Go to Golden Town

The bus carrying me moved westward along the highway, covered in pure white snow. As I gazed out the window, a faint sense of unease crept into my heart. From Edmonton to Calgary, and then from Calgary to Golden, this journey was like a silent initiation, leading me from the hustle and bustle of the city to a small town surrounded by snow-capped mountains.

I came across a job posting for a Chinese restaurant in Golden on a Facebook group for working holiday makers in Canada. Curious, I made a call, and the voice on the other end was remarkably enthusiastic and warm. The owner assured me that food and accommodation were provided free of charge, the hourly wage was 17 Canadian dollars, and tips were given separately. Most of all, the scenery was breathtaking, and Banff National Park was just an hour’s drive away. “This is not a scam,” the voice emphasized several times.

Go to Golden Town

After the call, I searched for the restaurant on Google Maps and checked the reviews. Nothing seemed suspicious. The restaurant stood amid thick layers of snow, with white-capped mountains stretching far into the distance. It felt like a scene straight out of a movie. If there was a place worth venturing into, this might be it. So, I made up my mind.

I packed my bags and booked a ticket with Rider Express. When I arrived in Calgary at 11 p.m., the light rail had already stopped running. Left with no choice, I called an Uber from the McDonald’s next to the bus terminal and headed to a hostel downtown. The city had a cold, detached atmosphere. I was nothing more than a passing traveler, staying just for the night before setting off again the next morning.

At 6 a.m., the sky was still dark. Rubbing my sleepy eyes, I got up and made my way to the suburban bus terminal. The cold air stung my cheeks, sapping the energy from my words. The bus was scheduled to depart at 8 a.m., yet the sun remained hidden. With the hum of the engine, the bus started moving.

Arrived

The scenery outside gradually lost its contours until it became impossible to distinguish between the sky and the ground. A vast expanse of white stretched endlessly, making me feel as if I were traversing a desert of snow. Time moved slowly, and by 2 p.m., I finally arrived at the Husky gas station in Golden. The snow had settled a little, but the air remained as frigid as ever. I picked up my luggage and met the restaurant owner waiting in front of the store.

The owner led me to the restaurant and then to my accommodation. It was a simple room, but at the very least, it provided me with a place to rest. This marked the beginning of my six-month stay. What kind of days awaited me in this snow-bound country?

However, once I started working, things turned out differently from what I had expected. Overtime pay was not given, and labor laws were ignored. Public transportation in the town was highly inconvenient, making it difficult to move around. Day by day, I felt more and more like I had been deceived.

Even so, there were moments of undeniable beauty. Each morning, when I opened the door, fresh, crisp air would rush in, revealing a world blanketed in serene snow. As the sun rose between the mountains, the snow glowed golden. In those moments, everything felt worth it.

Nights in Golden were unlike anything in the city. There were no sounds of traffic or bustling crowds, only the whisper of the wind and the soft descent of snow. Late at night, I would sit by the window with a cup of hot tea, gazing at the distant snow-covered peaks. It was a time when solitude and freedom coexisted in perfect harmony.

Looking back, this journey was far from ideal. And yet, I know I will always look back on these days with nostalgia. The time I spent in this snow-covered world was special. The sound of the wind, the scent of the snow, and the beauty hidden within the silence—these things will remain with me forever.

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