COVID-19 Week 8 Update.
Never one to stay down, always one to turn a breakdown into a breakthrough.
This time is no different!
If you’re a regular to my blog, you’ll know that my 12 month adventure of a lifetime all over South East Asia (SEAsia) has been “postponed” due to the global COVID-19 pandemic. Everything changed literally overnight for me, I was set to depart on March 18, 2020 and the Friday prior our Prime Minister had halted all non-essential travel outside of Canada and Vietnam (the country I was starting my adventure in) had closed its entry to Visa On Arrival, which I had. So, 4 days before I was set to take off and start a year of sightseeing, exploring, soul searching came to a screeching halt.
I had resigned from my job, rented out my condo and sold my car! See that blog here. Ummm, what the actual heck was I going to do?
I was able to find temporary accommodations until the end of April and then … I was back it again, looking for a place to stay. It’s difficult during COVID-19 …. not a lot of landlords have openings, folks are not moving as they usually would (due to fear of contamination or lack of money due to losing their jobs due to COVID-19) additionally, there’s not a lot of interest in short term rentals. ENTER MY CORONAVIRUS MOVE to British Columbia (BC)!
At the end of every break down there’s always an opportunity for a break through, the key differentiator is … DO YOU SEIZE IT? I’m usually one to not stay “down” for too long – I stay in that moment for a short time (I don’t live there), and then plot on. It’s MY life to create.
WE can create opportunity and happiness just as easily as we can create misfortune and misery. Use that super power you have … CHOICE!
And I did just that!
Opportunity Knocked
I’ve always wanted to live in BC, even if for a just a short stint. I’ve been three times and fell in love each time. I can see why folk decide to make this their home base.
- I spent my first time on Vancouver Island, traveling through Courtney/Comox, Uclulet, Tofino visiting my cousin and her family.
- I also spent some time in Windermere and Invermere at the radium hot springs and at friends trailer on the Lake Windermere – mixed that in on a trip to Calgary as they are on the Alberta border.
- My last time in Beautiful BC, I spent in Richmond, Vancouver and Squamish – see my adventures from that trip by clicking here.
Opportunity created! Now to seize it! I rented a chalet on Big White!
I initially had the intention of driving, I had a whole week long adventure planned to drive out West with my pooch and then changed my mind and booked a flight (pooch is staying with an awesome friend). The thought of driving was daunting, I just bought a new (new to me) vehicle and didn’t want to take it on its first real trip across the country in case something happened. However, the biggest thing is that I’d have to cross 4 provinces to get to my destination and the COVID-19 pandemic brings the unusual presence of police and government checkpoints to several of Canada’s inter-provincial borders, adding to restrictions on movement in a bid to slow the spread of the deadly novel coronavirus. So far, 8 provinces and territories have set up such checkpoints and travel restrictions.
ENTER BIG WHITE MOUNTAIN …. tucked on the west side of Canada’s Rocky Mountains in the heart of the British Columbia’s Okanagan Valley lies Big White Ski Resort and I am fortunate enough to have rented a chalet on it for the next 2 months! YAY BABY! I imagine a lot of what I’d love to do while in the Okanagan Valley will be limited due to coronavirus, and I’ll still be able to take advantage of nature, secluded trails, the outdoors, and hiking – which are all free and do not require close proximity to others.
I’m Off …
Nothing really to mention about the 1st leg of the flight, smooth, no turbulence — I mean other than each passenger and crew member HAD to wear face masks at ALL times during the flight (unless you were eating or drinking, obvi!). There was no food service – when you got to your seat it was pre-prepped with your food and two bottles of water. Upon boarding you were provided with a disinfectant wipe, so that you could wipe down your seat – and we were practicing physical distancing in the plane – passengers were not sitting side by each. Confused though, as that was all thwarted the minute we all got up and stood in the aisle waiting to deplane.
Arriving in Kelowna …
Flying over the Rocky Mountains at night sucks – you miss the awesome view – and it is spectacular. Major turbulence and air pockets on approach to Kelowna (we were flying into rain), the last 10 mins were arm rest gripping! Even the Flight Attendant said the to the Captain once the doors were open “Whew, that was a bumpy ride!”.
BC is on of the few provinces in Canada that are not mandating mandatory interprovincial quarantine – they only ask that you respect the standard COVID-19 rules – stay 6 feet apart and practice social distancing.
I’m starting my 2nd full day here on Big White – it’s sunny and there’s still snow! The panoramic views are stunning. Today I plan on taking a hike around Big White (with a mask and not surrounded by people) and do my first real trek for the month of May. Earlier this month, I created and launched My Better Life May 2020 Fitness Challenge. Whereby participants set, crush and supersede any fitness goals they have set for themselves during this COVID-19 pandemic — over the whole 31 days in the month of May 👏🏻.
With the Prime Minister and Premiers starting to talk about reopening the economy – some of the COVID-19 restrictions may be lifted in the upcoming weeks. Sure, this is not 12 month adventure of lifetime all over SEAsia AND it’s still awesome … opportunity seized — where I had no home, I now have a place to call mine for the next couple of months. I embraced the uncertainty. Uncertainty is where new happens!
Uncertainty is your personal pathway to opportunity. It’s the environment in which you grow, experience new things and produce new, unprecedented results. Uncertainty is where new happens ~ Gary John Bishop – UnF*ck Yourself
Photo: views from my terrace at Big White 😍
Tell me, I’d love to know … what’s something uncertain you embraced recently?
My Better Life 