Friday 29 November 2013

all things canadian

From being here only a month and making a surprising number of canadian pals, I have been able to compile a list of some of the most bizarre things. Needed to be shared at this point of my travels so far

1. Canadians actually pronounce their 'r''s. More shockingly I have discovered that us aussies have really converted the english language and with what is supposed to be an 'r' really is of poor effort.

2. Canadians will actually say 'for sure' in almost every sentence

3. Bears are a majorly popular topic of conversation. It is also a frightening walk at night and the slightest sound from the bushes calls for locating the bear spray. (yes there is such a thing as bear spray, not sure how this would actually work with an actual run in with a bear and no I dont have any yet but am on the look out)

4. Talking about animals.. the recent discovery of also running into a cougar just freaks me out to no end, apparently if they are going to attack you then you want to see them rather than not because they like to pounce from behind

5. Canadians love their KD and that actually is short for kraft dinner (for all you aussies out there, easy mac!)

6. Toonies, loonies, dimes and nickles (do not call them anything else)

7. Apparently aussies says heaps, ages & keen way too much and is actually laughed at almost every time.

8. Noone else calls pommy's, pommy's except us beautiful people

9. Capsicum is not capsicum it is named a pepper and that is all. I have had way too many arguments with people about this classic

10. A jug is not a jug, it is called a pitcher

11. Never try a caesar it is actually a horrible canadian beverage (just a bloody mary with the odd canadian spin)

12. People and not just canadians are fascinated by australian animals. They seem to think that we have only poisonous animals in our country besides the kangaroos. I even got asked the other day if we have snakes in our toilets.

13. Hockey is hockey and not ice hockey, like seriously!?

14. The only canadians that are actually in whistler are those from Ontario, lots of them

15. chips are crisps

16. It's ketchup

17. Paw paw cream is only an aussie thing but those who know about it, love it

18. cant say as much for the vegimite

19. Netflix is a must but get your hands on the american one

20. Hunters are a popular shoe in Canada which are a very stylish and expensive gumboot

21. Cheese is a special treat as it costs a tonne

22. It is mandatory to say eh at the end of almost every sentence

I am sure I will be adding to this list as time goes on!




Thursday 21 November 2013

mandatory monthly post

Today marks my first month away from home which seems incredibly crazy how time has passed so fast. Oh, what a month it has been!

Let's start with the money factor and feeling fairly poor because I still haven't experienced the wonders of pay day friday. This means that I have been chewing into my savings like there is no tomorrow on basics like food, alcohol, food and alcohol. Things here are not cheap and although not more expensive than home still feels pricey for north america. Doing groceries has been my worst nightmare as I spend way too much on what seems like very few items. If anyone is ever thinking of doing a season over here it is recommended that a budget of at least $2000 is needed before getting paid anything decent. As the mountain has only just opened although hooked up with a job not a lot of hours are going around for many at the moment. In saying that I feel like I have worked so much, maybe because I have just been in holiday mode for over a month now.

Lots and lots of partying has been accomplished including our first staff party which was in a league of its own. Tight and bright at Merlins called for ski shotting, free drinks, some people getting kicked out of bars and some unfortunate (or maybe fortunate for some) lost memories. Julia you get a shout out in my post this time as being by far the craziest friend I have made on this trip so far, please appreciate the photos below! Many of us have learnt the hard way that going out when you have work the next day is a major slap in the face especially when your boss will even comment on the fact that they can tell you had a big night!




Work has been fairly quiet with almost no customers coming in as of yet but somehow I seem to have worked a tonne so far. As we are working at the fairmont rental store we get to work some sexy black baggy pants that are way too long, dressy shoes and a restricting sweater thing as the canadians call it. Apparently it is supposed to get super busy in the next couple of weeks which might make the shifts go faster too.


                                                          daily commute to work


We also finally have a new roomie, one of my friends from back home Taylor. He got sick of no lounge and no kitchen and eating breakfast, lunch and dinner on his bed so our place was too good to resist! One more to come!

And yes last but not least lets discuss the most important aspect of this adventure of mine, the mountain! Much to my amazement I did go up on opening day despite my reluctance of busy lines, tourists and probably being a complete clutz on first day! Nevertheless I went up with Lauren one of my new fairmont buddies. As a side note and to paint a picture for you all, my place is located on Blackcomb mountain a little way up which is not open yet due to not enough snow (I think?) Carrying skis, poles, helmet and lets not forget walking in the boots does is not the most incredible task you can think of. Here I was ready to go lugging all my gear down 4 flights of stairs, heading to the bus stop only to find a note saying that the buses do not run between 9-3 from now until early dec. Because we cannot ski down staff hill yet trying to get down by walking did not tickle my fancy. So I bit the bullet and caught a cab down to the village :/ . We had an absolute blast and were so excited to be up there for the first time of the season. Ran into our friend Andrew up the top and maybe unfortunately for him he got stuck with me being super slow for the rest of the day. Only a handful of runs were open which meant only 3 chairs open so the lines were super long but well worth it! I was amazed by the fact that I remembered how to ski after being only new to the awesome sport. However, as pro as you all might think I am I did fall about 3 times, with one really taking the wind out of my sails. Massive day up and unfortunately my only day so far due to working since then. The next 3 days are going to be huge as I will be up there for every single one of them, heres hoping!

                                        Lauren and I trying to snap a selfie on the chairlift



So it has been a huge month so far and is really only just beginning, until next week loved ones :)



                                              http://www.the-workingholiday-club.com/




Tuesday 12 November 2013

open sesame

It is only fitting that I post today as of early this morning we got news of opening day being this saturday! That is 2 weeks earlier than published which is super exciting. For all of those back home opening day is what we have all been hanging for since arriving and the village has gotten slightly busier each day which means people are getting ready!

This last week has been a lot more interesting especially since we have finally started working which have been filling up my days. Working at the Fairmont at a retail/rental store for the mountain and have met a bunch of awesome people already. It is extremely unfamiliar to me and nothing to like the work I have been doing for the past few years thats for sure. From fitting boots to adjusting skis and bindings to learning a billion things about gloves, smart wool, helmets and gloves it has been information overload. Us retail girls though have gotten some sweet discounts from attending some of our training PK's (product knowledge). Now that the mountain is opening super early we are working a tonne to get our store ready in time.

Besides working and hanging down the village and eating at furny's almost every other day for $5 meals, partying has been major. Every night there is something to do somewhere in town. There is always several house parties every night to attend before heading down to the club's. Really any day of the week is someone's weekend so staying at home is a treat. 

I haven't been very adventurous in the site seeing department but managed to go with some new pals down to the train wreck near function. Unlike most smart and wise people we decided to leave at around 3 which meant getting to the wreck in almost darkness. Nevertheless it was fun walking down the train track and checking it out. As a side note It gets dark here so super early so the days feel a lot shorter. 

Money is becoming scarce very fast and cannot wait for pay day which still isnt until next friday :( 

Sorry for all the photo lovers, I have been lazy at taking any of decent quality this last week. Maybe next time.





Sunday 3 November 2013

Going Solo

So it has been a week since posting and I thought it was most fitting to share my experiences of my first week in Whistler on my own.Arriving was pretty amazing and daunting at the same time. Stepping straight off the greyhound into crisp chilled air and seeing so many familiarities, I knew I was home.

Let me start off with my accommodation.  I have a pretty sweet bedroom to myself and sharing with 3 other roomies with the tiniest kitchen, living space and bathroom but it works. Located on the mountain it is not the funnest walk coming back up from the village multiple times a day but way quicker and cheaper than the bus thats for sure.


view from my room (just beautiful)


This is clean I swear








The village was like a ghost town when I first arrived with not a soul to be seen but in just a few short days when the snow dumped overnight crowds of people just appeared. I am in awe of how beautiful the mountain looks even though I have seen it all before, seriously blown away!

I can say I have been out almost every night this week and it isn't doing wonders for my budgeting but it is just so super easy making friends here it's hard not to say no. However work starts this afternoon and the burden of knowing everything and anything of bindings, skis and boots terrifies me to no end.
On that note though I have purchased a sweet set of new skis and boots which I managed to do at a bargain price seeing that is the only way I roll.








One thing is for sure I have a new found respect for my parents and all the opportunities I have been given at home. Living on your own although fun is extremely tough. Especially moving into somewhere new getting settled just seems like a never ending battle. For example, I have done 2 grocery shops and bought the bare minimum because of the mighty hike back up the mountain and because everything is so super expensive here. I was so lucky enough to have made some new friends who drove us into Squamish which mind you is 45 mins away to do a huge wallmart shop. Things like coat hangers, a towel, a blanket, detergent plus more food were purchased. I am almost sure I will not need to do another shop until at least christmas!

Some more bits and pieces I have learnt this week
1. Parts of Whistler I didn't even know existed I have seen in this last week
2. Yoghurt and peanut butter has appeared back onto the whistler dessert (all you ainsley)
3. Those reusable shopping bags are an essential
4. Keep every empty can they give you 5c back each one (as a local in whistler this is a must)
5. Mention you are a local anywhere you go, they  love the local discounts here
6. Buying extra socks and underwear wont change the fact that a wash needs to be done asap!
7. Everyone is super friendly and easy going here
8. Invest in a good can opener!