Gabi On The Go: Jan. 19 - Fun Times in Whistler: downhill or in the village!

We all got up earlier because of the time change and excitement.
We are staying at a AirBnB right in front of the Olympic Plaza.

FROM WIKIPEDIA:

The 2010 Winter Olympics, officially known as the XXI Olympic Winter Games and also known as Vancouver 2010 (Squamish: K'emk'emeláy̓ 2010), were an international winter multi-sport event held from February 12 to 28, 2010 in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, with some events held in the surrounding suburbs of Richmond, West Vancouver and the University of British Columbia, and in the nearby resort town of Whistler. It was regarded by the Olympic Committee to be among the most successful Olympic games in history, in both attendance and coverage. Approximately 2,600 athletes from 82 nations participated in 86 events in fifteen disciplines.

After a couple of hours to eat, to rent equipment and get the ski passes, my snow babies are ready to go. Today, they will all go up with an instructor and will have lessons.

First time skiers, Cá e Giggles are excited too, learning in one of the world's best ski mountains.

I have learned to ski in Alberta, when Mike and I lived there many years ago. Today I can say that's not my favourite thing to do, so I happily left the group and had a peaceful day by myself.

The weather opened up a bit and I could see the mountains, so majestic!

It's kind of exciting and weird to imagine that my babies are somewhere up there, going down those hills in full speed, in the middle of the nature winter power.

The crispy air makes everything so quiet and beautiful.

I walked about 15 minutes to the Squamish Lil'Wat Cultural Centre, a beautiful and welcoming indigenous cultural centre, that taught me so much about the First Nations People who lived and still make this territory their land.

FROM: https://www.whistler.com/arts/squamish-lilwat-cultural-centre/

The Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre (SLCC) is the first centre of its kind in Canada, located on the shared, traditional territories of the Squamish Nation and Lil’wat Nation. Two nations came together to celebrate and share their cultures with the world while creating meaningful employment opportunities for members of both the Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish Nation, Coast Salish) and Líl̓wat7úl (Lil’wat Nation, Interior Salish) Nations. Designed to evoke the form of a Squamish Longhouse and Lil’wat Istken (earthen dwelling), the SLCC embodies the spirit of partnership between two unique Nations who wish to preserve, grow, and share their traditional cultures.

The place itself is already an incredible visit, but it was the people in it that made me feel really welcomed.

Good tip: take part of the hourly guided tour (between 10am-4pm). It's included in the admission ($20 adults) and you can enjoy a hand drum song, a really well done and inspiring 15-minute movie of the people of the area, and a tour by Cultural Ambassadors from Squamish Nation and Lil'wat Nation. My guide was incredible! David (his English name) had the story telling gift and was so knowledgeable about the local cultures. He patiently answered all our questions.

The cedar canoes are the most fascinating pieces.

They come in all shapes and sizes, according to it's use and the art on it say so much about the families who own them.

Wool clothes.

A gigantic mask.

You really can have a better comprehension about life in this region in the past and present.

Centres like this one do a great job preserving the culture to newer generations.

Many resident artists come here in the summer and work on pieces that will educate visitors.

This piece is called Box of Promises.

Each artist was responsible for 3 sides of the cube and they each carved a self-portrait. The faces represent the Supreme Creator and the cube itself is the universe.

I recommend to plan a meal at the Thunder Cafe, while visiting the centre.

This cute restaurant gives us the chance to enjoy the local indigenous culinary as well.

I had the smoked salmon chowder with fried Bannock.
Delicious!

FROM: https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/bannock#:~:text=Bannock%20is%20a%20form%20of,%2C%20and%20Ojibwe%20ba'wezhiganag.

Bannock is a form of bread that served as a staple in the diets of early settlers and fur traders. Most Indigenous nations in North America have some version of bannock. Inuit call it palauga, Mi’kmaq luskinikn, and Ojibwe ba‘wezhiganag. The word derives from the Gaelic bannach, meaning morsel, which in turn likely came from the Latin panis, which means bread. Bannock is usually unleavened, oval-shaped and flat. The version that we know today came from Scotland. In its most rudimentary form, it is made of flour, water, and fat or lard. Milk, salt, and sugar are often added, depending on the recipe. It is traditionally cooked by mixing the ingredients into a large, round biscuit and baked in a frying pan. Today, most often, bannock is baked in the oven, making it heavy and dense; or it is pan-fried, light and fluffy; or it is deep-fried.