Hmmm... my bad.

Gap Year stuff is on the back burner until the Christmas holidays. School deadlines see!... Another *counts* 10 months and I'll be boarding with no deadlines at all. No eBooks, no drama productions, no mathematical equations that could make Einstein sweat.

Also, the reason why I just chose Banff doesn't actually exist in my head. I need to cover Lake Louise too. And Whistler. For God Sake why didn't I look at Whistler?

Some good news however, Si has expressed interest in going to Canada with some mates for a few months while I'm over there and stopping off at Whistler. If I don't chose to go to Whistler then I'll definitely go and visit him.

Oooh, and for all those who have been boarding and skiing, you'll know that its pretty obvious I'm gonna get injured. So I'm adding a counter (within the links bar) that will track my health progress.

Edit: Ahhh Wikipedia. Always there to prove me wrong and to make this post rather worthless. Whistler is in BC. Dammit. And Lake Louise? A tiny resort.

Banff Jobs

*sigh* My brother is pretty much pushing me to get a job at Fairmont Springs; a massive hotel in Banff. See that's not for me. While he's on his final year doing a course in all that sort of thing, its just... not me.
Its kind of saying to a chav "I think you should a job as an accountant", while all they want to do is work in McDonalds. They may be capable of being an accountant (though I HIGHLY doubt any chav having an IQ over 4), but they are more suited to McDonalds. Its the same with me, I'm more suited to a bar than a posh hotel as my career isn't linked to hotels at all.
Ok, rant over.

So, here's the list of some of the posh places that I could work at:

• Giorgio's Trattoria
• Fairmont Banff Springs
  

And some of the bars which grabbed my attention:

• Magpie & Stump
• Melissa's Restaurant & Bar
• Bruno's
• Muk a Muk
• Rose & Crown
• The Pump & Tap Tavern (v. British)
• Tommy's Neighbourhood Pub

Phew... some good research done there, helped by TaxiMike! There are others available bars, pubs, and restaurants available and I wont just leave them out, but at the moment the list above seems cool. Especially The Pump and Tap! Check out their page most deffinatly!

Right, next step is to make a choice, contact them, and then apply for a Canadian Visa!

Links bar

Hope you notice the links bar to the right of the page. I'm going to be continually updating it.

It's in three sections: My Canada Links, Gap Year Links, My Links.

My Canada Links:
This is mostly going to help me while I'm in Canada. It will act as a bookmarks list which will stay with me on every computer I use. Already I have Lonely Planet's Canada book link, and a link to Wikitravel's Canada page.

Gap Year links:
This is for any readers out there (anyone..?) who want help researching for a gap year. Important links which will help you.

My Links:
Stuff about me, my band, blah blah blah. Feel free to probe into my life. That's what this blog is about anyways!

I want to explain about Lonely Planet. These books are a traveller's Bible! No Gap Year participator should leave or even plan without one. They include maps, notes about every single city, town and village, guides to hostels and hotels. Basically everything about everywhere! I'm not going to be buying my Canada book until near next Summer so I can get the latest version with all the up to date maps, prices, and details. I suggest every buyer do the same.

Wikitravel was pointed out to me by a Canadian chef I work with who told me that he planned his whole trip out here using it. Andy's cool. He comes from Nova Scotia which is Latin for 'New Scotland'. Apparently the who province is a wannabe Scotland. I'm not too sure about how long I'll be able to stand it there after that description, haha.

Banff!

BANFF!!!
Banff, Alberta is obviously in the Alberta side of the Rockys. Very close to Calgary, which is only 8 hours flightish form England! Woop!
Now some of you (if there ARE any of you) may be thinkin... Calgary... which awesome film have I heard that name from? Its 'Cool Runnings'! One of the best films ever made in my opinion. The Bobsleigh event happened in Calgary in the 1988 winter Olympics in Canada. I may just have to visit there if I fly to Calgary which I most likely will do sometime within the year.

Anyways, next steps are to look up Visa information and then contact a bar in Banff!
By the way, I'm havng trouble pronouncing Banff... its just not right! lol.

Drinking ages

Here's the drinking ages by the way:

Alberta 18
British Columbia 19
Manitoba 18
New Brunswick 19
Newfoundland and Labrador 19
Northwest Territories 19
Nova Scotia 19
Ontario 19
Prince Edward Island 19
Québec 18
Saskatchewan 19
Yukon 19

Quite sad isn't it, planning my holiday around drinking ages. My excuse is that I don't want to work in another hotel/restaurant for a good few years now! And the only way to work in a bar would be if I was legal.
Now see the Rocky Mountains? See how half are in BC and half in Alberta? That's going to be a critical point!

Woo - New blog

Hey all, I know its a bit early but I've set up my blog for my gap year.
Its gonna be awesome, i'll be posting picture, videos, random events all on this blog.

But up until September 1st(ish) 2007, this is gonna be a store for all my latest booking information. Where i'm planning to go, blah blah blah.

OK, so current plans:

• Going to Canada for 10/11 months. Sept 07 - June/July 08
• For the ski season, work in a ski resort in a bar while snowboarding in the day.
• When the seasons over, tour rest of Canada.
• Hopefully meet up with SamFlan while he's out there biking.
  

Current problems are:

• In most provinces (not states. I got bollocked by some Canadian friends for that) the drinking age is 19. In 3 states the age is 18. What I will have to do is either find a resort where the age is 18 or find one and work in a restaurant till January (mon birthday). Big decision!
• I need a board and better gear. Do I buy before I go and pay extra for the flight or buy there?!
  

Put a comment if you have any um... y'know... comments.