Here I go again …

Why is time running so fast?

My two month here in Vancouver are over and I’m really not ready to go back to Germany. I fell in love with the city and the people here. Even though I only had two month here I enjoyed every second. But this was something I couldn’t even imagine my first days:
I arrived here, saw the beauty of “Raincouver” and I was really wondering why people could say this city is lovely. Also my first impressions of Downtown were not that lovely. Getting the first time out of the bus and the only thing I saw was a crowd of homeless people standing in rain…I think it is imaginable why I thought about going back as soon as possible! I had this picture of Vancouver for three days: Vancouver, rainy and crowed by homeless people.
The turning point was my fourth day here. I had my first Pub-Night, so after work I went out to the “Mousse Down Under”. I was way to early, so I decided to check out Canada Place for the first time. It was sunny and I had this awesome view on North Vancouver, the Stanley Park, starting water planes and a few ships. In this moment I understood why people could like Vancouver. I got the opinion that Vancouver should get a second chance! I started to explore the city and my view on Vancouver changed day for day a bit more. This place has so much to offer. Stanley Park, Queen Elizabeth Park, Gastown by Night, the Harbour, English Bay, Granville Island or just the amazing view on the skyline. Please, don’t ask me about my favourite place, because every single one is beautiful in its own way. I had so many great experiences here: a whale watching trip, a stunning view at Vancouver on the top of Grouse Mountain, watching the sunset on English Beach, supporting the Canucks against Washington… If you ask me about my favourite experience?

I had two. The first was my trip to the Rocky Mountains. I’ve never seen such awesome places before and there is nothing comparable I know. The beauty of Lake Louise , the amazing landscapes of Jasper Nationalpark and the Rockies and Costal Mountains in general. It was a life-changing experience. The world has so much to give and to offer, we just need to take our chances! My second favourite experience was out trip to Whistler. We had an amazing time and I did something, which was on the top of my bucket-list for a long time: a bungee jump! This was so amazing! This feeling of being totally free. Flying like a bird for a short moment and just feel adrenaline! I’m still flashed!
But my time here was not only about the beauty of Canada, it was also about the people I met. My experiences made it a great time, but the people turned it in an awesome one! So many histories and different personalities, so many funny people and fantastic moments we shared. I’m glad for every one of you! I’m glad for every second we spent together and I just want to thank you all for everything! I wish you all the best and an awesome time here! Enjoy it!

I’m very sure that we will meet again some day!
Finally, I don’t want to waste your time any longer! Michael, over and out!
-Michael

How was your weekend?

The next weekend is over and it was an incredible one. It was our Whistler-weekend and at the same time also my last real weekend in Canada. So two reasons why this weekend had to be awesome! But let me tell you a bit more about it:

Friday in the late afternoon, me and a group of 16 others met at Burrard Station to start our Trip to Whistler. The first surprise: Nobody was too late and even the Bus was in time. What an unbelievable start! 😀 After loading our luggage in the bus, we started our 2 hour journey to Whistler. Arrived in Whistler we checked-in our Lodge and started to prepare for the evening. The first point on our time schedule was having diner, so we ate together. Due to the long day we had, nobody was in the mood to go out. We decided to stay together in one room ,where we had some games and a lot of fun! Around 2 o’clock in the morning the first day was over and everybody went to bed!

Saturday was the only complete day of our stay in Whistler, so I don’t have to mention that it was our activity day. We started our day with having breakfast all together. Afterwards the first group departed. 10 of us went to the Zipline-Office, where they signed in for a 3 hours tour. While the first group was already on their tour the second group, my group, prepared for their first Bungee-Jump. With a shuttle we drove out to the bridge and to be honest by coming nearer to the point of jumping I became nervous and more nervous. A bungee-jump was something,I wanted to do my entire life and know I had this big chance. Unfortunately I was the last of our group so I had to see how the other guys jumped down this bridge and yeah my feelings didn’t become really better. After a few minutes, which felt by the way, like a few hours, it was my turn. I stepped to the edge and waited for the “go” to jump. 5,4,3,2,1 and jump. Without thinking about I jumped down and wow the moment of free fall was amazing. You felt so free, free like an eagle.. Back on the bridge I was still a bit flashed and confused. Did i really jump down a bridge? Yes I did it and it was unbelievable! The third group went out for a hike and enjoyed the beautiful nature surround whistler!
Back in our Lodge, we meet the rest of the group and we told each other about our days and experiences while having diner together. Afterwards it was time to check out the Spar area of our Lodge. Hot-Top and Pool built an amazing combination. Unfortunately this combination was so good that we spent their a lot of time. Back in our apartmens everybody was in a relaxing mode, what had as consequence that we changed our evening planes. Instead of going out, we spent the Saturday in one room partying! It was a very long night!

After a few hours of sleep it was breakfast  and checking out time. We drooped all luggage in one room and went out again to explorer Whistler a last time. Some of us checked out the Squamish Museum, wich was by the way, very cool and I can only recommend a visit. The other part of our group bought some stuff in Whistlers “Shopping area”.  In the afternoon we went back to Vancouver again. This was already the end of our weekend. A weekend, where the time passed too fast. But isn’t that always the case when you enjoy something? I think everybody had an amazing trip and made some good memories! 🙂

Thank you for that!

-Michael

INTERNeX International Exchange
International Village,
Suite 2077, 2079 – 88 West Pender Street
Vancouver, Canada -V6B 6N9-
Web: http://www.internexcanada.com
Email: pr@internexcanada.com

What to do on the weekend?

It’s weekend again and you can get an impression why Vancouver is also called “Raincouver”! It’s rainy and this weekend, there is only a small possibility to see the sun! That’s why you should especially focus on indoor activities.

This Friday you should check out the Fly over Canada at Canada Place. It’s a multi-dimensional theatre with a Halloween theme. BC residents save 25% if they use the promo code LOCAL25. So if you planed to go to the FlyOver then you better do it this Friday! As usual you will also get the chance to go to Friday Night Life Music in North Vancouver again. It is taking place at 3201 Mountain Highway. And who wants to prepare himself for Halloween, can check out one of Vancouver’s Haunted Attractions!

On Saturday the Kitsilano Autumn Fair is taking place. It is a small but free community event both outdoors in the street and indoors at the Kitsilano Neighbourhood House at 2305 West 7th Avenue. The event includes a pancake breakfast, bouncy castle, children’s activities, pumpkin patch, live entertainment and a market. The Autumn Fair fills an entire block with street vendors, food trucks, carnival games, a pumpkin patch, and local musicians. You can step inside Kits House to check out a haunted house, a pancake breakfast, and our Kits Kafe! Saturday is also a Hockey Day. The Vancouver Canucks as well as the Vancouver Giants will play in Vancouver. The Canucks play against Pittsburgh Penguins at Rodgers Arena and the Giants against Seattle at Langley events centre.

Sunday a lot of Halloween events are taking place again. So you can choose again between scary and family-friendly activities! In my opinion you should check out the VanDusen Glow in the Garden. It’s taking place at VanDusen Botanical Garden. At the event, in most years, there might be half a dozen or so skeletons scattered around the place, but far less scary stuff than almost any other spooky event in town, which makes it especially popular for young families and tiny folk with nervous dispositions. It’s wonderful for people of all ages!

However, I hope everyone will have a very good weekend!

-Michael

INTERNeX International Exchange
International Village,
Suite 2077, 2079 – 88 West Pender Street
Vancouver, Canada -V6B 6N9-
Web: http://www.internexcanada.com
Email: pr@internexcanada.com

How was your weekend?

This weekend was a special one for me. I went to the Rockies for a 4 Day Trip and it was awesome. Let me tell you a bit more about it: 

We started Friday in the morning at Waterfront, prepared to go on our journey. While sitting in bus we were listening to our tour guide introducing himself. He told us some information about our trip before he asked us where we all are from. It was very interesting out of which parts of the world the other guys are coming. We had a lot of Brazilians, Germans, Mexicans…It was a very diverse group, but this made it a unique trip and experience! However, back to the story. After stopping in Hope, Kamloops and Golden we arrived at the Mountain View Cabins for our first overnight stop. After having lunch, we stayed for a few hours near the campfire and started to learn to know each other.  The first day was going to an end, so everybody went their cabin and fall asleep after this long day of travelling. 

Saturday in the morning we wanted to leave the camp before the sunset, so we had to get up early. After having breakfast (it was sooooooo cold!), it was time to leave the camp towards Lake Emerald and this was by the way one of the most terrific views I had in my entire life. I saw the sun coming up behind the mountain, pushing away the fog and discovered the beautiful view on the lake. It was unbelievable awesome! After, in my opinion a too short, period at this Lake we went ahead to Lake Louise, where we had lunch. Lake Louise is also a very beautiful place with an unbelievable turquoise water. You could lose your mind in this colorful lake! In the Afternoon it was time to go Banff, where we took the Gondola to go to the peak of Sulphur Mountain. On top you had a fantastic view over Banff and the surrounding area. Back at the foot of the mountain we checked in the Hotel and prepared everything for this evenings Pub Night at the Devils Gap. We played billiard, had a lot of interesting conversation and I learned to know many new people.  So this was how the Saturday came to an end, a very long ending! 😀

After having a very short night, we picked up some food at Tim Hortons and started our day “Lake”-Day. We stopped at Lake Two Jack, Lake Minnewanka, Bow Lake and the Peyto Lake. It was unbelievable to see all these wonderful places and none of them was waste of time! Afterwards we went to the Athabasca Glacier and especially for the South American Guys it was an unique experience. For some of them it was the first time they saw ice and snow and even when you know snow and you already have seen a glacier, it was a stunning view! Our last stop this day was Mount Robson. Due to the unbelievable weather conditions and the cloudless sky, we were able to the all of it. A very cool moment. Afterwards we had dinner and spend the evening sitting together and talking or playing soccer in front of our Hotel. In my opinion, a great evening! 

Monday was already the last day, so we checked out, had an outdoor breakfast (-8 Degrees!!!) and started our trip back to Vancouver. After a few stops and a long journey we arrived at Waterfront. I had to hurry up, because I had an appointment in front of the Rogers Arena. It was time for my first NHL Game: the Vancouver Canucks against the Washington Capitals.  The result was not the anticipated one, but the experience was very cool!

To sum my weekend up: it was amaaaaazing! I only can recommend the trip to the Rockies. It is kind of life-changing activity!
While I spend my time in the Rockies, Lukas and Julia went out with some other guys to the Lighthouse Park in West Vancouver! They hiked along the trail, stopped at some viewing points, where thy enjoyed the stunning view. At there last stop they had some lunch together. It was a successful day!

I hope your weekend was great too and maybe we will see us today for the next Pub Night at Steamworks 🙂

-Michael

INTERNeX International Exchange
International Village,
Suite 2077, 2079 – 88 West Pender Street
Vancouver, Canada -V6B 6N9-
Web: http://www.internexcanada.com
Email: pr@internexcanada.com

What to do on the weekend?

“You know it’s Friday when the weekend comes knocking at your front door.” (Anthony T.Hincks)  The week is nearly over and it is going to be weekend again. Soooo…….. it’s time again for some weekend activities!

Friday evening Ellen DeGeneres is stopping in Vancouver for her show. The famous American comedian is going to entertain you the entire evening. So if you have some bucks to spend, then go to the Rodgers Arena and enjoy her show. Instead of laughing, you also can go to the BC Place and support the BC Lions against Edmonton Eskimos in the CFL. Maybe you prefer an alternative without spending so much money, then you should visit North Vancouvers Craft Beer week. This Friday is the start of the event. The week features beer specials, live music, brewery tours and people having fun at various venues throughout North Vancouver. 

Halloween is coming soon, so it’s time to turn on the Halloween mode:

To start the Saturday you should check out Harvest Glow. It’s a new autumn-themed indoor attraction with pumpkins, sparkling lights and family-friendly things to see and do at Milner Village Garden Centre at 6690 216th Street in Langley.  Harvest Glow is only the warm up, afterwards there are a lot of other Halloween activities in and around Vancouver: Here re just a few 🙂

• Lost Souls of Gastown – a guided walking tour with Forbidden Vancouver through the streets and alleys of historic Gastown.
• VanDusen Glow in the Garden – lit-up carved pumpkins and Halloween activities at VanDusen Garden. In 2018 the family-friendly event is even bigger than last year and the theme is Hänsel and Gretel.
• Mission Nightmare Haunted House – a popular community-run Halloween attraction in Mission with proceeds benefiting a local charity.
• The Haunt of Edgemont– an amazing attraction at a family’s home in North Vancouver that’s open to the public by donation.

Something you definitely consider about is supporting the Canucks in the Rodgers Arena. They play against the Boston Bruins.

Scaaaaaaaary …Halloween is coming soon and everybody is preparing themselves for that. So you should do it too by using the Sunday !

So why not combining a visit of Fly over Canada and Halloween? At the moment a Halloween theme is taking place in this multi-dimensional theatre at Canada Place. So check it out!

Do you prefer more suspense? Then go to River’s Edge: Home for the Criminal Mind. It’s a haunted attraction at the Mission Raceway Park in Mission.

Maybe a breathtaking and blood freezing experience …

I hope you have a great weekend and maybe we will see us next week at the Steamworks. 🙂

-Michael

INTERNeX International Exchange
International Village,
Suite 2077, 2079 – 88 West Pender Street
Vancouver, Canada -V6B 6N9-
Web: http://www.internexcanada.com
Email: pr@internexcanada.com