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There were two Korean girls sent to Canada by their father to study. He expected that after finishing their studies they will return home and have successful careers in Korea. The girls finished college, got jobs in Vancouver and became permanent residents of Canada. Their father was so depressed. Things didn't go according to his plan. The daughters felt guilty for their fathers depression. Sent him a ticket to Vancouver and enrolled him in a language school to learn English for one year. As his last day in Canada approached he told his daughters "I now know why you don't want to go back. It's okay. I understand now".
It was my last day and I felt so sad to be leaving. On the way back to BC from Alberta I was homesick and wanted to go home. I missed work. Having a regular routine and being surrounded by people who know me. On my last day however, I didn't want to leave. I fell in love with Canada. I wanted to make the most out of my last day. See my favorite park. See a few new sites. Take pictures of the cherry blossoms and see downtown Vancouver one
last time. I would LOVE to go back but it would be expensive to do this every year. And if I was going to spend that much money, half of me is saying that I should spend it to see another country. "Go to Europe! You might like it more!" And part of me is saying "There is no better place. You will only be disappointed if you go anywhere else thats not clean and stunning"
There's so much that I want to see in the world but I love Vancouver. I apologize for the cliche but it really felt like home! I felt that I belong there. It's the only place I've been so far that made me feel "This is me. I belong here." But I don't and it breaks my heart.
I went to Top of Vancouver. It's a revolving restaurant. Yes it is expensive but I thought it would be a perfect goodbye. You just have to blow your budget sometimes. I'm glad I made that choice. It was indeed perfect. The restaurant completes one revolution in 60 minutes. I did get a little dizzy at first. It was still daylight when I arrived.
Dark when I left. So I saw the city in different settings. The city looks so beautiful at night. The white tent that is Canada Place looks so lovely illuminated in blue. It is set against the harbor with its ships and ferry's. Further north you'd see the mountains. In the opposite side the skyscrapers look pretty when lit up.
Presents for family, colleagues at work and friends were bought the previous day. I maximized the 42KG allowance for check in baggage. Those 42KG were all presents for people back home! It's mostly just food that I bought from Costco and some clothes and shoes from Winners and the outlet stores in Queensborough. I've decided to be a little more generous this time because I felt so blessed. It's Filipino tradition to give presents and chocolates are expected when coming from the US, Canada, Europe and Japan. I also bought a lot of things that I was curious about. I've never had figs before so I bought some. The others were peanut butter, Nutella, cookies, toys etc. I was driven to the airport by the family that I went to Whistler park with. ALL of them came with me.
Queen Elizabeth Park
went here before going to the revolving restaurant.I really appreciated it because I was feeling so depressed to be leaving. Plus I had three suitcases a backpack and a big paper bag. I obviously needed help.
The attendant at the check in counter said I had too many carry on luggage and I had to leave one. The backpack, paper bag and small suitcase were my carry on. The two big suitcases with the presents I checked in. I said I'd leave the paper bag with two big toy trucks that I bought for my nephew. I said it but I didn't mean it! I brought those trucks with me inside anyway and hoped that that guy who said no won't be there in the departure check. He was there but he was far at the back. I think he saw me with the paper bag as I boarded the plane but he let it slide. I got those trucks from a second hand store for $4 each. I knew my five year old nephew would love them so I was willing to go through all that trouble.
I saw a vendo machine in the airport that sells Apple products. I wonder if the machine
Queen Elizabeth Park
went here before going to the revolving restaurant. drops the iPads to the bottom where you pick it up like the regular vendo machines. I didn't see anybody buying anything.
After 13 or 14 hours I was back in the Philippines. I've never been so sad to be back home. In fact I was devastated. It was so bad that I had to call friends to tell them how depressed I was. Canada showed me things that I can never have! Beautiful gardens that look manicured even when they're not. Cities that are unpolluted where you don't have to watch your back and put a lock on your backpack. Stunning scenery that changes with the season. Disciplined drivers. Shopping in outlet stores. Fair economic opportunities for everybody. You don't have to work that hard and have luck on your side all the time to live a comfortable life in Canada. Even people who work in McDonalds can buy a car!
I've always pictured my life here in the Philippines. That I'd grow old here. I longed to visit other countries but just for sightseeing. Canada changed that. I can't see myself living here anymore. Even being an ordinary person in Canada trumps being rich in the
Philippines. I know a lot of Filipinos would hate me for saying this but this is the truth to me. I never realized how poor we are and how difficult it is to survive in the Philippines until I went to Canada. Having money in a place where you don't feel safe, where it takes 45 minutes to drive five kilometers because of traffic and where the government cannot be depended on is not a desirable life to live. My dreams and goals have changed.
I don't know how yet but I need to leave. I need to find a way out soon.
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Tamandfamily
non-member comment
Fabulous experience!
Im so glad you had a wonderful time, but i go with... Dont stop there! There are si many anazing countries but see what countries the phillipines might have working holiday visa schemes with and apply. Ive lived in th UK and USA and back home in Aust now but wld happily mive anywhere for a try :) good luck and let us know how you go, tam