Adventures of a Gringacita: October 2013

Early September I set off to drive across Canada. I stayed in Prince George with a lovely friend who had also just made the daunting commitment to school and a new environment. The drive down the ice fields highway was spectacular. Mount Robson, the biggest mountain in the park nearly drove me off the road. The grander of the mountain was shocking. I stayed in Canmore and visited old pals Harry and Eric. We created gluten filled masterpieces until 2 in the morning and laughed about our past adventures. I was able to spend the following day with an old friend, Amy Larson, hiking around Canmore and stayed the night in Calgary. Eric bribed me to return to Canmore where he promised to take me climbing. It was deja-vue when Eric’s car broke down and the first day was spent idle, waiting for CAA to save the vehicle. It was worth the wait though!! Because the following day we climbed Ha Ling, an 11 pitch climb. It was the absolute bomb-diggity. Leaving Canmore was difficult, saying goodbye to a great pal and realizing that this was the final mountain adventure that I would have for some time.

For the next three days I drove. I slept in my car to save money and convince myself that I wasn’t as old as my age and upcoming responsibility implied. Word to the wise – don’t arrive at the border without a pre-set story, un-showered and wearing cut-offs with a tie-dye shirt. You will have to wait for some time while your car gets thoroughly searched. Don’t be doing Yoga in the waiting room when they return either. Trust me, words to the wise.

I returned home two days before school started. The first week wasn’t easy. It was a blistering 32 degrees C every day and I bike half an hour to school. I gave a sweaty first impression, there’s proof of it in my student card photo. Main campus was a nightmare… full of new students who were at least 8 times more excited than I was to be there. I’m currently a student in the Masters of Social Work Program at Laurier University. I miss the mountains and the open spaces, but I know they’re only waiting and I’ll be back there again soon. I’m grateful to be in school and surrounded in people with diverse opinions and experience. There is much to be learned.