At the same time, I'm learning to appreciate a new part of Canada - a change from Ontario - and truly embracing the Canadian culture. When I lived in Toronto, it was hard to see that Canada really does have a culture on its own (and isn't just a mix of every ethnicity). Although there are heaps (heaps? ah I'm using Australian terms already!) of Aussies living here, it's nice to meet Canadians who have been Canadians for generations and generations. We really are a polite, cheerful and down-to-earth bunch.
The people in Whistler village are quite friendly - everyone knows each other by name. It's like every bar is the TV show 'Cheers'. The locals working in convenience stores, clothing stores, bars or restaurants know I'm the new girl at Maxx Fish nightclub. Kinda cool! Even the taxi drivers have started to recognize me, and drive me home without asking for my address.. as there's only about 30 drivers here! That would NEVER happen in Toronto.
I was having a conversation with one a few weeks ago:
The driver: "So do you like it here?"
Me: "Ya, everyone is so friendly, chatting with me and smiling all the time.."
The driver: "That's because every person in this town is here because they want to be, no one's here because they have to be. People choose to be here from all over the world, get any ol' job they can just to enjoy the winter and snowboard or ski all season long. I came here to ski in my twenties, and I'm still here to ski in my forties. I just drive to pay my bills."
I like the mentality:
People derive happiness from the simple pleasures of life... permanently.
Everyone is like the taxi driver. People ski or board, party, and work on the side just to make ends meet. People like me, who are here "just for the winter season" end up moving here and becoming locals. Everyone tells me, "Oh sure, you say you're only here for the season, but trust me, you'll end up falling in love with the place and the people and move here. I thought I was here for just the season too... three years ago. And same with my friend Kim. And her friend Nina. And another friend Tommy."
Whistler's beautiful, no doubt. The snowy mountains are.. well, I've never seen anything like them. Only on postcards. And the fact that they're the backdrop to my house is pretty remarkable. The pine trees, crisp fresh air and true Canadian embrace of the snowy, cold weather is definitely present here. People actually high-five and celebrate when it's snowing as opposed to the groans and moans we're used to in Ontario.But I'm the exception to this "you'll-never-leave" rule.
Although I feel prouder to be Canadian after seeing this gorgeous landscape first-hand, I miss the city.
I miss Japanese sushi, Indian curry, and Polish perogies. The kind made from Japanese, Indian and Polish people. I miss going out to a new bar every weekend in Toronto, seeing new local bands perform, and hanging out with the people I love and respect (and who love and respect me).I have ties at home.
It's odd for me to think that these people don't really miss their family and friends, but it makes me thankful. I'm blessed to have real connections; people I miss, people who miss me.
The silly, quirky me. No one here understands why I consistently crave Nutella, why I need to be naked all the time or why I take bites of cheese straight from the chunk. Not to mention the occasional desire to burst out and act like a full-fledged cat - and meow and hiss and explain why I feel the way I do from a puss perspective. I can't explain the the reasoning behind these things, they just need to be accepted.
The point is, I'm coming home... at some point.
diary excerpt, 2011
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