Well, TECHNICALLY I could say this all started with the interview, or when I was packing and repacking and re-repacking my bags, but I wont. I'll start when the trip began...
Saturday, September 10th, 2011
Saturday saw me up bright and early at 7 am. Dad was awesome and made me my very last home-made pancake breakfast - at least for a while! We had the car all packed and hit the road for 7:45 so I could make it to the airport in ample time. After a quick check in and baggage drop, we headed down to the security gates and dawdled so I could actually say goodbye.
My plan for a tear-free goodbye were shot pretty early on when Mom produced a little tissue=paper wrapped package for me, containing a little plush puppy about the size of my fist. Stress (the pup) was quickly decked out with a ribbon-collar as I bawled into her shoulder. Knowing what was to come, I began to insist that I head to the security gate and get ready to board the plane. Goodbyes were much more tearfull than I had planned, as Dad started bawling (He was the first to actually cry) and even Dev shed a tear or two. A few parting gifts later, I was Through security and ready to start my adventure, with a brave face in place.
The plane was small but standard, and I had extra leg-room with a 'premium' seat which was nice for the short flight.
A piece of advice though. Do NOT watch 'The Nannie Diaries' if you are REALLY leaving home for the first time. It may cause you to start bawling uncontrolbly and receive concerned and confused looks from the other occupants of the plane. Just saying.
The flight to Edmonton was probably the smoothest I've been on in a long time, not one pocket of turbulence!! I made it into Edmonton about 15 minutes early, collected my bags, got myself an absolutely DELICIOUS Timmies Sandwich and settled in for a nearly 4 hour wait for the SunDog shuttle that would take me to the Jasper Park Lodge (henceforth referred to as the 'JPL')
Just before the shuttle showed, I met Andrew, a guy from Windsor who was also going to be starting at the JPL and was waiting for the same shuttle. It was great to meet a friendly face so early in, and made the long shuttle ride that much easier.
The drive from the Edmonton Internation to the JPL took us a little longer than expected - about 5 hours - but was nice. We had an awesome, friendly driver (who talks more than I do!) and he was giving us information left right and centre for the whole duration. Durring the drive we spotted a number of Elk, as well as my first Coyote (which I may have been the only one to see...)
The night was great though, and we made it to the JPL at about 8:45. I was so excited to just get out of the shuttle and up to my room I (genius I am) left my brand new BlackBerry in the shuttle. I realized this when we got to the main Dorm cabin and started freaking out because I couldnt find my phone. Poor Andrew got to see me in full panic mode after only knowing me a few hours... and handled it quite well. We managed to get a hold of the SunDog company, and I had my phone back by 11 am on the Sunday.
But that, is a story for another blog.
Goodnight y'all
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