It has not even been 24 hours in Whistler for me, yet already I don't really wish to return to the concrete jungle that is my home in Toronto. One look out of Tyler's apartment window and it takes my breath away. Trees. Trees. Mountains. Trees. And snow. Where it should be.
I am surrounded by quiet at the moment, except for the faint tapping of the keys on this laptop. He will be home soon, but I haven't minded a few hours of quiet in his place, in this town, right now, by myself. I have not heard one siren in all these hours.
My long journey to get here was not as quiet, thanks to Air Canada. ( As my 'shister' put it, way to go Air Canada for basically a 10 hour trip to get me within our country. ) But it was worth it. It was worth the trip by a delayed plane and then bus, to reach the final destination. To then see my friend come toward and pick me right up in his arms in front of the loud bars and drunken college kids and turn me around and around and kiss me.
So here I am. Exhausted from an almost all-nighter and happily exhausted from my first trip on the slopes at Whistler-Blackcomb. They all call it riding here. Oh yes, I went riding! After years of not skiing, there I was, with a patient partner even when I was not so patient from frustration of falling too many times during the final hour of slope time, er, riding. To see the views from so way up high, to be in the clouds and feel the fog, to never reaching the bottom of the hill, quite literally, until you decide you are done for the day. Everyone is happy, even the birds join you for company. It is quite spectacular all in all.
I am happy to see Tyler. It's bittersweet. It's been just over 2 months of him being gone. I have 10 days here and we will be apart again. I am away from my children for these 10 days. I miss them now and when I am back, I will once again miss Tyler.
It is also strange being back in BC. It's been years since Victoria, with the 2 week trips here and there with a long ago friend. I loved it so much I tried to give it a go and live there. My memories of my English soccer players I roomed with still make me laugh. Sad to think we never kept in touch years later. Being here in Whistler, surrounded by this natural beauty we lack in Toronto, makes me think of my time in Victoria; my peaceful and tranquil thoughts near the water, on the beaches. Water always calms me and fills me up inside with a peaceful purpose. (Perhaps that's the real reason for my son's name, River.)
So I am happy. I am in a peaceful and calm surroundings, I am writing, I have wine beside me and my daughter's latest drawing beside me. I will be home soon enough. But for now, I will live here in Whistler and wait for Tyler to walk through the door.
