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| It's nice to be able to sit down and finally write more about my trip. Sitting at the terminal in Jean-Lesage Airport waiting for my ride home, I am plucking on my computer in the spanking-new building. So on goes my trip...
Stop 3: Montreal
Vieux Montreal, Basilique Notre-Dame, Musee des Beaux-Arts, Rue Ste. Cathrine, Musee McCord d'Histoire Canadienne ($13), the Underground City, Montreal Chinatown, Bulevard Saint-Laurent, Place d'Arms, Parc Olympique, Cheateau Ramezay Museum
Montreal is a very nice place to visit. There are lots of places to visit and the city itself is pretty well connected through the subway. So you can get to any of the sites relatively easily. The hostel that I stayed it was nice and clean, and the locals there are nice. Met one of my mom's friends and he helped me with getting oriented with the city. That was nice of him. Old montreal has some really cool architecture and their museums are well worth going to. I can't believe I spent much of the entire day going through the Musee des Beaux-Arts. I was surprised that I enjoyed the visit so much as I don't know much about art history. I went to a comedy club in Montreal, and that was fun... those guys do improv very well.
Also, the poutine is Montreal was very good; but their fries itself (the greasy fries that Montreal is known for) was a little to greasy for my liking. I did find a place which serves smoked meat; but they ran out by the time I got there :( Also, next time, I would love to find more night life in Montreal, and go on the Lachine Rapids boat ride.
Stop 4: Quebec City
Plains of Abraham, Basse-Ville, Funicular , Vieux Quebec, Citadel, Musee du Fort, Masion Chevalier, Parc de l'Artillerie, Vieux Port
I made a huge mistake by booking a hotel (mistake 1) in Saint-Foy (mistake 2) which ended costing much more than I have hoped for. Anyway... So I rode the train from Montreal to Ste-Foy; adjusting to the difference in distance between the two train station to where the hotel is. The hotel is real nice--when you stayed in hostels for a while you appreciate the hotel experience. Anyway, why is staying there a big mistake? Well first the price you pay for a hotel versus a hostel--$150/night vs $40/night. Second, Ste-Foy is a $30 cab ride away from Old Quebec. It would have been the same if I booked a really fancy hotel near Old Quebec; enjoying 5-star luxuries and being able to walk back and forth around downtown Quebec. Anyway, enough griping, I still enjoyed it.
Quebec is well worth the visit--so much history in and around the walls, so much of Canada's firsts happened there. The architecture is similar to Old Quebec, and with some buildings you can see the difference between french and british colonial architecture. Also, the first jail that rehabilitates inmates in north America is also at Old Quebec. That got me thinking about incarcerated inmates and should society treat them as people.
It was at Quebec that I enjoyed the advantages of traveling alone. You know those places where you can stay there forever? Well I found one in Quebec City--on the Dufferin Terrace. Sitting on the promenade where Winston Churchill, Franklin Roosevelt and Sir Wilfred Laurier met to discuss the progression of WW2, it was such a relaxing atmosphere. Facing the St. Lawrance, with accordion music playing nearby and people strolling about; I found heaven. I found a bench and I sat there for the most part of the day. It was wonderful as I can stay there as long as I liked.
Also as I visited museums in Toronto, Ottawa, Montreal and Quebec, I found one thing in common: how people those before us welcomed those who are new on the land, helped each other to face difficult circumstance--whether it was the harsh canadian winter, or war, or whatever. Everyone helped each other, to build up this place we call Canada, our home. Sure we all have our differences; but we, as a nation, has learned to work around them and are able to celebrate the ability for us to work together and help each other. I think that's an awesome accomplishment. I can only imagine that better things are yet to come to our great country.
So as I am just about to board on the plane that takes me home, I can say that it was an good trip. I've learned many things about Canada and "the Canadian people". I would for sure visit some of these places again. | | |
| Well I've set out on a trip finally. From last September I have been looking forward to go on a trip this summer. So I saved up for it. Originally I was thinking of going to Mexico because I wanted to lay on the beach and relax. However everyone around me is busy so I held up that thought (I didn't think going to Mexico would be very fun by myself); instead I chose to visit Upper and Lower Canada--Toronto, Ottawa, Montreal and Quebec.
Stop 1: Toronto
CN Tower, Hockey Hall of Fame, Casa Loma, Ontario Science Centre, Downtown Toronto (CHUM Muchmusic, etc), Niagara Falls, Royal Ontario Museum, Mackenzie House, Queen/Younge Street, UT, Dundas/Younge Square, Pacific Square
Toronto is a good city to visit. Lots to see and lots of destinations. Besides the destinations above, I have also gotten a glimpse of the Chinese community in the Greater Toronto Area as I head to the chinese malls and interact with some of the people in the community. I also liked Niagara and the Falls area, and would love to go back and visit again.
I met up with Cousin Jenny, Mike, and Charles. I was happy to see them and they've shown me around a bit. Very nice of them.
Stop 2: Ottawa
Rideau Canel, Bytown Museum, Cdn War Museum, Peace Tower, Parliament Hill, Tomb of the Unknown Solider, National War Memorial, ByWard Market, Garden of the Provinces and Territories, Laurier Hotel, Rideau Centre, Confederation Building, Supreme Court, Cathedral, Jail Hostel, the Parliament Lightshow, Changing of the Guard
Ottawa's attractions are very close together. It is all along one or two big streets. So one can keep walking and the attractions will be right in front of you. I was impressed with our Parliament buildings--it does convey grandure, and it is quite impressive to see with your own eyes. I spent pretty much an entire day at the War Museum, it was a good place to visit as it tells war through Canada's eyes. Now there's a few parts of Canada's stories that they didn't tell very well--for example the Chinese Canadians' contributions in WW2, and the contributions of combat support troops. I stayed at a haunted jail hostel during my stay at Ottawa, while my roommates have haunted stories of their own to tell, I slept like a log. I picked up a french conversation book, hope it would help me in Quebec.
Next stop: Montreal | | |
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Writing on the eve of boxing day, I can't name this post "Merry
Christmas" anymore. However, I hope that everyone had a wonderful
Christmas--being able to pause and reflect on the blessings that has
been showered upon them in 2007, to rest and gather strength
for 2008, and to spend time and enjoy the company of wonderful friends
and family.
As 2007 is nearing its end, I have been doing some reflections for the year. I was glad that I finally finished up at UBC. It was a great year; made some good friends and had a wonderful practicum experience. However, I didn't think the school readied me for what lied ahead--an actual classroom. I had to do lots of learning and fast. In these three months, I felt that I have learned some very valuable lessons (often at great costs to myself) that I can use again and again in my career. Also, I was very blessed that many teachers along the way were willing to help me when I needed it. Seriously, I didn't think that I would last until the winter break.
On the home front, I found that I am getting closer to my sister and that we share some of the same frustrations at work and otherwise. I think family is getting more important in my list of priorities as I move from being a student to a working person. As I have this new career, I also have to balance my work and the rest of my life.
As 2008 moves forward, I have 3 more weeks to go til the next semester. I am looking forward to semester two as I would have a new start with new students. I would be able to try out some of the things that I wish I did differently the first time around.
Okay, and now let me tell you what I got from all the boxing day madness:
-white shirt, 50% off (paid $50)
-1 gb USB key --$9
-Wireless Router--$18
-1 gb SD Card (Camera Memory Card) $5
Total Spent: Around $100
What bargins did you have during today's Boxing Day Madness?
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My macbook's magsafe adapter was working intermittently (my problem was similar to this, but wasn't as bad), and I phoned AppleCare yesterday about the problem. Low and behold, a replacement adaptor arrived at my house by courier this morning! And it was all included in the AppleCare plan. Talk about fast, friendly service! I think I just saved my computer from having a small fire! Money well spent.
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Today marks a milestone in my life.
I attended the last class in my Bachelor of Education program at UBC. Last class of TSED465a to be exact. It was an anti-climatic end to my 8 years of post-secondary education. After class has ended and we went around exchanging handshakes, well wishes and materials, that was it. After the countless hours of frustration, pain, tears et al going through the changing of career fields, learning another discipline, the workload, the practicum and such, the end seemed so.... bare. All there was waiting for me was the #480 bus that took me home.
In the teacher education program, they teach us to plan, try things out, and to reflect upon the experience that you have been thrusted upon. Looking back, it does seemed I was meant to be in the program, and not by chance. I've tried many things and it seemed like being a teacher isn't half bad. And it has been a great ride with lots of things learned. For example:
-staying to work at school from 7am to 8pm is normal
-kids have very creative ways to hurt themselves in the shop
-kids also have very creative excuses for not completing what you ask them to do
-many teachers are like the kids they teach... they whine, moan and complain.
-schools are not made of money, or paper. it is, however, made of teachers and the student communities around the school.
I can go on and on. I guess it isn't as bare as I say it is; I have came full circle and can call myself an Educator. I guess that's something...
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