Settling into Hamilton
Settling into everyday life in Hamilton has been nice and revitalizing for my body, mind, and soul. I am here for a nursing internship, but since I have a lot of time off, Luna and I are getting into a routine in our new city. We are both slowly falling in love with this little part of the world.
City Challenges and Resilience
Hamilton is gritty, with a significant problem with homelessness and drug addiction, struggling with the same issues as many other large North American cities.
According to recent reports, Hamilton has seen a rise in homelessness, with over 1,200 people currently experiencing homelessness. The city also has a high rate of opioid-related deaths, with Hamilton being among the top cities in Ontario for opioid overdose deaths.
Despite these challenges, Hamilton never feels unsafe. In Sweden, we have much more random gang violence; here, the problem seems more related to a broken social system and the trails of the opioid drug scandal, which has left many struggling with addiction and insufficient support. I have been warned from many different angles that my placement in the ER at St. Joe's will provide a reality check on the mental downside of Hamilton.
Neighborhoods and Community
What I find soulful is that all downtown neighborhoods seem to blend into each other in the sense of being 'nice' and 'livable'. There are not many, if any, neighborhoods that I have felt unsafe passing through with me and Luna, and we are out all hours of the day. There are houses and points where people with no home and/or drug addiction congregate, but they are usually very friendly and greet me and Luna with a hello yet sometimes we also get the occasional random out of place mumbling.
Scooter Adventures and Cycling
Me and Luna have now managed to wear down two scooter wheels on the uneven roads of Hamilton. Considering the fact that we probably travel more than 15 km a day on that scooter, I am not surprised. It is not like it is a smooth ride on these roads. So we are now proud members of Hamilton Bike Share, which works over expectation. With an app, you unlock and lock the bicycle, and as long as you lock it up at another hub area, you only pay the monthly fee which took me a few days to figure out. They are perfect for Luna because they have a big flat solar sensor on the back, which she rides on.
Outdoor Pools Gymnastics and New Friends
We also got a membership at the wide range of outdoor pools in Hamilton. Since the weather is still tropical over here with heatwaves, heavy rains, and thunderstorms playing a random game of "it's my turn," we have ended up going to the pool after Luna's practice every day this week.
Luna just finished her second week of summer training with the competitive girls at World Class Gymnastics. They train 4 hours, 4 days a week at the moment, so the girls are getting a lot of time to get to know each other and we have a anticipated play date planned for next week. It is a wonderful group of girls that are preparing for their competition in Barbados next year. The coaches are down-to-earth, passionate, loving, and treat the team with such beauty and respect. We are so honored to be invited to be part of their family where hard work and discipline are integrated with snack-box conversations and popsicles.
Yoga Studio Experiences
While Luna has found her home, I have tried two different yoga studios. I thought I had found my new studio at Locke Street but got recommended to try out De La Sol on York Street, which ended up being the best choice ever. From the outside, it is probably one of the less energy-filling buildings in Hamilton, but when you step inside, it is like coming into another world. It is so yin and yang, and it just adds to the magic of yoga. It is not about the physical space as much as it is about the community, the love, and the family you gain when you join. I have tried quite a few different yoga studios around the world (in cities like New York, London, Copenhagen) but none of them felt as much like home as this one. It feels like the first time I met my mentor Isabella Nietschke from Ashtanga Yoga Malmö.
Homesickness and Reflections
As for homesickness, yes, we do miss people and souls back home. We talk a lot about our beautiful dog Zoya, who couldn’t join us for this adventure. We miss her more than words can express and get frequent updates on her walks and adventures with our friends. I also miss the ocean—the smell, the air, and the energy it brings. Although my love for the ocean is often imagined around crisp fall days or snowy winters (since summer is my least favorite season), I still long for its presence.
I am inspired by resilience and authenticity, rather than wealth and material possessions. I want to be part of where people live and struggle, to experience both the hardships and the celebrations of life. Hamilton feels like my spirit. Wild, rambunctious, tenacious and rebellious. So yes, we miss Zoya, Ginger (our favorite café at home), and some friends who know who they are. But we are gypsy souls. We belong to the world, not to a single place. I feel so blessed to have my adventurous Luna with me—her free-spirited nature and adaptability is truly remarkable. She fits into any crowd, is not afraid to be her wonderful self, and is proudly by my side. Soaks up experiences, asks questions and tells stories. What more could a mother ask for?
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