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Day 15: Desperate measures call for desperate actions. I love sayings.My mum used to tell my sister and I after many an unfortunate incident one of the many sayings she was actually taught in school; if wishes were horses all beggars would ride, beggars can't be choosers, absence makes the heart grow fonder, actions speak louder than words and so on.
I think the reason I like sayings is because they're reassuring - they're a reminder that some other poor b****** has been through the same as you.And so 'desperate measures call for desperate actions'.
In a desperate attempt to fulfil his dream of boarding for a season in Whistler, Jules aka Kiwi on Tuesday 28th October decided to forsake all shame and pride and create a sign, offering his beloved board equipment (last season's - things were desperate but not that desperate clearly) in return for somewhere to stay all season and parade himself around the busy village square.
I reluctantly agreed to join him for part of the day, partly just to take the mick and take pictures.We'd all heard about people walking around town with signs and apparently they'd all eventually got somewhere but none of us - till now - had had the balls to do it.So from the early afternoon to late evening Jules sat with his sign (see pictures) and spoke to loads of passers by and half of the people in the village that we already knew.He got in total four good leads.One is worth mentioning.
A fellow Kiwi had taken pity on Jules and after a brief conversation said he potentially had a place to stay for $600 - this was a good deal.He'd text Jules and then said he'd call the next day.
While chilling in the Brio pad with me the next rainy day, Jules was pacing up and down the whole day waiting for the phone to ring.When it eventually rang he couldn't find the phone, and then didn't pick it up in time, then proceeded to scream a number of expletives, it rang again a couple moments later and he spoke on the phone for a few seconds and then screamed "he's *%$*ing hung up on me! I can't believe it!".
Jules said that the guy had mentioned two words which he assumed were "£$*% off" and hung up.Jules, head in hands, cursed Whistler and everything about it including its inferiority to the French Alps.
In a fit of rage he sent him a text saying "That's bad karma bro - I hope when you're riding you crack your head on the mountain."(I actually thought this was quite tame). Two minutes later he got a text back saying 'sorry you feel like that but my phone just ran out of power'.I persuaded Jules to ring him and apologise and they arranged to meet.
As we weren't sure if it was still all a hoax and he might get lynched I went with him (theory being that a large, well built, er, muscular black man might scare off potential thugs, although I pointed out this could be even more appetising to said thugs).
Anyhow, off we went, with Jules carrying a few beers in hand to offer as an olive branch, peace offering http://www.statravelblogs.com/photos/smarsha78/photos/IMG_0140.jpg for wishing that his new potential landlord cracked his head on the mountain.
It took us ages, and it was so uphill I swear the oxygen began to thin but we eventually found it and Glen - that was the guy's name - was an affable fellow Kiwi with his girlfriend. Glen showed us around the absolutely massive house and Jules' large potential room. We sat and all had a bit of a chat and a laugh and brushed aside today's earlier (I thought hilarious) incident.
Glen then explained the terms of the deal which were $1100 for a single room (sorry. Ow much?). Jules looked absolutely gutted and told Glen he'd get back to him knowing full well he couldn't really pay that, but not wanting to seem rude.
We left, walking through the pitch black rain contemplating what to do next. In the end Jules decided to text Glen and say he couldn't afford the room unless he shared and he'd be prepared to pay like $1400. With baited breath Jules waited for a text reply. Then a small miracle, not on par with the Immaculate Conception but maybe Jesus walking on water standard, happened.
Glen text back saying that he would offer the room to...both of us; apparently I seemed like a nice guy.
I was dumbstruck and while happy, equally consumed with guilt as it meant that I would have to leave Fili to fend for herself (not that I'd done that much for her) after she's done so much for me.I had also been looking forward to living with her too. Gutted. Why was I gutted? Jules was incredulous and a little bit annoyed I wasn't more elated.
And that was it. It was over. 13 days in Whistler. That was all it was - it felt like a lifetime.
In two days it was Halloween - a massive event over here.Some people were contemplating what costumes to wear, where to go on the night but there was just one thing on my mind.
Now I just had to break the news to Fili.
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