For my column I thought about boring you all with historical information, such as: On this day in 1842, such and such happened. But I decided against it. I know the looks I get for simply saying that I have a history degree. The usual reaction being an eyebrow up asking me, "Why would you study that?" Well, I find it interesting, that's all there is to it. It usually seems my fondness for the past is not typically shared by all; so, instead of possibly boring you with an entire column on an historical event I've decided to focus on my move here to Carlyle.
I come from a small town in Southwestern Saskatchewan and was excited to come to Carlyle. It would be different, yet would have that community feeling that seems to only come with living in Saskatchewan. Or at least through my experiences this is true. When I came for my interview I was convinced I would love it here. Small towns always have the best of everything: people, events, and a great sense of community. When I got the job I was ecstatic.
The only problem came when I went to look for something to rent. Scouring the internet for weeks and using any other means I could think of, I found nothing. It was a full month before a friend of a friend who just moved here said I could use their 5th wheel. I had never met them before but it didn't matter, I accepted without hesitation and have found them to be wonderful. I was just grateful that I found something.
I had contemplated sleeping in my car or a tent for a little while as I really wanted to live and work here. There were only two things that stopped me. The first being the lack of a shower, I couldn't see that as being fair to my co-workers or the community. The second being the fact that even in spring Saskatchewan is cold.
So deciding that those were bad ideas I continued my search. There were places to buy and campgrounds to get monthly sites for RVs from, but being fresh out of school I can neither afford a mortgage nor buy a trailer. The 5th wheel, thus, was a great idea.
The odd thing about this trailer is the fact that it looked so much like one my family had when I was about five. I decided that obviously campers made at the same time would look similar, right? As the lady was showing me the camper, my Dad was looking around outside. He kindly came with me to see what I had gotten myself into and laugh at me as he usually does. Out of nowhere he comes barging into the trailer, asking if they got the 5th wheel from so and so. Her reply, YES!
It turns out the same 5th wheel I am renting now is that which I camped in almost twenty years ago! Complete with a wooden ladder my grandfather, who has since passed, made for the bunk beds. My Mom decided that it was meant to be. Somehow in an area hours from where I come from, a place where nothing seems to be available for rent, I found a little piece of home.
Despite there being zero vacancy here for renters everything else seems great. The chilly nights aren't the end of the world; we are Canadians, so the cold is supposed to be nothing to us right? "Canada is not a country for the cold of heart or the cold of feet." - Pierre Elliott Trudeau
Everyone has been welcoming. I haven't met a great deal of you; yet, everyone greets me with smiles, a wave, and some even attempt to think of more permanent places I might be able to rent. This is because conversations tend to include where I'm staying, since they can't believe I have found anything at all. So far it hasn't resulted in anything other than my family's old camper, but I greatly appreciate the effort!
