Burning rubber in Canada - Part 6, The Jasper National Park

Hi there

   I woke up early , even though it was a rest day for us, I decided to go  for morning stroll of the town  . As I came out of the hotel lobby I was treated to this stunning picture of Canadian Rockies , I could not believe if it is real , it was as if god has spread gold on certain slopes of the mountain . I sat down at the nearby bench to soak into this natural spectra .

   The town was just getting up , however the utility services were already up and running , such as garbage truck in fact trash was also picked up by hand which shows why Canada is so clean . There were few walkers on the road but who ever one came across, he will be the first one to greet you! such a good culture.

    I came across very beautiful buildings which have been restored and are fully functional .

Almost empty streets 

Misty mountains

Heritage buildings

   It was also time for my morning cuppa of tea , I can skip food but cannot stay without tea!!!!! . As I reached at the end of town I came across this fabulous cafe the Wicked cup , a very chick place . I inquired about tea and they had 20 flavors including masala flavor . I settle down with my tea cup enjoying the beauty of Canadian Rockies  nearby. The coffee shop also has a number of fusion staff on its menu .

Wicked cup cafe

Inside wicked cup cafe 

Rockies as seen from wicked cup cafe 

   As I walked back to the hotel taking the main street of the town , I reached the Jasper railway station , there standing was the magnificent Rocky Mountaineer. In 1990, Canada's national rail operator VIA Rail sold off it's Rockies by daylight scenic train to a private company called Rocky Mountaineer Vacations , who renamed it The Rocky Mountaineer.  The Rocky Mountaineer has now developed into a world-class travel experience, operating on not just one but four different routes in the Canadian Rockies . We did not take this journey since we were on a road trip and train ride would not have fitted in our schedule.

Magnificent Rocky Mountaineer 

Magnificent Rocky Mountaineer 

  Just ahead of the station is another Instagram spot, the Two Brothers Totem pole,lovely art.Which is depiction of two brothers travel from Haida Gwaii to rocky mountains.

Totem Pole 

Totem Pole 

  As I reached the hotel Netrali made quick breakfast and off we were for a buffet lunch at an Indian restaurant Jasper Curry Place . I had already checked the route in the morning to this place during my morning walk of the town .

   We thought that we will be the first ones to eat.But by the time we reached, the restaurant was already full and we had to wait for our turn . But the wait was worth it . The food was superb totally Indian taste and the ambiance reminded us of a restaurant in India . The restaurant is owned by Mr Gopal Shelke from my place Nashik . After exchange of pleasantries
Mr Gopal and his wife invited us to their another restaurant Agni in the evening, and we promised to be at Agni. 

Inside Jasper Curry Place

   Again in the evening we thought that if we go now to the restaurant it will not look good as we thought we are very early, so we delayed our time by roaming around the town . After some time we thought that,  the crowd must have thinned out however when we reached the place we were shocked it had more waiting than Jasper Curry place !!!! however Mr Gopal had kept a table reserved for us . The Agni is a bistro with ala carte menu , since cooking is done by Gopal himself there is definite twist to the food . After some time Gopal also joined us and on our urging shared his story of success .

  

Agni

Mr Gopal Shelke 

    Gopal was born in a village near Nashik , when he was small his father moved to Mumbai as he found a job in Mumbai port. In Mumbai the family had to share a single room with his uncle's family Gopal studied in munciple school and cleared his school with distinction , he secured admission in Dadar Catering College in Mumbai on merit . He passed out of the college again with top honors. While in College he secured a job in top hotel chain in Mumbai . 6 months in his job he was picked up by a American cruise company after few years he got job offer from Canadian hotel chain and that brought him to Canada .

     He settled down in his job and thought his life is now set and now he can marry. However god had other plans after about 5 yrs in job Gopal developed kidney infection while on holiday in India in his native place, by the time he received proper medical care his both kidneys had failed and doctors advised him to go in for kidney transplant . His mother offered him her kidney. Gopal after operation became fit again .  His hotel in Canada offered him job again but at the lowest level . Gopal reworked hard and within 1 year got his previous position .

   In mean time he came across an advertisement for  sale of hotel in Jasper, he decided to try his luck. At that time he was married and had just about 10,000 CAD. He and his wife both decided to take the plunge  putting at stake all that they had .The meeting was fixed by realtor with the person who was selling the hotel , however the opposite party wanted an instant payment of 50,000 CAD and were not ready to wait till loan approval . So he walked out of the deal, however when he told this to his realtor he offered him 30,000 CAD on spot ,this money was given to the party and keys handed over to Gopal his friends loaned him another 20000 CAD and he became the owner. Loan from local bank and help from local council  his restaurant was up and running in one year. Today  Jasper and Agni both  employ about 70 people,apart from this he has shop in Calgary too.

   A truly inspirational story .We thanked both Gopal and his lovely wife for sharing their story and wished them luck in future en devours.

Deepak with Malhar,Shaunak,me,Mr Gopal,Mrs Gopal Shelke and Netrali

  It was late in the night by the time we hit our beds.  Tomorrow was another exciting day in Jasper.

Ride Safe Firm Saddle