In the Rocky town of Jasper where you know you're in the wilds when you come accross elk strolling down the street, not to be messed with. Went mountain biking in the 'backcountry' as they call the wilderness here and didn't meet a human soul for hours. Just some moose, more elk & deer. They tell you to yell as you go around corners or into shrub on the bike so as to give any bears warning that you're coming so you don't bump into them caus that's when they get miffed. So there I was trying to stay on the bike down steep terrain and singing some Beatles or U2 loudly, must've scared any bears away as didn't come across any! Did feel a bit of a tit when I came accross some hikers as I was in the middle of Yellow Submarine, but hey. The alternative is to carry some bear spray (high concentrate pepper spray) but thought that was a bit drastic, bears only doing what they do.
Hostel here is 7kms out of town and when shuttle bus didn't turn up had to hike it back, uphill, none too impressed. Found out that reason was that driver from the hostel got arrested by police earlier for identity theft, taking details from people staying in hostel. Had been chatting to the guy the night before, a nice chap, you never can tell!