Peace on Earth

Yesterday was Earth Day and our annual Peace Walk and the sun was shining warmly on us.

Kindred spirits gathered in the square with signs, banners, flags, posters, children, dogs, a profusion of colours. We hugged friends and smiled at everyone, anticipating the lovely walk through the streets and afternoon on the Legislature lawn. Crosby, Stills & Nash was playing over the loudspeakers to get us in a groovy frame of mind. We heard a speaker and a few songs. A sparkling stilt woman bellydancer walked among us. Then, as tradition has it, a samba band, dressed brightly in oranges, reds and yellows, led us out onto Pandora and then Government streets. This percusssion is mesmerizing and we always opt to be up close to its rallying cry for the fifteen minute walk.

The streets were lined with people interested in the large crowd walking and dancing by. At the Legislature, music and speakers awaited us and information booths on the environment and world issues. A Yogathon was going on raising money for a wildlife group. Folks settled onto a piece of the lawn with their friends to take it all in.

We heard a reggae band, a solo acoustic man, a percussion man, and finally a bluegrass quartet called Outlaw Social. A few impassioned speakers spoke inbetween acts. I took lots of pictures of little angels, dancers and free spirits.

Leaving the event, several hours later, I noticed the sunshiny streets were filled with tourists. A boat show in the harbour featured a dazzling array of flags blowing in the wind. Summer was upon us. Life was good.

I would wake up to the morning papers and four Canadians killed in Afghanistan by a roadside bomb. One man was from Victoria, a reservist. Peace on earth is not getting any easier. But we can dream, can't we?

Peace out
Allison