Dakota, the puppy of a colleague…Love!
Ice skating
Sunday, November 22, 2015
Tuesday, November 10, 2015
Banff Life
Time is passing by quickly and I am growing to love Banff more and more, not only because it is very beautiful, but the town of Banff is a proud little town that does a lot to involve us in happenings and every day life here. By "us", I mean people like me that come here to work and live, which makes us locals. I have been to some tours and meetings organized from Discover Banff Tours to get to know more about living in a national park and other stuff.
There are also a bunch of volunteers named "Banff Life", who do all sorts of activities and social events. I thought that because I'll be here quite a while, I might as well sign up.
Have not heard back yet but I sure hope to become a volunteer, get to meet more people then I already do and get to know town better.
Also I don't really get bored here, there is so much stuff to do: town has a swimming pool, hot pools, rock climb center, skating arenas (indoors and outdoors), gym, free yoga 4 times a week, art center and my favorite, the library! I even got a library card so I can borrow all books and movies for free :) I also spend lots of time at the library, it is very quiet and warm whereas the hostel can get way too noisy for reading even 1 or 2 pages.
In addition to this, life has drastically improved since I have both days and nights shifts.
I absolutely love working days, and do what I love doing and talk to sober people. I don't mind working nights but I can't really say I love it. They are looking into putting me only on days, so I am waiting patiently for the day to arrive.
Cherry on top, getting out of staff accommodation was really the best thing, female dorm is truly a dream. I have made so many friends already, I get to get a proper sleep in a very comfy bed in a room that gets cleaned daily.
Everything is going the right direction and things seems to get better every day.
I have fallen into a routine that I like and I do feel a sense of accomplishment that for me is essential. - It is really cold but it will get colder. We have -2C during the day and -9C at nights now, not so much snow yet, but streets are very icy.
This was just a quick update so I will post more photos.
Only thing: I have not seen a bear yet!!
There are also a bunch of volunteers named "Banff Life", who do all sorts of activities and social events. I thought that because I'll be here quite a while, I might as well sign up.
Have not heard back yet but I sure hope to become a volunteer, get to meet more people then I already do and get to know town better.
Also I don't really get bored here, there is so much stuff to do: town has a swimming pool, hot pools, rock climb center, skating arenas (indoors and outdoors), gym, free yoga 4 times a week, art center and my favorite, the library! I even got a library card so I can borrow all books and movies for free :) I also spend lots of time at the library, it is very quiet and warm whereas the hostel can get way too noisy for reading even 1 or 2 pages.
In addition to this, life has drastically improved since I have both days and nights shifts.
I absolutely love working days, and do what I love doing and talk to sober people. I don't mind working nights but I can't really say I love it. They are looking into putting me only on days, so I am waiting patiently for the day to arrive.
Cherry on top, getting out of staff accommodation was really the best thing, female dorm is truly a dream. I have made so many friends already, I get to get a proper sleep in a very comfy bed in a room that gets cleaned daily.
Everything is going the right direction and things seems to get better every day.
I have fallen into a routine that I like and I do feel a sense of accomplishment that for me is essential. - It is really cold but it will get colder. We have -2C during the day and -9C at nights now, not so much snow yet, but streets are very icy.
This was just a quick update so I will post more photos.
Only thing: I have not seen a bear yet!!
Coyote chasing Elk tracks
Lake Minnewanka
Mountain Goats
Finding my way to the toilet in the local pub
Home made Yorkshire pudding made by a Yorkshire friend
W…T…F…!!
Mr Banff!
The library :)
Monday, November 2, 2015
Better and better
Winter has arrived and so has the snow. It is freezing cold but it it's beautiful at the same time.
It is kind of fun to see all the drama going on: who hooks up with who, who cheated on who and who came crawling home after a big night out.
I often catch people having sex in the depos, trying to have sex in the laundry room and have to stop people having sex in the dorms after guests come to me and complain.
I feel a bit overqualified for this job to be honest but good news is I have been given day shifts as well as nights starting next week. Some colleagues has left so I have good chances on going on days permanently.
The other good news is that management has decided to get rid of staff accommodation, so we have all been split up into different rooms with guests. This should prevent staff going completely wild, after numerous online bad reviews.
As I was the first to show up when rooms where assigned, I got to choose where I wanted to stay. I chose the best in the house: 6 female dorm. Only 6 people in the room, girls are usually more respectful of me sleeping during the day, they are a bit tidier then boys, don't smell or snore as bad as boys and are less rowdy then boys.
This is the best thing that could happen to me. The room gets cleaned daily, no more having to listen to couples shagging in the bunks, I get to meet many more people (all australians…) and I get more then 4 hours sleep per day.
Things are just getting better and better, and the way I want it to be.
Still working nights at the moment and I still have mixed feelings about it. It's good because I get to do things at my own tempo, I hardly ever go out drinking so my health is not suffering from that and same with my pockets. When all the drunks finally go to bed it is nice and quiet.
On the other hand I don't have much social life and it's hard to get proper sleep in a dorm.
Also working night desk is all about cleaning, telling drunk people to shut up and be quiet and deal with some uncomfortable situations. It all builds character, as they say.
Some of my tasks include:
Cleaning the beaver bar and set up for breakfast
Fold sheets and distribute them on the different floors
Clean the common kitchen and common room
It is kind of fun to see all the drama going on: who hooks up with who, who cheated on who and who came crawling home after a big night out.
I often catch people having sex in the depos, trying to have sex in the laundry room and have to stop people having sex in the dorms after guests come to me and complain.
I feel a bit overqualified for this job to be honest but good news is I have been given day shifts as well as nights starting next week. Some colleagues has left so I have good chances on going on days permanently.
The other good news is that management has decided to get rid of staff accommodation, so we have all been split up into different rooms with guests. This should prevent staff going completely wild, after numerous online bad reviews.
As I was the first to show up when rooms where assigned, I got to choose where I wanted to stay. I chose the best in the house: 6 female dorm. Only 6 people in the room, girls are usually more respectful of me sleeping during the day, they are a bit tidier then boys, don't smell or snore as bad as boys and are less rowdy then boys.
This is the best thing that could happen to me. The room gets cleaned daily, no more having to listen to couples shagging in the bunks, I get to meet many more people (all australians…) and I get more then 4 hours sleep per day.
Things are just getting better and better, and the way I want it to be.
Sunday, October 25, 2015
What to pack when going on a long trip
Because nothing new or exciting is happening here at the moment worth writing about, I'll be taking a bit of time off this lazy Sunday to answer a question some have been asking:
" What are you going to bring to Canada with you?"
So I will be explaining what I bring with me when going on long trips. This is the same way I also packed for New Zealand, just works for me.
First of all as rule number 1: If it doesn't fit, I don't need it.
Hair dryer, can't make it fit? I don't need it. That book I really wanted to read, just can't make it fit? I don't need it.
I got a 70l backpack from Quechua. Very resistant and spacious.
Then I have 22l backpack, also from Quechua , which is honesty the strongest and most resistant backpack ever. Have had it for about 6 years, intensely used for everyday use and rough travels around the world. It is only now starting to lose a bit of its "blackness" but other than that, no holes and the zip is as good as day 1.
Rule number 2: If I can't carry it, I don't need it.
I absolutely hate trolleys and anything with wheels. Yes, it is true that trolleys are more spacious, but that only means bring lots of unnecessary stuff. Also they break easy and are a pain in the ass to walk with on uneven pavements.
The big backpack is of course for clothes. Photo below shows what I actually packed.
I did not tidy the shelves for the sake of the photo and some stuff is on the bed and can't be seen, but this should give the idea. Bottom shelf, pants, hoodies, and lots of shirts. Then some toiletry stuff. Some brought from home, some bought here of course. I don't use makeup so I don't have huge toiletry bags that fils 3/4 of the bag. C vitamins are essential. Never mind the can of beer :) No, I don't have the hair dryer. That is the most unessential item ever. Most hostels/hotels have that can be borrowed, and there is always some girl that has it.
Top shelf, bag with lots of underware, the more the better. Then a book and some random stuff that I am not even sure what it is. I have some scarves and gloves hidden in the backpack. It's gonna be very cold soon. No more clothes are needed, I just wash it and I am good to go.
I have 2 pair of shoes and 1 pair of havaianas. I had to chose what shoes to bring so this is how I decided: Nike shoes: these actually stay on my feet so they are good for walking, hiking and working. Comfortable and solid enough. So they should last at least 6 more months. The Adidas are just super cool, so these I wear for all other occasions. Not good for walking long distances, I don't tie them so they don't stick on my feet very well. I thank my mom for these fantastic shoes btw. Love them. Both pair are oldish (the Adidas are second hand) , so if I lose them, break them, ruin them it's no big deal. The havaianas are just essential and make life easier. Very good quality and solid. Any other brand is not good. I wish I had my Crocs, but as much as I love them, they could not fit in my bag, so following rule number 1, I don't need the. I did not chose vans or converse because they just don't last long.
I have 1 towel. Hostel has plenty to borrow so no more then 1 is needed. It is a real towel, not the microfiber one. I just don't like the material.
I have no clothes for special occasions. Job interview? jeans, adidas and a shirt. Date? jeans, adidas and a shirt. Funeral? jeans, adidas and shirt.
Then in the smaller backpack I have other essentials like:
My laptop, external hard disk, camera, Gopro (including all the accessories) , iPod , a box with cables, SD cards adapters and other stuff.
Laptop VS iPad. Why i chose the heavier laptop instead of the small and light iPad? With my laptop I can use Gopro Studio. Yes, I can use it on the iPad too, but because I have many videos and many many GB, it is just much easier with the laptop. Better for movies, photos and everything else. Had I been away for 2 months, I would have brought the iPad, making sure I had many SD cards for videos and photos to then process at home.
Camera is still better then the pictures I take with the iPhone. Small and compact, takes little space and does almost the same things the bigger canon or nikon do.
Gopro is just fantastic and has become a must for my travels.
iPod explains itself.
I thank my fantastic dad for the items he got me. He knows which ones I am talking about, made my life so much better :)
Now that I have the minivan carrying my things is not a problem anymore, but the fact remains that I don't need all that stuff. Less to take care of. It is nice to live just with the essential.
I hope you liked this post, a bit different from the usual :)
" What are you going to bring to Canada with you?"
So I will be explaining what I bring with me when going on long trips. This is the same way I also packed for New Zealand, just works for me.
First of all as rule number 1: If it doesn't fit, I don't need it.
Hair dryer, can't make it fit? I don't need it. That book I really wanted to read, just can't make it fit? I don't need it.
I got a 70l backpack from Quechua. Very resistant and spacious.
Then I have 22l backpack, also from Quechua , which is honesty the strongest and most resistant backpack ever. Have had it for about 6 years, intensely used for everyday use and rough travels around the world. It is only now starting to lose a bit of its "blackness" but other than that, no holes and the zip is as good as day 1.
Rule number 2: If I can't carry it, I don't need it.
I absolutely hate trolleys and anything with wheels. Yes, it is true that trolleys are more spacious, but that only means bring lots of unnecessary stuff. Also they break easy and are a pain in the ass to walk with on uneven pavements.
The big backpack is of course for clothes. Photo below shows what I actually packed.
I did not tidy the shelves for the sake of the photo and some stuff is on the bed and can't be seen, but this should give the idea. Bottom shelf, pants, hoodies, and lots of shirts. Then some toiletry stuff. Some brought from home, some bought here of course. I don't use makeup so I don't have huge toiletry bags that fils 3/4 of the bag. C vitamins are essential. Never mind the can of beer :) No, I don't have the hair dryer. That is the most unessential item ever. Most hostels/hotels have that can be borrowed, and there is always some girl that has it.
Top shelf, bag with lots of underware, the more the better. Then a book and some random stuff that I am not even sure what it is. I have some scarves and gloves hidden in the backpack. It's gonna be very cold soon. No more clothes are needed, I just wash it and I am good to go.
I have 2 pair of shoes and 1 pair of havaianas. I had to chose what shoes to bring so this is how I decided: Nike shoes: these actually stay on my feet so they are good for walking, hiking and working. Comfortable and solid enough. So they should last at least 6 more months. The Adidas are just super cool, so these I wear for all other occasions. Not good for walking long distances, I don't tie them so they don't stick on my feet very well. I thank my mom for these fantastic shoes btw. Love them. Both pair are oldish (the Adidas are second hand) , so if I lose them, break them, ruin them it's no big deal. The havaianas are just essential and make life easier. Very good quality and solid. Any other brand is not good. I wish I had my Crocs, but as much as I love them, they could not fit in my bag, so following rule number 1, I don't need the. I did not chose vans or converse because they just don't last long.
I have 1 towel. Hostel has plenty to borrow so no more then 1 is needed. It is a real towel, not the microfiber one. I just don't like the material.
I have no clothes for special occasions. Job interview? jeans, adidas and a shirt. Date? jeans, adidas and a shirt. Funeral? jeans, adidas and shirt.
Then in the smaller backpack I have other essentials like:
My laptop, external hard disk, camera, Gopro (including all the accessories) , iPod , a box with cables, SD cards adapters and other stuff.
Laptop VS iPad. Why i chose the heavier laptop instead of the small and light iPad? With my laptop I can use Gopro Studio. Yes, I can use it on the iPad too, but because I have many videos and many many GB, it is just much easier with the laptop. Better for movies, photos and everything else. Had I been away for 2 months, I would have brought the iPad, making sure I had many SD cards for videos and photos to then process at home.
Camera is still better then the pictures I take with the iPhone. Small and compact, takes little space and does almost the same things the bigger canon or nikon do.
Gopro is just fantastic and has become a must for my travels.
iPod explains itself.
I thank my fantastic dad for the items he got me. He knows which ones I am talking about, made my life so much better :)
I hope you liked this post, a bit different from the usual :)
Saturday, October 17, 2015
Calgary and sweet new ride
I had to go to Calgary to get my international drivers license done at the Danish Consulate the other day, good to get out of Banff for the day.
People at the consulate were extremely helpful but I felt 100 km and an awful greyhound bus ride was a lot to go and sigh a piece of paper. But still worth it.
Calgary turns out to be an extremely boring concrete city with almost no charm at all.
I was only in downtown but I am assuming the neighborhoods are not much better.
The city counts 1 million people, but it didn't feel busy at all. Maybe because all the buildings are interconnected, so there is no need to get out of one building to get into another. Everyone inside!
Reason I had to make an international drivers license is that I bought a sweet ride! No more greyhound busses! I bought freedom!
Welcome to 1996 Dodge gran caravan. It's name is VanMorrison. I did not name it, it's the name the previous owners gave, they absolutely adored it but hat to sell it cause they are moving back to Australia.
I spent almost all my money on this van, insurance and other stuff that comes with it, so now I am just like everyone else here in the hostel. Poor. Now I actually need to make and save money! Damn! So hard to do in a party hostel where 100% of earnings go on alcohol and late nights.
But all is good, weather is fantastic and I am having fun :)
YOLO!!
People at the consulate were extremely helpful but I felt 100 km and an awful greyhound bus ride was a lot to go and sigh a piece of paper. But still worth it.
Calgary turns out to be an extremely boring concrete city with almost no charm at all.
I was only in downtown but I am assuming the neighborhoods are not much better.
Reason I had to make an international drivers license is that I bought a sweet ride! No more greyhound busses! I bought freedom!
Welcome to 1996 Dodge gran caravan. It's name is VanMorrison. I did not name it, it's the name the previous owners gave, they absolutely adored it but hat to sell it cause they are moving back to Australia.
7 Seats!
I also got my very own number plate
But all is good, weather is fantastic and I am having fun :)
YOLO!!
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