year.
‘Damn,’ the responsible voice came in, more in awe than shock. ‘Imagine trusting someone that much after a year to move to Canada?’
I smiled, watching the two interact. Good for them.
During the phase of getting to know each other, myself, Janet, Ryan, Lewis, and another co-worker, Alan, listened to music while working on removing names from the benches within the girls’ bunks. The relaxed atmosphere shifted when an iconic song thundered through.
As the beat of ‘We Will Rock You’ picked up, so did we. Setting down our tools, we stomped our feet and slapped our hands at the appropriate times. I laughed as I observed us moving in perfect harmony with the song, feeling uplifted and a bit more free. More connected.
***
The week went on, and my connections with fellow co-workers deepened, especially with Janet and Ryan. I primarily conversed with Ryan about his travels, as he had been to various places. Travel was a hopeless dream for me. I had planned to explore throughout 2020 and managed to visit Amsterdam.
But then the universe had other plans. The world had other plans.
Now that dream became that – a dream.
Interestingly, I found inspiration to travel through a true crime segment. It reminded me of the time I had almost signed up for Camp Leaders (another company for camps in America), and here I was.
“You can definitely do it.” Ryan had told me, his eyes singing with encouragement.
I smiled. “I do want too, but money and work will get in the way.”
“You do know you can work when you’re travelling, right?” Janet piped in with an eyebrow raised.
“Yeah, I know, but that’s more for people who have a solid career. I’m only care worker – or, was. And a writer.” I shrugged, “that’s not a hundred percent a solid career.”
Ryan shook his head. “Not always. Australia doesn’t necessarily require a solid career for their Working Holiday Visa.”
Something in me stood still. My mind rotating to a room I sat in almost a year ago, where the prospect of Australia also came up. “Australia?”
Ryan nodded. “Right now, their requirements are that you work somewhere that adds to their country for at least three months. Like working on a farm. And you don’t have to have all the skills for that as they teach you.”
I thought about it for a moment before a laugh left me. “I couldn’t go to Australia!” I shook my head in disbelief. “The spiders are way too big!”
Ryan laughed, “to be honest it’s not as bad as they make it seem. But I wouldn’t rule it out, especially if you want to travel. You can make some good money out there for that, especially if you work on a farm.”
“Do you really see me doing that?”
“Why not?” Janet asked.
I stopped short of an answer, feeling voices – not my inner monologues but echoes of the past. Voices of people casting doubt, belittling, and disbelief. I had come a long way from those voices; I knew what I was capable of. I had proven it time and time again. Yet, insecurities still lingered, voiced by those irritating echoes. They were akin to cartoon villains, grating against the skin like bricks on a grater.
Could I? I thought, as Ryan and Janet conversed with others nearby as I ate the rest of my dinner.
‘Why not?’ The bright voice repeated.
***