Port Alberni

I spent some time today in Port Alberni just looking around, seeing if I saw anybody I knew, and then I started thinking and reflecting, which, of course, is always dangerous. As I stood on the dock at the Harbour Quay (which is positioned facing the Alberni Inlet) I was watching the waves come crashing in. It was a windy day, so the water was a little rough. I started noticing my surroundings and even watched the seagulls for a little bit. As I was marveling at how they are so smooth while they are sailing into the wind I noticed the statue of a seaman, leaning on the rails of the dock looking as though he was calling in the barges to wind down a hard days work. History has always intrigued me, and when I was looking at that well-beaten statue, I began thinking of the good ol' days in Port Alberni. Back then, at the turn of the century, it seems, all there was, was fishing, and logging. Two jobs that take very strong, and hard-working men and women. I couldn't help but think of the people that built this city, that is now stricken with a sense of poverty, and how the lifestyle was back in the day.
I used to work at a National Historic site in Port Alberni, called McLean Mill. http://www.alberniheritage.com/mill.shtml It was a steam-powered saw mill operation that had many single men (as well as small families) living out at camp. The men would work all week, and then go into town on the weekends to romance the ladies at the 'Goat Ranch' (or so the local bourlesque was referred to back then). In 1969 or so the Mill shut down, locked it's gates and left everything sitting for years to come. I guess I'm just trying to demonstrate that these people had rough lives, so when I complain about how much I'm working, it is unwarranted.
As I was reflecting on Port Alberni, I noticed again how simple of a town it is. Someone told me that it was, in fact, rated the worst place to live in Canada based on the poverty level, lack of jobs and lack of available housing (I have not confirmed this but I wouldn't doubt it if it ranked up there). Yet, the peace I find in this town is the simplicity of it. One of the things I remember everyone complaining about growing up is that there is nothing to do. With nothing to do there must be much time to get to know other people, and spend time on things that are important, rather than going to the mall and spending money you don't have (if you've been to the PA Mall, you would know why it isn't exactly the place to hang out). Nothing to do is peaceful, and simple. There is no pressure in this city to look a certain way, or to drive the best cars, or any or that. I really do think, and perhaps wrongfully so, that a city like this is relatively free from materialism. I know that no city in North America is free from this awful addiction, but compared to a place like Kelowna, there is no need for it because there are only a few that have. I like it.
Port Alberni has a small city feel and I just find it peaceful and relaxing...I would move back here some day in a heart beat if there was an opportunity to do so.
Well I apologize for the scattered thoughts, but my fingers can't keep up with my head so here you have it. Yesterday I learned about some of the history of my grandparents and I will share some of that with you tomorrow. I find it neat the differences of living between generation to generation.
Jer