Chapter eight 🥰

Let's start with my G.O.A.T. Chat GPT suggested that I go on a bike tour. I couldn't think of a better idea. Overall, I feel like I'm not exactly a fountain of ideas for things to do. So I spent the day on my bike. Before that, I bought some snacks to consume during the four-hour ride through mountain and valley, forest and concrete, bike paths and lakes. The Valley Trail I used had a station every 30 minutes where you could refill your water for free. After all, water is essential when it comes to taking care of your body. Lightly exhausted but happy and liberated, I returned to the hostel after the wild ride. It was a good idea to do this to overcome the morning low.

Actually, I was ready for bed by 7 PM. Freshly showered and with clean teeth, I sat on the floor with my suitcase, struggling when the hostel room door opened and Blaese came in. With a bright smile that was definitely not mocking (I really looked silly sitting on the floor), she introduced herself. She is from Australia and has exactly the vibe that I've experienced from Australians so far. They seem straightforward but very polite. In short, we decided to spend the evening together. There was a movie playing in Whistler Village, and we decided to take the bus there. However, we couldn't really watch the movie because we were surrounded by absolutely adorable dogs and were busy discussing the similarities between our two countries. I remember us talking about the strange names of foods - I mean, who names a dish 'Vegemite'? With her, I could just speak English, making mistakes without having to think all the time about what this or that word is. She was very tolerant and calmly explained things to me. By the end of the evening, we had created a list with approximately the same pronunciations of English and German words: Bed-Bett, House-Haus – just to name a couple. I found it funny that we amused ourselves with the differences in pronunciation while I tried to repeat the words with an Australian accent.

The only downside was that Blaese only stayed one night. The next morning, I found a note that read: 'I didn't want to wake you. It was nice to meet you. We'll keep in touch. Love, Blaese.' That is definitely a lesson I've learned, or rather a feeling I've come to understand. I've encountered five people here that I've wanted to get to know better, but we all have different travel routes, different plans, and dreams. Nevertheless, it's better to engage with people than to shut yourself off because you're sad when they leave. I remember waking up the next morning with a lump in my throat, thinking, 'Why can't we just pause time?'

That morning, I finally decided to go on the zipline. I hadn't found anyone who wanted to share this adventure with me, and I was really excited. Noah, who had also come to Whistler, took me to Ziptrek in Whistler Village. He himself rode the routes I had cycled the day before. I couldn't help but imagine him zooming down the trails on his bike while I hung there like a wet sack on the zipline.

Unfortunately, Noah couldn't experience the zipline with me, as it was too dangerous due to an operation on his leg. After signing in, I sat at the meeting point and watched the people around me. Every ten minutes, a zipline route would start with two guides constantly accompanying you, and there he was: James. Initially, before we got to my 'Lovely,' I was called to join the route. Apart from me, there were four couples, ranging from very young (18 and 19) to old (73 and 75).

As usual, I was very friendly and quickly integrated myself into the group (this charisma I have :-)). The slightly older ones adopted me right away, and two were from Denmark, with whom I could even speak a bit of German. In such exciting situations, that's an advantage, of course, since I can express my feelings in my mother tongue better than in English. I remember how we amused ourselves with the quirky differences between Danish and German words – I mean, who would have thought that 'butterfly' in Danish is 'sommerfugl'?

This event stirred a lot of emotions in me. Those who have known me for a long time know that I have a huge fear of heights. Roller coasters were my horror during my teenage years, yet my friends always managed to persuade me. And I screamed my lungs out every time. When I was on a Ferris wheel with Melanie in 2023, I had a panic attack and couldn't open my eyes the whole time. Of course, I thought about this as I walked with the group to the gondola. James started talking to me, and somehow he was able to calm me down very well. James was one of the two guides. He had beautiful large brown eyes, freckles on his face, and little curls sticking out from his helmet. I couldn't help but think he looked like a character from an adventure movie – the charming hero who saves the shy protagonist.

He took care of me, and the calmness he radiated accompanied me throughout the gondola ride up the mountain. I sat with the two Danes and him in the gondola, while the other seven squeezed into the gondola in front of us. Of course, we spoke English in the gondola to avoid being rude and excluding him. You know, I've met many Canadians, Americans, English, and Australians so far who said they really regretted only being able to speak English. Many don't see the point in learning another language in their youth since you can communicate anywhere with English. At first, I thought, 'Well, I would also prefer to speak English and be able to communicate with everyone.' And here it is interesting to see how many different perspectives everyone has. I found it funny when one of the Danes tried to teach me a few Danish words, and we both laughed at our pronunciation.

The conversation with James and the Danes really helped me not to experience the gondola ride with a panic attack, but rather enjoy the view of the mountains in good company (and remember, I didn't know any of them until 10 minutes ago).

Once we reached the top, we made our way to the first zipline. The 'Omi' (I mean that affectionately) wanted to go first. She seemed fearless and very brave. She later told me that she had been bungee jumping three weeks ago (okay, cool, I thought to myself as I was almost wetting my pants from fear). After her came her husband and the others. I brought up the rear. I wouldn't say I was the one most afraid, but rather that I was the one who didn't care to show it. Although the Danes were pretty close. We actually asked the guide to check our harness three times before we slid across the 3300-meter zipline to the other side. I still remember how we nervously laughed and cheered each other on – it felt like an adventure movie where we were the heroes.

On the other side, James welcomed me, having to hoist me up after the braking point. 'You're alive, you made it,' he winked at me and was incredibly kind. (In that moment, I directly embraced him in my heart.) And no, not everyone is like that, even if that's their job. There are, as in everything, also others (the other guide, for example, who reminded me a bit of a moody 12-year-old).

The first time on the zipline was actually only frightening for the first few seconds, and of course right before it started. But from the middle, I could almost enjoy it, only the braking point was a little unexpected, and I almost lost my sunglasses. (So if you have the chance, do it!) Despite the good experience with the first zipline, I was still nervous. I dared to go first on the next one and flew past trees, sometimes quickly, sometimes slowly, over rivers, rocks, and mountains. Still, my adrenaline was really high, and at the same time, I enjoyed it so much. Besides the zipline, I had good conversations with seven of the nine people. The 'Omi' (still affectionately meant) hugged me goodbye and wished me all the best. I can still vividly recall her warm gaze as she told me: 'You're braver than you think!' With James, I instantly felt understood; he gave me such a good feeling, and he had just finished his shift. We made plans to meet later.

In the evening around 9 PM, we met for pizza. I had really grown fond of him that day, and we would have loved to spend more time together. But I had already booked my flight to Calgary and my accommodation and had to say goodbye to him that evening. It’s great to meet new people with whom you instantly connect. And this time, I truly regretted leaving Whistler. (I think you understand.) Who knows, maybe we will see each other again someday, and he said goodbye with a 'May we see again.' I couldn't help but smile and imagine us one day standing on a zipline together again, ready for the next adventure.

How I have a wet encounter with someone who speaks even less English than I do upon my arrival in Calgary the next morning, and I miss someone I don't even know, will be revealed in Chapter nine.