All aboard the Canadian…

I wrote this last night for my own personal records but thought some of you might be interested. I’ll continue on with the next leg of my trip later. I’m in New Brunswick, in a town called St. Andrew’s hanging out with my friend Jo that i met in Jasper over the Summer! It’s so beautiful and really nice to come and relax =) We went to Maine last night and I got my next visa!!! I can work until October 22nd 2008! Oh yeah!

Anyway, here is my lovely account of my train travels:

Jasper, AB – this was where I started! I have previously caught the train from Vancouver to Jasper with Mum, so I count this as me officially ‘crossing Canada by train’. Dave (from work) dropped me off! I realised later that it was probably the first time in awhile I’ve had somebody take me to the airport/station etc. and say goodbye!

Hinton, AB – this was the first stop after Jasper. Not a stop where you can get off but this was probably about the time I fell asleep. Before Hinton the train takes a slightly different path to the road and I was interested to see the sights.

Edmonton, AB – our first ‘stop’ where I could actually get out and walk. I actually appreciated it too. I took a photo of the ‘Via Rail’ station sign and one man commented “Oh, you’re a newbie!”. His name was Gabriel – an interesting man in his early 40’s who was from the Charlotte Islands or something off the coast of Prince George. He provided much entertainment throughout the trip. Though, I dare say he was slightly on the creepier side. With him was Will – an 18 year old boy (I can say that right, given he’s six years my younger?). Anyway, he was travelling to Halifax – or should I say just travelling without much of a destination. I got to know these two guys pretty well though I doubt I will ever see them again now!

Saskatoon, SK – I was looking forward to getting off at Saskatoon. Most of my time between Edmonton and Saskatoon was spent reading. I was on the mission to finish my book (which I call ‘Garp’ for short, but: is the title). I decided I needed to read 100 pages per province to get it finished. I found once I had read a big chunk I actually got into the book. It’s weird really as it made me think about everything. It’s about a writer and his struggle with writing, and life more generally. It’s slightly pornographic and rather horrific at times but I guess I would recommend it. It’s one of those books that if you’re a ‘reader’ I’m sure you would enjoy much more. Be patient with it and good will come! Anyway, Saskatoon is a place I wished I could stop in – though if the train station was anything to go by there isn’t a lot there. It surprised me just how flat everything got after the Rockies. Edmonton and on is very, very flat. I was quite sad but by Saskatoon we were well into the night and there was not much more to be seen. It was cold outside so I didn’t venture out.

Brandon North, MB – I woke up way before Brandon. To absolutely beautiful fields of gold. Really nice peaceful land that was amazing to wake up to. One of the guest service agents (from Winnipeg) told me it was his favourite part of the trip and I can easily understand why. Never let anybody tell you the middle of Canada is not worth seeing. They are quite wrong. Anyway, I was quite unsure where I was but we were well into Manitoba. Brandon North is just the station that stuck in my mind – it was well into the morning (and after my breakfast and breakfast nap) that we passed here. I remember it because I lived with a guy from Brandon – he is the one who told me about Jasper and it’s beauty.

Winnipeg, MB – again, this was another place I wanted to stop and stay in. we had the opportunity for a good 45 min break though and I was quite glad to get off the train. When I purchased my ticket the lady had suggested I go and see the ‘markets’ at Winnipeg should I have the time. So, I did. I walked out of the station and instantly the cold, but refreshing ‘fresh’ air hits you. I looked around and spotted some interesting buildings and old trains so I headed in that direction. I was happy to wonder and take some photos to mark the place in my journey. After discovering ‘something market street’ I assumed I was heading in the right direction. Will and I walked together into the markets and discussed the surroundings. I lost him once he met up with three other guys travelling together (on the train also) and proceeded to just meander through the markets. I was looking for a smoothie and settled with a strawberry shake. I headed back outside as it was really the city and the fresh air I was looking for. I knew there was a Fairmont hotel here too so I was interested to see how close our hotels really do reside to the train station. Walking back towards the station I spotted the old building peeping over the station. I walked through and out the other side to see if I could get a nice photo, but it was hidden behind buildings. Walking through the station though, I looked up and found myself lost in the beauty that was the station itself. In hindsight, I would say the romantic inside me is definitely something that draws me to the railway, trains and the beauty that is train stations. I can remember as a child dad talking about the clocks and flinders street. I can also remember taking photos there with him, catching trams with my grandad and I can also remember going back there as an adult, with several of my friends/family and always enjoying the beauty of the station. I’m yet to find a terribly ‘ugly’ station. There is some bland ones, but they are not ugly and there is certainly some amazing ones.

Malachi/Minaki, MB – I just wanted to take note of these stations. They passed in the second day, which is when I think I really began to appreciate what I was doing. I spent most of my day in the ‘bubble’ that was the dome car. I met many of my fellow travellers. There was a trainspotter – who instantly intrigued me due to his love for trains. He would take note of the engines of trains as they passed as and managed to give me some interesting information about trains in general and was a lovely man to speak to. He kind of reminded me of my dad. He had a friend with him too who spent a little time with us all. Will was there a lot too and we spent a lot of time chatting about the uniqueness of Canada, Australia and many other things. Gabriel was also present and quite a loud contributor to our discussion. There was two sisters, also from Vancouver Island, who knitted/painted/wrote/mended clothes all while travelling the train and enjoying the discussions/views. There was a pair of Portuguese men, who were going to play in Toronto for the Portuguese community – amazing guitarists and singers. One did a rendition of Spanish Eyes that I will never forget. There was also a few other people who would come and go throughout the day – some English people (manly the man in a group of four – one being his wife and the others being her friends) who had just moved to Newfoundland and were travelling Canada. And, another quiet lady who used to work for CN and was a writer by profession. There was also Jackson, who at first, slightly creeped me out. But, given the time he was a lovely man – with hair like Craig (my friend with black curly, frizzy, hair). He had so much information to give about the train as he travelled most of the trains through Canada so many times. He was very helpful and had knowledge of Australian politics which somewhat amazed me.

Anyhow, these stations, we did not stop at. Nobody had scheduled a stop, which is what you have to do for these stations. They were more like little shacks, where you could retreat. Often, they were right on some amazing lake that had a collage of colour on the rim – green, gold, ochre, red, auburn: the beautiful colours of Fall (as opposed to the rain we, Australians, experience in Autumn). One other, important to me, side note is that I have officially fallen in love with Fall. What an amazing season. The colours are beautiful and the trees are amazing. I can’t begin to express the freshness and closeness to nature I feel anyway, not to sure about Canada, when I see these amazing colours blooming. It makes everything seem so much more real.

Sioux Lookout, ON – this stop interested me. It has some interesting history about the first nations of Canada. It was absolutely pouring at this stop, but that didn’t stop me from getting off. I just walked out into the rain and completely enjoyed the freshness of the rain. It was cold rain, like it always seems to be here in Canada, but it was lovely. I headed to the only thing that seemed open just so I could wonder to a destination with some purpose. I looked inside and got a snack. I was a little disappointed as I wasn’t planning to walk anywhere in particular but it was so wet and raining that I needed some relief. Once inside, I found ‘Adbusters’ which is an amazing magazine. Anyway, I only had five bucks on me so it was a no go. The stop was longer than I had planned and one of the lovely Portuguese men – who I always go to call Mohammad knowing full right his name isn’t Mohammad, but I can never remember his name – offered to go and purchase it for me as he was heading off. He was a lovely man. He later gave me his business card and told me when I get married to call him and he would play at my wedding. Who knows!

Homepayne, ON – an amazing stop. Four in the morning. I had been somewhat partying in the dome car after Sue (the writer for CN I mentioned previously) had got the lights in the dome car turned off. (The previous evening we were told we weren’t allowed due to people drinking in there when the lights go out.) It was ironic as I had no plans to drink the night before but this night Gabriel and others had purchased some vodka at Sioux Lookout. So, the Portuguese man (not Mohammad!) played us music and we all chatted. I even had the opportunity to meet some of the other travellers on the train – including a good old token pommies who lightened up the atmosphere. We also were joined by the three girls who were travelling across Canada together (also from Vancouver Island) and were sitting in front of me. Again, they were only 18 as well. Anyway, Will had me promise I would stay up till the next stop after Sioux Lookout. Why, I’m not sure. Nonetheless, at four am I awake, from my interrupted and partial sleep in the dome car where the music was blaring (Still), to Will telling me to come outside. It was pitch black outside, even the station did not seem lit up. But, like the good lass I am, I got up and went outside. I don’t think I will ever forget what we saw. It was amazing. I always think the stars in jasper look unreal and so bright in the dark, dark nights sky. But this, this was incredible. With all the lights out in town (a gentleman standing by told us the power had been out as there had been an incredible storm blow through – which made sense to us as it had been raining most of the day on the train). I stood, and stare up into the night sky for as long as I could. It was just breathtaking. I don’t have the words to explain it. But it was amazing.

Carepol, ON – this was just another stop. And, albeit for myself, nothing more. I had waited for this particular stop as Jackson told me that after Carepol there would be amazing yellow trees for me to gaze at – I was quite excited to see these beautiful trees. Anyway, we had begun to wonder down one of the streets. I needed water and was just flowing suit with Gabriel and the gentleman who is not Mohammad. Will was with me and laughed while I took photos of some very gorgeous tree’s. he suggested we had just 15mins to walk around this time, which I thought was wrong as I believed we had 30 – so I just kept walking. Until, I realised Gabriel and co. were going for more booze. I thought this was unnecessary and decided to turn around. I purchased my water and we headed back to the train. Thank god we did. As we got to the door the gentleman was waving us on. We suggested that two passengers were yet to get on the train and they politely, but sternly told us that they simply did not care. Returning to the dome car I watched the road beside the station to see if they would come hurtling down. There was nothing. The tiny town seemed empty and there seemed to fuss or rush of people to get aboard the train. The Portuguese man’s friend come up the stairs of the dome car and explained he was not onboard. The train took off. It’s a slow process the train leaving a station and will and I were certain we would see them walking down the road we had previously walked, but there was nothing, nobody in sight. Ah well, lucky it wasn’t me?

Sudbury Jct., ON – being the station after the MIA passengers, the dome car was filled with laugher, but sorrow and hope, that the two would get in a cab and meet us at this destination – which is only just further down the road. No such luck. Sudbury was interesting. This section was where I learned the origin of ‘slag’ – as there was ‘slag’ from the mining that goes on in this most beautiful section of Canada. I was just waiting for my long promised yellow fall trees. Jackson also pointed out the tallest smoke stack which we could see far off in the distance. A few people also joined us at Sudbury.

Parry Sound – again, the only reason this station has any importance as this was the boys last ‘hope’ for reaching the train. After their lack of arrival at this station they were Toronto bound and I would not see them again. Interesting little story to tell and it certainly made me realise the importance of getting BACK on the train throughout my journeys.

Toronto, ON – wonder why this stop has importance? This was the end, or the beginning. In some ways my adventure was over. My self exploratary and completely satisfying journey across Canada was over. I had now accomplished what I wanted when I left home – Ironically a year later, but not too soon. It was also, however, the beginning of the journey I find myself on now. My journey to the different ‘homes’ I now have in Canada. My Canadian family – if you will. But, the train family was not quite out of sight. As we waited for our bags I told Will that should he need anything I was staying at the Royal York. I told him my last name. I don’t know why but he reminded me of Luke from back home and I think my somewhat motherly instincts kicked in. After spending a summer with a bunch of 18-21 year olds you would think 18 didn’t seem so young. But when your first away from home, without a hostel to stay in, in a new city – a new, big, city – alone, it was my only reaction. I have since wondered what made me offer, but I think it was also that since travelling, I have come to realise that sometimes it’s the kindness of those you don’t really know, the strangers, the passers by, that helps the most. The advice on the train, the places to stay and the important feeling that someone within a close proximity to you cares have helped me, and others I know, throughout our journeys. I actually heard the three girls from Vancouver Island say it on the train when they got on in Edmonton. Anyway, my offer resulted in Will and the three boys from Vancouver Island sleeping on the floor of my hotel room. They told me, as we walked out to dinner (which they paid for, as well as buying me four beautiful roses – to say thank you) that on entering the hotel they had some people (dressed in suits) say “Do backpacker stay here?”. It made me laugh, but glad that my somewhat demeaning and sometimes annoyingly morally improper attachment to the Fairmont Hotels and Resorts could get such a reaction. Why wouldn’t backpackers stay at a five star luxury hotel?