We started slowly just saying goodbye to the big group of Brazilians leaving and our main counselor Mark. After breakfast we went down to the village to look around and enjoy the busy crowd coming for this huge bike competition in Whistler. It's been raining now and then, so we can't really stay outdoors that much. Actually, this has been a day to enjoy civilization and urban life, after so much core nature in the past few days. Later after lunch we took the chairlift up the mountain to take the peak-to-peak gondola at Whistler Mountain. Although the weather didn't help us that much, the view up there is just awesome; we pass by green grassy slopes until we hit the top snowy summit. Incredible! It's like going from spring to heavy winter in 15 minutes. Back down we took the bus or walked back to the residence so we could pack up, for tomorrow we leave to Vancouver for another adventure.
As for tomight, if everything goes according to plan, we'll be going to the movies to watch the latest Harry Potter film after dinner, which should be great fun for our last time together as Adventure Group - The Explorers.
By the way, I must say I love your comments; it's great to feel followed, especially when you're the only adult in the group. I'm like the oldest person on camp! Can you believe it? And I'm pretty young, aren't I? Well, I guess it's my best trick for not aging, hanging out with the youth!
See you in Vancouver now,
Lia
sábado, 16 de julho de 2011
Stunning view and hard core adventure
Ever pictured yourself in a little tent by a glacier? How about climbing high to get there with a really heavy load on your back? You know, just your sleeping bag, sleeping pad, your clothes, camera, toiletries, provisions of food for 14 or a tent. A considerable weight, I must say. Our hike took a bit over 3 hours into the rainforest, rocky hill and a bit of the two, that is, muddy ground with big branches, rocks in between and eventually, snow! When we got up there it was about 2:00 pm and you can imgaine how starved we were. Right then we learned our food would be rationed and we could not go about eating what we wanted, when we wanted or more importantly, how much we wanted. To begin with, our lunch would be 1.5 bagels per person with peanut butter and nuttela; to drink, always water. Right after that, we put up our tents, got settled in and made sure we got our heavy coats out. After all, summer in the glacier is like no winter has ever been in São Paulo. Cooooold!!! Oh, sorry, forgot to mention the best of our incredible adventure up the mountain; it was raining all the way and we had our raincoats on plus a plastic bag all around our bags to prevent our things from getting wet.
Now the stunning part. This is a group of 3 lakes and the very last one is where we set our campsite. You would not believe the color of this water, something between a light green/torquoise and blue with the snow surrounding it. A breathless view, believe me. All the pain and sacrifice totally paid off this undescribable chance to share a bit of Nature's heaven. I couldn't stop looking and being every time speechless. I would wake up early, before anyone, and walk to our bathroom - about a mile away acroos rocks, river and snow - and stand in front of the lake looking at the mist slowly reavealing the water and its surprising shades.
Our campers were just great; they used humor to deal with our difficult times of rain, cold, not so delicious food, crazy hikes and uninviting bathrooms. There's a funny story about this last one: I was the first to go to the bathroom as we arrived and though having asked for directions, I had some difficulty to find it; after some search I came across a toilet in the middle of the snow in a secret place. I figured that would be our bathroom and, went ahead and used it. I did wonder it would be a bit tricky to know if someone was coming or if someone was there, but... As I went back to our campsite, I told my buddy campers about our crazy experience of going to the bathroom outdoors in the snow. Well, turns out there was a little bathroom house just some meters ahead and I'd totally missed it. From then on, I became the joke of the camp and my toilet in the snow was baptised "Lia's bathroom", which you can imagine everyone had to go and check.
Another funny joke was our so called breakfast: oatmeal with raisins and cranberries. On the first day kids were like "what is this?", because it really doesn't look that good and as they tasted it, there was no flavor. Still, that was the plan for breakfast and there was nothing else, so everyone had to force themselves to have at least a bit. People even dreamed of the oatmeal with sugar, cinamon and other possible flavors. That's why they asked me to take pictures of them eating it and making the disgusted faces. Now, whenever we talk about food the good "oatmeal" comes up and they'll go "What was that?", "Who eats that ...?", and we all laugh.
Goood spirited warriors that found healthy ways to overcome the very hard challenges we went through. When the bus finally arrived at the residence, we all clapped and rushed to our rooms to get in the real bathrooms!
Check the pictures for the view, our campsite, my one and only bathroom and our delicious "oatmeal".
And today is Disco Night!!!
Talk to you later,
Lia
Now the stunning part. This is a group of 3 lakes and the very last one is where we set our campsite. You would not believe the color of this water, something between a light green/torquoise and blue with the snow surrounding it. A breathless view, believe me. All the pain and sacrifice totally paid off this undescribable chance to share a bit of Nature's heaven. I couldn't stop looking and being every time speechless. I would wake up early, before anyone, and walk to our bathroom - about a mile away acroos rocks, river and snow - and stand in front of the lake looking at the mist slowly reavealing the water and its surprising shades.
Our campers were just great; they used humor to deal with our difficult times of rain, cold, not so delicious food, crazy hikes and uninviting bathrooms. There's a funny story about this last one: I was the first to go to the bathroom as we arrived and though having asked for directions, I had some difficulty to find it; after some search I came across a toilet in the middle of the snow in a secret place. I figured that would be our bathroom and, went ahead and used it. I did wonder it would be a bit tricky to know if someone was coming or if someone was there, but... As I went back to our campsite, I told my buddy campers about our crazy experience of going to the bathroom outdoors in the snow. Well, turns out there was a little bathroom house just some meters ahead and I'd totally missed it. From then on, I became the joke of the camp and my toilet in the snow was baptised "Lia's bathroom", which you can imagine everyone had to go and check.
Another funny joke was our so called breakfast: oatmeal with raisins and cranberries. On the first day kids were like "what is this?", because it really doesn't look that good and as they tasted it, there was no flavor. Still, that was the plan for breakfast and there was nothing else, so everyone had to force themselves to have at least a bit. People even dreamed of the oatmeal with sugar, cinamon and other possible flavors. That's why they asked me to take pictures of them eating it and making the disgusted faces. Now, whenever we talk about food the good "oatmeal" comes up and they'll go "What was that?", "Who eats that ...?", and we all laugh.
Goood spirited warriors that found healthy ways to overcome the very hard challenges we went through. When the bus finally arrived at the residence, we all clapped and rushed to our rooms to get in the real bathrooms!
Check the pictures for the view, our campsite, my one and only bathroom and our delicious "oatmeal".
And today is Disco Night!!!
Talk to you later,
Lia
sexta-feira, 15 de julho de 2011
quarta-feira, 13 de julho de 2011
X-TREME Downhill Biking and Talent Night
Our morning began smooth with just some fun by the lake or a last visit to the village to shop for proper camping gear. Slow morning to make up for the extreme afternoon with some hot downhill biking. My warrior of the day: Victoria, the only brave woman to join and come out, as expected, victorious! I should not leave out the whole group of tough warriors who took the challenge pretty seriously and turned out even more skillful than I'd imagined: Stéfano, Guilherme, Felipe, Lucas and Rafael! A big clap to y'all!!
First, all bikers had to sign wavers to assure there was someone taking full responsiblity of what they were about to do. After, they went up to get the bikes and all the armour and protection pads needed, not to forget the helmet. Later, they all took the chairlift with their bikes up the hill, where they were assessed as to what level biking they could handle. Finally, they were given clear instructions on how to ride this particular bike on this specific kind of sport: how to leave your foot on the pedal, how to handle the brakes, what to look out for on the way down, etc. Ready? Well, then tighten your seatbelts, we're going doooooooooown...! And so they got down the hill and guess what? They'd do it again; take the chairlift up to the point they could go and... downhill they went once more.
I must say it was incredibly exciting to watch and I would've gone, had I not been in charge of a group of 10. Imagine the group leader getting injured one day before the camping trip? Disaster! Thanks to that you'll have some cool pictures to look at. Just be patient, internet here is of a jurassic speed and takes loads of time to upload each photo. But you shall see all our courageous soldiers!
Our night was also fun with the Talent Show. I must say the Brazilian group really rocked the house. They sang, danced and joined in everything they could find. Our adventure guys didn't really have the time and energy to do so, but we sure cheered along and danced some Macarena as well.
Wish us good luck and good weather on our 3-day camping trip. I should be back to my blogger post on Saturday. See you then and stay tuned!
Lia
First, all bikers had to sign wavers to assure there was someone taking full responsiblity of what they were about to do. After, they went up to get the bikes and all the armour and protection pads needed, not to forget the helmet. Later, they all took the chairlift with their bikes up the hill, where they were assessed as to what level biking they could handle. Finally, they were given clear instructions on how to ride this particular bike on this specific kind of sport: how to leave your foot on the pedal, how to handle the brakes, what to look out for on the way down, etc. Ready? Well, then tighten your seatbelts, we're going doooooooooown...! And so they got down the hill and guess what? They'd do it again; take the chairlift up to the point they could go and... downhill they went once more.
I must say it was incredibly exciting to watch and I would've gone, had I not been in charge of a group of 10. Imagine the group leader getting injured one day before the camping trip? Disaster! Thanks to that you'll have some cool pictures to look at. Just be patient, internet here is of a jurassic speed and takes loads of time to upload each photo. But you shall see all our courageous soldiers!
Our night was also fun with the Talent Show. I must say the Brazilian group really rocked the house. They sang, danced and joined in everything they could find. Our adventure guys didn't really have the time and energy to do so, but we sure cheered along and danced some Macarena as well.
Wish us good luck and good weather on our 3-day camping trip. I should be back to my blogger post on Saturday. See you then and stay tuned!
Lia
terça-feira, 12 de julho de 2011
Kayak and cross country biking
The day started sunny and active. We went to Rainbow Lake for kayaking and some other sports as well. To begin with, most people joined in a volleyball game, that later split and branched into an American football game (at least that's what it looked like) with our two counselors, Mark and Nathan. When that was done and everyone more than warmed up, most boys headed for the kayak or just a good swim in the lake. Please don't get the impression this is hot steamy weather. No, it's this dim sun with good wind and temperatures between 15 and 18o C. But as days go by, we get used to this new style and then join in the summer spirit doing summery activities, like swimming. After all, we are the adventure group, the so called Explorers!
After lunch the group was split in two. One part went cross country biking around Lost Lake (the same one from last night) and the others went down to the village to do "food prep", which means to buy all the food for our upcoming camping trip and bring it back up the hill to our residence. I was in this last one and personally did the shoppings with the counselors while the kids strolled in the village. It's tons of pasta, bagels, peanut butter, cereal bars and much more. As we checked out through the register, the kids would come into the supermarket and fill their camping backpacks with food to carry up the hill. Before dinner we got together and sorted everything out in the right bags so we're ready for the trip. Some people are carrying the tents and others are doing the food.
Now all campers have gone to a local school's gym to play some ball games and should be back before 10 pm for their night snack and bedtime.
Tomorow will be my last post before the trip and then I'll be out for about 3 days, so expect news only Saturday afternoon.
See you tomorrow then,
Lia
After lunch the group was split in two. One part went cross country biking around Lost Lake (the same one from last night) and the others went down to the village to do "food prep", which means to buy all the food for our upcoming camping trip and bring it back up the hill to our residence. I was in this last one and personally did the shoppings with the counselors while the kids strolled in the village. It's tons of pasta, bagels, peanut butter, cereal bars and much more. As we checked out through the register, the kids would come into the supermarket and fill their camping backpacks with food to carry up the hill. Before dinner we got together and sorted everything out in the right bags so we're ready for the trip. Some people are carrying the tents and others are doing the food.
Now all campers have gone to a local school's gym to play some ball games and should be back before 10 pm for their night snack and bedtime.
Tomorow will be my last post before the trip and then I'll be out for about 3 days, so expect news only Saturday afternoon.
See you tomorrow then,
Lia
segunda-feira, 11 de julho de 2011
Sunday chill out and room clean up
Today evryone got to sleep in, which means to sleep till later. That meant we would miss breakfast, but our counselor made sure we had lunch bags to eat around 11:30. Before doing that, all counselors went around checking rooms and having kids do proper tidying and cleaning. All the gargage was taken out and other things were provided for the week to come. Only after all the adventure campers got the OK for their room could we leave for lunch.
The afternoon was spent at the village. We went to the movies, one group to see "Transformers" and the other to see "Horrible Bosses", and later we just hung out, did some more shopping and, of course, the must stop at Starbucks. The best part of this all is that our kids are already blending with the other adventure buddies. So the girls have been hanging out with some French and French Canadian boys, while the boys are mixing with the Italian, Mexican, French and Spanish. A true fruit salad with very good Englsih taste! What I want to say is that English is really becoming our common ground, to the point that our counselor will have them pick up garbage if they swear in the language. That's how far they've gone into speaking it. To me that's just pure delight, I don't even care if they're swearing, they're just reprograming their minds.
In the evening, after dinner, we went to Lost Lake for some soccer and frisbee. I guess you can figure out who played one and the other. Only this time the girls had the French boys join them in the frisbee. Great fun with a beautiful view in the background. They even say there's a beaver in the lake; real Hollywood movie stuff we don't believe actually exists, but it does, in Canada.
Our next adventures should be rock climbing and swimming at another lake, so keep in touch.
Lia
The afternoon was spent at the village. We went to the movies, one group to see "Transformers" and the other to see "Horrible Bosses", and later we just hung out, did some more shopping and, of course, the must stop at Starbucks. The best part of this all is that our kids are already blending with the other adventure buddies. So the girls have been hanging out with some French and French Canadian boys, while the boys are mixing with the Italian, Mexican, French and Spanish. A true fruit salad with very good Englsih taste! What I want to say is that English is really becoming our common ground, to the point that our counselor will have them pick up garbage if they swear in the language. That's how far they've gone into speaking it. To me that's just pure delight, I don't even care if they're swearing, they're just reprograming their minds.
In the evening, after dinner, we went to Lost Lake for some soccer and frisbee. I guess you can figure out who played one and the other. Only this time the girls had the French boys join them in the frisbee. Great fun with a beautiful view in the background. They even say there's a beaver in the lake; real Hollywood movie stuff we don't believe actually exists, but it does, in Canada.
Our next adventures should be rock climbing and swimming at another lake, so keep in touch.
Lia
domingo, 10 de julho de 2011
sábado, 9 de julho de 2011
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