We awoke to find everything soaking wet including my playing cards and matches. Dave and Dan went off to sign up for the tournament and to check out of the campsite. When they returned we were told our job for the day was to hover at Bella Pacifica at 12:15pm and get a new pitch.
First of all we went to Long Beach and while they played the game Claire and I went to the Wickanninish Inn for a cup of tea and coffee. We enquired about jobs and they told us to take our resumes back later. Meanwhile Dave entrusted us with his truck, he's either mad or stupid, and we drove it to the campsite to book our place. Then we all went for lunch in Tofino. I had a quesadilla which was delicious. Whilst in there I saw a notice for a women's hostel and in the afternoon we checked it out amongst other things. In the hostel they told us that the Maquinna Lodge were looking for housekeepers so we went there. We hitched back to Bella Pacifica and then met Dave and Dan who said they went to find us but in fact we're just coming back from the shower. They invited us to go to a clam bake on the beach with the WCOV. So for the first time in my life I ate clams, mussels and oysters, I was even fed a raw one! I won a river rafting expedition but had to do a play off. Dave did it for me and won. He offered me the prize but I let him have it.
Sunday 3rd August
Awoke early but didn't know what time. Was feeling a little low. I hadn't felt at all at ease in Tofino. It was full of crusties and although they're very nice they're also quite intimidating. I really couldn't see myself living there. I didn't want to let Claire down though but she would hate it also if I wasn't happy. I had to wait and have a shower as it was being cleaned but when I got back to camp Dan was up and soon everyone else was because I set Dave's car alarm off. They drove us to Tofino and we had breakfast and lucky buggers that we are had places to stay and jobs starting at 9:30am the next day. When Dave and Dan left it was quite sad, it felt like saying goodbye to really good mates even though we'd only known them 48hours. Dave had invited us on a trip to Banff on the 12th when he drives back to school. We spent the rest of the afternoon chatting and doing the rainforest trail. This was really beautiful and even though I've seen tropical ones in Sri Lanka the temperate ones seeemd more "real" somehow. When we got back we had sausages and beans and hamburgers which could have been the best meal in the world. We begged and watched "Mothers Boys" and then went to bed.
Monday 4th August
Quite a good nights sleep. Called Mum this morning which I think she was happy about. We went to work at 9:30am and got taught basic chamber-mailing. We did 5 hours - $37.50 less tax and then walked to Tonquin Park. There is a deal here that if you work in the tourist industry here then you can do the whale watching, kayaking, hot springs stuff for free. This has meant yet another change in our somewhat haphazard plans. As this seems like a really good lifestyle, i.e. Work until 2pm then do stuff all afternoon and evening. It is such a beautiful place with so much to see that to do it justice would mean to stay at least 1 month.
This afternoon Claire went kayaking unfortunately there wasn't room for me but I can do it another day. All I did was sit and think which was good in its own way.
Tuesday 5th August
Worked again today although there were only 4 of us so we had loads more rooms to do. Finished at 2:30pm so far we have earnt $62.99, we have spent $60 on 3 nights accommodation so at least we're in the black.
I think 5 weeks should just about do it here. It may eat into our finances too much to stay much longer. Hopefully getting a lift to Banff will be easy.
I had to stop there because we went to organise some whale-watching. We have booked for 3pm tomorrow and we went out tonight at 6pm. It was brilliant. We saw eagles, grey whales, puffins and best of all a sea-otter. There is only 1 sea-otter for 200 miles so we were lucky to see one. I took loads of photos all of which probably were "spot the wildlife" with loads ocean and not much else. When we came home we had our first decent meal since we came here. I.e pasta with tomato, onion and garlic sauce. We then sat and chatted which was really nice.
<these are extracts from my diaries written whilst travelling and working in Canada and the US in '97-'98.>
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