I've been back in Calgary now for a couple weeks and while still adjusting slightly to the changes of being back in Canada, enjoying the luxuries of having everything at my disposal again. My first driving experience required a lot of reminding myself to stay on the right side and not be nervous about the Calgary tailgating. I still get a bit nervous in cars and buses from our experience in Asia with traffic--oh, and the fact that our bus crashed in Cambodia, that may have been the kicker.
Since returning to Calgary (cow town) I've been searching for jobs in London and Toronto, running up a storm and got a new tattoo of a hibiscus flower. I've been keeping myself busy with goals for my future, getting in touch with people and readapting to reality. The 100th Calgary Stampede starts tomorrow and the city is bursting with excitement for its arrival. We plan to go to the grand opening parade in the morning and then dad and I will be heading to Lethbridge, just a couple hours outside of Calgary as I will be doing my first race of this summer there, a 10km on Saturday morning. After, we'll be returning to Calgary where I will be meeting up with the lovely Emily Strybosch for the stampede events! Looking forward to seeing her again and my mom will be arriving on the Monday after, very exciting! I haven't seen my mother in a year so needless to say it will be quite the reunion. Going to need a few bottles of wine at least :) Then we'll have lots of stampede events, the Brad Paisley concert, chuck and rodeo finals tickets and then I'll be back to London in no time!
Let me back track a little here with FIJI....it was absolutely amazing and such a life changing experience. I stayed at Amunuca Island Resort which was about an hour to hour and a half boat ride from the mainland Nadi. I stayed on the mainland the first night as my flight got me in in the afternoon when the boats had already left. I got up early the next morning and headed to my oasis. Most people my age were staying on Beachcomber Island--known for its wild parties and drinking. I was happy to not be par-taking as Fiji was my time to relax, let loose and do solely what I wanted to do. My resort was stunning with an infinity pool, white sand, crystal clear blue water--the works--basically most people's screen savers. Most of the people on my resort were coulpes or families but I met two guys Dave and Jay who worked together back in Melbourne who were there to dive. Jay had been to Amunuca many times previously with his wife and kids. I got chatting with Dave and Jay on the first day over our tattoos and became quick friends. We made friends with a lot of the couples that came and went so we had a nice little crew.
The dive shop owners Shane and Rachel basically adopted me as one of their own and treated me like gold. I loved them and miss them so much. I had the opportunity to go to cloudbreak the day after Kelly Slater won the Volcom Fiji Pro Surf competition and got so close to him that it was awkward to take pictures at one point. Such a beautiful man and such a great experience. The waves were 10ft at least and like nothing I had ever seen in my life. Absolutely breathtaking, like watching an avalanche.
Dave and Jay caught a giant mackeral the one day so I got to try fresh cooked fish literally straight from the ocean in front of us--so good! We played water volleyball a few times and I was able to use the gym a couple times before the gutted it for renovations. I still managed to run where I could around the island to keep in shape. Lots of happy hour beverages and tanning and most importantly, relaxing. It was the perfect vacation I needed. We met a wonderful couple named Chelsea and Carol and I ended up being Chelsea's only bridesmaid and witness at their beachfront wedding on the Saturday before I left. It was a beautiful ceremony and I was so happy to be a part of it. I never thought I would be in a wedding in Fiji!
We met a great family from the gold coast as well who I still keep in touch with that were so much fun. We also met some Brits, more aussies and kiwis too. Such great people! Sometimes I felt like Jason Segel in forgetting sarah marshall when the servers would continually ask when my husband was arriving to dinner or breakfast and I had to reiterate repeatedly that no, I was there on my own. "No boyfriend?" "no...just me" "oh...sorry maam" "no its quite okay actually." I found it funny but I think the Fijians felt a bit sorry for me at times. However, it didn't stop miss Rachel from living vicariously through me and trying to marry me off to one of the Fijian boys that worked on the resort. Sorry Rach, not going to happen! haha.
Fiji opened my eyes to a lot and I really felt like I learned a lot about myself in the time I had to reflect on the past 10 months. I felt like I finally accepted the person I am and grew up a bit. It may sound cliche but I really had my eye opening to life experience. I was able to write a lot in Fiji and geuinely felt great the entire time I was there. Some of my best writing yet. I felt confident, happy and loved the conversations I was having with fellow travelers about their experiences and what htey wanted in life as well. I shed a few tears on my bus to the airport to leave but was happy to end my 10 month vacation on such a high note. I spent a couple nights at Rachel McKay's before heading back to Calgary on the 21st.
Dad and Steven were there to greet me and I could not have been happier to get home after 13 hours of flying brisbane to LA and then an 8-10 hour layover in LA suffering from jetlag and then another 2 hour flight to Calgary. Dad and I shared some drinks that night and caught up as much as we could and damn it was good to be back. The family came over on the Saturday for my return and we had a great time catching up, sharing stories and just enjoying each others company.
Now, when I think about it, I just feel so lucky to have had the opportunity to travel to so many wonderful places. I met so many incredible people and lapped up luxury in many places. I would definitely go back to Fiji, Thailand and Australia again one day! I got tim hortons the day after I got back and it was gloriousssssss. I've also had swiss chalet which was incredible. It''s the little things like that that you miss when you're traveling. Now, I will be flying back to London soon and could not be more excited to see all the wonderful friends in my life. I lose sleep some nights just thinking about seeing everyone and finding out what everyone has been up to since I've been gone. I am also excited to get a job and get my career going finally.
I have missed everyone tremendously and while I would love to tell more stories, there just isn't enough space so if I ever decide to try and publish my writing...stay tuned! I have uploaded most if not all of my pictures to my facebook page so feel free to take a look! I will see everyone very soon, it is so good to be back, I am truly and utterly happy :)
