Dodging Raindrops: Strong and Free

Jonathan and I went to a conference in June held at the Victoria Convention Centre. Reclaiming Canada Conference. We found out about it a bit late. We were very excited to attend. I especially wanted to meet Tamara Lich who was the co leader of the Canadian truckers convoy in January 2022.

We couldn't stay in our usual location (Marketa's) since June is a very busy month for tourists and it was already booked. We wanted to stay somewhere close to downtown so that we could walk to the convention. We stayed at Heathergate House and Suites. It wasn't a bed and breakfast but rather a rental with a small kitchen. The location was great. The price was too high.

Here's the door to the rooms where we stayed.

I did appreciate the courtyard and we sat in the swing.

We spent Thursday and Friday helping my parents with various tasks. My mom gave me three jobs and we were able to accomplish two of them. Thursday night we ate at the Penny Farthing. I enjoy that place but eating inside (all that was available) isn't great when it is a hot evening. Friday night we ate at Milestones which is by the water (photo at the top). Saturday was the first day of the conference.

Speakers were

- Dr. Peter McCullough (American). From his website:

Dr. McCullough is an internist, cardiologist, epidemiologist holding degrees from Baylor University, University of Texas Southwestern Medical School, University of Michigan, and Southern Methodist University. He manages common infectious diseases as well as the cardiovascular complications of both the viral infection and the injuries developing after the COVID-19 vaccine in Dallas TX, USA.

- Dr. Jay Bhattacharya (American) From his website:

Prof. of Health Policy, Stanford Medicine. Health policy, infectious disease epidemiology, Scientific freedom. Co-author of the Great Barrington Declaration.

- David Charalambous (British). An expert on behavior and communication.

- Ted Kuntz (Canadian). He created Vaccine Choice Canada. From his website:

Ted Kuntz is a father, a medical choice activist, author and educator. Kuntz’s journey to examine the claims of the vaccine industry began after his son Joshua was neurologically injured by the diphtheria-pertussis-tetanus shot (DPT) in 1984.

Kuntz began a journey to understand what happened to his son. This journey revealed that the vaccine industry has been systematically and intentionally dishonest with health consumers on the safety, effectiveness and necessity of vaccinations.

- Clyde Do Something (Canadian). He is a current events commentator and auto mechanic based in BC.

- Martin Belanger(Canadian). He does a weekly podcast with Clyde Do Something. He is based in Alberta.

- Steve Kirsch (American) From his website:

I used to be a high tech serial entrepreneur before retiring at age 64. I write about COVID mitigation policies, vaccines, corruption, censorship, and early treatments. The data shows that vaccines are ruining the health of Americans and driving the epidemic in a variety of health conditions.

- Drea Humphrey. BC Bureau chief for Rebel News. She's in the centre of this photo

- Tamara Lich. Metis grandmother from Alberta who was the co leader of the trucker's convoy to Ottawa. She is currently on trial for mischief in an Ottawa courtroom. I bought her book and had it signed by her. I read it when I got home.

- Lauren Southern. An independent journalist and documentary filmmaker from BC. Formerly worked for Rebel News.

- Artur Pawlowski. Calgary pastor from Poland who spent 51 days in jail for preaching.

- Eva Chipiuk. Canadian lawyer for the freedom convoy.

- Brian Peckford. The only surviving signatory of the Canadian Rights and Freedoms. Former premier of Newfoundland he now lives in Parkland, BC. Speaks out again lockdowns and vaccine mandates.

- Dr. Drew Pinsky. American physician who specializes in addiction.

- Umar Sheikh. Victoria lawyer involved in medical freedom cases.

- Chris Barber. Canadian trucking company owner who co lead the freedom convoy with Tamara Lich. From Swift Current, Saskatchewan.

- Bryce Wade. Canadian entrepreneur. He was a sponsor of the conference.

We thought every speaker was good. I think that is rare at a conference. It was so encouraging to be around like minded individuals. There was a social time on Friday night where we met a lady from North Vancouver. We plan on keeping in touch with her. We would've liked to meet more people. We loved the conference! We hope to go again next year.

On Saturday night we were invited to spend some time with the parents of a former colleague of J's. They live in the Tri Cities area of Washington. They have a time share condo at Laurel Point. They were super friendly and hospitable to us. This is the view from the balcony.

The sunset was beautiful!

On Sunday we found a church to attend. We needed one with an early start time so that we could get to the conference which started at 11:30 am. We went to Lighthouse Church which meets at Tillicum mall's theatre. I've heard of churches using movie theatres for church but we've never been to one. Lighthouse is in the same denomination as our home church - Presbyterian Church of America. We had to leave before the service was over. Jonathan sent the pastor an e mail to let him know we were there, to be courteous and not be anonymous.

We returned home on Monday. Jonathan had a work meeting in the morning so he asked the owner of the Heathergate property for permission to check out late so he could stay and be on the phone. I went over to see my parents. I cut my Dad's hair and then we posed for a photo.