INTERNeX Canada: How was your weekend?

Another Monday, another week. But this past weekend was awesome because yesterday, we went down to Chinatown and watched the Chinese New Year parade!

I can’t describe to you how cold, squished, and hungry I was while standing to watch the parade. But it was still a lot of fun being out there with hundreds of people! We saw people dressed up in traditional Chinese clothing, people with masks, dressed up as dragons, snakes, and tons more! We all found it really funny how there was so much corporate advertisement in the parade! For example, both CTV and CBC were involved with the parade and were giving out red envelopes with candy inside it… but the envelopes had their logos!

After we watched the entire parade, we made our way up to the Classical Chinese Garden and walked around. But the most difficult part of the day was trying to find a good Chinese restaurant which wasn’t insanely busy (definitely wasn’t going to happen). Which is why we made out way out of Chinatown and after much searching, we finally found a decent place for a late lunch! 

For many of us, including myself, the parade was a new experience! Personally, I thought it was so awesome how, not only Asians, but people from every ethnic background were involved in the Chinese New Year parade as well as there to watch it. It’s always a good thing to be able to open up to new cultures and experiences…and Canada is a perfect place for that!

After our lunch, we all decided to go to the Vancouver Public Library for a little sightseeing (since it was way too cold to be outside). And then to end the day, we went to Blenz for some hot drinks and to chat. For more pictures from our trip to the Chinese New Year parade, check it out at our Flicker page here!

What fun stuff did you do last weekend?

Cheers,

Flora

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

INTERNeX Canada: Casual Friday

How much do you know about indigenous people in Canada? Take the opportunity this month to learn about this part of Canadian history and culture during the National Aboriginal History Month.

The core celebration is the annual National Aboriginal Day on June 21^st. This day is dedicated to remember and honor the contributions of aboriginal nations to the heritage of Canada. June 21^st was proclaimed National Aboriginal Day in 1996 and events are held all over Canada to praise the heritage and cultures of Canada’s first people. Many cities and communities organize festivals and barbeques with traditional music, dance and singing, also called Pow Wow. One can learn about First Nations cultures, see traditional ceremonies and native crafts.

There are three Aboriginal groups in Canada – the First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples. The name First Nations includes all native tribes and groups of Canada except the Inuit and the Métis people. There are a lot of different cultures and symbols but the one familiar to us in BC are the totem poles and masks. The Inuit people originally inhabited the Arctic regions of North America and the most famous symbol is probably the Inuksuk, especially know on the West Coast. The Métis people are considered a separate native group of a mixed heritage between Indigenous people and European settlers.

If you want to know more but missed the Vancouver events on June 21st, you can stop at the Klahowya Village in Stanley Park, an aboriginal village where you can experience Native songs, dance, art and cuisine. It opened on June 21st and can be visited until September 16, 2012.

Dinner & Entertainment – The Sultan’s Tent in Toronto

If you live in or near Toronto this is for you! While working and traveling within Canada, it can be hard to find an enjoyable evening that isn’t too expensive. One hot spot for a great night out is The Sulta’s Tent at 49 Front Street East in downtown. This restaurant can provide you with a full belly –  and belly dancing!

With many options for a four course meal, you’re guaranteed a relaxing dinner in an amazing atmosphere, but that’s not all. During your meal, the Sultan’s Tent provides belly dancing shows. I have a friend that had dinner there and while she admitted the dinner was amazing, she really enjoyed getting some belly dancing lessons by the performers! For a printable version of their menu, click here.

Belly Dancing Performances:

Sundays 6:15 p.m. and 8:45 p.m.
Mondays to Thursdays 6:45 p.m. and 9:15 p.m.
Fridays and Saturdays 6:15 p.m., 8:45 p.m and 11:00 p.m.

For those of you attending the Toronto International Jazz Festival, you could also check out the Sultan’s tent during a performance by Suzana Da Camara. For more information on this event, visit the event section of the Sultan’s Tent website.

History

For decades, the original Sultan’s Tent at Bay and Yorkville entertained groups of diners in Toronto seeking an evening of entertainment, good food, romance and fun in a transporting traditional Moroccan experience.

The original Sultan’s Tent was closed in 2002 when its location was slated for demolition to make way for a high-rise. Purchased from the original “Sultan”, Nagi (now retired),  The Sultan’s Tent & Café Moroc has been relocated at a splendid new oasis at 49 Front Street East in downtown Toronto.

Glowing on the wall near the entrance to The Sultan’s Tent is a magnificent hand woven rug, a gift of the present King of Morocco’s father, Hassan II, who inspired a renaissance in the country’s arts and crafts. We thank the recipient’s son for letting it grace our wall. As far back as history is recorded, Northwest Africa and the Barbery Coast of pirate lore has been at the geographical and cultural crossroads of Europe, Africa and the Middle East. The result is an intoxicating blend of cultures.

The indigenous Berbers, plus Arabian, Spanish, English and French influences have created a tantalizing mix of craft, culture and cuisine in one of the world’s most artistic nations, Morocco. In the 19th century, many European artists were drawn to Morocco’s luxurious interiors, exotic costume and lavish hospitality. They recorded them in paintings that are marvellous invitations to other lands and other times. These and many other images, modern and historical, blend in our impressions of a mythical, magical Morocco.

Moroccan traditions of hospitality were born of the Berbers’ nomadic life. A Sultan (Prince or ruler) would have a beautifully decorated tent with intimate alcoves, and these were echoed when they built even more lavish royal palaces. The Sultan’s Tent evokes the setting of a traditional “diffa” (lavish) banquet) at which all are welcome and where the dining philosophy was one of abundance.A sense of ritual hospitality, combined with regally prepared traditional dishes, earned the host his reputation.

We hope some of you get the chance to experience a relaxing evening at the Sultan’s Tent, while enjoying superb food and delightful entertainment among good friends. For more information on events and activities near you, visit the INTERNeX Events and Activities page.

– Laura

Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory

Even the name sounds delicious. This store is amazing… but if you have a history of cavities or an upcoming dentist appointment – stay away from this place! Why? See for yourself.

This place could be your worst nightmare or your heaven on earth. If you’re like me… somedays it may be deadly to walk in here! I can be quite an impulsive shopper on an empty stomach. When I visited this store the other day, I walked out with an Apple Pie Caramel apple. It was absolutely divine! Everyone should visit this store while in Vancouver! They do have shops in other cities, but come on! Just look at all the goodies!

Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory is an international franchisor, confectionery manufacturer and retail operator in the United States, Canada and the United Arab Emirates. The Company is based in the charming old-west town of Durango located on the western slope of the Rocky Mountains in southwestern Colorado. From its 53,000 square foot factory, the Company manufactures an extensive line of premium chocolate candies and other confectionery products to supply its many franchise locations, delivered fresh by its fleet of refrigerated trucks.

The factory typically produces approximately 300 chocolate candies and other confectionery products, using proprietary recipes developed primarily by its master candy maker. These products include many varieties of clusters, caramels, creams, meltaways, truffles and molded chocolates. Individual stores prepare a variety of caramel and candy apples, fudge, chocolate items and confections in full view of the customer using traditional cooking utensils such as copper kettles on gas-fired stoves and marble slab cooling tables.

Neat huh? I’ll leave you with a few more pictures. If you would like to visit their website, click here! The location I visited was at 1017 Robson Street. They even had cute little piggy candy apples. They also serve fudge, ice cream and truffles. If you’re good you’ll show up just in time for samples 😉 …

That’s all for now guys! Gotta jet, I’m hungry…

– Laura