Cougar street

Je suis arrivé à Banff le 29 avril 2007 et je demeure au 600 cougar street, appartement 218. Je partage mon trois et demi avec Christopher Medlam, 18 ans, de Nafferton, Angleterre. Mon appartement est situé à deux pas de l'avenue principale de Banff, Banff avenue, et à dix minutes de marche seulement du coeur de Banff. L'arrêt de bus est situé juste en face de mon appartement. Presque tous le monde qui travaillent avec moi vivent au 600 cougar street, ce qui est très intéressant pour les relations sociales.

Voici quelques photos de mon humble appartement.

Postcards from Alberta!

Alberta, the heart of the west.... Such a magnificient place in North America. Last summer, when I went to the wedding of my friend Kate Grout in Calgary, I stayed to days in the city and pass trought the Canadian rockies via the Transcanada highway. Amazing scenery from the city to the Alberta-British Columbia border.

Now, let me share with you some of my personal favorites...

Banff, I`m coming!

I`m leaving April 26th until August

I learned couple weeks ago I`m accepted for work all summer in Banff, Alberta. I am really happy and decided to accept the offer. It will be a great opportunity for me to learn English, again, and to see the Canadian rockies with a better view. It will be amazing to work at the summit of Sulphur mountain, and I hope making this trip one of the best of my young life. It`s always wonderful to leave my Québec for discover new things. Canada is such an amazing country and I`m ready to see it more. I`m suposse to be out there for four months. It`s long, I know, but I`m not afraid! I will be living in a staff accommodation for only 9,5$ per day.

I will be back for post more information about this trip.

Postcards from Manitoba

Last summer I spend three months in the prairies. Manitoba is not famous for his landscape but it`s prettier than we think. In fact, it`s amazing ! I visited many great places such as the Whiteshell provincial park, Winnipeg lake, Winnipeg city and some french communities. Many Quebeckers doesnt know Manitoba have lot of french communities and many greats lakes. I have now great memories from my time out there.

What Canada is trully about...

From Coast to Coast, here I am !

I been In British Columbia four times, in Alberta two times, in Manitoba four times, in New Brunswick one time, in Nova Scotia one time, in Ontario many times (I can't count) and I been many many many times in Québec, my born province. I love Canada and my spirit is all around the country. I visited many beautiful places of the country such as Banff, Vancouver, Whistler, Victoria, Calgary, Winnipeg, Toronto, Niagara falls, Ottawa, Québec city, Saguenay, Hopewell rocks, but I still have the feelling I didn't see the best part of Canada yet.

Canada is not a country like the others. We cannot going one time and see the main attractions of the country and say "we see it, we did it". Many people will say that Canada is not as pretty as Italia, Australia, Costa Rica, United States, Spain or France, but in fact it`s false and true at the same time. Let me explain.

If you go to Australia, you will love the place instantly without any effort from you, because all you want, the beach, the sun, the palm trees are right there waiting for you. In Canada, you cannot expect feel Lake Louise if you are only watching the lake for 10 minutes, because you need hicking and many effort from yourself for deserve the greatest scenery you can possibily imagine and the best time of your life also. The sad thing is many organized trip let you see Banff, Lake Louise and sometime even the Okanagan in the same day. Sorry, but it`s not like that Canada should be seen.

Canada should be see with time and by your own path. You need to feel the country for "loving it", you need to take your time and you cannot be in rush. Because, if you are, you will miss the most important part of the country, and the better part of the country is not at the summit of the CN tower, but somewhere hidden in yourself. Somewhere different for everybody.

Canada is my favorite country in the world, not because it`s the only country I ever visited (I only been in Maine, USA outsided of the country), but because it`s my country and I am proud to be Canadian. I'm proud to be Canadian even if I am a French Quebecker. I love this country because I feel right at home every place I go. I met some great families along the way. Thank you Gerry and Patty Vinthers, from Princeton BC, for everything. You are like my "god grandparents". Thank you also to the Neves family, originaly from Listowel Ontario, now from London, Ontario. You're family is amazing and I miss my time with all of you. Canada is also a country of freedom and amazing friendships: Alicia Jung, Kathleen Grout, Nicholas and Martin St-Hilaire...

Just thing about it, next time you want travelled in Canada: travelled with you're heart, your eyes and with your mind and you will discover what Canada is trully about. I cant explained it because it`s undescrible and unforgettable. Canada is not a country like the others and we have much more to offer than a winter wonderland because we have everything right at home.