INTERNeX Canada: Culture Shock

It’s not that everyone talks to strangers on the bus in Germany (not at all actually) but over here it seems to me as if people completely shut themselves off when they’re on public transit. As a rough estimate, I’d say there are at least 90% of people on buses and trains who are using earphones and/or constantly tapping away on their smart phones. I do like music too and I am not too keen on making friends on the bus either but nevertheless, it is an irritating behavior for me since where I am from, people still read books and newspapers on their way to work – how old school of them, I know! 😉

Simon, one of our colleagues at INTERNeX, recently came into the office with a flyer in his hand. It said “Say HI on the bus” and obviously aimed at making people acknowledge other riders and interact with each other on public transit rather than listening to music and facebooking. There is this one bus driver in Vancouver who started this initiative and consistently asks his guests to take a moment and say “hi” to the person sitting next to one, see how their day is going and find a way to relate to him or her. Apparently, Simon had a blast on this bus ride chatting to random people and even singing songs with a bunch of strangers. Sounds like fun to me!! The bus driver’s last advice on the flyer is “Be good to yourself. Be kind to each other.” I think this whole project is a super cool idea, so maybe keep it in mind and wish someone a good day the next time you’re getting off the bus, you would make somebody happy and yourself too. 🙂

What is your experience with public transit in Vancouver? Is it different to where you are from? Feel free to leave a comment below!

Hope you’re having a nice Sunday!

Cheers

Marianne

INTERNeX International Exchange
Suite 200 – 211 Columbia Street
Vancouver BC -V6A 2R5-
Web: http://www.internexcanada.com
Phone: +1 (604) 662 8149
Email: pr@internexcanada.com

Ready To Rush?!

INTERNeX is proud to support The BC Lung Assocation’s Rush event! Are you ready to rush?!

On June 5th, 2010 let’s join together and hit the Vancouver streets for the most audacious fundraising event that this city has ever seen…This is in no way any kind of an ordinary event-it is a CHALLENGE unlike anything in the Lung Association history! Teams of two will scour the city of Vancouver as part of an EPIC, 1 day Race & urban SCAVENGER HUNT completing a predetermined number of checkpoint challenges and deciphering clues at UNKNOWN locations throughout the city. Teams will run, walk and use public transit, racing to complete their Checkpoint Challenges within the 6 hour time limit. Partners can use a nearly limitless array of resources (friends, family, internet …) to help them get to and complete their next Checkpoint Challenge. The first team to complete the required number of Checkpoint Challenges and cross the finish line wins a trip for two around the WORLD but…

THE RUSH is about more than just crossing the finishing line, it is about the JOURNEY and the chance to SAVE LIVES and CHANGE your own in the end! Sound like something you’d be interested in? Then register soon because there is a limited amount of teams that can sign up. Be a part of something bigger than just yourself and held end lung disease today! Every team that takes part in The Rush will receive entry into the incredible after party and the chance to win other great prizes.

1st, 2nd & 3rd PLACE:
The top three teams receive FREE registration into next year’s event!

TOP  FUNDRAISERS:
The top fundraising team receives A Tandem Skydive For 2 from Whistler Skydiving

PREMIUM CHECKPOINT:
The winning team of the Premium Checkpoint receives 2 Regular Group Surf Lessons from Pacific Surf School

For more info, rules and to register your team, visit http://www.rushvancouver.com/

IMPORTANT: MetroVancouver Transit Price Changes

IMPORTANT: For all candidates who use public transportation throughout MetroVancouver, there will be new transit prices for monthly FareCards and FareSaver Tickets. These new price will be effective as of APRIL 1, 2010

Please take note of these changes and for more information, please visit www.translink.ca.

Get Whisked Away!

British Columbia boasts one of North America’s number one ski and snowboard resort and the host Mountain Resort of the Vancouver 2010 Olympic & Paralympic Winter Games! Whistler B.C. serves up more vertical feet, advanced lifts and various ski terrains than any other resort on the continent. In addition to that, add on three glaciers, 16 alpine bowls and North America’s longest ski season and you have yourself one epic ski vacation.

You can ski the Symphony Bowl and 7^th Heaven, before having a quick lunch whilst taking in the breathtaking scenery that surrounds you. The Peak 2 Peak Gondola can whisk you 2.73 miles between Whistler Mountain and Blackcomb Mountain in a dizzying 11 minutes. This premier ski resort is a year-round playground. Once the snow begins to melt you can try out a self-guided off the road adventure over 3,937ft of park terrain at the Whistler Mountain Bike Park or learn to wakeboard on Green Lake. However, if moguls, chutes and steeps are not in your vocabulary, you can still appreciate Whistler’s après scene. You can indulge in a candlelit fondue dinner for two at a romantic chalet or rejuvenate at a day spa with a soothing hot oil, shiatsu or Swedish massage.

Browse at over 200 shops and boutiques in the pedestrian-friendly plazas of Whistler Village. And with the village boasting over 90 restaurants with some of the best dining and nightlife opportunities in BC there’s no need head down to the city. Anything ranging from funky sushi bars in the Creek or Village to restaurants serving tapas late into the night and live music that will have you dancing even after a full day of play in the outdoors, Whistler has it all! The public transit runs from 4:40am to 3:30am every day otherwise there are taxis and the free village shuttle…so need to worry club hoppers Whistler has your back!