Canada seemed like a good idea. A new adventure in a new country that I've never been to. Was it a good idea? Well that has yet to be discovered. To say it's been easy would be a lie. To say it's been an adventure would be the truth.
On the walk out there, was call number one to the paramedics. A guy collapsed sideways and smashed his head off the pavement, so we of course had to help him. Four of us stayed behind and caught up with the group once the ambulance had arrived.
The sunset was absolutely stunning, although a little bit on the cold side. You could tell who the Canadians were, because they were hanging out in their jumpers and felt fine. Whilst the rest of us with multiple layers were freezing. But it was a really good vibe and great way to spend a last night.
A rather eventful last day if I do say so myself. It was a great hostel to stay at and the people I met there are amazing. Since most of us have just started our travels, or live here already, hopefully I'll cross paths with a bunch of them again.
I've done some travelling before, but a lot of the time I had people in the country I knew, or someone like my brother travelling with me. This is the first time I've gone to a brand new country, all by myself and knowing absolutely no one. I have been on the verge of a couple of breakdowns at many different stages, even before I left New Zealand.
The whole applying for the visa process wasn't actually too bad. It was a lot paperwork, police checks and having to be mega organised to get biometrics sorted in Auckland. But from entering the application pool, to being granted my visa, it only took about two months. Which gave me zero time to get used to the idea of what I'd signed myself up for.
After all my travelling around from New Zealand to Scotland, I was pretty excited and nervous to be heading off to Canada. My flight was booked out of Heathrow, because it was a lot cheaper and more convenient than flying from Scotland. So after an overnight stop to see Hamilton on the West End, I headed for my flight. I got chatting to a guy called Sinbad whislt in Heathrow waiting for the flight, and it turns out we were about to spend a lot of time together. When I got to Calgary, I headed for immigration to get my work permit organised, and what I thought would take an hour, took over three. Sinbad and I ended up playing cards, just sitting on the floor of immigration, feeling like a pair of refugees waiting for our numbers to be called. To give you an idea, when I arrived they were on number 52. I was 93. There were a lot of us that were caught out by the amount of time it would take, and apparently it normally doesn't take as long. We just got unlucky.
So we all missed our flight. About seven of us had to be rebooked to a later flight, which meant instead of flying to Vancouver on the 18:30, we went on the 21:30. Safe to say I had a long nap the entire flight because I'd almost been on the go for twenty four hours by this point. We were told our bags should have been set aside as unclaimed at the other side, so we would be able to collect them easily when we got there. But of course, the universe wanted to mess with me that day and my bag was no where to be found. Thankfully I had all my important documents, my money, my laptop and chargers in my carry on bag so it wasn't too end of the world in an immediate sense. But I suddenly had no clothes, no shoes other than my hiking boots, my jewellery was gone, my waterproof jackets and all my toiletries and towel.
So I filed a claim with the airport and hoped for the best, before heading for the hostel with Sinbad. Because turns out we were staying at the same place. It was nice having someone else to go to the hostel with, considering with the delays it was close to midnight before we actually arrived.
The whole applying for the visa process wasn't actually too bad. It was a lot paperwork, police checks and having to be mega organised to get biometrics sorted in Auckland. But from entering the application pool, to being granted my visa, it only took about two months. Which gave me zero time to get used to the idea of what I'd signed myself up for.
After all my travelling around from New Zealand to Scotland, I was pretty excited and nervous to be heading off to Canada. My flight was booked out of Heathrow, because it was a lot cheaper and more convenient than flying from Scotland. So after an overnight stop to see Hamilton on the West End, I headed for my flight. I got chatting to a guy called Sinbad whislt in Heathrow waiting for the flight, and it turns out we were about to spend a lot of time together. When I got to Calgary, I headed for immigration to get my work permit organised, and what I thought would take an hour, took over three. Sinbad and I ended up playing cards, just sitting on the floor of immigration, feeling like a pair of refugees waiting for our numbers to be called. To give you an idea, when I arrived they were on number 52. I was 93. There were a lot of us that were caught out by the amount of time it would take, and apparently it normally doesn't take as long. We just got unlucky.
So we all missed our flight. About seven of us had to be rebooked to a later flight, which meant instead of flying to Vancouver on the 18:30, we went on the 21:30. Safe to say I had a long nap the entire flight because I'd almost been on the go for twenty four hours by this point. We were told our bags should have been set aside as unclaimed at the other side, so we would be able to collect them easily when we got there. But of course, the universe wanted to mess with me that day and my bag was no where to be found. Thankfully I had all my important documents, my money, my laptop and chargers in my carry on bag so it wasn't too end of the world in an immediate sense. But I suddenly had no clothes, no shoes other than my hiking boots, my jewellery was gone, my waterproof jackets and all my toiletries and towel.
So I filed a claim with the airport and hoped for the best, before heading for the hostel with Sinbad. Because turns out we were staying at the same place. It was nice having someone else to go to the hostel with, considering with the delays it was close to midnight before we actually arrived.
The first day in Vancouver was rainy and interesting. I headed straight for the Service Canada centre to get my SIN so I could actually work and apply for a bank account. Apart from sitting around for an hour, it was actually pretty painless to do. Then it was off to the thrift store someone had told me about and a drugstore to replace the necessities for the next couple of days until my belongings were hopefully returned to me. If you're ever in Vancouver and love a thrift store, you need to check out Wildlife on Granville. It has so many options and all at a pretty cheap price. I managed to snag two pairs of trousers, three tops and a waterproof jacket for $58 (Canadian). Then when the sun came out, I decided to go for a wander down to the beaches at English Bay and read my book for the afternoon. It was sunny but it most definitely was not warm.
Day two was not filled with too many adventures. Mostly wandering around the town and going out for dinner at this amazing vegan place. Meet in Yaletown had the best butter chicken poutine to exist. And I will be back!
Day three I decided to jump on the hostel day trip out to Lynn Canyon Park and check out the suspension bridge. It was about a five hour trip and the forest out there is magical. It's exactly what I think of when I picture Canada to be honest. There was a beautiful rock pool with the clearest water, some amazing trees that were covered in moss from top to bottom, and a lot of stairs.
Day four was a trip over the bridge of doom (there was a slim pavement with nothing between you and the cars) to the Granville Island Markets. By this point I'd heard a lot about the markets and thought I should make the trip over. A girl from the hostel had given me some tips on the best stalls to check out, so I of course went to those first. As a poor backpacker, you've got to admit that we know how to find the free samples. But the markets were great for a wander and I could have easily spent way more money than I did on trying absolutely everything in there. I ended up taking home a bunch of flavoured cashews and pecans, along with some fresh bread and antipasto.
Day five
How did we get to day five already! The time is going so fast and I am so not prepared for leaving yet. But the rain was supposed to hit at about 3pm so I headed over to Stanley Park to do the 10km seawall walk. It took me about three hours to wander the full route, but on the way I saw a seal bobbing around the water, a grey heron chilling on the rocks, some amazing views of the mountains with snow still on top and plenty of fresh air. Once I made it back to the city again, I went to a pie shop I'd been recommened. They sold Australian style pies, which being vegan I couldn't eat, but they did have a vegan choice! Which they had sold out of when I got there. The universe really be testing me this trip. Luckily they had a sweet vegan option as well which was mixed berry, so I grabbed that and a coffee and headed back over to English Bay to sit and enjoy.
Then I met up with Sinbad at the hostel and we went to the drugstore for a couple of things and ran in to two others from the hostel. So naturally we hung out and ended up as a group of six or seven of us, eating dinner and playing card games until 1am. It was super fun and a great way to end the weekend.
Day six
The final day in Vancouver! It was probably the most eventful day I've had since arriving in Vancouver. Which honestly is saying a lot, it's been a packed out week.
The morning was nice and chill, breakfast meeting all new people again. Then I went for a walk around Gastown since it was my last day and I hadn't explored the steam clock yet. It was a really cute little area of town and worth the wander. Some of the shops down there were adorable.
Then I headed back to the hostel for some paperwork and a couple hours chill out time, because I couldn't be bothered with life for a bit. I'd been invited to head to English Bay to go watch the sunset on sunset beach so I headed out with what had essentially become a hostel tour group at this point. More people were added to it throughout the day, so by the time we went there was probably a good fifteen of us.
The morning was nice and chill, breakfast meeting all new people again. Then I went for a walk around Gastown since it was my last day and I hadn't explored the steam clock yet. It was a really cute little area of town and worth the wander. Some of the shops down there were adorable.
Then I headed back to the hostel for some paperwork and a couple hours chill out time, because I couldn't be bothered with life for a bit. I'd been invited to head to English Bay to go watch the sunset on sunset beach so I headed out with what had essentially become a hostel tour group at this point. More people were added to it throughout the day, so by the time we went there was probably a good fifteen of us.
On the walk out there, was call number one to the paramedics. A guy collapsed sideways and smashed his head off the pavement, so we of course had to help him. Four of us stayed behind and caught up with the group once the ambulance had arrived.
The sunset was absolutely stunning, although a little bit on the cold side. You could tell who the Canadians were, because they were hanging out in their jumpers and felt fine. Whilst the rest of us with multiple layers were freezing. But it was a really good vibe and great way to spend a last night.
But the night didn't end there. We headed back towards the hostel and found some pizza for those of the group that were starving. Then grabbed a beer in the bar at the hostel, and found some rather rowdy mates of some in the group. But that night was not a night I could be bothered going out, so along with a couple others, we went up to the common room to just hang out. When it was getting late enough we were thinking about bed, we found a very drunk hostel goer laying in the middle of the hallway. The same one who we had met in the bar earlier. Safe to say, nothing we could do would make him wake up and after about twenty minutes of trying, paramedic call number 2 of the day was made.
A rather eventful last day if I do say so myself. It was a great hostel to stay at and the people I met there are amazing. Since most of us have just started our travels, or live here already, hopefully I'll cross paths with a bunch of them again.
Are you wondering if my bags have been returned yet? No, no they haven't.
Remember all those freak outs I said I was having, don't be fooled by all of the things I've been doing. I've been having breakdowns between those. But you know what, I'm not the only one. The amazing thing about staying in a hostel, is that you get to talk to all the other travellers. Everyone has different plans, with different lengths of time and agendas from places all over the world. But there is so much that we all have in common. The fear and the loneliness being top two.
I heard of one girl who got to the airport in Vancouver and broke down in tears on the phone to her mum, when she had realised exactly what she'd done. Her mum told her to get a taxi to the hostel and pull herself together, because she would be fine. My complete breakdown happened about day three so I lasted a bit longer. Sinbad made it to day four.
Some people I've spoken to had absolutely no plans when they came over, but they've slowly formulated one as they go. Some didn't know how to plan everything on their own (or were too lazy) and have everything organised for them by a travel company.
Some people are really pushing their comfort zones, by trying to come down for the breakfast and meet new people every morning, even though they're unbelievably shy.
It's so amazing to actually talk to everyone in the hostel though, because you realise you're all in the same boat, with the same problems and worries. But if we all have them, it also means those that have come before us had them and they got through it. And we will too.
I've met so many awesome people in Vancouver and I can't wait to hopefully continue that whilst I'm in Whistler. What's going to happen in Chapter two of the Canada Adventures? Will I make friends? Will I find somewhere to live? Will I ever see my beloved luggage again? Stay tuned.
I heard of one girl who got to the airport in Vancouver and broke down in tears on the phone to her mum, when she had realised exactly what she'd done. Her mum told her to get a taxi to the hostel and pull herself together, because she would be fine. My complete breakdown happened about day three so I lasted a bit longer. Sinbad made it to day four.
Some people I've spoken to had absolutely no plans when they came over, but they've slowly formulated one as they go. Some didn't know how to plan everything on their own (or were too lazy) and have everything organised for them by a travel company.
Some people are really pushing their comfort zones, by trying to come down for the breakfast and meet new people every morning, even though they're unbelievably shy.
It's so amazing to actually talk to everyone in the hostel though, because you realise you're all in the same boat, with the same problems and worries. But if we all have them, it also means those that have come before us had them and they got through it. And we will too.
I've met so many awesome people in Vancouver and I can't wait to hopefully continue that whilst I'm in Whistler. What's going to happen in Chapter two of the Canada Adventures? Will I make friends? Will I find somewhere to live? Will I ever see my beloved luggage again? Stay tuned.
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