Winnipeg

Was where which I caught up with Justin, a massage therapist I had met in Cambodia. People had wondered why I had wanted to go that town in the middle of North America, I have learned to be selective in whose advice I take. What I call colourful others call sketchy. People had warned me that the place had the highest murder rate in Canada, and was also full of witches!

I had also heard, that the town was a hotbed social activism. Justin had found it very difficult to adjust back into life in Canada after his three month adventure in Cambodia. He loved Bodhi Villa so much he returned to sell his services at that cool riverside chillout spot. Crossing into Thailand the police stole his earnings, and even distributed his duty free cigarettes around the other uniformed thieves.

I talked his ear off from 10 am till 13:30 straight, till he brought me to his place, Oikos is a Greek word for a house run as a family, a housing cooperative, that had been running since the 1970s, the nine housemates were able to share a fantastic space, with plenty of room for instruments including pianos, a drum kit and a huge choice of sofas to crash on. I had a lovely time, saw a puppet show, received massage and reiki at the same time from two different people and many healthy veggie meals.