Tonight I went out for dinner with some of my special friends in Vancouver, Alfonso, Sanjit, and Vero. We met at another favourite, Marcello's, and stuffed ourselves with pasta.
Currently my thoughts are quite occupied with work and friendships in Saskatoon, so I don't often think about "what I'm missing" here on the west coast. After all, I felt let down by friendships here a few years ago. That was part of the reason I moved to the prairies.
But when I experience the warmth of community, and being with interesting, thought-engaging people with whom I have lots in common, I end up missing the west coast. These things - community, thought-engaging friends - I don't have in Saskatoon yet, with the exception of Eric and Francis.
What got me thinking even more about the benefits of living on the west coast, was visiting the Kino Cafe, where Alfonso, Sanjit and I went after dinner and enjoyed just a fantastic evening of rhythm, music, dance, and singing - flamenco. And to think that I lived within walking distance of this Cafe for 10 years and only visited it a handful of times....incredible.
In the coming days and weeks I will see how things work out with Michelle. Things have been good, but there are storm clouds on the horizon.
My gut tells me that I will come back and live on the west coast. But I think that's still a few years away.
