Are You From Georgia?

Having been in the city for over a week now, I am becoming more familiar with the area and meeting neighbors. I have already had the opportunity to talk with a few individuals from West Africa and hoping to meet some more.

My accent has become a door opener to having conversations and making friends. It’s funny actually because I never really thought it was that bad. But I have been asked by more than one person if I am from Georgia.  One time I said “That’s funny I am from Georgia how did you guess that?”  They then kindly explained that I kinda sound like some of the woman of the show with the little girls doing beauty contest. That’s right folks some Canadians apparently think I sound like someone off of Toddlers and Tiaras.  Maybe Honey Boo Boo lol



It has rained a lot since I have been here but Monday we had beautiful weather and a group of us made our way to town to explore the city.  I rode on the Sea Bus over to Lonsdale Quay Market to have lunch. There I had some really good Sea Food Crowder and fresh baked bread. The market is pretty cool and has lots of international food choices.  

After Lunch we walked the sea wall a bit before heading to Stanley Park.  Stanley Park is a beautiful park that has large trees and vegetation. On some of the trails you can quickly forget you are in a city.  I did not have the time to bike through the park this trip but I will be headed back to bike it before I leave.    

Cherry Blossoms

Stanley Park Trail to Beaver Lake

Welcome to Vancouver

Since my last updated, I have left campus, been home, and am now in Vancouver. I have received my Visa!!! I was very excited to receive it! Goodbyes were said to new friends as we scatter to the Nations. This is my next leg of the journey and I will be here in Vancouver for a few months. 

While home I was going non-stop, I unpacked to pack again, had meals with lots of people, visited family and friends and I sat for my NCE National Counselor Exam (I PASSED)! 

Goodbyes are never easy but I was able to have some sweet ones. I had a bitter sweet send off from my parents and hope to see them come to visit in Abidjan within the next year or so. I love that my last Sunday in the States was Easter Sunday and enjoyed spending it with my Church Family.

 

At the airport in Atlanta I found favor with the man checking me in. You see packing for years oversea is not an easy task. Oh Noooo you see I packed and unpacked, then packed and unpacked again. Finally I got it down to 3bags and a carry on. Each bag could be 50pounds I used all 50 pounds, actually one of them was over.  However this man showed me grace and saved me $300!!! So that was an amazing start to the second leg of the journey.

After clearing customs in Vancouver, I was greeted by the smiling faces of those who will be my teachers for the next few months. They promptly took my bags and handed me a folder that had every I needed to find my apartment. This was my first assignment. I took a minute to catch my breath and then headed off to catch a train to another train, then walk to a bus, then be dropped off close to my new home, and then walk another block.  An hour later and a half later I was in my new apartment greeted by my roommate who arrived the day before.  The area where I am living is nice. I have a grocery store, drug store, farmers market, Starbucks and Mc Donald’s all with in short walking distance from my home.

The next day, I and the two other ladies here for training went out to explore the city. We hopped on a train to downtown Vancouver and walked the Sea Wall and visited Stanley Park. We had awesome sunny weather, this place is Beautiful! I love that almost everywhere I look there is water. 

Orientation started today. We had a good first day of classes and enjoyed getting to learn more about our teachers. We will be taken the week to get acquainted with the city and learn what goals the Urban Life team has for us! Exciting!