Rocky Trails, Far From Concrete Jungles

I just spent one a half months living and working in Lake Louise, living out one of my dreams since I first glimpsed the Rockies.

My backyard for one and a half months. Winter album: click here

Indeed, every morning felt like waking up in a dream, the rising sun illuminating tumbling mountains and carpet green forests outside my window. One step outside and a breath of cold air, drawn deep into my lungs - so fresh and revitalizing - was all I needed to face the day, no hits of caffeine required.

I was in no rush - I worked evenings. After a nice breakfast I could go skiing, cross country skiing or hiking. Or I could stay home and do yoga, practice guitar or read. Sometimes my roommate did yoga and I would join her. Other days I would do it on my own.

I went with the flow, listened to my body and my mind. Here, body and mind spoke clearly. Or maybe it was more easily heard without all the typical overstimulus of the city drowning them out. My roommate and I chose not to have a TV, which also helped. Surprisingly, the activity I chose most often was reading and playing guitar, proving that I am a home body. As long as I am in the mountains I don't need to be on a mountain.

It got lonely at times, but my roommate, Brianne, and I enjoyed eachother's company whenever we were both home. We had a few friendly neighbours. And I had just found an awesome hiking partner. Time would eventually expand my social circle.

Don't look at me, look at those! Spring photo album: click here

Evenings at the restaurant were sometimes stressful. But as I eased into the job and the staff became familiar with me, it became fun and rewarding. On the short walk home, I'd stare at the stars, glimmering like diamonds across the quilted night. I made sure to carry bear spray with me, as the bears have emerged from hibernation and are attracted to the smell of food I got from the restaurant. The Station itself is a beautiful restaurant - the antique building originally housed the first train station in town.

Inside The Station restaurant

Every day felt like living in a bubble, insulated from the chaotic world outside those towering rock walls. I guess that's why all sorts of people choose to come here. And I really mean all sorts. Lake Louise folk include working holiday Aussies and nature lovers, like me. But there are also a lot of people who, for whatever reason, didn't fit in to wherever they came from. So they found escape, and eachother's company, here in Lake Louise. I guess I sort of belong in this column too.

After all, I also escaped to the mountains from Vancouver and its long commutes, high prices, loud noises, hurried people, crazy people, and endless distractions. But I do also miss many things about the city. I miss cultural events and people watching. I miss finding my community of like-minded people who are educated and aware about global issues, and are collaboratively working towards addressing them. I also kind of miss the sushi too.

City life, I guess you get the good with the bad. Mountain life, it's simple and blissful, but in ignorance. Both will play tug-of-war on my heartstrings to a stalemate. I know I can't have the best of both worlds. I can only make the best of the world I am in, no matter where I find myself.

Flickr photos:
Winter - https://www.flickr.com/photos/11monthsandrew/sets/72157667076200466
Spring - https://www.flickr.com/photos/11monthsandrew/albums/72157666976147772

32 Years and Forever Young

~|~

Yesterday was a reminder why I live life spontaneously.

It happened to be my birthday, but it felt like any other day (in fact, I forgot it was my birthday until I checked my FB messages). And like any other day since arriving in the Rockies, I was just happy to be alive, surrounded by the most awe inspiring nature Canada has to offer. Also that morning the most perfect snow I've ever seen was falling - big as gumballs but light as feathers.

Nothing but the sound of my own lively heartbeat

My legs sent a sore reminder of my amazing cross country ski the previous day. At one point on the trail, I suddenly stopped and was instantly overcome by the dead silence of the moment, the trees stark still and staring at me. The only sound that entered my consciousness then was the pounding of my heart... *th*thump* *th*thump*...

And I felt alive. Truly alive.

I ate lunch in front of an audience of snowcaps known as the Valley of Ten Peaks, home to my favourite summer spot, Moraine Lake. I then did the 10 km return leg at a torrid pace, adrenaline fueled by my music, reaching the finish line on a euphoric high. My energy somehow kept up on the 5 minute drive home, as I blasted the music and bounced in my seat, fist pumping along the way.

My sore legs didn't stop me from carving up the hills at Lake Louise Resort, also a 5 minute drive from home in the other direction. It was my fifth time on the hill since arriving here, and I can now proudly conquer the steep, scary black diamond runs, stopping now and then to visit my roommate Brianne at the mid-mountain lodge where she works, or to stare across the valley towards the lake, the grand chateau, and my home.

This is the life

My home would be near the bottom of the picture. And the big white spot? Lake Louise!

While it has been hard finding like-minded people to share activities with, I'm certainly not feeling isolated here. My birthday was filled with the presence of people I care about near and far.

Two friends from Calgary had just stayed overnight, and gave birthday wishes before taking off. I Skyped with family back in Ontario. I unexpectedly got a package in the mail from a dear friend who I adore more than is good for her to know. Wonderful timing, since she didn't even know it was my birthday. And that night, Brianne took me to a gathering of her friends - part of my growing community here - where one of them made sushi for all of us, and then we hit the sauna!

Not a bad birthday for one without a plan, eh?

It's pretty great having a friend in town with an outdoor sauna like this!

Quite steamy on the inside!

Yesterday I turned 32. The Rocky Mountains are comparably older, at 80 million years old. Yet among these steady giants I feel forever young. These mountains have shielded me from the sadness of leaving Vancouver, insulated me from the vagaries of an uncertain future. They have allowed me to remain in the present, reassuring me with their immovable presence, yet surprising me everyday by putting on a slightly different but refreshing face.

Perhaps the most validating feeling of all coming out to Lake Louise has been embracing winter. I have always found it ironic that most Canadians dread winter, yet I counted myself among this bunch (even escaping overseas the past few winters). It's completely understandable as an urban dweller, because winter forces you indoors, reduces streets to big slush puddles, and aggravates already stressful commutes.

Coming out here, I have finally turned the tables on winter. Everyday I wake up staring out at my backyard, looking forward to my next adventure, and wishing the snow won't go away so soon.

Ski touring for the first time - so much powder! If only I knew how to ski in it

Valley of the Ten Peaks, a frozen Moraine Lake lurks at the base of these giants, waiting for Spring

My Emotional Big Bang Theory

spirit - from the latin word spiritus, meaning to breathe

*****

The previous year, and especially the last 5 months spent in Vancouver, has been both a very trying and enlightening period for me.

Me during my spiritual journey in India

I have been through a lot, learned a lot about myself and reached new limits of personal wisdom. This is not to say that I am wise, for my personal wisdom does not apply to most people's lives, but can certainly be helpful to those following similar paths.

My own wisdom consists of a passion to learn and experience as much as I possibly can about life as we know it, and a low tolerance for apathy which hampers growth. This has motivated me to an abundance of new experiences, and justifies the nomadic, if somewhat erratic, path in life I have chosen.

In Vancouver, the aspect of my being which I learned to fully embrace is my emotions. My emotional strength manifested from living in the collective house, and stepped up to tackle the sustained drama over the 5 months I resided there.

Throughout this time, I can say with conviction I held the house together, managing combustible personalities and facilitating open communication. I called upon my patience, empathy and listening, skills I gained from past experiences. Meanwhile, I carried out many ongoing responsibilities for the house such as managing the waste (a tall task with Vancouver's standards), furnishing the house and organizing house meetings.

My ongoing faith in the house eventually paid off, as everything I gave to the house, I started getting back in love and positive energy. We started sharing food, laughter, creative energy, and good memories. I proved to myself my level of dedication to community, and learned the strengths and limits of my emotional intelligence. I observed how my vulnerability and faith won the house over, while others' stubbornness and power-over tactics led to tension and, ultimately, their eviction.

Slacklining with Louis

By the end of my time in Vancouver, the house's favourite activity bonded us together, more like a family than just housemates. It also played a key role in my spiritual awakening, like an emotional big bang, opening up new regions of my inner universe.

That activity was, that's right, doing mushrooms.

Though surprised you might be, controlled doses of psychedelic drugs such as mushrooms, acid (LSD) and ayahuasca have been proven in studies to expand the human consciousness and, in many cases, cure addictions and chronic depression.

Of course, they can be used irresponsibly. But the negative impact is given too much focus, leading to misconceptions about psychedelics. The main reason psychedelics are illegal is because they are natural remedies that big pharma cannot control and profit from. Just like marijuana, and the tide is turning for this plant also.

Tripping on mushrooms is an experience impossible to communicate to others who have never done it before - it is also a very individual experience that depends on how you feel and where you are at the time of consumption. All I can share is my own experience - beautiful vivid moving colours, out-of-body feeling of interconnectedness with my surroundings, sudden streaks of creativity, exaltant joy giving way to all out sobbing, and, ultimately, immense gratitude and love for those in my company. The net result is a 4 hour journey that leaves my emotional capacity expanded, my mind forever changed. No wonder why they call it a trip.

And no wonder the discovery of mushrooms and invention of LSD kicked off the hippie era of the 60's.

The house gathering before the mushroom trip

Me after

Brene Brown has famously written and spoken about the lack of vulnerability in our demanding society. As a result women feel like they're never enough, no matter how much they give to the people around them, and men feel pressured to act tough (code for manly) and take charge at all times. This means showing strength and assertiveness while hiding their weaknesses and patience.

I've overcome these social pressures and shamelessly embraced being an emotional man. I am highly introverted, hyper sensitive, yet I long for connection. I'm slow and thoughtful. I love, I cry. I follow my heart yet I'm still figuring things out.

And that's okay. Because I am enough.

I am comfortable with my emotions, and level of sensitivity, and see these traits of mine as strengths. I am vulnerable enough to express my emotions to the right audience. And hopefully that is you. The last bit of wisdom I want to share is this...

Knowledge without experience is simply knowledge, prone to ignorance. Knowledge with experience is true wisdom.

I am blessed with such amazing experiences that validate the footsteps I have taken and bolster me as I move forward into the unknown. Now in Lake Louise, my roommate places her spirituality in the Rocky Mountains in our backyard. I will also draw inspiration from nature's cathedrals and monuments of rock and ice.

Skiing at Lake Louise resort, a 5 minute drive from my home

First time ski touring!

The Mountains Are Calling - My Return to the Rockies

Since I quit my job in Calgary, I have been following my heart, meeting amazing people and finding unique opportunities along the way. Somehow, one of these opportunities have led to my improbable return to a familiar place of beauty and wonder.

Just a few months ago, in December, I Couchsurfed with Brianne in Lake Louise, one of the most beautiful and most visited places in Canada. She made no secret that she loves her lifestyle there, one where she works as a well paid server in a restaurant, and which affords time for her endless climbing adventures. She encouraged me to think about working there too.

Well, her invitation stuck in my mind and we kept in touch about it. I finally pulled the trigger in mid-February, made all the necessary preparations, and drove back across British Columbia, arriving in the Rockies on the last day of February.

Leaving Vancouver was a very tough decision, as explained in my previous blog, but so far the bright snow-capped peaks have smiled upon me, and its hardy inhabitants have welcomed me warmly.

Upon arriving, I have tentatively roomed with Brianne, and we get along effortlessly. I've been here just 4 days, but she's taken me along on many adventures already, including cross country skiing, indoor rock climbing at the impressive Elevation Place in Canmore, and ice climbing (though I only watched, I'm not ready for this yet).

We took a day trip to Canmore, where I had friendly encounters with the locals in the shops and on the streets. People here have a vitality and calmness about them that only communion with nature can instill, and a humility that only small mountain communities foster. Brianne, who first recruited me to the area, is a shining example.

Cross country skiing with Bri

Bri climbing ice! I only watched

Yesterday I also visited the restaurant I will be working at, The Station, set beside the railroad tracks, in a grand cabin style building. They even have tables in a train car! I met and spoke with the managers. Due to the fickle nature of the food and tourism business along with a highly transient staff, they require an open mind and flexibility of hours. Well, I certainly came here with an open mind, and looking forward to a new experience and challenge in restaurant work.

The Station's train car room. Photo from tweedtelegraph.com

I will be starting off as a food runner, and working for the next month, after which The Station shuts down for a 5 week period from mid-April, starting back up in mid-May. If I decide to return then, I could be trained as a server.

After moving to Calgary in 2008, I felt love at first sight of the Rocky Mountains. These Rockies made me what I am today, and now I'll be inspired everyday by them. They promise to unleash my spirit and potential, and I intend to be unleashed, and not be held back by distractions. I left all distractions and creature comforts behind in Vancouver, mainly the videogames, to focus on learning and inner growth. Here is my chance to be the best I can be.

If you come out to Lake Louise, you have a place to stay. And if you don't mind paying more than $20 for a meal, come eat at the Station. Until then, happy adventuring!

A Heartfelt Goodbye to Vancouver

In my final moments before leaving Vancouver, as I was packing the last of my things in my collective house, a weird feeling came over me. It was a sort of gloomy anticipation, and I couldn't shake it. I knew then, that I would be sad to leave.

About an hour later, when my car was packed with all my worldly possessions and ready to go, the housemates all gathered around the front door of the house. My lips quivered, and I couldn't muster any words. A few tears escaped, and I choked, trying to hold more back, as I gave Fraser a big hug. Next came Taylor, Yasmim, Pete, Annik, Louis and, finally, Tyler.

Shiny crotch, Fraser!

Despite all that the house has been through, by the end of my time there, we felt like a family, and it was difficult to leave them behind. Over the 5 months since it started (I was there on day 1), one person left, and two others were forced out, due to poor fit and unnecessary drama. The bad apples were replaced by fresh energetic faces and, slowly, the house found new harmony.

Dumpster diving is twice the fun with more people!

By the final month, while some tension still hung in the air, the house became a safe and happy place. People were sharing food and laughs, watching movies and hanging out together. And in the final weeks, it was a magical time. I proved myself as a glue guy in our collective house. What I gave to the house, I received in kind. I brewed beer, ginger ale and kombucha, made sauerkraut and tidied with obsessive and compulsive fury. The house inspired me to creative pursuits such as learning guitar and slacklining. 

Photo credit: mushrooms

Despite the good times, the drama eventually wore on me and, due to the transient nature of the house, I felt ready to move on. Forces outside our four walls played a part in my decision. I love Vancouver, and it appealed boldly to my conscience to stay. It's a fun and interesting place, and I made some good friends outside the house. The mountains along the north shore constantly took my breath away. Vancouver is certainly one of a kind.

But the travails of the big city wore me down. The endless job opportunities seemed like a mirage, as few employers ever replied to my applications. Soaring house and rent prices were unrealistic and oppressive. The rain was relentless and, otherwise, grey skies depressing. As a saving grace, my friend's friend, my boss, and I developed a good working relationship. But we both knew it was unsustainable as a primary income and, thus, a temporary situation.

Despite staying only 5 months, it was a very meaningful time, and just another part of my journey and growth towards becoming a complete human being.

My Vancouver family.

Yet, as the door closes on Vancouver, a multitude of doors are opening before me as Spring solstice (and my birthday) peaks around the corner, and I, along with the pristine Canadian forests and mountains, awake from our slumber. Adventure awaits!

A (Wet and Wild) Hitchhike in the United States

I've had more wild hitchhiking stories than this trip, but thought I'd share this experience because it was my first attempt in the United States, and included the looming obstacle of customs.

Last weekend I visited my friend in Seattle and decided to hitchhike down from Vancouver, typically about a 3 hour drive, plus the unpredictable wait at the border. On the Friday morning, I took off on Vancouver's Translink network. Two hours of Skytrain and buses later, I arrived in the border town White Rock. From the last stop, I walked 30 minutes to the border.

As a pedestrian I waited in the customs line lumped with a few other drivers that drew the short straw. This line moved slowly, taking 40 minutes. On my turn, speaking with the officer, I told him I planned to "go to the nearest gas station and ask for a ride" which prompted a look of sarcasm and confusion. He then proceeded to search my entire backpack, top to bottom, which was a bit dehumanizing. He even opened my notebook, glancing at one of the pages, then turned to me and asked "so you're into gardening?"

Once past that fear mongering bureaucratic nightmare, I walked out to the nearest highway on-ramp, to a spot practically off the highway, and stuck out my thumb. After about an hour, a spit of rain starting, and a tinge of impatience wearing across my face, I spotted an authority vehicle stopped on the other side of the highway. Surely I caught their attention, so I reluctantly started back down the on-ramp.

Too late, they came off the highway and around the other side, meeting me on my on-ramp. The officer rolled down her window and told me I couldn't be on the I-5. Thankfully she must have just been a customs officer, because she didn't press me any further. I was feeling a little defeated about this but, once the officer moved along, the second or third car behind her pulled over to pick me up!

The driver told me he spotted me at first but couldn't stop in time, so circled back from the next offramp. He was also headed for Seattle and took me right to my friend's front door! We had really interesting conversations all the way there too. My driver was an intelligent gay man with a Masters of American Literature.

The Way Back

After an awesome weekend in Seattle with my friend, which included one sunny day, gardening and a cultural festival, I started off Sunday morning. Within 15 minutes of reaching the on-ramp I got a ride, but the driver could only take me 10 minutes down the highway.

My luck ended there. I waited over two and a half hours for my next ride, and it started raining sideways after just over an hour. Too bad I left my umbrella on the bus in Vancouver on my way here... I got so frustrated I texted my friend to come get me, and was ready to purchase a bus ticket home, before someone finally picked me up.

Three drivers since the day began, I ended up in Bellingham's bus terminal. I asked the staff there if there was a bus to the border. Unfortunately, not on Sundays. But the staff suggested I go to Costco, where lots of Canadians go shopping there! They even gave me a free bus ticket to get there. Once at Costco, I waited by the main entrance asking any customers with fairly loaded shopping carts and, within 15 minutes, an older Asian gentleman agreed to take me home.

We had nice conversation, and the man was very impressed with my story. I expressed concern crossing the border in his car, but he was reassuringly calm. Sure enough, we crossed customs without any hassle. Must have helped that I looked like his son! And, of course, the Canadian customs officers are much nicer.

As much of a hassle as it was to thumb it out, it was an adventure, as hitchhiking always is. I took 6 hours from Vancouver to Seattle door-to-door, where the bus might have taken around 5 hours (4 hour bus plus public transit) and driving might have taken 3.5 hours. However, I spent only $1.50 on the journey (a slightly longer trip than my monthly transit pass allowed). The bus would have cost around $35 plus additional transit to my friend's house in Seattle.

The way back wasn't so pleasant but was affirmatively glorious. I took 9 hours in four different cars, but I got a free bus ride, and a driver from a Costco! I also spent $1.50 on this journey.

It felt good to hitchhike again, to put my faith back in humanity, and to challenge the paradigm of fear and the lack of trust that pervades this tense time in human history. It felt good to make human connections through the gift economy, and to acquire my needs with very little resources.

Throughout my weekend in the States, I was involved in several political conversations. Needless to say the atmosphere is very politically charged. It's only appropriate that I end this with "Go Bernie Sanders!"

Home Sweet Community Home

To start off December right, I completed a 3-day Vipassana meditation course, a silent retreat in the remote mountainous forests of beautiful BC. Not a bad way to transition from a busy first 3 months in my newly adopted city of Vancouver.

Dhamma Vipassana Meditation Centre near Merritt, BC 

'Busy' is a relative term though. For most, busy would describe a hectic time, getting acclimated to a new job and commute, settling in to a new home and establishing a routine. My busy was more of the wild and wacky variety.

Because for me, it meant settling in to a community house: getting familiar with new faces along with their competing demands for time and space, acquiring furniture and friendships, aligning shelves and staggered schedules, sharing common areas and common ground, and dealing with dirty laundry and drama. And don't get me started on the drama... seriously.

Yohan, not quite a housemate, but a house regular, sharpening his DJ skills

Our 60's style living room with brick walls and tile floors  

Sunrise Park, a few blocks from the house, with views of Burnaby Skyscrapers and the nearby mountains

Thrown in the vortex of house happenings, which kept me on my toes everyday, were my ongoing search for a new job and a community outside of my house. In essence, I was desperately searching for a concrete sign that I was meant to stay in this concrete jungle.

Like I said, it was more wild and wacky than busy. In fact, my new job was hardly stressful at all due to its flexibility, though only a temporary solution. And my 40 minute commute by bike provided me solitude from the overstimulating home life, and allowed me the freedom that all cyclists know - the wind in my face, time to think and the ability to explore the city.

And explore I did, and with my penchant for endless curiosity, discovered the many little gems that dot Vancouver's crown - karma yoga and $2.95 breakfasts, cheap-ass sushi, hobo markets, marijuana shops, thrift shops and free shops, dumpster dives and Sikh Temple free dinners, hippies, hipsters and homeless, anarchist books and alternative fashions, hikes, and horizons of mountains and oceans.

My housemate, DJ Dan Snakehead, DJing the Vancouver Alternative Fashion Show 

Notice the ball and chain shackled to his leg 

My nagging narrative of whether I should stay in Vancouver reached a catharsis in the week before the vacation I didn't yet know I was going to take.

It started with a spontaneous decision to attend a tea festival, a seemingly mildly interesting event which sparked a chain of positive moments. There I watched two very inspiring presentations by ethical tea startup companies, which gave me the jitters and reminded me of my travels. The festival led me to volunteer with one company, discuss the remote but potential opportunity to work with another, and, as a bonus, led to a followup meeting with potentially new friends at a fun boardgame cafe Meetup event. And it all started with Justea!

Since arriving, I had been steadily applying for jobs, even in Calgary, as I was still on the fence about staying in Vancouver. Suddenly one random Craigslist job inquiry opened the door with a reply, a rare answer in the ultra competitive job market here. I scrambled to meet with my potential employer in the dwindling days before my vacation. This job is not official yet. Needless to say, it is an unexpected but unique opportunity that only few cities like Vancouver could offer. More on this one later.

Finally, the discovery and timing of the vipassana course sealed the deal to take time off and to visit Calgary after. I put out an ad on Craigslist (thank god for Craigslist!) and, choking with anxiety until the last minute, found someone to sublet my room the day before I myself packed everything up to leave! It was only once the sublet arrived when I could exhale a big sigh of relief. She appears to be a good fit for the house too, and I feel satisfied leaving my room to her, and her to my housemates.

Speaking of the community house, despite all the head shaking drama, enough to write a reality TV show from (even the use of the term 'community house' is debated), with each passing week my housemates grew on me and, in turn, my love and respect for them. Thus, I have renewed my commitment to the house, as well as my lease, for the new year.

Dumpster dive with king oyster mushrooms!

Hiking "The Chief" with one housemate, and another future one

I realized that we have the potential to overcome our barriers and build a special home together. Because community is what it's all about. It takes work, but it's a goal worth all the emotional and physical sweat.

Year after year Vancouver is rated one of the most liveable cities in the world. Many people here live in a bubble, but my travels allow me to step back and see not only how truly special this city is, but how fortunate I am to call it home. It took 3 months, and 1 fast and furious week, but, by the end of it, I found enough of a foothold to grow roots in this concrete jungle.

“Life is like an appetizer menu. You get to sample as many ways to live as you dare to.”

Credit to my friend Kat Don

Link to blog of my first ever vipassana meditation course here. And check out www.Dhamma.org for a course near you.

Namaste and happy holidays,

Andrew