Eighth Day in Canada – my hair froze!

The most exciting thing that happened today, by far, was in the evening when we went and saw skiers and snowboarders do massive jumps through rings of fire and do double backflips and my hair froze! Forget the skiing, my hair froze – I mean that’s just unheard of! See, the hairdryer broke, so I had to go out in the cold (-10 degrees Celsius) with damp hair and it froze. Never seen anything like it.

But that was just the excitement of the evening – the rest of the day was great too. It was undoubtedly the clearest day yet, so it was great skiing weather and Whistler also seemed much less crowded. We had breakfast with Gabi and Lance – Dad and Jonathon ate pancakes, Canadian bacon and maple syrup – and went up the gondola in the afternoon. There was hardly anyone on our favourite run, yay! Despite Mum’s anxiety about having three people on the chairlift, we managed to coerce her into it. Gabi, Mum and I kept going on the same run and managed fine on the same chair and never crashed getting off, I was in the middle. One of the best moments of the day, was when the ski school asked us to take children up with us on the chairlift. The reason why I found this hilarious was because this was the first time Gabi had used a chairlift in years and Mum hates kids. I thought Mum taking a little kid on the chairlift would be the highlight of my holiday.

I had a kid from Washington state who didn’t shut up the entire time but was very cute, and I managed to get him on and off the chairlift safely (and myself). To my disappointment, Mum didn’t have to take a kid but Gabi got the most wriggly, tiny kid who could easily slip through the chair. So after that fun little ride, we all zipped down the hill fast – so they couldn’t ask for our help again!

After five days of skiing, it was clear that all of us had improved a lot and I could finally start to parallel and do turn-stops (I know – fancy lingo) properly. It’s a shame that I probably won’t ski for another five years.

Today, was probably my favourite day of skiing with Mum and Gabi, out of all days. In fact, probably my best and favourite day of skiing ever – none of us fell!

It was our last day in Canada and our last day with Gabi and Lance, which makes me a little sad. I have always enjoyed visiting with Gabi, ever since I was really little and her dog, Donna, had puppies or when we were a bit older and Jonathon and I used to go and mess up her books or fridge magnets and drive her spare, and then I really liked coming to Vancouver in 2005 and visiting her and Lance, but I enjoyed this trip and visit more than any other, and I don’t really know why. Kind of weird, since I know she might read this but hey – I had a real great time, Gabi.

Anyway, there is bits of frantic packing going on around me and I should really get off my butt and do something… or I could eat the Oreo ice cream in the freezer – well someone’s got to, would be a dreadful waste. I want to go to the airport tomorrow to find a perfect Canada souvenir – I’m yet to find one tacky and gaudy enough, one that screams Canada.

Seventh Day in Canada – Walking on Sunshine in Whistler

I love Whistler. I am looking at Mum and Gabi, eating Ice Wine Chocolate Truffles, drinking herbal tea, and looking out at snow covered Whistler. I can see the (electric) fireplace out of the corner of my eye, and we’ve just had a fantastic meal, and this isn’t even the best part of the day.

I love to ski, I always have loved skiing, generally. Today was a great day – no matter how much your legs protest, it’s always great when you hit the slopes. It took a little longer to get up to the mountain today, because it’s Saturday, but once we got up there it was great. It had been snowing all night, and the village looked like a winter wonderland and the mountain had beautiful, fresh snow. It was also quite clear for most of the day.

We then did a couple of runs – Mum fell, not me! Unfortunately, she got up quite quickly so I couldn’t laugh for long. Then, we went up the mountain and across the Peak2Peak, to Blackcomb (I would upload photos, if I knew how) for lunch with Lance.  It was insanely busy, and had to hawk to get a table, but finally did. Then, the rest of the day was pretty good. Gabi was having a ski lesson, and Mum and I saw her when we were sitting on the chairlift. Mum and I had a bit of a freak moment on the chairlift today, when the bar was frozen and we had to ride the whole way without the bar down… we were perfectly safe, it’s just psychological.

It was a lot colder today, I actually felt it, particularly sitting on the chairlift. I’m not sure how cold it was, but it was far beyond freezing, hence the frozen chairlift.

Anyway, I don’t have much more to say but I do have two more things. We went out for dinner tonight, near our apartment, and I just love going out to eat in the USA or Canada.

“Hi, I’m Melanie – I’ll be your server for this evening”.

For my USA and Canada friends, you need to come to Australia and see how you get served. It’s more like…

“Whad ya want?”

And I know it’s because the servers are working off tips, which they aren’t doing in Australia but I just felt so happy and attended to by Melanie. It kind of felt like she was cheating on me when I saw her serving another table.

Basically, today was beautiful – the mountain is beautiful – Whistler is absolutely amazing. Requirement for future husband – must take me to Whistler for honeymoon. I love it here, and I absolutely love Canada. I have always, and will always, love Canada. It makes me kind of sad that I’m leaving in two days. It is one place, other than Australia, that I could see myself living in. I love the cold, I love the snow, I love to ski, I love the Canadian people and everything. There is nothing more perfect than this moment right now on God’s amazing Earth.

Sixth Day in Canada – Bella dislikes snowboarders

Now, just getting right into it whilst I’m still fired up, as a skier – I try to be open-minded about snowboarders and not make my catch phrase “I hate snowboarders” but after today I’m a bit crabby. I was on my last run for the day, and it was in a slow zone and a snowboarder came up from behind, smashed into me – I had no warning, and went flying (and screaming). The snowboarder got my poles for me, and took off. A kind lady who had seen what happened came down to make sure I was okay, I was alright. It had hurt, but I eventually got up. So, now I’m ranting. I want to clarify – if you’re a snowboarder, I probably like you because you’re my friend and I have nice friends. You probably go SLOW in a SLOW zone, and at the very least – if you are going to smash into a skier, try and shout some warning and help them up… it’s hard to get up when you’re a mess of skis and poles. And make sure they’re okay, the force of that took the wind out of me and Mum was halfway down the slope, and was sure I’d broken a bone.

Anyway, my rant over I will focus on other things that happened today. We seem to be starting a bit earlier each day with our skiing, and today Mum and Dad hit the slopes early and Jonathon and I went up not too much later, but you know – Jonathon requires his beauty sleep. I was up shortly after Mum and Dad left, not doing a lot, lying about and I look out the window and double take – it’s SNOWING! Very excited I bound over to Jonathon and tell him, he grunts and rolls over. I tried to take photos of the snow, but it’s difficult.

Jonathon eventually woke up and we began our day. We headed up the gondola to discover heavy snow, terrible visibility and extremely icy conditions. Of course, we kept going, but it does sort of beat your confidence a bit. Mum and I started a run and I went splat and of course, she couldn’t stop laughing. I was in a perfect position to stand up but I am too weak/was laughing too much and it all proved very difficult and took a very long time.

The mountain was a bit busier today, and will get busier tomorrow. I had broccoli and cheddar soup for lunch again (delicious) and after lunch actually the visibility was a bit better. We did a couple more runs, there’s not much really more to say – slid down a hill on two pieces of fibreglass. Then I had my encounter with a snowboarder, which we don’t need to say anymore about and finished up for the day. Mum and I were the last people to go on the chairlift, Dad saw us from below and asked the lift operator if he could get on but was told he couldn’t, which is funny because to get the lift you need to go down a hill, and I’ll bet he was tired. Dad and Jonathon skied on home, Mum and I came down a bit later and came home to find out they weren’t here. We wondered if they were lying with broken bones, but didn’t care too much as we wanted to have a shower. No, I joke. We did want to have a shower, but we thought they were okay. Later, we found out they’d been in a pub, enjoying a Canadian beer.

We’ve just been informed that Gabi and Lance have arrived, and we will all go out for dinner to celebrate Lance’s “significant birthday” and I can’t wait to hear about his new dog. The only problem is, to go out for dinner means we have to walk… something I believe I am incapable of doing.

One last thing I have to say is that Whistler is beautiful, particularly with fresh snow. It’s like an Alpine Winter Wonderland, that all Australian kids dream of.

So what have we learnt today? Well, if you want me to dislike you; be a mean snowboarder. If you want me to like you, make me broccoli and cheese soup.

Canada – a quick Update

I’m just writing this to give a quick update, of things I’ve left out from my last post.

This evening, we Skype(d) with my Aunt (who is coming to meet us in Washington DC and New York City), my Uncle, Cousin Henry and his dog, Ginny. Just seeing the afternoon sunlight actually made me miss Brisbane a bit, because I do so love my home.

It was great to talk with them, and laugh about my fall today in which Mum explained to Auntie Mandy that she was laughing and said to me “I can’t get up the hill!” until she saw how twisted my knee was and actually made it up, despite her exhausted state and muscles, because I couldn’t get the ski off. But she wasn’t really much help! But still, she traversed up the hill after a whole day of skiing, and that’s impressive.

But the main purpose of this update is not to talk about the spills of skiing (which there will be more of), but to make reference to something I said earlier about “Aussies making us proud”. I was being sarcastic, watching Australians drink themselves under the table but I found out a few minutes ago that all the funds from the pubs went towards the Brisbane floods – an initiative of Canadians and Australians alike. And that does make me proud.

Fifth Day in Canada

Today, was a great day. We didn’t have the earliest start, because I don’t think any of us had the greatest sleep but once we hit the slopes, it was great. The snow was pretty good, if a little icy. The visibility was fantastic and it was surprisingly warm. Jonathon and Dad chose to warm up on a green run, which turned out to take a very long time. Mum and I did the nursery slopes with the Magic Carpet, I saw my class from yesterday with lovely Leslie and Lida. It didn’t take long, though, til we’d sort of had enough. It is really tiring standing on the magic carpet, even though my boots were so much better today.

Then Dad and Jonathon came down and we all went on the Olympic Run. It was great to sit on the chairlift and rest our feet. We took the run pretty slowly, I was unfamiliar with it but it was fun. I was getting better. Having the new boots made heaps of difference.

We then went up to the top of the gondola to grab something to eat and mostly – a drink. It’s very dry on the mountain. Dad and Jonathon both had Asian food, but I had cream of broccoli and cheese soup in a bread bowl which was delicious. It’s hard to stand up after lunch, after sitting down!

But we did eventually stand up, Jonathon and Mum decided to try a blue run, and Dad and I did another green. It was pretty good, but Dad likes to show off and pretend he’s really good. Well he is really good, but I can’t keep up. Jonathon’s really fast, and Mum’s good too, but cautious.

Then we just kept doing some runs, Jonathon and Dad did there’s and Mum and I did ours. Mum and Jonathon both had some spills, but I didn’t… until the last run.

The run was icy, so I was doing some serious snow-plough…. and ended in the splits. My knees were twisted, but it didn’t really hurt because it, luckily, was so slow. I cried out pathetically to Mum who laughed hysterically, and tried making her way up the hill – which she did quite well! I couldn’t physically get up until I took my ski off, by then Dad and Jonathon had met us, since they’re run joined up with ours. They both laughed too. It kind of hurt, but I had to take off my ski, and after I did that I face-planted and twisted the other knee! But luckily I eventually got up and we finished the run.

We are all pretty sore, and are now sitting, eating orange cheese (I’m not) and crackers, and also these funny corn chips with salsa – the corn chips are funny because they are like a tiny little bowl so you can scoop up salsa. Pretty cool. We are eating in tonight, and tomorrow Gabi and Lance will come and join us, after a full day of skiing. It was Lance’s birthday today, and he had a dog arrive the other day (he does Schutzhund, should YouTube it, so does Gabi) but unfortunately he doesn’t think he likes him much. I guess we’ll find out more tomorrow.

It’s made me very sad to hear about the disastrous snowfall the East side had had, I hope that everyone is okay and can stay WARM!

Fourth Day in Canada

Today was our fourth, and exhausting, day in Canada. It was also our first full day at Whistler, and we slept a bit late and got all ready for the afternoon lessons. Dad, Mum and Jonathon were in the third class, and I was in the second. I think they all enjoyed their class, and I would’ve too, the people were lovely, but I was and still am in so much pain from my boots. They were just too small.

The conditions were good, and we’re going to ski again tomorrow morning. It was very tiring, and I imagine everyone will be incredibly sore tomorrow, and although it’s only 7:50pm, I think most of us are turning in early. We didn’t sleep well last night, and had skiing today.

It was Australia Day today, and Aussies were sure making us proud. The pubs opened at 9:30am, and at 4am, they were still going strong. Everyone was dressed in flags, or green and cold and plenty of people were skiing in tank tops and shorts.

Third Day in Canada

Today, we left Vancouver and Gabi’s to go to Whistler. It was a slow start to the day, Lance was waiting the arrival of his dog, Hakkon who may be coming up to Whistler on Friday and Gabi was busy at her meeting. We packed up the car and headed off to the coat shop where Mum bought herself a long, 80% down coat which she is now in love with and after some time there we went to the ultimate tourist attraction – WAL MART!

Wal Mart is incredible, you walk in and it is giant and there is a McDonalds in the front of the store. There are sections called “Bakery” then “Cakes” then “Bread” and these sections are all massive. The aisles are stuffed full with all different kinds of foods, delicious foods, healthy foods, very yellow bananas and extremely white eggs which they keep in the fridge.

But that’s only the grocery section. There was homeware, clothes, shoes, pharmacy – just everything. There was a tire section and a section for Scrubs! Not even joking!

After we enjoyed Wal-Mart for a very long time, we left and after grabbing a regular (HUGE) McDonalds which was very salty, we started to drive up to Whistler. You get very used to driving on the other side of the road fast, but every now and then it just feels strange.

As we climbed further into Whistler, around a big lake, it was getting colder and there was snow on the side of the road – very different to the journey to Whistler in 2005. The drive didn’t seem too long as we admired the alpine views and got to Whistler just before proper dark.

The lodge is nice, but cozy. I like the electric fire place, and the fact I have internet. We also went and got all of our skiing equipment and are eating spaghetti for dinner – we are all ready to hit the slopes tomorrow, on Australia Day!

Second Day in Canada

The second day in Canada was WET! We had a slow start to the day, before heading off with Lance to buy coats and other things to stay warm. I got a pale blue coat, Dad got a black one which looks so much better than his yucky old khaki one and Lance bought three for himself, but it is his birthday soon. He also has another dog coming, which causes for excitement all around!

After we finished our coat shopping, we hopped on the sky train into downtown Vancouver to meet Gabi for lunch. It was very wet, I kept tripping on the back of my jeans because I’m short and making my whole leg wet. Whilst I was wet, it wasn’t really too cold, well not as cold as it could be nor as it’s going to get. But Dad and Jonathon both had a fleece on underneath their coats, and Dad’s coat alone is meant to be for –25 weather. I don’t know how well he will do in New York!

We met Gabi for lunch, before she had to take off for work, because she has a big meeting coming up and we all went for a walk to downtown Vancouver. Our first stop was to buy umbrellas – cheap umbrellas. I got a pink one, Mum got a purple one and Jonathon and Dad are both manly and got black.

Next, we walked around in the wet down to the waterfront and then around to Gastown – the old part of Vancouver. We saw a steam clock but then turned around kind of fast. It wasn’t the best day for tourism, and we wanted to head back to Gabi’s work, and look around there a bit at the shops.

Back home, all the tourists stuff just looks so tacky and awful and you don’t think anyone would ever buy it but when you’re over here you just look for it all the time. You just keep your eye out for something that is perfect.

We then went to a little bakery where they gave us little samples of caramel cookies, of course, I gave mine to Jonathon. I don’t like caramel, so Mum gave me the little red heart on the top of the cookie. I was excited and began to eat it and it was nice to begin with until I realized – with horror – that it was crystallized ginger! Mum though it was hilarious as I was in PAIN and we headed back to where we had lunch to grab a coffee. Mum and Dad had coffee, Jonathon had hot chocolate but contrary to the weather and just desperate for some relief from the ginger – I had 7Up.

Then Gabi arrived and it was about 4:30pm, and dusk. We took off to the SkyTrain and Gabi told us of a special route that took a bit longer but we were all GUARANTEED a seat. She was wrong. She and Jonathon missed out on a seat, until halfway through and the train was packed, but there was a very cute baby who kept me entertained.

But we soon found out that the fun for the day had hardly begun as we went to Gabi’s car, and she had assured us it could possibly be the least comfortable car trip ever but it would be legal. We scoffed, thinking of our car trips in Dubai and Malaysia but it turns out, I think she was right. Gabi has a huge truck, for the dogs, but really… it is FOR the dogs. The dogs have plenty of rooms, whereas the five of us crammed into a space 1 X 2m, Jonathon and I were in the back and Mum, Dad and Gabi were in the front. It was hilarious but I wouldn’t want to drive to Whistler like that!

For dinner, Lance had hunted and gathered. Well, not really, but someone had done so for him as there was fresh salmon which Jonathon, Dad and Lance ate. Mum, Gabi and I stuck to the chicken and steak. One of the most interesting elements to the meal, however, was the salad which was strawberry and feta salad with raspberry dressing… unlike anything I’ve ever eaten.

We spent the rest of the evening eating chocolates and watching the dogs on television… we watched Yoschy be good… then Yoschy be bad, same with Zando and then some boxer dogs who weren’t as spectacular as the German Shepherds (though Mum may say different)

Day 3 will be us going to Whistler, Gabi at her very important meeting and Lance getting his dog.

First Day in Canada

Well on the 22nd of January 2011 at 12:05pm, I left Brisbane and after over 24hrs of travelling I arrived in Vancouver on the 22nd of January 2011 at 12:35pm. I hardly slept but that’s okay, I never sleep on planes. I was kind of out of it flying from Los Angeles to Vancouver, and so when the kind lady asked me if I wanted to drink, I could only nod. I really wanted Sprite Zero but she asked me if I wanted juice, so I just nodded and then she asked me if I wanted orange juice (I really wanted Sprite Zero) and I nodded. I was glad to get to Vancouver, and also surprised to find out I wasn’t too cold, until I spent a few hours at the Dog Club with Gabi,  then I was really cold!

We were lucky to get to Canada at all, about an hour before we were meant to leave for Canada, we didn’t have American visas. We didn’t know that we needed them because I haven’t travelled to the states since 2005, when you didn’t need visas and we were also travelling to Canada, only transferring through LA. But luckily we all got visas in time. For a while, I only had a visa and they were ready to send me to Canada alone! Not that I mind travelling alone, but I wasn’t really ready for it.

We were all tired last night, I think Gabi and Lance were too and we ordered in pizza. It was from a pizza place we have in Australia (Dominos) but it was DIFFERENT! They were bigger, and there was different flavours. Anyway, after that we decided to go to bed quite early – all of us quite tired and unfortunately I was really sick in the night and still tired! So everyone is out today, enjoying Canada and buying coats and I am at Gabi’s, watching “Catch Me if You Can”. It’s quite good, I also am enjoying Canada from the inside. Looking out the windows, I can see the grey sky and the bare trees and it looks rather chilly outside, very different from Australia but I really like it. I like the cold, a lot more than the heat. And I really like Canada.