Colourful x-mas 2008

I really appreciate the "German x-mas-time" but must admit that the kind of funky chistmas decoration here in Canada has its own charme. The following pictures I took at the "Festival of Lights" at VanDusen Park, Vancouver. The only disappointing thing was the hot cacao with marshmellows!!! which we had to buy (they didn't have a nice "Gluehwein"..). As I celebrated christmas in Germany I flew out on Friday, 19th - exactly two days before they closed Vancouver airport for 48 hours because of too much snow and arriving snow storms...lucky me! Hope you all had a wonderful christmas and some relaxing days.

winterchaos at the pacific

Finally! Snow!! After receiving news after news from Europe about how much snow has come down over there, I became a bit jealous. I mean, it's ME who's living in Canada right now, the country of strong, heavy winters with tons of snow, eh?!

So last Saturday the spectacle began....sliding cars all over Vancouver!! I've NEVER seen something like that in my whole life! Cars came gliding down the hills, totally without control, and bumped into the cars already there. At one point I counted 12 cars on the middle of the crossing - unfortunately I didn't bring my camera with me :)))

The next day it was just gorgeos outside - everything covered under at least 10 cm of fresh powder snow. So finally I'm relieved! Winter in Canada! Finally! Snow!! After receiving news after news from Europe how much snow came down over there, I got a bit jealous. I mean, it's ME who lives in Canada right now, the country of strong, heavy winters with tons of snow, eh?!

So last Saturday the spectacle began....sliding cars all over Vancouver!! I've NEVER seen something like that in my whole life! Cars came gliding down the hills, totally without control and bumped into the cars already there. At one point I counted 12 cars on the middle of the crossing - unfortunately I didn't bring my camera with me :)))
The next day it was just gorgeos outside - everything covered under at least 10 cm of fresh powder snow. So finally I'm relieved! Winter in Canada!

News from Vancouver

Dear blog-reader, if you are curious to find out what happened here in Vancouver during the last five months you have to read the following three posts in reversed order. Have fun!
Anja

Review part III: From then till now..

Returning from our trip Rabea and me started to have a look for job opportunities, to write applications, to call people...all definitely less fascinating and chilling than backpacking :)) Besides we met new friends here in Vancouver, celebrated halloween...

..went to a speed skating champion ship, where I almost lost my voice by supporting the German skaters..

..celebrated Rabeas birthday..

.. and went to Seattle to get our working visa validated. Now we are official temporary residents of Canada, have the right to work and to pay taxes :)) We were rather nervous when we reentered into Canada, border crossing with visa stuff is not the biggest fun on earth. they warn to in advanced that your visa could be denied because of financial reasons, lack of insurance etc. but everything went smoothly, they didn't ask for anything at all! MAPLE LEAF - we're coming!

P.S. oh yes, I forgot something: I found a job and may call me now "Marketing and Communications Specialist - European Market" at SUGOI Inc. (www.sugoi.com). They produce sports apparel for bikers, runners and swimmers, support a lot of sports events (iron man Hawaii, New York marathons etc.) and fly to sports fairs in Europe three times a year :)))))

Rabea is still searching for a job, is not that easy. But we think positive, and the new year will bring good news, I am sure.

Review Part II: Been around British Columbia

After leaving most of our stuff at our new found place we headed for a round-B.C. trip. We later on found out, that during those 6 weeks we have seen more than most of the Canadians ever had (yeah, 10 days of vacation each year, what shall I say...). We first went to Vancouver Island, had some great days in Victoria and wonderful experiences during our improvised 3-day-trip along the Juan de Fuca-Trail. Hiking with tent and tarp, not enough food but a lot of fun, we felt the "real canadian nature". We camped right at the ocean, saw whales and seals, were suddenly stopped by high tides and managed to make a fire each night :)) Compared to the famous West Coast Trail it's a physically exhausting but not so dangerous hike, it's for free and it offers wild forest, waterfalls, ocean and thousands of spectacular views. Go for it!

We then went to Tofino, known for its wonderfuls beaches and hippi culture. Next stop was Port Hardy,still on Vancouver Island, where we did the Inside Passage, a 18-hours-boattrip along the coast of B.C. to Prince Rupert. Although we didn't have the most sunny day we were fascinated by the hundrets of dolphins and at least 10 whales we past on our way to the north. Prince Rupert is one of the most rainiest towns in B.C. - so we took the ferry to the Queen Charlotte Islands, another 8 hours ride and we were pretty close to Alaska (46 miles left). Wonderful islands, pretty chilly (had to buy a woolen hat in August!!), remote beaches with funny little beach cabins for rent. If you are thinking about writing your memoires and don't want to be distracted - come to the QCIs.

Back on the mainland we took the train to Jasper in the heart of the famous Rocky Mountains. Actually the trains are so slowly that you could pick up flowers if you wanted, but it's a great chance to see a lot of fascinating nature and to get a better understanding of the unbelievable size of this country. Tickets are cheap if you book in advance, there are just two second class and one first class waggon - and walking from one to the other is NOT allowed :)

And then the Rockies! Impressive, monumental and FULL OF tourists. Germany must have been empty in September - they were all in Canada!! Famous Lake Louis, Maligne Lake, the Rockies Icefield, glaciers - there's a reason why this region is to popular. Rabea and me stayed once in a pretty rustic hostel, no running water, no electricity, but right between the mountains, stars so bright you've never seen before. You don't need to speak English when travelling around there. Swabian was obviously the most commonly used language :)))

All together we explored the most western part of Canada for almost 2 months. We figured out the following about Canada / the Canadians in general :

- they are really, really friendly, helpful and positive

- they DO wear these lumberjack shirts (flanell!) at almost every opportunity

- everybody drives a huuuuuge pick-up truck (the housewives in town, too)

- these trucks are always jam-packed with outdoor stuff (so unfortunately these huge cars are pretty often too crammed to take along hitch-hikers (like us!)

- the country is great!

Who's interested in more pictures of our "been around B.C.-Trek": http://picasaweb.google.de/anjasailer/KanadaReiseDurchEinRiesenland

A Review: Five months in Vancouver

The adventure has started on August 8th 2008: Rabea and me took our tons of luggage and our working-visa and took the flight to Vancouver. Leaving Hamburg, our wonderful friends, our cool appartment etc. behind we were on our way to a "new life" in the canadian woods :)
First thing to do was finding a nice place to stay. Not too difficult with http://www.craigslist.com/ and lucky us just 5 days after arrival we were tenants in a real "villa kunterbunt".