One upon a night in Whistler.

by Mariana Camacho (Mexico)

I didn't expect to find Canada

Whistler is a little, magical town in British Columbia. That day, more than 3 years ago, snow was the only thing missing (although we were freezing down to our bones). Everywhere we looked, there was nature. We became mesmerized with the roads and the waterfalls. Everything around us was colored in this dark, deep green. The whole town smelled like a combination of hot chocolate, coffee, and pine trees. Everyone was either walking, running or riding their bikes. We were surrounded by mountains, plains, and rivers. It was an absolute dream. We walked, we ate, we laughed, we talked, we couldn't stop smiling! It was incredible just being able to see such beauty. Although everything about that day was beautiful, I do recall one particular moment. It was late at night and we passed by this cute hotel while we were walking back to our cabin. A friend of mine and I were talking about how truly short life is and how we should be more courageous when trying to find true happiness. I looked back at the hotel and, through one of the windows, I saw this old couple holding hands, her head lied on his shoulder, as they looked outside at the darkness of the forest. I took a picture of the hotel with the sole purpose of remembering that sight. I believe true happiness looks different for everyone and I'm sure it changes over time. Sometimes it's about moments that seem amazing, incredible, out of this world. But sometimes, like that night, it lies in the most simple, common, precious things. I don't know yet what happiness will look like in my future. Yet, I know I definitely saw it that night, through that window, in their eyes, as I reminded myself that happiness can actually be all around us, it's just a matter of keeping our eyes and hearts open for us to see it.