Vancouver: First Impressions

So begins a new chapter of my story. I’m a South African way on the other side of the world in Vancouver, and I’m making it my new home. While I can, I’m going to join the rest of the Vancouver student population and walk around in a t-shirt and shorts. The sun goes down quite late, and I think I might have even caught a slight sunburn the other day (which is not particularly difficult for me to do!) The leaves have not turned yet, and so the vibrant green is just as beautiful as I imagine the fall will be.

I think of those back home who would love to be here too! The city life offers just about everything you could want; the wild beauty is as good for the soul as it is for the environment; and the benefits and minimal responsibilities of student life are almost too good to be true.

There are many new places to explore. Every corner I turn beckons me in three different directions and I have enjoyed every step of my way so far. The other day I just walked up and down the aisles in grocery stores, a stationery shop, a $1 shop, just about anywhere! Everything seems cheaper… until I remember that it’s dollars and not rands!

So many things are different from home. The trees are huge (no wonder there are so many children’s books about the Firwood forest creatures). Groceries come in huge containers: jam, toothpaste, milk, sugar, and of course, peanut butter! Many terms are to be relearnt: takkies-sneakers, biscuit-cookie, nappy-diaper, slops-sandals…

When people have commented on my accent, it’s to say that I don’t really have one! So far one person even thought I am Canadian! As a friend says, I’m going to meet lots of Canadans in Canadia! There are students from all over the world everywhere, many of whom I’d like to get to know better. And I have discovered sooo many more books that I want to read - I don’t actually know where to start! Where am I going to get the time to do all this?!

In a way Vancouver is for me at this time a kind-of land of milk and honey. I am going to live in it to the fullest potential of the word – exploring the new and not forgetting the old. Thank you God for guiding me here at such a time as this!