September 12, 2005

Because it was a lazy Sunday morning and we had nothing better to do, we got in Martin’s shiny car and drove to the end of Kitchener to find the Kiwanis Park. “The place is abandoned and beautiful this time of the year,” he said. “It’s also nearly impossible to find — my personal Shangri-la.”

The car took us down windy streets through opulent neighbourhoods we never knew existed. The road ended suddenly, right at the entrance to the park. We grabbed our cameras and for the next three hours we roamed through concrete wastelands and manmade forests. The early autumn air makes everything more stunning than it really is. We walked for miles until we reached the shores of the Grand River. The river is everywhere at the same time, and it sparkles wonderfully in the heat.

“I’m going in,” I said, not even bothering to take off my pants. I walked towards the middle of the river with my camera until my pants were soaked and I was smiling. Martin remained behind on the shore. When I came back I was enormously happy, and I finally removed my pants to swing them through the air until they dried.

“It’s a good place, this,” I said. I think I could live quite happily in the wilderness, without my pants or any worry in the world. If I ever disappear for a couple of days, you can always find me in Kiwanis Park.

Photos:

• Martin’s Photos
• Tudor’s Photos