Another week is over and gives us the great opportunity to explore the beautiful city we get to live in.
As you probably already noticed, this weekend is all about the Chinese New Years festival. Wherever you go, you will find the red lanterns and probably some Chinese signs with a rat on it. Obviously, Chinatown will be hosting the most spectacular events, this weekend. But you won’t be able to escape it any other place in town either ;-).
As the Chinese culture is a very important part of Vancouver´s community, I strongly recommend walking around with your eyes wide open. There are many cultural differences, which we might not always understand. But all the myths and story’s (yes, I’ve done some research), are beautiful and remind me why I love travelling so much. It gives you a different perspective, you don’t just get to learn facts, but also feelings and the meaning that are transferred through ceremonies, traditions and beliefs.
However, instead of buying a ticket to Beijing, we get to go with a way cheaper option instead. The festival starts off today (January 24) with a ceremony at the Buddhist Temple, which is the largest one in North America. So, besides the celebrations this weekend, it might be very interesting to see and explore.
Followed up by Saturday, which is the actual New Years Day! As the tradition wants it, you have the chance to see the famous Lion Dance at the River District. I don’t really have words to explain it, as I am not an expert myself (obviously). But just give it a Youtube search, trust me it is a very interesting thing to watch! And last but not least there will be a big parade happening on Sunday.
And this is were the INTERNeX gang will get together again (Sunday, January 26). Apparently together with 700 other people, that also decided to join the INTERNeX community. Seems like we’ve gone very big all of a sudden :D. (For the ones that don’t know what I am talking about, just check out the Facebook event.) We will meet up in front of the International Village Mall and from there we’ll try to find the perfect spot to watch everything that is going on. Afterwards we will explore the Chinese Gardens. And besides the fact, that is quite beautiful around there in the first place, we also get to see some unique shows and of course fantastic Chinese food that will be on sale. I am just hoping our 700 new friends, don’t have the same idea.
As you might see I am super excited to see all of this in person, to see the stunning costumes and the slight insight of a very different culture and I am very happy to do it together with you guys!
But no matter if you are celebrating the year of the rat this weekend or not, I hope you have a fantastic one.
See you all soon!
Cheers,
— Nadja xx
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
On Canada day the Canadians celebrate the ‘birth’ of their country. In 1867 three colonies were united into one country; Canada. Canada day is celebrated in whole Canada, but also Canadians outside Canada celebrate this anniversary. In 2011 the British Prince William and Kate visited Ottowa to celebrate Canada day.
We will meet at 6.30pm on West Pender and Broughton Street and will make our way to the Parade, afterwards we are going to try to find our self a spot to watch the fireworks at 10pm. However it is going to be very crowded and there are only certain spots from where you can see the firework. We are going to do our best to get a great spot to watch the fireworks. In case we miss the fireworks, no worries at the end of July and beginning of August the celebration of light is held were you can also see a beautiful dance of fireworks!
Tuesday, 1st of July
Sunday, 6th of July
Saturday, 12th of July
Sunday, 20th of July
Saturday and Sunday, 26th and 27th of July
Friday, May 23rd, Pub & Club Night
Wednesday, May 28th, Pub Night
ay 31st, Bike Ride/Deep Cove
INTERNeX Canada 