Hae guys. It's my last night in the Vancouver Samesun, and I think I'm gonna miss it. But at the same time I'm excited that I'm going to making my way across the province to my new job. Each day that passes I feel more excited and less like a fish out of water. [Yayness. ;P ] Speaking of fish, we are going to see Salmon spawning tomorrow on our tour. Hopefully my camera will work and I'll be able to take photos.
Today I bought snow boots and got on a $30 per month cell plan [here, that's like one of the cheapest options there is]. Part of that monthly plan payment goes towards paying off my new Samsung Galaxy Ace ll which came free with the deal. I didn't even have to pay a cent today at the shop for it! I was able to walk out after giving them my passport information and email address. They are so lax here!! [It is locked but I can unlock it and take it home with me - if it survives that is.] I was also given a $50 gift card so I was able to buy a shock proof case and a screen protector as well. I had to pay $17 for them on top of the $50 gift card, so Matthew and Sophie [I know you're reading this], you can do the math as to how much I would've had to spend to get those two items without the gift card. ;P I also thought you might be interested in the fact that an iPhone 5 costs not even $700 here. It's ridiculous how much we are charged for them in NZ.
We meet our two bus drivers tonight; they pretty much kept to themselves though, so we really just had a free dinner tonight - didn't learn much about the tour except that we meet tomorrow downstairs at 8AM. Some of the guys coming with us said that they've been getting up at 12 one 1PM so I hope they all make it.. ;P
After dinner I headed up to my room to pack and I think I've got everything. I feel like I've got a whole heap more stuff but I really don't, so I'm not sure why I feel surprised that it all fits...
Well I had better get to bed. I'm sorry it's short today but I can't live the high life everyday.. ;P
Wednesday, 23 October 2013
The promised photos
Vancouver Tower Lookout
Terrible view of one of the cobblestone streets in Gastown
More Vancouver Tower..
Below is some history for you..
Above is how the Vancouver Tower measures up to other towers around the world. [All the middle ones are Asian, but the tallest and smallest are Canadian. The Vancouver Tower is the smallest shown.]
Below is a sort of panoramic view from the top
See!!? It's the Shaw building!!
We think this is the Olympic Stadium..
Trees grow on the tops of buildings here..
Some church..I can't remember walking past it on our travels but it's quite pretty
The 'Team' as Tracey puts it
L-R: Renée, Tracey and Matt
Me.
Tuesday, 22 October 2013
Bendy Buses, Waffle chips, walkingwalkingwalking...
Wow, I've done a post a day. I'm quite impressed, I must say. But no promises this consistency will keep up once I start work.. ;P
Today was tourist day. We literally walked kilometres - I swear. I will add a map of Downtown Vancouver which is the area we are staying so you can see for yourself. We live at 1018 Granville St and [after starting off at Starbucks] we walked this morning over the Granville Bridge to 4th and Burrard [for some snow board gear shopping] then back up the Granville Bridge to Gastown [for a Peruvian themed lunch, souvenir shops and a ride up the glass elevator to the Vancouver Tower Lookout where we got to see cool views of the city] then along the Waterfront and into Stanley Island. [That is where my camera decided it didn't want to extend the lens out - I actually didn't know that the cold effects the working capabilities of a camera..] But!! We saw squirrels in the park! I was so super excited. There were two black ones and a few grey ones and they were super tame and let us get quite close. Of course and sadly, I have no photos to show you. We then headed to the Aquarium but they were closing as we arrived so we headed all the way back to Samesun. We left there at just past 10 and returned at 5, so we were pretty tired. But we still headed out at 7:30 to the Irish pub just around the corner for dinner with one of our girls friends who now lives in Vancouver. It was cool getting to met him and hear a bit more about Vancouver and Canada. We didn't get back to our hostel until 10:30 even though it is literally not even 100 metres from the pub.
I know that I have mentioned that we have eaten at pubs for every meal - so let me just clear up for you that we haven't been drink every night and getting drunk. They actually serve water with your meal so that is what we've been doing most of the time. It's cheaper and healthier and also - pub food is really yummy. So in case you were wondering; No, I am not turning into an alcoholic. Just thought I'd explain it.
There is a joke between us three girls and Matt [we adopted him today-he is also going to Sunshine] that I live under a rock because I had never seen a bendy bus until we came to Vancouver. Apparently the girls went on them as kids for school trips, but they are both from Auckland so I'm hoping that they are just up there.. Matt is from Dunedin, and he had never seen them either until he arrived. So each new thing I learn we put down to me living under a rock. Like me never having heard of waffle chips. I swear I have been reminded that I lived under a rock every day we've been here. But that's totally cool - it's been an awesome experience so far!
Cars here just come up on the side of the pavement and park. It's the oddest thing. And it's still weird looking at the moving cars and seeing only a passenger with no one in the drivers side seat..I still double take sometimes.
Well. I had better sign off now as it'll probably be midnight by the time I get to bed.
xxx
Today was tourist day. We literally walked kilometres - I swear. I will add a map of Downtown Vancouver which is the area we are staying so you can see for yourself. We live at 1018 Granville St and [after starting off at Starbucks] we walked this morning over the Granville Bridge to 4th and Burrard [for some snow board gear shopping] then back up the Granville Bridge to Gastown [for a Peruvian themed lunch, souvenir shops and a ride up the glass elevator to the Vancouver Tower Lookout where we got to see cool views of the city] then along the Waterfront and into Stanley Island. [That is where my camera decided it didn't want to extend the lens out - I actually didn't know that the cold effects the working capabilities of a camera..] But!! We saw squirrels in the park! I was so super excited. There were two black ones and a few grey ones and they were super tame and let us get quite close. Of course and sadly, I have no photos to show you. We then headed to the Aquarium but they were closing as we arrived so we headed all the way back to Samesun. We left there at just past 10 and returned at 5, so we were pretty tired. But we still headed out at 7:30 to the Irish pub just around the corner for dinner with one of our girls friends who now lives in Vancouver. It was cool getting to met him and hear a bit more about Vancouver and Canada. We didn't get back to our hostel until 10:30 even though it is literally not even 100 metres from the pub.
I know that I have mentioned that we have eaten at pubs for every meal - so let me just clear up for you that we haven't been drink every night and getting drunk. They actually serve water with your meal so that is what we've been doing most of the time. It's cheaper and healthier and also - pub food is really yummy. So in case you were wondering; No, I am not turning into an alcoholic. Just thought I'd explain it.
There is a joke between us three girls and Matt [we adopted him today-he is also going to Sunshine] that I live under a rock because I had never seen a bendy bus until we came to Vancouver. Apparently the girls went on them as kids for school trips, but they are both from Auckland so I'm hoping that they are just up there.. Matt is from Dunedin, and he had never seen them either until he arrived. So each new thing I learn we put down to me living under a rock. Like me never having heard of waffle chips. I swear I have been reminded that I lived under a rock every day we've been here. But that's totally cool - it's been an awesome experience so far!
Cars here just come up on the side of the pavement and park. It's the oddest thing. And it's still weird looking at the moving cars and seeing only a passenger with no one in the drivers side seat..I still double take sometimes.
Well. I had better sign off now as it'll probably be midnight by the time I get to bed.
xxx
Monday, 21 October 2013
My family name is an Internet Company and [it also appears to be a] TV Channel
We had our SWAP orientation this morning at 11. The office building was about a 20 minute walk from our hostel so it was quite nice to stroll there with a group of fellow IEPers. They gave us a talk all about how we go about setting up a bank account, obtaining a SIN card [Social Insurance Number], which cell phone company to use and which plan is best etc. There was also a talk about how they add 12% tax to non-food items and 5% to food items here in Vancouver. It's a bit hard to get used to because they'll advertise something for what seems a really reasonable price-but turns out to not be so great at the counter. Alberta where we three are all going adds only 5% to everything, so needless to say we are waiting until we get there to buy random knickknacks. [We were told quite passionately by a lady who over heard us talking about how random the tax added at the counter is in a store today, that the reason Alberta has 5% tax across the board is because they rape their land of all it's natural resources so can afford to be more lenient on it's inhabitants. We didn't know quite what to say to that..But it makes sense. Everywhere in Vancouver there are different bins for recycling. They are really into being green here. I think it's actually quite cool.]
Anyway. After the SWAP information meeting had finished, us three girls who have sort of banded together broke away from the main group right and headed for the office block that distributes the SIN cards. [It sounds so much like SIM cards, it's a bit confusing-but they are totally different.] We then set up bank accounts and got debit cards and deposited some cash so our accounts weren't so bare. Shopping for snow boots was next on the list [which is when we ran into the afore mentioned passionate customer]. I didn't get any as I was wearing jandels so had no socks, but tomorrow we are hitting the town again for sight seeing and more snow boot buying, so hopefully there will be photos for you then.
On the way back to the hostel I found a little store with water bottles in it. It made my day. I seriously have never been consistently this dehydrated in all my life!
It was bar food for dinner again, but we tried a different bar then last night. Bar food is quite good, but seeing as I have never eaten bar food in New Zealand I can't really compare the two. While at the bar the TV there had a Shaw channel. There is also free WiFi around our hostel called ShawOpen as well. Random little fact I learnt at the SWAP information meeting-Canadians call beanies 'toques'. It's pronounced too-k[as in 'kick']. Who knew.
Anywho, all this learning has left me ready for bed, so night. xx
Anyway. After the SWAP information meeting had finished, us three girls who have sort of banded together broke away from the main group right and headed for the office block that distributes the SIN cards. [It sounds so much like SIM cards, it's a bit confusing-but they are totally different.] We then set up bank accounts and got debit cards and deposited some cash so our accounts weren't so bare. Shopping for snow boots was next on the list [which is when we ran into the afore mentioned passionate customer]. I didn't get any as I was wearing jandels so had no socks, but tomorrow we are hitting the town again for sight seeing and more snow boot buying, so hopefully there will be photos for you then.
On the way back to the hostel I found a little store with water bottles in it. It made my day. I seriously have never been consistently this dehydrated in all my life!
It was bar food for dinner again, but we tried a different bar then last night. Bar food is quite good, but seeing as I have never eaten bar food in New Zealand I can't really compare the two. While at the bar the TV there had a Shaw channel. There is also free WiFi around our hostel called ShawOpen as well. Random little fact I learnt at the SWAP information meeting-Canadians call beanies 'toques'. It's pronounced too-k[as in 'kick']. Who knew.
Anywho, all this learning has left me ready for bed, so night. xx
Sunday, 20 October 2013
First Impressions
Today has literally been the longest day of my life - departing at 8PM Sunday 20th October and arriving 1:15PM Sunday 20th October. o.O We didn't get checked into our hostel until 4PM which I feel has added to the apparently long length of today.
The plane ride was 13 long hours. It's quite a horrible experience being stuck in a air conditioned plane which keeps going from too cold to too hot.. a absolutely yucky-feeling person is what it equals at the end. Then you must face Immigration. Standing for over an hour in a line that hardly moves, lugging around heavy baggage is definitely the ideal start to a working holiday..[it confirmed that I had packed too much stuff! ;P] [Note-to-future-self; Always take a drink bottle with you!] Vancouver is a lovely Airport visually though. There is a massive wall waterfall with a massive wooden carved disk in the middle in the arrivals area and they keep jelly fish in wall tanks. [No I did not take a photo - you shall have to fly into Vancouver yourself to see them.]
The train [when it goes above ground] gives a lovely view of Vancouver-it is honestly a cool looking city. All the buildings are different, the streets and pedestrian crossings are different..during the day it isn't that cold, but when the sun sets it does get chilly. [;
Back to the plane; I was seated next to pretty much the only other two girls who are going to Sunshine Village. We were able to get to know each other a little and we stuck together in a little group going though our terrible ordeal at the Airport. [; They have been an answer to prayer - I seriously don't think that I would have been able to get through today without them. It's the small things like companionship that make or break days.
The SameSun Hostel is pretty alright. The two most outstanding things here so far that I've seen is the huge toy moose in the entry area and all the room doors are painted like different countries flags. There's a pub downstairs if you're into that - with a wide screen viewing either hockey or football games..pretty soon I think I'll have a handle on their national games rules.. ;P
It's just gone quarter past eight here - I think I'm about ready to turn in. Hope you all are well. Sleep well [even though it's just gone four o'clock in your afternoon ;P].
xx
Friday, 18 October 2013
Nearly time to go..
First entry in my travel blog..and I'm sitting in the familiar surroundings of the dining room in our family home in New Zealand. ;] I'm [almost] all packed and we are getting the house ready for a small farewell party tonight with some families from church before Dad, Mum and I start our two day journey to Auckland tomorrow. I'm leaving behind half the stuff I bought to take with me as it doesn't fit in the tramping pack I bought yesterday-needless to say, Sophie is thrilled-and I haven't cried yet, but I have a feeling the illusive tears aren't too far away [bring on the red eyes and tissue boxes..! [Not.]] ;P
But on a serious note, I would like to say a huge thank you to everyone who has encouraged me to take this massive step and for all support you've given-it has seriously meant the world.
God has blessed me so much in the build up to going. He has been with me every step of the way, providing the answer to my need every time. It hasn't always been easy as most times the need hasn't been answered until almost on the deadline; and all you who know me well will testify that I like to be prepared weeks in advance-not mere days or hours! I am so grateful to still be feeling His peace about this, and I continue to pray that I will keep in His will as this journey begins in earnest..in about 17 hours from now.
I've been sworn to promise to update this extremely regularly-and I hope to keep my word. [Once a week/fortnight is counted as regular, right? ;P] Next post should hopefully come when I'm in Vancouver..!
Love to you all,
Meh
But on a serious note, I would like to say a huge thank you to everyone who has encouraged me to take this massive step and for all support you've given-it has seriously meant the world.
God has blessed me so much in the build up to going. He has been with me every step of the way, providing the answer to my need every time. It hasn't always been easy as most times the need hasn't been answered until almost on the deadline; and all you who know me well will testify that I like to be prepared weeks in advance-not mere days or hours! I am so grateful to still be feeling His peace about this, and I continue to pray that I will keep in His will as this journey begins in earnest..in about 17 hours from now.
I've been sworn to promise to update this extremely regularly-and I hope to keep my word. [Once a week/fortnight is counted as regular, right? ;P] Next post should hopefully come when I'm in Vancouver..!
Love to you all,
Meh
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