Calgary

It’s time for another round up of the week.

I flew to Calgary last Saturday to check it was the kind of place I could see myself living and I’m pleased to confirm… I BLOODY LOVED IT.

First of all, I’m not saying Toronto is a dive but it’s just too much like London. Hustling and bustling with sky scrapers and millions of people. I moved to Canada to hike, explore and live a slower pace of life. So here I am, moving west to be in touching distance of the mountains.

The start of this trip wasn’t smooth, I booked to fly with Lynx Air (Canada’s Ryan Air). Enough said I guess. I read reviews and most just moaned they didn’t serve food or drink and provided no entertainment or plug sockets. Well, I was prepared for this, I raided the little shop at departures and came with a battery pack in hand. What I wasn’t prepared for was a two hour delay stood waiting on the transfer bus, for no real reason. Anyway things got weird when mid flight a woman in my aisle got HER CAT out and began petting it, like WHAT?! I landed safely, with a blocked nose and in need of an antihistamine.

I arrived at the end of the famous Calgary Stampede - a 10 day Western-style extravaganza and one of Canada’s biggest events. Nothing pleased me more than being met by a sea of cowgirls and cowboys walking the streets with country music playing in every direction. I decided to stay in a hostel to save the pennies and actually this was a great idea, I met so many great people. The stampede itself was so fun, it’s got live music, rodeo, stalls and a fun fair. I so almost spent a ridiculous amount of money on some cowgirl boots but knew I’d never get them in my luggage home, my bank balance will thank me later.

Facebook is an amazing place, I joined this group called ‘Calgary girls connect’ and on this trip met up with other girls who moved to Calgary from around the world. Everyone is so friendly and welcoming. This week wouldn’t have been half as good without these girls I now call friends. I’ve never met a girl called Devan, pronounced ‘divan’ like the bed (she’ll thank me later), but that little 4ft nothing pocket rocket made Calgary feel like home. If anyone out there wants to hit up a lifestyle blogger / unique stay / hype girl, she’s the one for you (IG: devanrylee - do I get commission for this?)

I filled my time with hiking, sight seeing, ice tea drinking and pool time. I also did a couple of courses for work, one being the F.A.R.E fitness test and I’m telling you now, 75% of LAS would fail it. I think I’m relatively fit but Jesus Christ being asked to pick up a 55kg crate, squat then carry it around, followed by walking backwards with a 105kg scoop (and partner), up and down stairs with a carry chair, 2 minutes of CPR all back to back WHILST keeping my heart rate under 180bpm… that s*** was HARD. See picture below of my poor hands after!! But luckily I passed with a peak HR of 178, phew.

On a side note from that AWFUL day (mild exaggeration but it was tough), at the train station I was approached by a girl no older than 10 asking to call her dad from my phone. The inner Londoner in me assumed it was a con and either the call was going to cost $10k or she was going to run off with my phone in hand. Turns out neither, after dialling and holding the phone I found out she’d been separated from her sister at the last stop. I waited with her until the police came to the rescue then carried on my journey. The whole ordeal meant I missed 3 trains, I did contemplate leaving her but knew I’d probably feel guilty if I saw her face on a missing persons poster. Anyway just call me Mother Theresa from now on x

Knowing this was the town for me I decided to start viewing some places. I contemplated living alone but being a girl in a new town I thought this could be lonely, so I looked for rooms. The first place I saw ended up being the one for me. A 4 bed town house in a trendy area called Marda Loop living with 3 lovely girls in their 20s?! Who would say no to that. I was sold by the hugeee gas stove and the fact my ensuite has TWO sinks!! Things really have started to fall into place.

I’m now sat waiting for my return flight (it’s already been delayed with a departure time of 00:45) yay. I’ve begun applying for jobs so I’ll keep you updated on that but for now, I’m back to Toronto and potentially off on more travels before moving to Calgary at the end of August. It’s hard to sum up this whole week in a post short of a novel but Calgary, it’s been a HOOT.

Until next time, Yahoo!!

Em x