Friday 27 February 2009

Progress...money out, and possibly in...

The last few days haven't really had much in them to warrant new entries - there aren't many ways of spinning distribution of resumes, endless trawls through craigslist for furniture/back up houses/jobs etc. However, today (and yesterday afternoon) saw some breakthroughs.

We signed the lease on the house Thursday (a day after agreed with the landlady, and with no good reason, worryingly) but we've managed to convince her that we have the means with which to pay rent, and that we won't hold orgies on the front porch. And I watched her watch me watch her take the "for lease" signs out of the window as we walked off down the street. She's a funny old lady - one moment seems lovely and sweet and concerned for us, and the next threatening all sorts of unmentionables should we fail to pay rent. Maybe that's what the basement is hiding - the dry bones of previous unruly tenants? Anyway, it's ours now, or else we'll be threatening all sorts until we get our deposit back!

Friday I had an interview at a store called Eco, which sells outdoor clothing/shoes/bags etc. Really cool store. It was less of an interview and more of a "go out on the shop floor and let's see how you do for an hour". A few nerves, but a fairly quiet beginning and really friendly co-workers helped. And after a while, I got into the whole chatting to customers who walk in, asking if they're OK, etc etc. Thankfully for me, one guy walked in, immediately started talking to me, asking all sorts of questions about everything, and looking for a whole load of gear. We covered trousers, shoes, sales, bags, jackets, and by the time the supervisor took me off for a debrief chat, we were still discussing jackets, he was trying things on. I spent most of the time winging it and improvising but if you do it with conviction...!

I realised this job is basically shopping, but spending other people's money instead of mine. I'd hate doing that in England, as no one likes sales assistants coming up to you, but it's expected over here. And everyone is just open to it, and plain friendly. So after some very positive feedback, I was told to call back on Tuesday when they've spoken to the manager, and hopefully I'll either be in that one, or another across town. But the girl said she wanted to keep me here! Which was very encouraging :-) I got really good vibes from all the people who worked there, and I thought it would just be a really cool environment to work in. I really want this job!

Another satisfying, and equally important point is that I have organised something to sleep on Sunday night! Found a futon bed on good old craigslist for $150 (which is on the more expensive end of what I wanted to pay) but it looks in very good condition, and more to the point, I don't have to go get it! He offered free delivery for today, but I emailed and said I wanted it, and would pay a bit extra for delivery on Sunday, but he's delivering it for free anyway!

Kev and I went skiing Thursday night, up Grouse Mountain, one of the ski areas in Vancouver. We stayed up til 10pm as it's all floodlit and open late. It was great! Mainly blue runs, but found some more challenging areas - we left the blacks as Kevin hadn't been skiing since he was 12. But it was great just for the evening, and to warm up the ski legs and get back into it. Amazing views over the whole of Vancouver and the coast line from up the top as well. As of Monday, there's a rest-of-season pass for Mt Seymour (the biggest of the three hills here) available for $99 which we're going to go get, as job or not, it's a massive bargain, given that last night cost $40 and then rentals on top of that.

I'm looking forward to real life starting. Having a job, building relationships with colleagues, making our house a home, settling in. Having Quentin here. It's now on the global announcement service that is facebook, so it may as well be here, and end the very sporadic, subtle references! Yep, Q and I are an item and he's arriving in Vancouver in just over two weeks' time on a working visa as well :-). Am looking forward to being able to spend time with him that doesn't involve battling sketchy skype connections and negotiating time zones!

Monday 23 February 2009

Home sweet home

Chris and I no longer have the dorm to ourselves. We're now sharing with two Australian guys and, what can I say, at 1am, it's a treat for the eyes, ears and nose: the room now has a lingering smell somewhere between wet clothes and unwashed feet, I'm being treated to surround sound snoring of orchestral volumes and there seems to be an unidentified extra ski bum sprawled unconscious on the floor.

Good thing we've found a house! After three days of trekking round the outer reaches of surburban Vancouver looking at houses, Chris, Kevin and I have found one! It's imperfectly perfect. The decor scheme is sixties khaki (think olive greens, murky browns, yellows, wooden floors and floral work surfaces in the kitchen), seems to be built entirely of rickety wood, has the tiniest bath you've ever seen and has a downstairs basement area that could be hiding anything. Skeletons, a bloody axe, a small altar of south-facing pebbles, I wouldn't be surprised. However, it has a great front terrace, perfect for sitting out on warm evenings, it's spacious, and has an irresistible quirky, cosy charm to it. We all loved it the moment we saw it, and whilst we sat on the random sofa on the terrace for a good half hour waiting for the woman to show us round, it felt like we were already at our home. Plus it's the closest one we've seen to downtown, in a lovely street, close to the bus, cheap rent and available on a month by month basis which is handy for us working travellers.

We're handing over the deposit tomorrow and waiting for credit checks to be done and then hopefully we can move in later on this week. Job hunting continues, at various places including a chocolate cafe, an outdoor sports clothing store, various other cafes, some writing positions, and of course, there's always Timmy's to fall back on.

Should probably wrap this up...Chris has just got back in and he doesn't need the sound of typing keys as well as snores I don't suppose....bon nuit tout le monde.

Friday 20 February 2009

Views of Vancouver

A very long time ago, sometime in the mists of early morning, Chris and I took a plane and crossed three time zones and two seasons to land in Vancouver, Pacific Standard time in the middle of summer. Ok, so not actual summer but Vancouver's bright sunshine, relatively warm temperatures, absence of snow, abundance of evergreens and general outdoorsy feel certainly makes it feel like we're heading into May, not sitting out the tail end of February.

It really is a lovely city. Far prettier, more relaxed and fresher than Toronto. I like it. Kevin, Chris and I ventured out to Stanley Park this afternoon, which is less city park and more wild forest, full of huge trees, hidden trails, and a couple of lakes. The seawalk round the peninsula has beautiful views back over the various parts of the city and the mountains beyond. After so much urban rush, the tranquility felt like it was ironing out the frenetic creases in my head from the inside. It was a fair old trek, involving tree-climbing and wildlife spotting. Will sleep well tonight methinks, especially after no sleep last night and a rather restless plane journey sitting in front of a yapping dog that some Paris Hilton wannabe had decided to bring on board with her.

So, back to Vancouver! I like the mix of a funky, busy city centre with some cool-looking places to eat, drink, visit and shop with the endless list of things to do - roller-blading, cycling, running, sailing, and of course, ski the slopes surrounding the city. In fact, we saw plenty of people walking down the main shopping strip clad in snow gear carrying boards on their way back from a session on the snow.

We're staying at Samesun hostel, which seems to be a lively and fun place, with lots going on. However, we're keen to get stuck into house/flat hunting asap. And finding jobs to fund said rent. Kevin has an interview at a bike shop tomorrow. As our resident expert on Vancouver - having been here the grand total of 6 days or so - assures us that jobs are many and easy to come by.

Chris has finally collapsed on his bed (am impressed he held out this long to be honest!) and I don't know where Kevin has got to. Think we'll find some food soonish and then a few drinks somewhere - probably the hostel bar. Am very aware that I'm now spilling stream of consciousness at you all, on the subject of not a lot, which is a good indicator that I should stop, but somehow I've started and can't seem to finish. Good night, or good morning, which ever it is for you - I'm still a bit sketchy on what the time is right now....xx

Saturday 14 February 2009

Looking back and forward, east and west

Welcome back to my blog, more to myself than to anyone else! I have sorely neglected this page over the last ten days or so, but it has been a fun-filled time, which, as time inevitably does, passed much too quickly.

I'm not sure what I wrote in my last entry about Montreal. Probably about first impressions. Second impressions didn't disappoint. Marnie, Jade and I had another good day on our own, visiting the shops and the Quartier Latin, before I went off to the airport to meet Q which, I won't lie, was a great moment! For Jade's last evening the four of us, plus Jeremy and JB, two French guys we met in the hostel went out for some drinks. JB and Jeremy are very good fun, kinda quirky, very amiable and were good friends to make. And good to have some contacts in Montreal now. Q, Marnie and I had fun with them throughout the week - dinner, drinks, card games, bowling, pool and an evening at Montreal Casino. The boys indulged in their shared love of poker whilst Marnie and I wandered round learning how to play various games (with our big, flashing neon signs screaming CLUELESS above our heads), watching the boys play poker for a bit and getting hit on by one very drunk man twice in two different bars. We did however, each win $1.25 - evidence of which is proudly displayed on Facebook :-)

Q and I carried on the quest to bring Ceroc dancing to all parts of the world, including the hostel kitchen, the ice rink and, particularly randomly, the supermarket aisle. We conquered Mont Royal in the park, tried in vain to find a bar showing six nations so played arcade games instead, and got creative in the kitchen trying to make a passable last meal out of kitchen freebie leftovers. Technically it was edible....

I've been back in Toronto for a few days staying with Andy and Shan and it's been good to have some space and quiet before what could be quite a hectic few weeks. Tomorrow, Chris and I are flying to Vancouver, to meet up with Kevin and Ray and get down to finding somewhere to live and work. Can't begin to say how much I'm looking forward to it!

I've got that tense, edgy feeling in my stomach which a long meandering exploration of Markham hasn't shifted. I get this before a big transition or when I'm feeling nervous, although about what, I'm not sure. I'm going with friends and even if I wasn't, despite what I'd instinctively say, I'm actually fairly good at the whole independent travel, meeting new people scene. It's the waiting around that gets me, feeling restless and on my own. I want to be there now, or at least down in the hostel, not here alone. I've realised that despite my prominent independent streak, I much prefer doing things with others, and that doing so isn't a failure on my part to be able to cope solo, but just the way I'm wired. It's a valuable lesson worth learning sooner rather than later I think! And I'm still learning it, and will probably be still learning for a long while yet...

BC and GMT-8 here we come!

Sunday 8 February 2009

An awkward dorm moment...

Jade and I booked into a 4-bed dorm room last night which we had to ourselves. Until 2am when two German girls arrived as we were just getting off to sleep. We get up, chat to them for a bit - the usual hostel chat. We cover the usual names/nationalities where they've come from (Vancouver) and intended plans (working on a husky farm, leaving in the morning) whilst they get ready for bed. In the morning I speak to them as well for a bit as they get ready to leave.

Fast forward to this evening. I'm sitting on my bed, Facebooking and the door opens and in walk the two German girls, clearly not on aforementioned husky farm. I'm not entirely sure, but smile anyway and assume it's them, and get a recognising smile back, and then one of them starts explaining what they're doing back. Unfortunately their car was broken into, so they're being delayed a day whilst they get it fixed.

In walks Jade from reception. Says hi, and asks "where are you from". Catherina responds..."uhhhmmm...." and I jump in explaining story of the broken car, and how they've been delayed in their trip to the husky farm (complete with raised eyebrows and all manner of other efforts to subtly let Jade know that she has met these girls before). Jade looks at me, none the wiser. I repeat the story. Jade giggles, "oh that's funny". German girls are inclined to disagree. Jade then asks, "so, where are you from". At this point I resign. Fortunately for Jade, she manages a plausible story about it being dark at 2am, a lack of contact lenses and being asleep for most of the morning, which seems to do the trick, but possibly not because they leave the room pretty soon after.

We're giving our hostel a mixed review at the moment. On the plus side, it's big, has a big kitchen, bar and common room area, is centrally located, has lots of information and a friendly reception desk. On the down side, it's quite empty (technically not its fault), it's fairly expensive (rooms, food, drinks), doesn't do free breakfasts and you can't bring your own alcohol in and the kitchen has no oven, which we discovered one trip to the supermarket too late, returning with beers and pizza. Jade's beers were confiscated at reception and we had an interesting dinner of microwaved and pan-fried pizza. Would you like your crusts soggy or burnt, ladies? For the alcohol problem, we've arranged an overnight smuggling trip which involves J and M taking them out as M went home, and M bringing them back hidden in her bag tomorrow. I'm sorted as I have a bottle of Malibu in my bag that I'd completely forgotten was there!

Montreal, however, is beautiful! We walked for ages today, down and along the river St Laurent to Vieux Montreal and the Vieux Port, all quite French and European, visited Notre Dame (beautiful), up through Chinatown, to Parc Mont Royal, and up the mountain to look down on the lights of the city stretching out into the distance.

Montreal isn't completely French, but definitely not as American as Toronto. Maybe Canadian would be a good term! It's far more beautiful, sophisticated and chic than Toronto, and it feels like it knows it too. But the friendliness and helpfull attitudes I experienced in TO is still very much in evidence. I'm not sure why I was surprised by this. I suppose a few people had led me to believe that it was less so. Or perhaps I was unconsciously following traditional English stereotypes about the French (which I actually disagree with!!). Still have difficulty understanding them though! What is weird, though, is speaking French but having to put dollars on the end of sentences whenever discussing prices. I automatically want to say Euros.

Tomorrow...hmm, I've forgotten our plans for the morning. Oh yeah, exploring the indoor/underground city in the "morning" (ie, early afternoon) before I head off to Pierre-Elliott-Trudeau arrivals to meet a certain last-minute visitor. Tres exciting :-) Then we're all hitting the Montreal night scene good 'n' proper to mourn Jade's last evening in Canada and give her a good send-off! We might even invite les Allemandes in an attempt to offer an olive branch if they're still here...now, it was Catherina, and...

Friday 6 February 2009

At the amber light

Hello everyone. After a few days off from writing, I'm back off the piste. This week has been pretty quiet, days settling into something resembling normal life. But that's all stopping as of tomorrow, when Jade and I will haul ourselves up at some unearthly hour to catch a bus to Montreal. Incidentally, in the time it will take us to travel by coach, anyone of you could fly from London to the same place, or Toronto, and beat us to it. I'm really looking forward to seeing another city, but sad to be leaving Canadiana hostel. It's really felt like a home for the last few weeks. But I always like to stick to my rule of leaving whilst you're still having a good time, as everyone knows there's nothing worse than ending up as the permanent fixture. There are a few of those here, and mostly, they're a little on the odd side of crazy.

I had another day of feeling incredibly lucky to be doing what I'm doing yesterday. At work I had a really humbling conversation with a new lady whose first day it was. She had moved to Toronto with her husband and children from the Philippines last year, and we were talking visas and arriving in new lands. She was glad she was here for her kids, but I had the impression she was unsure of being here herself. They had to wait 4 years to have their visa approved. I almost didn't want to say how easy it had been to get mine sorted. And I know that had I gone straight through the normal embassy methods I might still be on a 2-year list, but I didn't. I was offered a last minute one that I took on a snap decision for relativly little cost, financial or otherwise. And whilst she and her husband have both got quite low-paying jobs out of necessity, I'm picking and choosing where I work, and when and really, doing what I want. The ease and independence of it all was something so surprising to her, and good for me to see it from another set of eyes. It reinforced it for me that this is not something to be wasted or taken for granted.

Last night was awesome :-) Nothing out of the ordinary, just the regular Thursday night at Republik, the crappy little club round the corner, but one for which the saying "people not the place" might have been invented.