I just got in Beijing. The flight from Vancouver took 10 hours, which is less than usual.
Looking out the plane's window, I could see countless buildings arranged in organized patterns. I guess that's due to the strong government planning and intervention in economic matters.
I was pleasantly surprised after landing: other than the smog, Beijing is cleaner than I expected. It's not as chaotic as I imagined and people are friendlier than I thought they would be.
My hotel room is pretty cool too. For 35$ a night, I have a clean place with no obvious problem. My room also has a desktop computer with Internet access. It's from this machine that I'm writing this entry right now.
Well, enough Internet for now: I'm going to explore the city!
2008-09-30
2008-09-20
Okanagan Valley
Last week, I went to the Okanagan Valley with Sylvia. I think both of us had some apprehensions because of all the fighting we had on our last trip together (Hawaii). However, other than her usual tendencies to freak out and be irritable, things went pretty well.
Our first morning in the Valley was spent in Canada's only "desert". It's technically a desert, but don't expect sand dunes. It feels more like northern Arizona (say, around Flagstaff). In this desert live a variety of animals not found elsewhere in Canada such as rattle snakes, scorpions and black widow spiders. At the Desert Center, I expected to see a bunch of bugs and animals (just as I did in Arizona's Desert Garden). But, we didn't see rattle snakes (they apparently are found on golf courses in the region) or anything of the sort. Actually, the Desert Center was a bit boring except for when we did see a yellow-bellied snake eat a praying mantis.
Then, up to the vineyards we went! We drank many varieties of wines and got the chance to walk around some vineyards. We were tipsy most of the day (especially Sylvia). We also took some peaches and apples fresh from the trees next to some vineyards.
That night, we spent the night in a private room in a hostel. It was a first time for both of us. I slept fine but wasn't too keen on the idea of cleaning myself in a shared shower the next morning. If I ever get over my desire for convenience and comfort, I could travel for much cheaper.
The next day we went to more vineyards. That whole week-end taught me a lot about wines. If I do end up back East, I'll try to visit the Niagara region for some more wine tourism.
This entry brings this blog up to date, which is a good thing considering that I'm about to embark on a mega-trip to Asia. Next week, I'm off to China.
More adventures to come...
Alberta
Right after coming back from Vancouver Island (August 2008), I flew out to Calgary for a few days of exploration in Alberta.
One cool thing about highways in Alberta is that the speed limit is at 110 km/h and that people actually drive more around 140 km/h. I still remember driving in the right lane at 140 km/h. Most of the time, it's not the speed limit that slowed me down, but rather my own fear when I was going too fast.
I first headed to the Rockies. By August, many mountains don't have snow left on their peaks. Also, I went there during days of record-high temperatures, so everything was somewhat hazy. Thus, I didn't get the optimal conditions to observe the natural beauty of the Rockies. I'd say the best time to go is late May / early June.
I went to Banff, to Lake Louise (with its surreal turquoise water) to Moraine Lake (with its crystal-clear water) and Peytoe Lake (another lake with awesome water color) on my first day.
I picked up a hitchhiking couple. The girl, Marie-Hélène, was a fellow Quebecker and her partner, Karsten, was a German who also speaks French and who is now doing his master's in articifial intelligence in Edmonton. Marie-Hélène is also doing a master's, but in piano interpretation. I didn't even know there were such master's! The pair was making its way up to the Yukon. They don't have much money, but compensate with their adventurous spirit and willingness to compromise on comfort. They've travelled all over the place, often sleeping outside or camping in order to preserve their little, precious money. Good thing I have money because I have led a sheltered existence so far that makes it unthinkable for me to not have my own bathroom and shower when I spend the night somewhere.
The next day, I back-tracked to the Columbia Icefield and drove back to Jasper again (this time during day-time, so that I could see the landscapes). I stopped at a very wide river (1 km?) that didn't get deeper than 50 cm. Many people were playing in the water there. Then, I drove shoeless all the way to Edmonton.
Edmonton deserves its nickname of Deadmonton. In the downtown core, only one street really feels downtownish. In the university area, Whyte street shows some life, even on Sunday nights. So, at least it's not clear that Edmonton is as boring as Seattle. Also, the West Edmonton Mall isn't that huge. It's just like a regular mall, but with an amusement park, a water amusement park and some themed areas. One thing I found funny in Edmonton is the presence of radars on some streets that make messages appear telling you to slow down when you drive too fast.
Next was Calgary. Again, not much to see here. Although, to be fair, Calgary is a bit bigger than Edmonton. I went up the Calgary Tower to take a good look at the city. I quickly exhausted my curiosity for this city and decided to fly back home two days earlier than planned. What I'd pay extra to change my flight, I'd save on car rental, gas and hotel.
At that point, I became pretty much saturated of all that nature stuff and of all that exploration of Canada. I think it's time for me to get back to what I normally like doing: visiting foreign mega-cities.
Victoria
About a month ago (in August 2008), I went to Vancouver Island.
I saw the Butchart Gardens and then headed to Victoria. Victoria, the capital of British Columbia is a pretty small town. It has an English feel to it, especially in some of its suburbs.
I went looking for killer whales. Our expedition saw one. We also saw a bunch of seals and sea lions.
Again, this is one of those trips that didn't change my life much but allows me to say "Been there, done that".
Montreal and Quebec
This summer, I went back to Montreal for a week to see people and places that had not been accessible to me in almost a year. It was my first time back since I had left on August 26 of the previous year.
Here's a summary of what happened on my trip back home...
June 27
I left work with my light luggage and went straight to the bus terminal. The lady at the counter there was a Quebecker. It felt strange to talk to her in French. A bit like a taste of things to come in Montreal.
On the bus to Seattle (from where I would fly to Montreal on a ticket I had not used the previous year), I started thinking about all the events that lead me to be where I was at that precise moment. Everything started, almost to the day, a year before. I was going back where my story with Sylvia, cities, jobs, apartments and all these major changes started. I was going to the places that were part of these changes in reverser order (Vancouver, Seattle, Montreal).
Looking at everything, I felt depressed. Back when I was in Montreal, I had a job I liked; I was in a good city; I liked my apartment and I had a girlfriend I truly loved. I was happy. I had everything I wanted; I just didn't know it. And now, what did I have? A job that didn't correspond to my aspirations and in which the team dynamics were quite poor; an apartment I didn't like going for 2.5 times the rent I paid in Montreal; no lover and rain and gray skies in a city even smaller than Montreal.
All of this for some more money and the chance to live in a city other than Montreal... For the job, there was not much I could have done; Motorola was closing its center in Montreal. For the city, I could always go back to Montreal. For the apartment, I could always find something if I looked around. For Sylvia, I just had severely fucked up and losing her was what left me with the most bitter feeling.
It's in such a brooding mood that I arrived in Seattle. When I got there, I had to go through the neighborhood where I used to live and work. I felt a powerful mix of anxiety and sadness that amounted almost to a panic attack. My emotions from all the events surrounding my departure from Montreal were surfacing.
Then, I noticed how empty the streets were and how everything was closed and also how everyone I saw was ugly and trashy.
The city bus ride to SeaTac was like a zoo revealing many types of subhuman individuals that characterize Seattle so much.
As if the mutants weren't enough, Americans are so much bigger (read fatter) than Canadians.
Leaving Seattle was truly the right decision.
June 28
I took the good old 211 bus to get downtown from Dorval (where the airport is located). On the bus was this pale young electro/punk/whatever redhead with her blouse open so much you could see all her black bra covering her small breasts. Arriving downtown, the bus driver drove through a red light. Welcome to Montreal!
Walking on Lionel-Groulx avenue (where I used to live) made me very emotional. Was it the feeling of finding back a cherished place or was it the feeling of having made a grave, unrepairable mistake by leaving?
Half of my week in Montreal, I slept in the two adjacent houses where I used to live. It truly was a return to my roots. I spent the first night at Luc's place (where I used to live a while back).
Before going to bed, I met a friend and we walked her dog on Ste-Catherine, through the Jazz Festival, on St-Laurent and on Prince-Arthur. Things somewhat felt familiar and foreign at the same time. I noticed how the people in Montreal are not aligned with my preferences. I like the composition of the population in Vancouver more.
I also went to the SAT. It wasn't SAT's best night. It was full of young, fat, ugly people and the music sucked. At least, some people were doing drugs and lesbian shit.
June 29
I noticed how very little has changed in Montreal since last year. I only noticed one new building. In Vancouver, new buildings pop up every week. The infrastructure is old and poorly maintained in Montreal. Vancouver is much cleaner and newer. The feeling in Vancouver is one of growth. The feeling in Montreal is one of stagnation.
I went to the tam-tams and took a look at the medieval fighters there.
June 30
I went to the West Island to see my parents. On the way to their place, I met the parents of a few people I use to hang out with when I was younger. Nothing much's changed with my parents. I spent the night at an old friend's place.
July 01
I walked around Montreal some more. I had heard many times that people in Montreal look and dress better than people in Vancouver. I didn't find so. I think people in Vancouver are fitter in general, too.
Had dinner with some friends in a Spanish restaurant. We later met up with other friends and went to see Bran Van 3000's show. It was packed. I got introduced to a few ex-Vancouverites who now live in Montreal and are also in the gaming industry. We ended the night at the St-Sulpice, Montreal's largest terrace.
July 02
Had some açaí. I went for a stroll in Westmount Park. Had a BBQ on Louise's patio.
Here's a summary of what happened on my trip back home...
June 27
I left work with my light luggage and went straight to the bus terminal. The lady at the counter there was a Quebecker. It felt strange to talk to her in French. A bit like a taste of things to come in Montreal.
On the bus to Seattle (from where I would fly to Montreal on a ticket I had not used the previous year), I started thinking about all the events that lead me to be where I was at that precise moment. Everything started, almost to the day, a year before. I was going back where my story with Sylvia, cities, jobs, apartments and all these major changes started. I was going to the places that were part of these changes in reverser order (Vancouver, Seattle, Montreal).
Looking at everything, I felt depressed. Back when I was in Montreal, I had a job I liked; I was in a good city; I liked my apartment and I had a girlfriend I truly loved. I was happy. I had everything I wanted; I just didn't know it. And now, what did I have? A job that didn't correspond to my aspirations and in which the team dynamics were quite poor; an apartment I didn't like going for 2.5 times the rent I paid in Montreal; no lover and rain and gray skies in a city even smaller than Montreal.
All of this for some more money and the chance to live in a city other than Montreal... For the job, there was not much I could have done; Motorola was closing its center in Montreal. For the city, I could always go back to Montreal. For the apartment, I could always find something if I looked around. For Sylvia, I just had severely fucked up and losing her was what left me with the most bitter feeling.
It's in such a brooding mood that I arrived in Seattle. When I got there, I had to go through the neighborhood where I used to live and work. I felt a powerful mix of anxiety and sadness that amounted almost to a panic attack. My emotions from all the events surrounding my departure from Montreal were surfacing.
Then, I noticed how empty the streets were and how everything was closed and also how everyone I saw was ugly and trashy.
The city bus ride to SeaTac was like a zoo revealing many types of subhuman individuals that characterize Seattle so much.
As if the mutants weren't enough, Americans are so much bigger (read fatter) than Canadians.
Leaving Seattle was truly the right decision.
June 28
I took the good old 211 bus to get downtown from Dorval (where the airport is located). On the bus was this pale young electro/punk/whatever redhead with her blouse open so much you could see all her black bra covering her small breasts. Arriving downtown, the bus driver drove through a red light. Welcome to Montreal!
Walking on Lionel-Groulx avenue (where I used to live) made me very emotional. Was it the feeling of finding back a cherished place or was it the feeling of having made a grave, unrepairable mistake by leaving?
Half of my week in Montreal, I slept in the two adjacent houses where I used to live. It truly was a return to my roots. I spent the first night at Luc's place (where I used to live a while back).
Before going to bed, I met a friend and we walked her dog on Ste-Catherine, through the Jazz Festival, on St-Laurent and on Prince-Arthur. Things somewhat felt familiar and foreign at the same time. I noticed how the people in Montreal are not aligned with my preferences. I like the composition of the population in Vancouver more.
I also went to the SAT. It wasn't SAT's best night. It was full of young, fat, ugly people and the music sucked. At least, some people were doing drugs and lesbian shit.
June 29
I noticed how very little has changed in Montreal since last year. I only noticed one new building. In Vancouver, new buildings pop up every week. The infrastructure is old and poorly maintained in Montreal. Vancouver is much cleaner and newer. The feeling in Vancouver is one of growth. The feeling in Montreal is one of stagnation.
I went to the tam-tams and took a look at the medieval fighters there.
June 30
I went to the West Island to see my parents. On the way to their place, I met the parents of a few people I use to hang out with when I was younger. Nothing much's changed with my parents. I spent the night at an old friend's place.
July 01
I walked around Montreal some more. I had heard many times that people in Montreal look and dress better than people in Vancouver. I didn't find so. I think people in Vancouver are fitter in general, too.
Had dinner with some friends in a Spanish restaurant. We later met up with other friends and went to see Bran Van 3000's show. It was packed. I got introduced to a few ex-Vancouverites who now live in Montreal and are also in the gaming industry. We ended the night at the St-Sulpice, Montreal's largest terrace.
July 02
Had some açaí. I went for a stroll in Westmount Park. Had a BBQ on Louise's patio.
July 03
I drove to Quebec City. I met my cousin there and we walked a few hours through the city. The city was officially 400 years old that day and many people came into town to be part of the festivities and see the mega fireworks. We didn't stay long enough to see the fireworks as my cousin really didn't feel like hanging around. My cousin now owns his own house and is thinking of joining the special forces as being in regular infantry is not hardcore enough for him.
July 04
Drove back to Montreal. I slowed down just in time to avoid getting caught by cops monitoring the traffic with radars. Half an hour later, I saw a cop behind me with his lights flashing. I thought this time it was it: I had been caught speeding. I slowed down and was about to pull over. But, then the cop was waving with his hands for me to get out of the way. He actually was going to the scene of an accident. I had escaped getting a ticket twice.
Back in Montreal, I met a bunch of ex Motorola co-workers at our traditional watering hole. From what I gathered, no one seemed quite as happy about their jobs as when they were at Motorola.
Already drunk, I left my ex co-workers to join other people for some more drinks. One of the people I was with ended barfing. That's Montreal for you.
July 05
I saw Sylvia's mother to get stuff for her back to Vancouver. I also went to where Sylvia used to live to get mail from her brother, to see her cat and for memories' sake.
I went to see the fireworks that night. I also had some St-Hubert. I missed their rotisserie chicken.
July 06
Had breakfast at Cora's, which is (sadly) not located on Stanley anymore.
Went to Piknic électronik. Had to leave quickly as I had to catch my flight back to Vancouver.
All in all, it was a good trip. It made me lose my homesickness. I did pretty much all the things I would normally want to do in the summer in Montreal in one week. When I came back to Vancouver, my new city felt a bit more like home and I didn't mind living in Vancouver anymore.
I think I had been idealizing Montreal and my old apartment and that I what I truly missed were not the places, but rather the moments I had there.
In a weird way, I was a bit disappointed that I didn't fall in love with Montreal. It would have made things easier as I would have known where I belong. Thus, I'm still wondering where my true home is...
2008-09-19
Whistler
In May 2008, I went to Whistler. It's a nice place and I saw a wild bear there. However, it didn't change my life. I guess you have to be a skier or snowboarder in order to truly appreciate the place. Since I'm neither, I'm just happy to say that I've been there.
Hawaii
This post relates events that occurred in April of 2008.
After living for a few months in Vancouver, I went on a short vacation to Hawaii. I took Sylvia along with me as a thank-you gesture for hosting me when I first got to Vancouver.
We went to the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park (on the Big Island) and saw volcanic fumes and an active volcano. We also traversed acres of land covered by solidified lava. We went snorkeling with manta rays at night. Still on the Big Island, we saw sea turtles, beaches with black sand, incredible scenery and an abundance of sea creatures.
Later, we went on the Island of Kauai and visited "The Grand Canyon of the Pacific" and the Na Pali Cliffs.
Finally, we explored Oahu. We went to Pearl Harbor and visited the USS Arizona memorial, where hundreds of men still remain in the sunken battleship's wreck. We also saw an ancient Hawaiian temple and beautiful landscapes when we circled around the island.
The trip was too short. I hope one day to go a third time to Hawaii.
The only thing that wasn't great is the fact that Sylvia and I had some frictions and nearly killed each other many times. At one point, I was so upset by her that I inadvertently locked the rental car's keys inside the car. That did nothing to relax the already tense atmosphere!
After living for a few months in Vancouver, I went on a short vacation to Hawaii. I took Sylvia along with me as a thank-you gesture for hosting me when I first got to Vancouver.
We went to the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park (on the Big Island) and saw volcanic fumes and an active volcano. We also traversed acres of land covered by solidified lava. We went snorkeling with manta rays at night. Still on the Big Island, we saw sea turtles, beaches with black sand, incredible scenery and an abundance of sea creatures.
Later, we went on the Island of Kauai and visited "The Grand Canyon of the Pacific" and the Na Pali Cliffs.
Finally, we explored Oahu. We went to Pearl Harbor and visited the USS Arizona memorial, where hundreds of men still remain in the sunken battleship's wreck. We also saw an ancient Hawaiian temple and beautiful landscapes when we circled around the island.
The trip was too short. I hope one day to go a third time to Hawaii.
The only thing that wasn't great is the fact that Sylvia and I had some frictions and nearly killed each other many times. At one point, I was so upset by her that I inadvertently locked the rental car's keys inside the car. That did nothing to relax the already tense atmosphere!
2008-09-01
Hong Kong
On my way back from Thailand, I stopped for a few days in Hong Kong. Again, this blog entry is over half a year late. Life's been keeping me busy in the past few months.
Hong Kong is a bit like Asia's New York: lots of people, lots of capital, lots of skyscrapers. People in Hong Kong are colder than in New York: even those who are supposed to be courteous to you (e.g., clerks in commerces where you buy things) don't give a shit about you. That impression might partially be due to the language barrier. Also, people in Hong Kong don't seem to have the same level of cultural, fashion and educational sophistication that you would find in Manhattan.
In Hong Kong, I saw long line-ups to get in stores such as Louis Vuitton and Gucci. I'd personally go in one of the street markets and buy rip-offs if I wanted such items. One nice thing I saw were Wi-Fi enabled phone booths. Another thing I'd never seen before was currency bills printed by private corporations. The first time I withdrew money from an (HSBC) ATM, I got HSBC bills. At first, I was wondering what kind of funny money I got. It turns out that money issued by private banks is common here. I wonder how the monetary policies work at a macro-economic level in Hong Kong.
In Hong Kong, there are tons of people from the Philippines and Indonesia. They come to work as maids and nannies. They get way better salaries this way than degree-bearing professionals would in their home countries.
During my second night, I met up with Alex (a guy I went to college with). We went out to a couple of pubs. This is where I noticed another phenomenon that was new to me. In pubs and bars, Filipinas are hired to dance and socialize with patrons. The logic is that if patrons are having fun, they'll stay longer and buy more drinks. The ladies will be all friendly with you and subtly make you buy drinks. They'll then drink some, flirt with you and might give some of their drinks to the more sober men in order to get them to become better customers. Some women even go in bars where they don't work, start talking to men and tell them they want to go with them to this super cool place (which happens to be where they are working) in order to get more commissions. I found the whole thing very interesting. It's a bit reminiscent of hostesses in Japanese hostess bars.
After drinking a bit, Alex and I went to his apartment to sleep. His place was basically a single room, not bigger or nicer than what's you'd get in, say, a Holiday Inn. Yet, the place went for roughly 3000$ a month! That's way more expensive than Vancouver or even New York. One funny thing about apartments in Hong Kong: they don't have heating. Since their winters are short and mild, they simply don't bother with the expense of putting in heating systems. I was sleeping on the floor in a sleeping bag that night and I found it pretty cold, though!
Hong Kong is a bit like Asia's New York: lots of people, lots of capital, lots of skyscrapers. People in Hong Kong are colder than in New York: even those who are supposed to be courteous to you (e.g., clerks in commerces where you buy things) don't give a shit about you. That impression might partially be due to the language barrier. Also, people in Hong Kong don't seem to have the same level of cultural, fashion and educational sophistication that you would find in Manhattan.
In Hong Kong, I saw long line-ups to get in stores such as Louis Vuitton and Gucci. I'd personally go in one of the street markets and buy rip-offs if I wanted such items. One nice thing I saw were Wi-Fi enabled phone booths. Another thing I'd never seen before was currency bills printed by private corporations. The first time I withdrew money from an (HSBC) ATM, I got HSBC bills. At first, I was wondering what kind of funny money I got. It turns out that money issued by private banks is common here. I wonder how the monetary policies work at a macro-economic level in Hong Kong.
In Hong Kong, there are tons of people from the Philippines and Indonesia. They come to work as maids and nannies. They get way better salaries this way than degree-bearing professionals would in their home countries.
During my second night, I met up with Alex (a guy I went to college with). We went out to a couple of pubs. This is where I noticed another phenomenon that was new to me. In pubs and bars, Filipinas are hired to dance and socialize with patrons. The logic is that if patrons are having fun, they'll stay longer and buy more drinks. The ladies will be all friendly with you and subtly make you buy drinks. They'll then drink some, flirt with you and might give some of their drinks to the more sober men in order to get them to become better customers. Some women even go in bars where they don't work, start talking to men and tell them they want to go with them to this super cool place (which happens to be where they are working) in order to get more commissions. I found the whole thing very interesting. It's a bit reminiscent of hostesses in Japanese hostess bars.
After drinking a bit, Alex and I went to his apartment to sleep. His place was basically a single room, not bigger or nicer than what's you'd get in, say, a Holiday Inn. Yet, the place went for roughly 3000$ a month! That's way more expensive than Vancouver or even New York. One funny thing about apartments in Hong Kong: they don't have heating. Since their winters are short and mild, they simply don't bother with the expense of putting in heating systems. I was sleeping on the floor in a sleeping bag that night and I found it pretty cold, though!
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