Dear Bongo and Andrea,
I am forever grateful. That you were sick of the Toronto life. That someone else bought Andrea’s grandfather’s farm in the Ottawa Valley. That a poorly detailed Kijiji listing advertised a house for sale in Whitney that was actually a small cottage resort. That you share my love for 90s nostalgia, and created the most epic Air BNB of all time. I am forever grateful, that this series of events lead you to Whintey, and ultimately, lead me to Bongopix.
The person I was when I first stumbled upon your Saturday night campfire jam in 2017 is forever changed. During a time where I needed to grow, to heal, and to rediscover the things that make me happy, you provided me a space to be myself, opportunities to learn about a new industry and the kind of real life therapy you can only receive from true friendship.
The last 3 years have been filled with many memorable milestones, a lot of blackfly bites, questionable beer samples, cat meme communication, more mortadella than one person should consume in their lifetime, countless interpretive latte art fails, epic camping trips, music I would otherwise never had heard, and being asked the endless question that everyone wants to know:
What is Bongopix ?
I have advocated to you both for months now that I think you should make a video, or write a blog post, about the story behind Bongopix. I wanted to be able to answer that question with confidence and consistency when asked. There is no video, no blog post, and I think I finally understand why.
Bongopix is a vibe.
Bongopix is allowing your adult self to remember what it feels like to be a kid. To enjoy eating toasted marshmallows on a stick and realizing it doesn’t matter how old you get you still can’t beat Donkey Kong Jr.
Bongopix is watching Bob Ross while enjoying a few IPAs with the locals, dressing up in silly costumes and singing “Down By The Bay” in your 30s. Bongopix is asking the hard questions and learning what it means to become a better person.
Bongopix is a collection of people, families and friends, who gather to support each other, and welcome strangers from around the world to enjoy the comfort and nostalgia of a moment in time.
It almost doesn’t feel real to say my time tending the Bongopix bar has come to an end, but I must be off now to a new adventure. It feels like I have some big changes ahead, and what I need right now is to slow down a little, and step away from my late night post behind the bar.
What will I do you may ask ? To be honest I’m not totally sure yet, but have some ideas:
Maybe I will go back to school and study psychology? Maybe I will spend my days baking bread and cookies? Maybe I will craft a plan to help young elite athletes? Maybe I will write a book ? Maybe I will join a punk rock band? Whatever I do, I won’t ever be too far to always come home to Bongopix.
You may even see me behind the bar from time to time for special events ! But for now, if you’re there, and I’m not, please say hi to Tom at the corner seat of the bar for me. Tell Dan to turn the volume down on the triangle. Dance with Maurice. Don’t put the spicey sauce on Edjo’s mortadella. Buy Kelly a vodka cran. And proceed with caution when requesting the Goo Goo Dolls to the hired musician; he may just steal you away.
Not a Beatles fan.
But forever Bongopix #1 fan.
Ashley
