From Saskatoon to Snowy Adventures in Vanscoy: A Week of New Connections and Cozy Moments
Monday, November 11: Sleepy Travels and Serendipitous Connections
My week began with a Poparide journey to Saskatoon, where I promptly dozed off in the backseat. Upon arrival, I realized I hadn’t confirmed my motel booking. Luckily, there was still a room available. Though the motel on the city outskirts wasn’t the fanciest, it served its purpose. To charge my computer is not always the easiest part but I have my tricks.
I spent hours messaging potential Workaway hosts and finally got a reply from Jasmine. It turned out her ad had been posted years ago, and I was her first inquiry.
Happy with finally getting a place to stay I went to find my self some food at "The Cactus club"
When I arrived, she warmly welcomed me, made up a bed in one of her children’s rooms, and admitted there wasn’t much work for me. Instead, we spent hours chatting about life in Canada and Norway—family, work, and everything in between.
Tuesday, November 12: Snuggles, Creativity, and Quiet Moments
The next day was delightfully low-key. Jasmine’s dog Benjamin curled up with me in bed, before he continued laying on my lap as I wrote.
Benjamin in my bed :P
Later I designed a poster for her office Christmas event using Canva.
Wednesday, November 13: A Mall Visit and New Opportunities
While Jasmine had a meeting, I explored the local mall, snagged some crochet hooks, and enjoyed a classic Tim Hortons breakfast. That evening, she mentioned meeting a friend, Leslie, who was interested in hosting me next. Jasmine felt bad about her remote location and limited tasks for me, so I agreed to the change. She assured me she’d pick me up if anything didn’t work out.
Darts, Karaoke, and Meeting the Locals
Thursday, November 14:
Leslie arrived while I was mid-call with my daugthers, and soon I was en route to her home. Her friendly dogs greeted me warmly, and that evening, she invited me to join her darts tournament. Witch is held at the local bar/hotel.
Dart series.
At the tournament, I was introduced as “The Norwegian,” sparking curiosity about Workaway. Jokingly, the crowd debated who’d get to host me next, likening it to an auction! Later, I played pool with Cam, swapped stories, and ended the night singing karaoke in Leslie’s living room.
Weekend Highlights: Karaoke, Family Time, and Cozy Vibes
I started my stay on friday by cleaning the kitchen.
Cleaning the kitchen
We kicked off Saturday night with a karaoke crawl, hitting three venues. The first had great sound and energy;
Me singing at the first karaoke bar.
the second, not so much. The final spot, Crackers, was crowded but had excellent acoustics. A card from a karaoke league praising my voice was an unexpected confidence boost.
Sunday was all about relaxation. With Leslie at a family dinner, I walked the dogs and enjoyed the peace of her home.
Ghost and Jazzy, me wearing sppikes because I have zoro balance and a tiny library.
Monday, November 18: Roast Dinners and Winter Fun
Leslie prepared a mouthwatering roast for dinner, which we enjoyed while chatting.
The next day brought a blanket of snow, transforming the flat landscape into a playground for local kids, who improvised snowy thrills with four-wheelers and sleds.
improvised snowy thrills with four-wheelers and sleds.
Midweek Chores and Creative Tasks
By Wednesday, my only job was watering the plants—a perfect excuse to laze around.
On Thursday, I took over kitchen duty, making stir-fry and cleaning while Leslie attended darts. I also helped create a poster for Betty at the hotel, adding a creative touch to my day.
Friday, November 22: Farewells and Stormy Worries
As I prepared to leave early the next morning, I attended an open mic night with Leslie’s family.
While her brother-in-law performed, I played pool with Kevin and Cam, soaking in the cozy atmosphere. But with talk of bad weather, Kevin's warning, "I don’t think you’ll leave tomorrow," left me slightly uneasy.
Reflections on a Week of Canadian Hospitality
This week reminded me of the beauty of human connection, from Jasmine’s warm welcome to Leslie’s vibrant social circle. Snowstorms, karaoke nights, and local traditions gave me a glimpse of life in the prairies—a blend of simplicity, resilience, and unexpected adventures.
What’s next? Fingers crossed for clear skies and safe travels as I continue my Canadian journey!