Advertisement
Published: July 18th 2011
Edit Blog Post
Ok so it took me 2 hours to write the last blog and a further 5 hours to post it due to the slow Internet connection and old PCⅠwas using so I'm now using Mari laptop in the hope that it will work a lot better this time. But i apologise in advance for the lack of photos or the possible Japanese lettering that may occur. Hopefully I will be able to upload some photos at a latter date.
Anyways, on Friday we spent the day working with Joanne. This started of with preparation for parks day which basically meant picking up chairs, tables, tents (and fixing tents with duck tape) ready for park day which was on Saturday. Joanne is a very nice friendly person to work with and I'm sure many of your will get the chance to work alongside her if you partake in the programme. So the day started with us biking to the admin building (the place where they used to use sulphur water as a medicine. Also note if your biking to this building there is a bike rack hiddden away next to one of the back doors. From here we went on a
small drive to see the places that we would b working with two groups of volunteers later in the day, as well as a brief description of what we had to do. We also had a chance to look out over the bow river from one of the viewpoints on tunnel mountain. A view I would highly recommend if you have the chance.
After the drive and various errands that we needed to do for parks day (e.g picking up chairs) we were given our lunch off as asked to return later. The afternoon consisted, for myself, of working with a group of volunteers (we believe aged between 14-16) who were in Banff for a few days on an adventure holiday type trip. The group was split into two, the half I was with helped collected and pile wood to make it safe for a future burn that was due to happen in the area. The other half that Mali took painted some benches at the hot springs. My half of the group were very enthusiastic and easy to work with. One participant in the future loved English culture and comedy so we had a long discussion about that. He
also asked one of my favourite questions that I have ever been asked when he asked "so whats the deal with the French and the English then?"
The entire day was very enjoyable and not altogether too strenuous,which was good as the following day was parks day.
For us Parks day started at 7:45 in the morning with Joanne picking us up from our accommodation and taking us for coffee. We then helped, along with a number of other volunteers to help set up the parks day event. I believe 7 or 8 tents were used in total, all of which we helped put up as well as arrange tables, chairs and a stage area. The days events properly started around 11 and I believe we hand over 1000 people turn up throughout the day to see the events. All the people who volunteered were great. Very friendly and helpful especially Adam who attempted to feed me cake whilst I was wearing Parka. Being Parka probably took up the majority of what I did that day. For those who are unaware Parka is Canada's national park mascot and physically shows herself as a 6ft tall beaver. A beaver I might
Parka with biggest fan
This kid was very sweet but wouldn't leave me alone. I kept on fearing I was going to step on her! add who gets very hot on the inside. I was lucky enough to be honored with the privilege of being Parka, and I did really enjoy it. I'm sure there are numerous pictures of me floating around in that costume, however unfortunately I don't have any myself. Although for those who want to see it the link below the the local news report of the day, so you can see what it looks like. Although it may look uncomfortable I would honestly recommend anyone being the mascot if you have the opportunity. The suit isn't as uncomfortable as you would imagine and with a guide you don't make many children cry. I only managed 1 during the day. And you do end up having a lot of fun taking pictures with lots of people and just generally having an experience that you would not be able to have anywhere else.
Other than my time working as a mascot, which although was only for and hour and a half to 2 hours, the amount of time spent working as Parka took up many hours seeing as it takes a while getting in out and getting hydrated again. The day ended with
a bit of clear up and then the offer of a meal out.
Sunday, being my day off this week has included writing up these blogs, doing work I ought to do for my TESOL course and going on a quick bike ride down to vermilion lakes. This trip is right on the doorstep of the Juniper lodge and is highly recommended as from the trail you get the classic view of mt. Rundle that you see on all the postcards, and because it is practically flat. This trail is perfect for people who want a relaxing day or families, with numerous docks along the shore line where you can have a spot of lunch and look out over the lakes to see the mountains or attempt to find a bald eagle (they do nest there).
http://calgary.ctv.ca/servlet/an/local/CTVNews/20110716/CGY_parks_banff_110716/20110716/?hub=CalgaryHome
Advertisement
Tot: 0.065s; Tpl: 0.011s; cc: 8; qc: 49; dbt: 0.0371s; 1; m:domysql w:travelblog (10.17.0.13); sld: 1;
; mem: 1.1mb