I'm happy to tell you I've arrived in Canada! First thing I saw after touch-down: snow! Apparently it snowed the night before I got here, but still winter has been very mild on Toronto area. Note to self: never eat yellow snow.
I'm thrilled to be in Hamilton and while I've only have been her for the day, already so much has happened. I'll start from the top and fill you in on the juicy details!
Tuesday December 29th
I got up at 2.30 AM. Obviously still sleepy my mum and dad drove me to the airport, where we checked in my luggage and drank a cup of coffee before I made my way through security.
Six years ago I was devastated to leave, but not this time. I was definitely sad to leave, but at the same time so eager for the adventure to begin.
Fortunately, both flights (Amsterdam - Frankfurt; Frankfurt - Toronto) and transfer time in Frankfurt passed by so fast even though the total travel time summed up to almost 17 hours. Blegh!
Upon arrival in Canada I had to go through customs and immigration. Obviously, being me, I pictured all kinds of worst case scenarios. From the scenario where I wouldn't be allowed to stay the full year or I wouldn't be granted my work permit at all to a scenario where they wouldn't even let me into the country. The longer I had to wait, the more realistic these scenarios seemed to me. I got so nervous just standing there, listening to other people's stories, for a full hour. As it was my turn to come up to the immigration officer my heart was racing, my palms were sweaty and I had red flecks all over my face and neck. I gave him my letter and passport and told him I came to Canada to work. Obviously he asked a few questions, but after ten minutes I walked out of immigration with my 1 year work permit in my hands. Yay!!
I rushed to the luggage belt, grabbed my bag (last one on the belt..jeeezz) and made my way to the exit where Kaitlin was waiting for me. So happy and thankful that she was willing to pick me up! I love this girl! She's so happy, cheery and way too kind. I'm staying over at her place for three weeks. Let the fun begin :).
When in Hamilton Kait's mum and dad came over to her house and brought us fresh bread and soup. What else would you need, ey? (my first 'ey'..many more to come) They are such a cute couple. Loving, kind, generous and funny. I'm so happy to have these beautiful people in my life at this stage. Right from the start they were making plans to hook me up to a Canadian guy so I will stay here. First option: wednesday's internet cable guy.. Haha, I think we got carried away a bit there. We also made plans for a little party in their basement, which Steve made into a gorgeous bar by himself, which I'm looking forward to very much.
At 9 PM I was ready for bed after being awake for over 24 hours (besides from some short naps on the plane)...Zzzzzzzz
Wednesday December 30th
So I woke up by the time Kait got home from here early workout (which I'll hopefully be joining in on next week, yay!) after 10,5 hours of sleep. A few minutes later the cable guy pulled up, the moment we'd all been waiting for! Alas he was nothing we'd been hoping for, but he, eventually and say it in a slightly ridiculous manner, did get Kait's internet hooked up, which is super exciting since we will now be able to watch Netflix, write blogs, Facebook, whatsapp and be connected to the outside world for that matter! Is there life without Internet access?
After that we went to get my social insurance number fixed at Service Canada (highly efficient!), grocery shopping at Fortino's (love this shop! I could spend a full day there for sure) and the LCBO to buy drinks for New Year's eve.
For lunch I introduced Kait to the MediQuest-special open faced peanut butter, cucumber and sambal sandwiches! Such a revelation..haha.
Tomorrow we'll be going to a house party at a friend of Kait's friend for NYE with drinks, food and great people (I'm sure). I'll get to meet Bryan, Kait's man, which I'm very excited about. Also newsflash: they don't do fireworks here. I asked Kait about kids walking around with fireworks in their backpacks during the day, because as most of you know tomorrow is usually the day that I'd have someone escort me when I go outside, since I'm so afraid to go out by myself with all the fireworks around. But it turns out they don't do fireworks here.. not even at midnight. So what do they do at midnight? They watch the ball drop! The Times Square Alliance New Year Eve Ball drop event that is! Super excited about that! What will you be doing for NYE?
Loving life!
Xo
p.s. Do you know Dubsmash? Expect to receive some amazing clips soon! Practice makes perfect, right? Don't judge ;).
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