Ladies and gentlemen, I am finally back on Canadian soil, 23 hours after checking in at the Brisbane International Airport. I slept for only 4-ish hours on the flight from Auckland to Vancouver, but I think I may be able to avoid jet lag (knock wood!) because I changed my watch to Vancouver time as soon as I left the Auckland airport. I've had 15 hours to adjust to the time of day, so hopefully that does the trick - I'm expecting to be tired, but if I can avoid the kind of jet lag I had coming back from Austria and Czech Republic I'll be a happy camper!
So I'm sure you're all wondering about the transition from summer to winter, from southern hemisphere to northern, from Australasia to North America (or if you're not wondering, then please skip this list. Thank you). Here is a list of random thoughts and observations, in no particular order:
- I crossed the street on the way to this Internet cafe and looked right, then left. Oops.
- The air is much cooler here (obviously)
- I was extremely excited to see the Tim Horton's in the Vancouver airport, although I haven't indulged yet...
- I got a visible grin on my face as I saw the Canadian Rockies out of the airplane window at 11:30 this morning (5:30am in Australia)
- My cell phone works here - YAY!
- I noticed the absence of rolling green hills, and it looked weird to me
- I took the Airporter bus to the hotel where Brent is working, and I noticed how funny it looked to get on from the right side of the bus, to greet the driver who was sitting on the left side. Backwards.
- I feel as overwhelmed with familiar business names as I did with unfamiliar ones when I got to New Zealand. Seeing things like Rogers Video, Tim Horton's, Safeway, etc. was actually weird, but comforting.
- There is a noticeable absence of BP and Caltex gas stations (and I have gone back to saying "gas" instead of "petrol")
- I unconsciously said "New Zealand" with an accent when I was talking to Brent (... sounded more like "New Zullund"... you kiwis know what I'm talking about!), and then I noticed it and laughed at myself
- Something looks different about the downtown areas and I can't quite put my finger on it. Smaller sidewalks? More stairs leading up to the business entrances? Something like that. Not sure yet.
So there are some random observations from a weary, yet excited traveller. I'm spending the next few days visiting Brent (and maybe some friends from home), and then I'm off to Saskatoon! CRAZY.
Mom and dad, can you guys bring my green U of S Music Dept. zip-up bunnyhug to the airport? I'm way too excited to wear it again. I really should have packed it in July, but alas, I've gone 4 months with only my Lululemon hoodie. If you can't find it, the brown Greystone Singers one will do. :o)
O CANADA!!!!!
So I'm sure you're all wondering about the transition from summer to winter, from southern hemisphere to northern, from Australasia to North America (or if you're not wondering, then please skip this list. Thank you). Here is a list of random thoughts and observations, in no particular order:
- I crossed the street on the way to this Internet cafe and looked right, then left. Oops.
- The air is much cooler here (obviously)
- I was extremely excited to see the Tim Horton's in the Vancouver airport, although I haven't indulged yet...
- I got a visible grin on my face as I saw the Canadian Rockies out of the airplane window at 11:30 this morning (5:30am in Australia)
- My cell phone works here - YAY!
- I noticed the absence of rolling green hills, and it looked weird to me
- I took the Airporter bus to the hotel where Brent is working, and I noticed how funny it looked to get on from the right side of the bus, to greet the driver who was sitting on the left side. Backwards.
- I feel as overwhelmed with familiar business names as I did with unfamiliar ones when I got to New Zealand. Seeing things like Rogers Video, Tim Horton's, Safeway, etc. was actually weird, but comforting.
- There is a noticeable absence of BP and Caltex gas stations (and I have gone back to saying "gas" instead of "petrol")
- I unconsciously said "New Zealand" with an accent when I was talking to Brent (... sounded more like "New Zullund"... you kiwis know what I'm talking about!), and then I noticed it and laughed at myself
- Something looks different about the downtown areas and I can't quite put my finger on it. Smaller sidewalks? More stairs leading up to the business entrances? Something like that. Not sure yet.
So there are some random observations from a weary, yet excited traveller. I'm spending the next few days visiting Brent (and maybe some friends from home), and then I'm off to Saskatoon! CRAZY.
Mom and dad, can you guys bring my green U of S Music Dept. zip-up bunnyhug to the airport? I'm way too excited to wear it again. I really should have packed it in July, but alas, I've gone 4 months with only my Lululemon hoodie. If you can't find it, the brown Greystone Singers one will do. :o)
O CANADA!!!!!
5 comments:
welcome home babe!!! We will send your stuff this weekend :)
Thanks again to Fiona and Sam (see photo above) for being such wonderful hosts and friends to Lauren - sure made it a wonderful experience for her!!
Lauren - I feel so connected. No oceans separating us anymore : )
Say hi to Brent and Hendrix - can't wait to see what music collaborations you do.
Looking forward to Sunday - I will find your bunnyhug and bring it along. Saskatoon Asian with Dad, Karyn and Nook on Sunday night!!
P.S. The Vienna Boys Choir was pretty amazing last night. Thought of you seeing them in Austria.
It's about time that you are home! WELCOME!!!!!!!! Can't wait to see you at the lake. Bring pics. Set up a date!! We will be there with bells on!
Weiners n'beans (uh, buns!!)
Weiner! Let's scrapbook at the lake. Do you scrapbook? I'll get pics printed out when I get back to S'toon. Eek, can't wait!!!!
Loved seeing that Canadian flag on Lauren's Kiwi Adventures!
So glad you're back in Canada Lauren. We'll have to talk soon.
Hugs to you and Brent.
Have a great Saskatoon homecoming!
Post a Comment