2 More Weeks
Recently I had the opportunity to visit Vancouver and meet the team I'll be working with as well as check out areas to live. Visitors are greeted to a welcoming sight at the airport with hanging art sculptures and an indoor cascading waterfall that calms the senses. However the customs line is slow-moving and requires one to have lots of patience and an empty bladder. Since I had to get my work visa processed, I had to wait in another line at the immigration area for about an hour and a half before I was called to the counter. The processing only took about 15 minutes and was pretty straightforward.
That night I went out to dinner with my manager and co-worker at an all-you-can-eat sushi restaurant for a superb flat rate of $12.95 CAD. Unlike a buffet, you order from a menu all the sushi you want. The fresh fish was unbeatable. Don't be surprised the next time you see me with an extra 10 pounds on. Fortunately, Vancouver has a lot to offer in terms of outdoor recreation to help me burn off those extra calories.
Talk about seeing Asians everywhere. This city is full of them! I walked into the HSBC branch next to my hotel and was surprised to see the entire staff to be Asian. A sign on the wall informed customers that services are provided in English, Cantonese, Mandarin, Korean and one other Chinese dialect. Across the street from my hotel is a large shopping mall with an Asian supermarket and food court that has everything you'll ever need. There really is no need to shop in Chinatown or Richmond for Asian goods.
Unfortunately I didn't find a place to live that I liked. I'm still looking on Craigslist daily for possible apartments and hope to find something. Ideally, I'd like to live in downtown Vancouver, but it's a little bit more pricey and less space for the money. Driving around helped me narrow down the areas I wanted to live in and I'm mostly looking in downtown and Burnaby where I'll be working.
On Monday I found out that my start date had been pushed back a week due to HR policy that I start at the beginning of a payroll cycle. So instead of leaving at the end of next week, I'll be leaving the week after and starting February 12 in Vancouver. Actually that works out better for me as I've been swamped at work and needed the extra time to wrap up projects. My last day will be the 30th and then I have taken the rest of the time off until I start in Canada. I figure, this will be a good time to pack my things.
I'm really glad I had the chance to visit Vancouver and meet my new teammates. Everyone's very friendly and welcoming. What people say about Canadians and their warm hospitality is nothing further from the truth. Although my first impression of the city was not so great because of the rain and wet snow on the second day, which is actually not common, my opinion changed quickly on the last day I was there when the sun came out and the view of the mountains peaked beneath the fog. And the spectacular view can be enjoyed right from the city!
