Lil Big City and Halloween Fever

Today I decided to explore the city. Fortuitously, I'm based in Downtown (enter high pitched  singing of Macklemore "DOWNTOWN") and it only took 45 minutes to walk in. It's crazy to think this city is the oil and gas capital of Canada and yet you can basically walk across it in a few hours. So similar to Aberdeen in that respect, but this city has massive sky scrapers and a decent public transport system.

I'm not sure what it is but this place is actually full of culture. So many public parks, mixed with structures and monuments, not to mention the building architecture. Loving it here. 

I headed first to the Calgary tower, possibly the most iconic building in the city (below) and I wanted to get photos from up at the top, especially looking out over the mountains.

Unfortunately it seemed to be closed, or at least I couldn't work out how to get in, so I wasn't able to go on up and get the sick "Pano" I wanted. Never one to let these things ruin my day, I wondered around until I found a "Mall". In doing so, I snapped some pictures of the surrounding buildings. Like I said, there seems to be such an awesome mix of different architecture and public monuments/ art work. 

On my walk home I happened across "that one neighbour that likes Halloween a little too much". All the neighbourhoods are getting ready and I must admit, I starting to feel it too. It's actually nice to see people digging the holiday spirit. Back in the UK there seems to be such an emphasis on Christmas with it being celebrated and prepped earlier and earlier each year, there is no room for this holiday in the British calendar. As for me, tomorrow we're pumpkin carving and decorating the house for the lil bastards to trick or treat us. I've never truly understood how this works... surely the person in the house should say Trick or Treat?? Not the kid that walks up to the door. Bit presumptuous if you ask me. 

Sky's the limit - oh

Doesn't matter where in the world I go, I always end up gliding. I'm incredibly privileged to be able to see the various countries from a completely different perspective. Canada is no different. 

So Saturday came and we're ready to rock. Got up early and headed out to the CuNim Gliding club, about an hour out of Calgary. This is where Chris fly's from and I was pretty excited as we'd spent the previous evening talking about the different flying conditions in Canada, and hearing all the stories of smashing out big tasks in weather similar to South Africa or Australia. I was pretty stoked. 

We got the kit ready and were airborne in an hour of arrival. The views!!! Looking over to the West you can see the Rockies, to the East the Skyscrapers of Calgary and the flat plains that go all the way to the centre of the continent. Mind blowing.

I did the launch and the rotor from the wave coming off the mountains was still pretty turbulent. Added to the pretty strong wind, found the lift to be strong but we were constantly being blown south, away from the airfield. Once established I passed the controls over to Chris, as I wanted to enjoy the views and take some photos. I was having a great time, see face below.

It was at this point that Chris mentioned he wanted to head south so we could climb higher... something to do with the airspace. I was like... "you sure?, it's quite windy", but this guy is National Champ, what could go wrong? Well to give the guy credit, trying to thermal away from 300ft on top of a hill in the middle of Canada, whilst being blown further and further away from decent field options, haha comedy.  

I mean, I actually quite like landouts, it adds to the adventure and the whole point of gliding to me is to go out, mess around in the conditions and soar. Granted this can go wrong and we probably should have kept closer to the airfield, but this was an adventure.

The field was good, the farmer was super nice and we even had a visit from some  rather inquisitive hoofed friends.

An hour later, help had arrived and we were back in time for beers at the club. Pretty good day really.

NB: I should also mention that after the flight we had to go to a childrens halloween party... for the sake of not being on a register, it was actually Chris's partner (Denise) who invited us. A quick stop off at a thrift shop, these places are incredible, and we were good to go. All I can say is, being British and dressed as a pirate went down very well with the cougars. 

Banff and Lake Louise - Please employ me

Few days back now, for some reason it didn't post, I had a great day out into the hills.. and by hills I mean ridiculously massive mountains. It’s here that I really want to be based. I’ve been looking for places and jobs online and on arrival it didn’t disappoint. The views are incredible and I could just sense more of a buzzing atmosphere. Young people, far too many Aussies. How are there this many Aussies? But what I can say is this place is probably the closest to what you’d get to a resort in the Alps.

On arrival we went to the tourist information and I got my bearings and headed to the job centre. To note, the last time I went to one of these I got heckled at by tracksuit wearing types with tinnies in hand and children in chairs. So I prepped myself for what I thought was going to be an experience. Actually Canada is completely different and most of these were just europeans looking for what I am, an alright job with accommodation included. 

Photos taken of possible jobs followed by a conversation with a member of staff, led to knowing Sunshine Village, the best ski resort in the area, are having interviews next Thursday, so that’s the plan. Fingers crosses!! 

On what we classed as a minor success, we prematurely celebrated by eating what can only be described as a Canadian Scottish treat.. a batter based pastry dish with sugary goodness on top, called a “Beaver Tail”. I could could feel my arteries struggling. 

Round the corner we decided to grab a coffee. It was to my delight that I managed to see my first "First Nation Person", wearing a leather jerkin with long dark hair and a musky Brut like smell. Granted theses aren't native Americans but growing up watching dances with wolves, this is as close to the real thing as I'll get.

Following this, we headed out to where Chris takes all his victims, Lake Louise. Actually this place is equally stunning. Big old fancy hotel overlooking a glacial lake. The colours and clarity of the water are insane, even for someone who’s colourblind. 

Arrival and Calgary

Well they let me in. Not going to lie, there was a moment of having to play it cool and not make any jokes during the "interrogation" at Toronto but it seemed pretty straight forward and my bottom was left intact. From Toronto I caught an internal flight to Calgary.

I should mention that I'm staying with a friend here in Calgary for a few weeks until I get a place near Banff. The idea that I wanted to get out to Whistler was great but it seems quite hard to get accommodation, but I will wait and see. Maybe when the snow melts and I bring my bike across.

Yesterday I was up early, probably from the jet lag, and went for a quick run to explore. The view from the house is actually mental. It's crazy how close we are here to the city centre, and in the distance I can just see the mountains. 

After breakfast I headed out and got some groceries. Typically I ended up in the only niche, super expensive, fancy bespoke, you name it supermarket where I almost had to cut off my arm to pay for cereal and some milk. Then it turns out its almond and coconut so this is going to go well. It's also nice to see all the houses of this neighbourhood getting ready for Halloween 👻🎃. I've been taking snaps of all the things that seem "Canadian" and I still can't get over the size of their trucks they drive in. I think I actually need one. 

Today I travel with Chris, my host for the next few weeks, to Banff. Chris is an old buddy of mine I know through Gliding. I first met Chris when he casually walked into a shared sauna in Finland, during a world championships, stark bullock naked. Naturally we became friends straight away. So looking forward to getting out and exploring. 

Bring on the syrup!

I’ve spent the last three weeks desperately trying to see everyone before departing for the colder Canadian climate, as if I won’t be returning, but it’s only in these last few days, through sorting out the documents for my visa, what I’m going to do with my car/ glider whilst I’m away, yes I know #firstworldproblem, but the nerves have started to hit. I manage to get to the airport and only at the moment of stepping onto the plane does it hit me.. shiiiit I intend to do what over the next few months?!? I’ve literally packed skis and a pare of pants. 

I’m writing this as we just hit landfall over the north east corner of Canada.  Cruising at 39,995ft and I start thinking about a proposition I was given literally as I sat down on the aircraft. A colleague called from Aberdeen and he wants me to go work for him. I mean, honestly what are the odds? I haven’t even managed to go yet and I could be finding myself back in Aberdeen. But is it the job I want? I mentioned I’ll need some time and once I’ve received my visa I’ll decide whether to come back or not. For the moment, thoughts are on getting out and exploring, preferably on skis. It’s what I’ve been planning for the last 8 plus months. 

As a side note, my neighbours next to me on the plane are adorable and I might have already got my green card. Their daughter is newly single, has done charity work with huskies in northern Canada and I’ve been given her card. Comedy.  

The next update will be once I've sorted myself and I'm actually in Canada. Please God don't let the Mounties mount me...