geo trip travel journal by Jake Huang

Ferry to Nanaimo

jake_huang — 2024-05-31 16:45:50 UTC

I always love every part of ferry rides - from the community, to feeling the wind on my face on the sundeck. It was a gorgeous spring day - the past few weeks, I've found myself appreciating the beautiful weather more and more. I wish it could have been this nice for the full 3 days. This time, I also found myself noticing the shape of the clouds and coastline as we went over in class. The bus ride is the perfect time to build community and set the tone for the rest of the trip - I'd encourage future students to reach out to people they don't usually talk to.

FFPL: Learning is holistic, reflexive, reflective, experiential, and relational. To learn about the outdoors without experiencing it would be quite a shame, and this beautiful day nicely set the tone for the rest of the trip.

Horne Lake Caves

jake_huang — 2024-05-31 16:46:01 UTC

Caving was one of my favourite parts of the trip. I really enjoyed the physical engagement and the overall experience of navigating the cave systems. The memory of the "lights out" remains vivid. Something that stands out to me about it was how strong my other senses were - though I could see nothing, I could still intuivitely feel the presence of Ethan and John next to me, and every minute sound was amplified. Mr. Miedema's speech was really powerful, inciting a lot of existential thoughts. In that brief moment in the dark, I grew as a person, and I'm grateful for this experience that I otherwise never would've had. To future students, I'd recommend bringing waterproof shoes (!) and dark clothes with zippable pockets.

FPPL: Learning involves patience and time. Within those caves, I came to understand myself and all the other guys in there with me a little bit better. Years had been building up to that moment in the darkness. That feeling of camaraderie I share with everyone was forged slowly, over years and years.

Surf Junction Campground

jake_huang — 2024-05-31 16:46:14 UTC

Despite the stress of cooking and the back pain from sleeping on rocks, I was sad to say goodbye to our little patch of gravel. I really enjoyed our late night philosophical campfire talks and getting to know a little bit about Derrek and Mr. Boyle. I really felt that I got to know a little bit more about everyone who sat around that fire. I learned that just a sleeping bag is not enough, so bring a mat and be prepared for everything that is related to your supper situation - how you're going to cook your food and whatnot. While it's not super far outside of my comfort zone, I would never otherwise go camping, and the camping experience was one of my favourite parts about the trip.

FPPL: Learning is holistic, reflexive, reflective, experiential, and relational. I believe the joy of camping is something that cannot be explained, but felt. And for most of us, it wouldn't have been nearly as enjoyable on our own.

Rainforest Hike

jake_huang — 2024-05-31 16:46:23 UTC

This hike was the first time on the trip where I actually felt inclined to pull out my camera. I found it I felt an unexpected sense of wonder when we were set free to explore the coast, one that I didn't think I was capable of feeling in this kind of context. As I walked, I noticed how the environment interacted with itself and how everything in the forest was interconnected in a cohesive system.

FPPL: Learning is holistic, reflexive, reflective, experiential, and relational. This hike was yet another instance of experiencing something rather than being told about it.

Beach

jake_huang — 2024-05-31 16:46:40 UTC

I was tired, hungry, and cold - but stepping into the cold ocean saltwater rejuvenated me. I went from feeling terrible to feeling the most alive I've felt in awhile. I was unsure if I wanted to get into the water, but it was definitely, definitely worth it. My advice to anyone in my position would be to just do it. Whatever it is, just do it, because it's worse to regret not having done something than to regret doing it. Boogie boarding at the beach is one of the best examples of how, on this trip, I did so many things I otherwise wouldn't have. I may very well never go caving or boogie boarding again, and I believe these activities were not just enjoyable, but good for me, as experiencing new things is good for the soul.

FPPL:

Learning is holistic, reflexive, reflective, experiential, and relational
Learning ultimately supports the well-being of the self, the family, the community, the land, the spirits, and the ancestors.

Ucluelet Coastline Hike

jake_huang — 2024-05-31 16:46:56 UTC

The various hikes were quite a change of pace from the highs of boogie boarding the previous day. Listening to Mr. Miedema's various explanations and impromptu changes to our trip activities made me realize that this trip is full of new things for him as well. Even though he has been on it many times, he still learns new things every time.

FPPL: Learning involves generational roles and responsibilities. Though us students and Mr. Miedema and the chaperones played different roles, we both had the oppurtunity to learn different things and give each other purpose.

Ancient Cedar & Coastline Hike

jake_huang — 2024-05-31 16:47:06 UTC

Normally, If I walked past a sight like this, I wouldn't have batted an eye. One thing about Mr. Miedema's explanation about this little island was the time periods by which he spoke in. It took hundreds of years for this landform to be created. And the cause of it, erosion, was something that I've heavily been learning about in the landscape unit. Now, I remember this island as one of many little miracles I experienced on this trip.

FPPL: Learning is embedded in memory, history, and story.

Return Ferry to Tswwassen

jake_huang — 2024-05-31 16:47:24 UTC

The tranquil ferry ride was the perfect time for us to process everything that happened. I'm sure we all felt tired and in great need of a hot shower, but we all felt great. We felt united and glad for all the stories we gained. The rainy weather lended to the melancholy I felt as I thought about the emotions and things I learned. Though I was anxious to be able to relax in my own home, I was not anxious for the trip to end.

FPPL:

Learning ultimately supports the well-being of the self, the family, the community, the land, the spirits, and the ancestors.
Learning is holistic, reflexive, reflective, experiential, and relational (focused on connectedness, on reciprocal relationships, and a sense of place).

closing thoughts

jake_huang — 2024-05-31 17:15:21 UTC

I felt that the three First Peoples Principles of Learning that were most at work on this trip were:

Learning is holistic, reflexive, reflective, experiential, and relational (focused on connectedness, on reciprocal relationships, and a sense of place).
Learning ultimately supports the well-being of the self, the family, the community, the land, the spirits, and the ancestors.
Learning requires exploration of one‘s identity.

The trip was packed with fresh experiences, and I'm proud of the strong community we built between each other and with God. Being out there, doing new things and experiencing nature, really touched my soul. Above all, I would tell any future student going on this trip to go in with a blank slate. There are going to be some obstacles, but don't let any of them ruin your experience. The good will outweigh the bad, and you'll be glad you went.