Other Van Diary entries Leaving England Toronto landing; Immigration; Customs; Toronto Coffee Club Gathering; Canada's Jo'burg Barrie; Sudbury; Science North; Car hire & the Greyhound Experience Vancouver mortgages & Neighborhoods; Lee's Van landing; Van lifestyle; SIN numbers, MSP Buying the car; Temporary accommodation; West Van SS schools; Earthquakes; First snow session; Vancouver rah-rah; First job; Mortgages again Driving back-to-front; BC elections; TV; Van Sport; Shopping; Van weather |
The Canada List and The Canada Coffee Club are owned and managed by Penny Nelson All content copyright P Nelson. |
Entry #7: A month already - how time flies So what have we achieved in our 1st month in Vancouver? A decision as to whereabouts we'll be staying (North Shore) Accommodation to the end of September Wheels School One job between two of us! And Nev really has a good one Two snowboarding trips to the local ski slopes and a trip to Whistler Plenty of walks by the beach and a hike in Lynn Valley Canadian resumes (it's no mean feat getting these into acceptable formats) Our household goods in storage in Van Interviewing experience and some good contacts But we also live with some frustrations: We can't buy a house till we're settled in permanent jobs without probation/contract status We are still in furnished, rented accommodation because of the above (I miss my things!) I still don't have a job (I've been looking properly for 3 weeks) - am I too impatient?! But here's what you really have to look forward to in Van... Firstly, I've met so many other wonderful South Africans through the Canada Coffee Club, we have quite a social life already! And we're all going through the same things, so we share info and support all the time (and copious amounts of wine, if truth be told!). It really has been great. Secondly, the Canadians are friendlier and more welcoming than we ever could have hoped. It has made Vancouver seem like home in a very short space of time. The kids at Lee's school invited him out within his first week and thus he has already made a nice bunch of friends. And thirdly, the weather and lifestyle is simply fantastic - kids here have so many things to do, and opportunities to consider... all in a safe, secure environment. It really is worth the wait. If you have any questions, please post a message and, as usual, if I can't answer the question, I will try and find out where you can find out. |
Entry #7: A month already - how time flies So what have we achieved in our 1st month in Vancouver? A decision as to whereabouts we'll be staying (North Shore) Accommodation to the end of September Wheels School One job between two of us! And Nev really has a good one Two snowboarding trips to the local ski slopes and a trip to Whistler Plenty of walks by the beach and a hike in Lynn Valley Canadian resumes (it's no mean feat getting these into acceptable formats) Our household goods in storage in Van Interviewing experience and some good contacts But we also live with some frustrations: We can't buy a house till we're settled in permanent jobs without probation/contract status We are still in furnished, rented accommodation because of the above (I miss my things!) I still don't have a job (I've been looking properly for 3 weeks) - am I too impatient?! But here's what you really have to look forward to in Van... Firstly, I've met so many other wonderful South Africans through the Canada Coffee Club, we have quite a social life already! And we're all going through the same things, so we share info and support all the time (and copious amounts of wine, if truth be told!). It really has been great. Secondly, the Canadians are friendlier and more welcoming than we ever could have hoped. It has made Vancouver seem like home in a very short space of time. The kids at Lee's school invited him out within his first week and thus he has already made a nice bunch of friends. And thirdly, the weather and lifestyle is simply fantastic - kids here have so many things to do, and opportunities to consider... all in a safe, secure environment. It really is worth the wait. If you have any questions, please post a message and, as usual, if I can't answer the question, I will try and find out where you can find out. |
Page last updated: 30 June, 2001
Vancouver Diary: a personal account of the early days |
The Canada List and The Canada Coffee Club are owned and managed by Penny Nelson All content copyright P Nelson. |
Other Van Diary entries Leaving England Toronto landing; Immigration; Customs; Toronto Coffee Club Gathering; Canada's Jo'burg Barrie; Sudbury; Science North; Car hire & the Greyhound Experience Vancouver mortgages & Neighborhoods; Lee's Van landing; Van lifestyle; SIN numbers, MSP Buying the car; Temporary accommodation; West Van SS schools; Earthquakes; First snow session; Vancouver rah-rah; First job; Mortgages again Driving back-to-front; BC elections; TV; Van Sport; Shopping; Van weather |
