I realised that writing this blog would be the best way to record my journey, I've never written a diary but I need to do this as the whole point if this trip is to experience and do things I wouldn't normally do, so here goes with blog number 1......
I have just begun a trip of a lifetime traveling around canada for 6 months photographing this beautiful country (with a little snowboarding in between), and I have to say being here 2 weeks exploring a little and taking photos I can already see they don't have many trees here.
I have never seen so many great forests to wonder through, even in winter it's a luscious place to be.
I am going to start by exploring around and nearby Vancouver before venturing out farther into the mountains and national parks.
I arrived on saturday the 30th January, my Aunt, Linda, has lived here for 40 years was at the Airport to meet me and she has been the greatest. Firstly she found a room for me to rent for the first month giving me time to settle in, she's lent me her car when I need it (although only because I know how to drive stick, otherwise I'd be out of luck), she helped me set up a joint bank account with her, and has been clearing out her freezer of various home made dishes, meats and other delights to feed me, apparently I'm a surrogate Jessica to her (her daughter and my cousin) and I have the same chirpy personality. The area she lives in is East Van so I'll be here for the whole of february, it's a cool area much like what Shoreditch is to London, and it's only 3 miles to the centre of town with easy access north when I want to venture into the mountains.
We have spent a few rainy evenings playing scrabble together which Linda loves, and somehow she keeps pulling out 7 letter words. She averages about 2 per game with a score over 400 each game. Out of about 8 games I have won once, and that is only because I had to change tactics to stand a chance. I took a picture to remember it as it could be the only game I win.
So far it has rained more often than not, but I have already managed to take an awesome shot of the city, although I still can't quite decide which I prefer, any thoughts? The second one was taken 5 minutes after the first.
I found this spot in Stanley park whilst I was driving around after taking a sunset shot and it caught my eye with the reflections, at the time I was too late to be able to jump out and set up my camera, as I shoot on medium format I need at-least 5 minutes to set up, and that's being quick, so I planned to go back 2 days later, and luckily I was there on the best day and this beautiful sunset came out for me.
One thing I have noticed here is that the clouds seem to sit higher in the sky than in England, which means the sunsets tend to reach further and also seem to last longer too, which as a photographers dream.
During the rainy days I have been doing lots of research, planning my trip and getting to know the lay of the land, I decided I should drive across America to New York and Toronto and stop at all the sights along the way, which now means I need to buy a car instead of my original plan to rent which would be too restrictive and costly. So my plan is to buy a 4x4 and sell it once my trip is over. I have been recommended a Subaru Forester as apparently they run forever, and looking at one it is perfect, 26mpg which is great for a 4x4 and I can pick up a 99 model in good condition for around ¢5k, so now I need to keep my eyes peeled on craigslist for the right one, I'm trying to avoid any dodgy dealers!
That also means I needed to swap my driving license for a canadian one, which I thought would be more difficult than standing in line for 15 minutes and paying ¢31.00, I guess the lady did ask me 3 driving safety questions.
In-between my exploring days I have been on the slopes 3 times, twice in Whistler and once on a local mountain at night. I had my first experience with fresh snow and I can agree that it is like boarding on clouds, falling over has never been so much fun.
My second day was a real test of my waterproof gear as it was a snow storm at whistler and half the mountain was closed, I would occasionally get brain freeze as I boarded down but my clothes stayed bone dry, thank you Gore Tex! It is quite something to be heading down the slopes with heavy snow falling everywhere and poor visibility.
Whist up in the mountain I've been trying to work out the best way to get my camera to the top, getting up there is easy on the lifts, it's the getting down that's the hard part especially with a 20kg bag on your back, and I'm not the greatest boarder just yet. There are only certain lifts you can download on so looks like I finally need to buy myself a more compact camera like a panasonic GF1 to take anywhere. I know I'll always wish I had my medium format kit with instead though.
Well that pretty much sums up the first 2 weeks, more to come soon.
Good night!
