Well… about a month ago (May 20th to be exact) I wrote the following:
So I finally am getting around to updating…
Anybody would think I was having fun in another country or something?!
I’ve been in a very contemplative mood lately so I’ve been thinking about heaps of stuff and where I am and what to do next….
First things first!
After Coachella, which was amazing!!! And, still is so vivid in my mind… Basically, one of my fellow big white friends (a Canadian girl named Rhiananon) was driving to NY with another mate – Mike… they were going to come to las vegas with us before hand but I had planned to catch the bus there. Anyway, long story short, myself, Andrew, kiwi, Michael and her all piled into her car (with all of our things – which was a lot for one little car right… even a snowboard!! Which had to go between the chairs in the front and on somebodies lap….) So squishy… but lots of fun =)
We were crusing along in Arizona when suddenly someone heard a noise – car was stopped, looked at and.. uh oh! Some belt or something had broken ?! Yep, I’m not a car person haha so, anyway, this results in us being stuck on the side of the desert in what seems like totally isane heat. It was soooooo hot. Inside the car was cooler I thought so I just hung out in there feeling just a tad shabby and sorry for myself =p Awesome!!!
We had a couple interesting visitors and one helpful border security man that helped us to establish, first, where we were and second, what we should do. Lucky Rhinannon had Canadas RAC equivelant so we got towed to a town nearby… well like 30 miles ! Okay, I totally don’t remember the name =( How sad… I could find it in a map though – it began with B!
Anyway, we got stuck there and told her car would cost HEAPS to fix. I was meant to be meeting Jo in Vegas so I was a little concerned about how I would meet up with her now… =p troubled times hahaha. (she had no phone).
Anyway… long story short ‘cuase I’m sure you don’t have all day (by the way I was in my pj’s the WHOLE time… walking around some random town hahaha – I had assumed we’d just be in the car so I wasn’t that worried and didn’t get dressed…. ? I was comfortable – so shoot me!!) We ended up hiring a car and driving to vegas. It all sort of worked itself out… the car got sold, and they flew to NY. But, it made for an interesting day haha which I don’t think ANY of us were ready or in the mood for …
Vegas was stunning. Driving in at night was quite spectaculor and an amazing sight to see… We spent our first name at Circus Circus which was a not too shabby establishment. We didn’t gert in until about 1030pm so by the time we got out we were wondering the streets of vegas until about 3am !!! Crazy I tell you – it did not feel that late at all hey… all of the casinos are well designed so that you get lost and forget what time of day it is!!
The next day Andrew and Kiwi took off to Vancouver and Jo and I went out to the Grand Canyon! By this stage I think we both felt like we’d seen so much of the US and were doing quite well given neither of us really ever had any plans to go to the US. So it was cool. I was a little sick of the one day here another day there travelling though and was beginning to look forward to moving to Jasper and settle down for a while….
It was quite an aamazing sunset that night and the scenery was incredible. The landscapes of the US and Canada are like nothing I have ever seen back home and I’m quite glad to have seen so much by road now =) We got to the National Park really late – about 9ish… it meant that finding a place to stay was very, very limitied. But we paid too much and got a free upgrade and brekkie in the morning so neither of us were really complaining. I was so glad to get a nice big bed and gorgeous shower after my little festy experience in California!!
The GC was one of those things I’ll be glad to have seen… not too sure why everybody thinks its so fantastic but that’s okay. It’s all part of the experience. I got some pretty cool photos and we spent a few hours there lookin’ about. There is so much development. They even have a bus to like take you around the rim (we went to the south rim). It’ll probably go down in my book with the Golden Gate Bridge – just a bridge, right? So the GC is just a big, big hole in the ground right!? Haha I know somebody somewhere thinks I’m insane… I would love to go back though and hike down and raft in the river – that would be amazing. I think you’d get such a better appreciation for its grandeur then… who knows.
So back to vegas we went! Feeling like yoyos we made it just in time to get tickets to go see Mystere with Rhiannon
So… guess I’ll finish=p We all went and saw Circ du soleil which was amazing. That was pretty much the night for us and one of my best memories from Vegas!!
Jo and I had another night which was awesome. A crazy night just light Vegas orders - gambling, drinking, free shows, crazy servers, weird experiences! It was really nice and a great way to celebrate the end of our holiday… and journey!
It was also the last time I partied for awhile. I guess a few of you knew my funds ran dry between Coachella and Vegas somewhere! Not bad I think. Did a lot really =P But thanks to the credit cards i could fly home, bus out to Jasper and then hibernate until I got paid.
So where am I now?
In the most amazing place I probably will ever live. Without a doubt the scenery I live within is just so amazing that if i take the time to sit back and realise where I am I will never complain.
I don’t think I’ve had time to update ’cause I’ve been forging new friendships, dealing with the lack of over people and settling into a new home, work and play environment! But, I’m pretty happy now.
I’ve got a bunch of great girlfriends. More than I have possibly ever had. I often feel like I’m in hgihschool but thats all okay with me for the moment. but yes, I miss all my ‘boy’ friends super much and the young-ness of the girls around me makes me miss all my beautiful and carefully selected girlfriends! So i think thats why I’ve been pretty homesick. I even considered coming home… but I think you can all go a bit longer without me=)
Anyways… my solution to the homesickness was to keep busy. i hired a car and drove down to Banff and lake louise of the weekend. I went to the Columbian Icefields and spent a night in the Banff Springs which is a STUNNING hotel. I partied with some mates from Big White which was really nice as well… I get super cheap rates ’cause I’m an employee so its good.
I’ve done a few hikes and I’ve seen heaps of Jasper. Been up tramways and seen the highest mountain in the Canadian Rockies from afar. but my big excitment happens tomorrow!
I’m out of here for three nights. Hotels every night - Fairmont hotels! We get like 75% discount which is awesome. I’m off to Lake Louise for two and Banff for one. From Lake Louise we’re (my friend Sabrina and I) are off to BC - Kicking Horse - to go white water rafting! HELL YEAH!!! I’m so excited.
I know I’ve probably said it a lot, but again - ticking off another of one of my ‘have to’s’ while in Canada! ohhhh yeah!!! so excited =)
I donty really have a lot to report. My life is much about working and learning my new job. It’s far different from Big White. My professionalism would astound even my mother. My verbiage behind the front desk is quite amazing. It’s not often you here me say ‘no worries’ or ‘cya’. I guess I could argue its wrong, but it’s good for customer service and will help me in my little career that, while travelling, I’m going to keep pursuing.
Dunno who knows either, but my visa came through. That’s right… I’ve got another 12 months here. So excellent. I’ll probably call this home until next Summer now. Hang out and snowboard and chill out during the winter and then I’ll take off to Montreal. I’m pretty keen to learn French while I’m here and make a good name for myself within the Fairmonts. It’s a pretty big decision for me given I am travelling. But, the more time I spend in Canada the more I realise my home might just become Canada! And, I haven’t even got to Europe!
My lovely mummies coming to seeme in September so if you have any gifts or anything to send (hahaha) send him to her place!! Nah, it’ll be soooo good to get a big hug from someone you know cares! Not something you get a lot travelling… and not in seasonal work environments. So that’ll be crazy! Got a week in Victoria (Van. Island) planned with her too !! And it’s really exciting.
I’m also contemplating going to Chicago for a three day festival, but I can’t get anyone to come with me…. we’ll see =)
I’m off to Edmonton for a weekend at the end of June to… so my road trips are back up and running!
Hope everyones safe, happy and not too cold in the winter of Australia (it’s hilarious to think your in winter, it still feels like winter here somedays!!)
love you all. miss you too. be safe!
Amy
xooxx
Will be nice to get my reassuring mother hugs … and all my requests !!!
