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
So many wonderful people, indeed… I am a very lucky person who can say now that I have good friends coming from Sweden, Germany, Brazil, Belgium, Denmark, England, and so many more countries. You made my stay unforgettable and my favourite memories include you guys! To name some of them with their insider jokes: DO YOU WANT CHICKEN WINGS?! – Aiiiiiiiis – whoop whoop! – Vodka quoi? – Kiiiiii!… I know, for most of you readers, this might sound very confusing and weird… But I also know that some of you know EXACTLY what I’m talking about.
BUT, those words only won’t be enough to describe the awesome things I did and saw. Thanks to INTERNeX, I could go twice (!) to the Rocky Mountains, for example. Once during winter and once during summer. Both times, I was stunned by the beauty of the country. I was especially mesmerised by the view and the colour of the water Peyto Lake, Lake Louise and Moraine Lake had during summer. But one of my favourite moments was doing the Polar Bear swim in the 4-degree cold Bow Lake. Brrrrrr, I’m glad that so many of you joined me in this craziness.
Play hard – work hard. Or something like that, right? The time I had at the office was just as awesome as my time outside of it. This, on the one hand, thanks to the possibility that we could organise so many weekly events like playing laser tag, a pillow fight or hiking. And on the other hand, because I had the honour of working with a fun and wonderful team! This practicum gave me many opportunities to learn and to grow. Thank you!
Over the past six months, I have seen many beautiful places, done lots of fun activities and I have met amazing people from all over the world. One trip I really loved was the one to Portland, Oregon. Going to the US has been a dream of mine for years and being able to explore Portland, a city I really wanted to go to, for an entire weekend was definitely a highlight. I also loved our day trip to Seattle, it might have been short, but I enjoyed seeing the first Starbucks, the famous Gum Wall and watching the skyline from the Columbia Center observation deck.
Obviously, when talking about my favorite trips, I have to include our trips to the Rockies. How many people, well, non-Canadians, can say they have seen the Rockies during the winter as well as the summer?! From walking on Emerald Lake whilst wearing 10 layers of clothes and slowly sinking into the snow, to canoeing on the lake and being able to see its beautiful, clear blue water. From not seeing any wildlife due to the time of year, to spotting a deer, two elk and a beautiful black bear. Crazy! Seeing a bear was high on my bucket list, so I am glad I could tick it off.
Besides our monthly trips, I truly enjoyed getting to know all of you a little better at our weekly PuB NiGHTs. (Music) Bingo, beer pong, karaoke, ‘who am I?’, we did it all. I will definitely miss all of your stories about life in your country, your work, family and your thoughts about Vancouver. Not only did I have lots of fun with you at PuB NiGHTs, I loved experiencing the weekly events we organised for you as well. Hiking in the Lynn Canyon Park, playing laser tag, watching movies at the outdoor cinema, being a Dutchie for a day (even though I am one every day)… I could go on and on. Not to forget, kayaking on Bowen Island with some of you on my birthday and spending Friday nights at the country bar The Yale Saloon to go line-dancing are definitely some of my favorite memories!
going on. At least one INTERNeX event per weekend and a long bucket list kept me busy. Skiing in winter was an absolute highlight for me. It’s awesome to leave the house in the morning in skiing clothes and just take a bus to the local mountains! Kelowna, Mount Seymour, Cypress Mountain, Whistler – all beautiful destinations to hit the slope. I am glad that I always had a cool crew with me who made these days even more fun.
But also when the snow had already melted, I spent much time outside. Hiking, biking, kayaking, ziplining, surfing… BC offers many great opportunities to do so and I enjoyed exploring pretty parks, beaches and lakes. I also loved to spend time in the city and to scratch the typical tourist attractions from my bucket list. The weekly INTERNeX events were always a fun way to spend the weekend and discover Vancouver together.
journey! Struggling with lighting up the campfire, looking up into the beautiful sky full of stars, eating loads of schnäcks, cheering for everyone who was able to stand on the surfboard for a second – these are memories I will take home with me. I hope you guys are going to wear your Schnäckqueen/king shirts with pride. And don’t forget: no matter what, we will always have Vargas!
On Saturday, we met at 11am at Vancouver City Centre Station and made our way to White Rock. After a troublesome start of the journey (those of you who were there: you know what I am talking about – those of you who weren’t: just imagine a stupid-me messing it up), we managed to arrive at the cute little town of White Rock. First, we went down the pier and looked at the fish and starfish in the ocean. We then went down the beach a little bit, to look at the famous white rock. Well, I am really sorry to tell you this, but it is just a giant rock, painted white … But still, interesting to look at. 😉
INTERNeX Canada 