Tewwakarewarewatangaoteopetauaawahiao
I took part in a guided tour of the village with the incredible name: Tewwakarewarewatangaoteopetauaawahiao. In my group, an Indigenous man from British Columbia was proudly displaying his Canucks colors. At the end, I asked him to do a video interview where he opened up and even thanked me for listening. I was thrilled; I thought it would be one of the highlights of my trip. When I went to watch it again later, I realized I hadn't recorded it. I always try to be quick and di
Nous étions guerriers, once were warriors
While Brel inspired my first destination on this world tour, the film *Were Once Warriors* inspired my second stop. This New Zealand film made a deep impression on me when it was released and has remained etched in my memory like few others. I rewatched it, and its power moved me deeply once again—a real Hoka moment. It illustrates, with a wide range of emotions, the downfall of an Indigenous people, the Maori, following the loss of their territory, their ancestral homes, and
Travel: escape, discovery
I love to travel. I have a long history of travel interspersed with studies, a career managing social organizations, and shared custody of my son, who is now also on his own. I have to say, I'm a child of the traveling world. My parents got married in Paris after a long motorcycle trip from Paris to Morocco. Their happiness is evident in the photos from those moments. They decided to get married in Paris, and I was born in Montreal eight months later. That's where things go
My Uber upon arrival in New Zealand
No matter what anyone says, Uber is incredibly convenient when it's available, especially when arriving in a new country. Which was my case yesterday: no worries about the price, being ripped off, safety, or waiting—it's like being at home. Whether by taxi or Uber, one of the joys of this mode of transport is finding a chatty and interesting driver. I was particularly lucky yesterday. A gentleman with a beard and a thick, white, but neatly trimmed head of hair, handsome, dr
Celebrating Mother's Day in the Marquesas Islands
This was undoubtedly the most moving moment of my stay in Polynesia. It's difficult to capture in a video the atmosphere of this magnificent place, so full of color, with people in reverence singing melodies… I'm speechless. Listen for yourself, trying to get good sound and picture quality; perhaps the magic will work.
Let's not kill the beauty of the world
Reflecting on and researching the plight of young Tahitian women also means discovering, through this journey around the world, new variations on the ways in which men dominate women. Everywhere, men have effectively capitalized on their physical dominance to subjugate women and girls into a state of economic, psychological, and sexual subjugation. A kaleidoscope of horrors that is slowly killing the beauty of the world. And for once I will contradict Brel: "And I'm not sur
Tahiti, the France at the end of the world?
I thought I'd find myself in a faraway France in the South Pacific, but no, this is Polynesia, French Polynesia certainly, but first and foremost Polynesia with its indigenous population from Asia who still speak their language, part of a large family spread across the Pacific. They have their own president and their own laws. While everyone, except for a few elderly people, speaks French, they don't have a Parisian or Radio-Canada accent. More so than in Quebec, the informal
Fishing in Polynesia…
It's not like in the Gaspé Peninsula
Tattooing at the heart of culture
Tattooing is to Polynesia what maple syrup is to Quebec: a pillar of cultural identity. Almost everyone here has a tattoo. The word "tattoo" comes from the local language and is related to Rome… So I took the opportunity to get my first tattoo: a turtle. A powerful symbol in their mythology, it represents for me slow travel, traveling at a human pace. My tattoo artist, Félix, speaks to us with passion about his profession.
Jean-Marie the sculptor
I interview people I meet, the collaboration is exceptional, a great experience.
Reading in the Marquesas
I wanted to leave my mark on the land of Brel and Gauguin without losing my life, so I donated my "Pommes de route" to the village library. This led to a meeting with a passionate book lover.
Around the world, around oneself
The world is a vast mirror that reflects us back to ourselves; running away is not an option.
Hymn to the Marquesas
Brel's song drew me here and I made a music video for it
Gauguin, the mischievous painter
That's what the priests of his time called him, a polite term to describe this artist who left his mark on the history of painting. It's worth reflecting on…
Clin d’œil à David Hockney au Marquises
Draw on my IPad
Tahuata Island
I thought to myself that this small island, with no airport and only 600 inhabitants, might take me back to the Brel era; I was right. I stayed with Félix, the mayor of the municipality and headmaster of the small primary school. I slept in a very modest but clean room. The common areas consisted mainly of a large terrace overlooking equatorial vegetation and the Pacific Ocean, which roars day and night, and with a perfect angle for watching the sunsets, which are admittedly
Reflections on Brel's grave
Throughout my journey, I will be posting clips with minimal editing. These will serve as a basis for more elaborate videos produced by my collaborator, Lilou Moreau-Champagne. Here are some reflections where Johnny Cash pays homage at Jacques' grave. Instant english subtitles are available on Youtube
Creating a Facebook group
To make it easier to follow my journey, I've created a Facebook group. I invite you to join us and share it with your friends and family. THANKS https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1DxtJCqp9c/
Day 8 Hiva Oa, the island of Brel and Gauguin
I walk, I explore, I film it and I draw. Slow travel at its best.