Canada facts – movietime

Where are all our movie lovers? People who’re always up to date with the newest movie and practice binge watching as a professional sport? This blogpost will definitely be something for you 😉

Is it New York or our beloved Vancouver? Maybe you’ve seen Vancouver in many movies you’ve watched in the last years 🙂 But did you recognize that it isn’t New York or Seattle but Vancouver? Might be difficult so let us have a closer look ;).
Firstly, I’d like to tell you a short story about something that happened to me during my time in Vancouver. Back in 2017 on my way to my daily language classes on W Hastings street, Vancouver Downtown I saw camera teams everywhere. The people weren’t allowed to cross the street – except us language school students. It felt like being a celebrity for like 5 minutes 😉 So I continued walking straight to the language school building to not disturb the shooting. Right before entering the building I turned around and saw Ryan Reynolds on his motorcycle ready to shoot the movie Deadpool 2. Pretty cool and exciting moment. Believe me – here’s the evidence photo.

So that’s it from my own experience; let’s continue with some popular films and series that take place in Vancouver.
How many movies were filmed in Vancouver? Do you know any of these movies? I’m pretty sure you will…
Beside Deadpool, there is one of the most successful movies you’ve probably seen or at least heard of. Getting a little naughty we can talk about 50 Shades of Grey. Have you noticed the huge building called ” Bentall 5 tower”? In the movie it’s transformed into “Grey Enterprises” where many scenes take place. Maybe you’ve had dinner at Peckingpah BBQ in Gastown (like I did) or visited the Fairmont Hotel. Christian Grey and Anastasia Steele have been there as well. 😉 It’s true; in the movie it seems like everything takes place in Seattle but as in mentioned before it’s often not like this; this movie is a good example for Vancouver which stands in for Seattle.

The famous action blockbuster I, Robot with Will Smith is also shot in Vancouver. You can spot filming locations of the futuristic city in the movie by the Marina City Towers, Wrigley Building and Pier 94.
There are famous movie locations at every corner. Even right on the arrival at Vancouver International Airport, you can spot a well known movie scene. This place was featured in the horror classic “Final Destination” as New Yorks JFK Airport.
Love is in the air – movies such as Always be my maybe or one of my favourite movies Love guaranteed are being filmed in Vancouver too. It’s pretty cool watching movies in which actors enjoy their time in Downtown or on a walk in Stanley Park. If you haven’t seen this movie it’s highly recommended by me.

Surely you know the Twilight Saga? Also this one was filmed at different locations in British Columbia especially Vancouver and Tofino – of course as it is typical for these movies, mostly in the forest.
Certainly, there are many more great movies but some series you might know are shot in Vancouver as well. The famous classic Suits as well as Arrow or Riverdale found their perfect filming location in this Canadian city.
Hope I could give you some “that’s amazing oh I didn’t know” moments 😉
Enjoy watching you favourite movies or series and if you already visited some of the filming locations – let me know!!!

We’d love to see you at tonight’s pubnight:) 6pm at The Beaver pub!
Cheers

– Tatjana

INTERNeX International Exchange
2005-689 Abbott St., Vancouver, BC, V6B 0J2
Web: http://www.internexcanada.com
Email: pr@internexcanada.com

Canada facts: Packing list

Who doesn’t know this situation? Packing your bag and what happens: 10% useful stuff and 90% “you never know”
So, let me try to help fix this problem 😉
Let’s start with the basics

• your favourite clothes; of course for the girls including your favourite dress. Also keep in mind if your host organization requires any formal or business clothes.
• sweater, for cosy summer nights at the bonfire, or for those chilly fall nights.
  …and do not forget to bring rain clothes. They might not be fancy but as I can assure, very helpful at nearly any time of the year.
  Since I think the basic items are known to everyone, I would like to give you a few more tips for a successful trip without missing something important.

1. Take care while using or buying a sim card. Sometimes it can be really expensive to buy one in Canada (especially data). Inform yourself about the conditions of your phone provider in your hometown. It depends but maybe it’s easier and cheaper to buy one before starting your trip.
Map.me: In order to save mobile data or to avoid costs, it is useful to use offline maps such as maps.me. Simply download in advance. Maybe you don’t need mobile data at all; Vancouver offers a lot of free wifi networks.

2. Don’t forget your laptop/computer. Check with your host organization whether they provide you with a laptop. Maybe you’d rather work with your own laptop? Sometime a tablet is not quite enough….

3. The most important thing to charge all your electronic devices? The adapter. Pay attention that you need different adapters in different countries; Canada and the US use the same adapter and have the same voltage. In addition, it may be useful to have a multiple usb charger if only one plug is available (like in some Homestays or older hostels).

4. From my own experience I can recommend buying body care products like shampoo or shower gel in your hometown. It might be twice as expensive in Canada.

5. Your medication. It may be difficult to get your needed medication in another country without a local prescription.

6. Perfume or cologne: this may sound a bit weird at first, but in Canada some companies do not allow strong smelling perfumes or colognes. So better use a neutral one.

7. Everyone likes to get a souvenir. And so does your future hostfamily. Think about something that is typically for your home country. I’m sure they will like it.

8. Needle and thread: Maybe a button will come off of your favourite dress or shirt. It may be helpful to have needle and thread at hand.

9. Necessary documents: Make sure you have ALL your necessary documentation including immigration documents, letters of offer, homestay info and all health documents such as vaccine certificates and PCR test results either digitally or in paper form or both. Also download any required apps (such as ArriveCAN)

10. And last but not least another reminder to not forget to take enough face masks with you especially on your flight. There are multiple places to buy one in Vancouver but it can be helpful taking a additional one with you. Also don’t forget checking the current pandemic restrictions including all the necessary documents.

Do not pack:
There are also a few things you should avoid packing:

• do not take too much alcohol with you; it might be cheaper in your home country but paying all the extra fees is not worth it
• this is also the case with tobacco: only 10 packs are allowed
• some things you cannot bring at all such as some meat or vegetable products.
  For further information have a look at the Canadian government website:
  https://travel.gc.ca/returning/customs/what-you-can-bring-home-to-canada#alcohol

Have a great weekend 🙂

– Tatjana

INTERNeX International Exchange
2005-689 Abbott St., Vancouver, BC, V6B 0J2
Web: http://www.internexcanada.com
Email: pr@internexcanada.com