Day 2, blistering heat! 22c but with zero clouds it was way warmer than it feels in the UK. But we were up and ready at 5am because of the crazy Jet lag, which I think is now finally disappearing.

So we bought a $10 breakfast which we really couldn’t afford but, christ. Look at it.

And eat it.

And the landmark of a sign outside has made sure we knew were we were, arriving at the hostel – plenty of times.

We bought a Day Pass for the Busses/Sky Trains and took a trip to Stanley Park

See.

And it’s really, really quite pretty. Although too many cyclists/health freaks for my liking.

Ahem.

Funny statue with a funny bird.

Yo.

And to top off the day we went and watched the Sunset on the aptly named Sunset Beach.

Things I didn’t take photographs of, included the crazy long journey on the Sky Train to an out of town neighborhood which had quite a nice mall where I bought a much needed pair of trainers – and also the (we think) setting up of the cast from Fringe for a scene, which was right outside Crack Alley. I call it Crack Alley, it was basically a huge gathering of crack addicts and hookers. I’ve never seen anything like it.

P.S Canadian Beef Jerky > English Beef Jerky.

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So I’m finally here, jesus what a trip! It’s 5am in the morning and I’m awake with Jet Lag and a sore pressure headache. Which actually is feeling pretty okay compared to the ones I’ve had in the past. My window view consists of a tall building and a poor fellow with cardboard boxes as blankets. Though I’m not much upgraded in my Hostel room. It’s basic, to say the least. Anyway, I’ll start from the beginning.

Packing

So I decided to take my film camera stuff, too. Just, cus’ I like film.

So I’ve taken plenty, y’know – because it’s important.

Getting There

The most nerve-racking start to a trip I think I’ve had. The cost of a ticket was £15 and the train we planned to get (7.47am) was cancelled. Joy to the bloody world. So we get a train 20 minutes later and it’s jam packed. Absolutely choc-full of nut cases and fruit loops. One guy just stared at Emilie until he got off a Chorley. It would be Chorley, wouldn’t it?

But by the time we get to Manchester Piccadilly, everyone gets off and it’s a little easier on the legs.

We had to get off the train and waltz down to Terminal 2 – which wasn’t too far away.

Connecting flight to Amsterdam.

Which was actually a lot faster than I remember. 40-50 minutes.

We didn’t spend long at Schipol. Enough time for food, water and a weeeeeeeee. This is the plane we were getting to Vancouver. Non stop, 9 hours. Which was a lot quicker than I thought it’d be.

Boring flight stats that told us how slowly it was taking to get there. Argh.

Welcome to Vancouver!

Weird.

We had to go through Immigrations to get my Work Visa. It was horrible. The guy was arrogant and dismissive and quite rude with us. Who cares, I said my pleases and thank you’s and left with a hearty goodbye. Miserable bugger.

The bus to Downtown Vancouver!

Hello, room! It’s not great, or that cosy. But it’s okay! We arrived at about 6pm PDT which was 1am GMT. And we’ve slept since.

What Next

So it’s 6.10am at the moment and I’ve had plenty enough sleep. I think we’re just going to explore a little today and get our bearings for the place. I’m already noticing a distinct difference between Downtown Vancouver and a bit further South, which is more shopping/community oriented than the high-rise apartments and offices from where we are now.

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What a downpour we had today! I thought last week was some crazy rain – this week was the most I’ve ever seen fall in the short space of time it did! I also witnessed a lightning strike not 100 feet from me. Which was awesome. Me and Emilie ate at a place called Forum which just so happened to be the first restaurant that didn’t feed me a burger that gives me the shits.

I’m sure you’re noticing the distinct lack of pictures. I’ve put my shooting on hold until Canada reels in a little closer. I feel no inspiration in anything else at the moment so I’m savoring the creative juices! Which is fortunate for most of you. Anyway, back to the title of the blog.

I’m rich!

I’m rich! I used a company called Thomas Exchange Global who offered the best bang for buck at £545.25 for C$1000 – which arrived nicely at my home in cash, 2 days later! The colours are wonderful! Although it’s so weird to be holding $1000 in cash and it feel like absolutely naff all. I’m not used to $100 and $50 dollar bills it seems.

I’m not so rich!

I’ve been buying a lot of things, too – for the flight mainly. Which is making me less rich than I’d like to be. But more excited! I purchased a book called Influence: The Psychology of Persuasion – which is the perfect kind of book for me. None of that fictional nonesense – and enough juicy insight into things I don’t know, to keep me entertained for the 10+ hours I’ll be flying. Though I’m sure I’ll be more concerned with tickling Emilie and watching some crap with her instead. Which sounds far more appealing to me at the moment!

I’m scared

Looking back on my flight from Newquay to Manchester, I remember the absolutely unbearable headache I had which felt like I’d been stabbed in my eyeball with a knife. I’m not even exaggerating. A knife. In my eyeball. Stabbing. The most excruciating pain I think I’ve ever felt. I want to avoid that, no really – I do. So I did a little research.

Apparently what I had was called a Barometric Headache which is similar to an extremely accute migrane. Basically the pressure in my head equalised with the raise in altitude but upon descent I was too blocked up to relieve the pressure – and so a super painful headache ensued. The sort that makes you feel like you’ve got your head caught in a vice, and someone’s playing Hostel with you.

Fortunately the sound advice of the internets says that decongestant tablets and spray will help cure the blockage and relieve the pressure! Sound. So I’ll be doing that, and chewing gum, and trying absolutely everything in my power to ensure I don’t get that same headache again.

What now?

So until then I remain bored. I’ll be getting Emilie’s currency converted for her because she works too damned hard and has no time, and I’ll be probably editing this blog a little more to make sure it’s picture perfect. So, until closer to the time (the 9th, that is) I bid you adieu!

À bientôt!

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Yeah! I’m over the moon. I’ve been studying the program on and off for a month or so but finally spent yesterday cramming in an extensive overview of the laws and regulations before sitting the exam. The exam cost $35 and an extra $5 if I’d like a plastic credit-sized card to carry around instead of a paper certificate – which I opted for.

I got 87% on the exam which means I can now serve alcohol legally in the BC Province. Congratulations to me! Things are all starting to finally come together. I’ve got my visa sorted, I have the necessary certificates to have the job I’d like (Although the length of time I’m going may factor Bar work out entirely, 2 months just isn’t enough for an employer to say yes, please!). So now it’s a matter of getting all the little things from the shops such as insect repellent, travel plugs for my camera charger and laptop and possibly a little more CF Card storage for the long day trips – and then I’m on my way to being entirely ready for it!

Exciting times…

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