on sunday, a young man drowned in the lake at the hostel. his name is marquis manuel, and he was 24 years old. according to his friends, who are so many, he was an incredibly spiritual and beloved friend, a skilled and awarded culinary chef, and had just started taking swimming lessons at the ymca a short time prior to coming to the hostel. it was the first time here for both him and his girlfriend, and they were here barely a half hour before heading out to the lake. i got a chance to shake his hand, smile and look him in the eyes. that was all.

i'd rather not post any more details surrounding his death, just that it was totally unpreventable. they were the only ones out at the lake, and his girlfriend and the staff at the hostel did everything possible to try and save him from dying. there was no warning from the forest, no guidance to be in the right place at the right time. if each of us has a time to go, then this was it for marquis.

his friends and family have said that they feel that if it was his time, then the hostel was the right vessel for his journey, and that it reflects the beauty and serenity of his spirit. we were blessed to be visited by a close friend of his, who spent some time telling us more about marquis and his life. he was an amazing person, who was loved by many.

here at the hostel we have been taking good care of each other and receiving much love and support from hostel family around the country. midway through the week, we built a fire out at the lake and spent some time speaking our hearts and praying for marquis. it was incredibly healing for all of us. thursday we re-opened on a limited basis to allow some fresh new energy to move through the forest. we will continue to be open through the foreseeable future, though with a slower pace.

thank you for your love and support.