photo tour

Welcome to Saint-Basile.

Population 3500 (approx.).
Located in the Republic of Madwaska.
Bordered by the Maliseet First Nation reserve.
7 hours from Halifax, 2 hours from Fredericton, 2 hours from Quebec, 11 hours from Hamilton.

I tried several times to write about this place, explain how I feel about living here, and interpret how these pictures make me feel, but it's hard. I guess I have a love/hate relationship with Saint-Basile and when I try to describe it, it feels strained.

It's undoubtedly beautiful here. The town rests on the banks of the muddy, lazy, dirty old dog Saint John river. It's surrounded by deep and gentle hills. The Saint-Basile graveyard climbs up from two ancient houses that were the first houses of the community. You can still see the original grey stone foundation on them. They date back to the early 1700s. Many of the names on the grave stones, Cyr, Grondin, Pelletier, are ones that exist in plenty in the town's current generations.

Haha. Dead-end indeed.
Saint-Basile is located in Saint John River Valley Bible Belt. Yes, this is a very religous ... to the point of being New-Age... town. The church and the chapel attached to the "Hotel de Dieu" (a retirement home) are by far the biggest buildings in Saint-Basile. I had a conversation with a 15 year old boy about how angels work their good through him. He told me that if I looked up at the Jesus statue on the church with love in my heart, I would have a good day. I have stopped to look at 3-foot tall Mary and Joseph shrine statues blessing well groomed gardens along Rue Principale. At work I can't tell you how many books about angels, spiritual guidance, moral ethereal creatures, religious prophecies and Christian Romance I have catalogued.

I don't know if there's anything to it. But sometimes this place does feel "watched over."



It also seems to be a shrinking town. The funeral home is the only business that would appear to be thriving. Every other building has a "For Rent" sign up and from what I can see it is mainly retirees that live in Saint-Basile.




Yes that trailer does have a satellite dish bolted in to it. I tried to get a closer shot but I didn't want to offend and scare the neighbours who were just around the corner.

There are so many beautiful gardens. The earth is black and fertile. Because Saint-Basile is located in a lush bowl, next to a river, and the summers are temperate with regular rain and sun, green things thrive. I like to watch the man across the street tend to his huge vegetable garden. I recognize cabbages, onions, potatoes and grapes. The Hotel de Dieu has a lovely garden in the back that is open to anyone who wants to walk through it.

If you blink, you will miss this town, so if I pause I can feel privileged that I am here and will get to know it intimately. Life is slow so it is scheduled. It moves evenly and at the pace of the Saint John river. I spent three hours writing this blog (I told you I didn't know what to say) and now I will go for a run. That will be my Saturday. Honestly, I sometimes feel frustrated. It's hard to shake that claustrophobic feeling of being stuck on a remote island, away from my love, my loves, my family, city rhythms, people, anglophones. But I'm also thankful ( and often trying to remind myself to be thankful) for this pocket of time that I have to slow down, and hopefully grow a bit as well... (though I know I will always be short, that's NOT what I mean.)

More pictures to come!