i arrived in banff, ab almost exactly one week ago. from the airport in calgary to the bus ride up to the second most elevated community in canada, all elements seemed both foreign and familiar.

the trip reminded me of my trip to antigonish, ns eight years ago for university. however, when i awoke about halfway into the two hour bus ride to find myself surrounded by mountains, i knew it was all new.

from illustrious mountains to the complete differences caused by living 1,463m above sea level, this place captivates immediately. on my first night i walked on a bridge over a frozen river that marks the divide between the base of several mountains. all around me their snowy peaks tower over, and i can’t help but feel small and minimal. in the surroundings of such natural beauty, formed by years of pressure and force and natural agony, this place motivates.