My Near Death Experience:

Alright, so I was on my way home, minding my own business, gazing up at the stars because it's a deliciously cool, clear night. I was walking across the frozen river when all of a sudden "CRACK!!" the ice cracks and I fall in! Nah, only kidding...The ice is fine :)

Anyways, I was walking across the ice when I see a BIG movement on the other side. Naturally I freeze, freaking out that I'm about to die. I watch while from the shadows a big THING moves around. I can hear my heartbeat in my ears, my brain is racking through my 'fight or flight' response mechanisms. I'm already over half way across the river, it'd be stupid to turn back, so I wait a few minutes to see if I'm going to die. Nothing happens. I wait a little longer...I hear movement further down the bank, well away from where I'm standing. I decide to press forward, handbag at the ready to swing at any predator, after all it has half a 1L coke in it from the grocery store, enough to cause my attacker a bit of a dizzy spell while I run away. 

I continue slowly, scanning the tree lined bank for any signs. Nothing. I move a little faster, up my usual path, towards the lights of the car park for the staff accommodation I live near. I'm in the light now, can't see any trouble when WHAM! right there, in the edge of the road is a huge.....umm....thing! It could be an elk, or possibly a moose, I can't tell the difference. It's just hanging out, eating the grass and looking at me like I'm a lunatic. I breathe a massive sigh of relief. Then BAM! A second one appears, on the island in the middle of the road. There's 2 of them! And they're about the size of big horses! 

I'm thinking, they have to be more scared of me than I am them right? That's what people always say. Then I remember Lee our tour guide from the Moose Tour saying not to go near females, because the male is never far away, and he won't hesitate to attack to save his females. So I start scanning the area thinking I'd be able to see him. I spot two more elk/moose (moose? or Mooses? I dunno....). So now there's 4 right. They could turn me into a shishkabob with their horns! Or trample me to death! But to get to my house, I have to walk between the first two I saw. So I make like a tree and stand still thinking they'll eventually walk away, or get scared off by a car. Not one but TWO cars come past and the elk/moose don't even flinch. My feet are frozen, I can barely move my fingers, I want to get home!

I take a few tentative steps onto the road. Neither of them are bothered. I take a couple more. Both look up, quizzically. I freeze. They freeze. I wait for them to go back to eating before I take a couple more steps. Looking good, I'm almost free. That's when I remember I have my camera in my bag. What the hell, I'll doubt I'll ever be this close to something like that again! I slowly and carefully fish it out, while scanning the area for any signs of attack. I step a little closer to one that's on the grass, on a little raised bit, thinking it's be harder for it to jump down to gouge me with it's horns so I get a head start running. I'm terrified the flash will alarm her. I take a couple more steps forward. I can see her big black eyes watching me as she munches on the grass. Just a few more and I'll be close enough.

I take a shot. The flash is blinding, but she didn't even stop eating. It's a bit dark, can barely see the picture. I step forward a little more, extending my arms to their fullest to get my camera closer. I have press the button so it can focus, a little orange light shines on her coat, she looks up at me, turns her head, and freezes. "CLICK"! Perfect shot! A little dark, but considering it's midnight and she's in the shadow of a building, it's wonderful. Once the flash has gone off, she goes back to eating. I say thanks and continue on my merry way home.
It was amazing. Being so close to something so wild, and have her pose for a photo even. Wow.
So here's what you've been waiting for. The photo:

The Elk/Moose :)

And here are some pictures of Snowflakes:

 

Just because they're pretty :)

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17-01-2010

Today I did the grocery shopping. That is all.

Since you're all such nags...

Here's an update:

I've been working at Earl's about one shift a week - which sucks. But it's just not busy here at the moment. And at least I'm getting some work. My friend Katie got her only shift for the week canceled last week.

During the day I sleep in (like being on holidays) and then I read and watch tv shows online. It takes forever to load so I can normally get a chapter of a book in between watching snippets of tv. There isn't much snow at the moment. The days have been too warm so the streets of Banff have turned to mush. On Sunday night I walked all the way through town and actually broke into a sweat because it was so warm- About 2 degrees C. There hasn't been fresh snowfall for about a week now. Not sure when the next fall is forecast for.

And as exciting as that all is, that's my life for the moment. I'm having dinner at a friends place tonight then I think we might be going to see a movie. Tonight is Katie and Axel's last night before they leave for Vancouver (and then to Africa the lucky ducks) so I promised them I'd see them off as well. 

They're all my plans until work friday night.

But here's a pic to keep you interested :

 

Sitting on a park bench.

 

Love xx

I completely forgot!

I know it's super delayed, but i just remember one of the most amazing things that we did whilst on the moose tour. Although, technically not part of the itinerary, on our free day in Banff me and a few of the girls decided to go dog sledding. We called up Snowy Owl Dog Sledding who run out of Canmore (about 30mins down the highway from Banff) and booked ourselves in for a tour the next day.

We were picked up bright and early from the SameSun hostel. In the van with us was a beautiful Husky which only got all of us the more excited and worked up. It was quite a bumpy ride to the sledding site, but well worth it when we saw all the dogs lined up ready to go. They were all so excited and so were we. After a brief tutorial we were assigned to sleds and guides and a team of 8 dogs. Some big, some small, but all extremely beautiful and friendly. I started out IN the sled (as opposed to driving the sled) which was so cosy. The dogs all began barking and howling and were just pulling to start running. All these dogs are bred at Snowy Owl and they're raised to run. If a dog doesn't enjoy running or isn't up to the task, it is adopted out to a good home. They're fed twice a day, and groomed daily. With over 120 dogs at the kennels you can imagine how long this process takes.

So we were off and running. All up the tour takes about an hour, and the driver and the person in the sled swap half-way. It was so exhilarating, although from the video you can't really tell. It's a bit frightening when the dogs take off down hill. They're all so happy and excited, you can't help but smile. Of course, we help the dogs out a little by yelling encouragement and running alongside the sled on up hills so they don't have to pull dead weight. If you ever get the opportunity to go sledding, by all means DO IT!!!!

Our sled on the go.

Our Dogs, Sled and Cameron.

After our ride, we patted and thanked the dogs, then sat around a campfire drinking hot apple cider and eating delicious cookies. The guide on my sled, Cameron (i think his name was), came and chatted with us and fed some cookie to the birds who happily flew out of the trees into his hand to get it. Absolutely amazing.

The Bird Cameron was Feeding.

Group Shot by The Fire (L-R): Me, Linda, Nicola, Lauren, Rachel.

Given the chance, I would do it all again in a heartbeat.

The Van.

Merry Christmas and A Happy New Year

Sorry it's taken me so long to post again. It's been hard only having internet access on my mobile. But now my laptop has arrived so I have no excuses for not keeping you more up to date.

Okay, so last post I'd just gotten back to Banff. I've now been here for about a month. Wow, time flys.

I'm living in a unit with 3 other people; AJ, Kate and Becky. AJ and Kate are from the U.K and Becky is local. The unit (or condo as it's called here) is quite new and very nice. My room is small and pretty much in the basement so it's cold but I don't mind too much. Everyone sticks to themselves; I barely ever see Becky unless she's coming or going, all the other times she's in her room upstairs. AJ and Kate are both ski instructors so work most days leaving about 7.30am and coming home about 4.30pm, which happens to be when I'm usually leaving for work.

Our condo at dusk.

I'm working now in a restaurant called Earl's. I'm a setter meaning I clean off the dirty tables and reset them for the next customers. We'd been pretty busy over the last two weeks but apparently business goes into a bit of a lull now for a week or so making work hours pretty few and far between. Good thing I've gotten used to living on a backpackers budget. The staff there are all really nice though so hopefully I'll be able to stay working for a fair while.

 

Street Level View of Earl's Restaurant.

I don't know if I mentioned last time but I had a snowboarding accident a couple weeks ago. I had a pretty bad fall on a black run and bruised my tailbone and smashed the back of my head. Ski patrol made me go to hospital and all that crap. It sucked but I guess it could have been worse. I'm still not allowed to go back on the slopes in danger of furthering my injury (which only occasionally hurts now). I suppose it saves me money though.

Um, what else is there? I can't remember what else I wanted to write right now but if I think of it I'll update.

Love xx

Back In Banff

After a 2.5 hour bustrip from Whistler, a 6 hour stint in the Vancouver Bus Depot and a 17 hour Bus Journey through the Rockies I'm FINALLY back in Banff.
Today it is snowing. It's no wonder I love this place.

My job search has so far been unsuccessful. However I did go to the local Legion (which is like a RSL) and the guy there gave me some retaurants to try out that he knows are hiring or will be hiring soon. Keep your fingers crossed for me!!
I have an appointment at the bank for Tuesday to open an account.

I'm staying at the SameSun Chalet again. Couldn't resist having a hot tub in my room. And the weekly rate is discounted which is also a big plus.
Most my roomies are Aussie (yet again) but there is a German named Conrad and another guy who's name I haven't picked up yet and I'm not sure where he's from either. The room is a little cramped but I think almost everyone is staying for a while so I don't have to worry about meeting new people everyday. Seems as though everyone goes to Kicking Horse to ski almost everyday. I've heard it's pretty expensive so I think I'll have to wait to see if I can find a job before I think about going. Also heard the slopes are quite steep so it wouldn't be a great place for me to try just yet.

Anyways, I'm in the Banff Public Library where the internet is $1 for 30 mins.
I should be able to come on most days so please keep in touch and give me something to read and reply to.

Lots of love from the Snow!!!!!
xx