Vancouver

My time in New Zealand came to a sudden end and before I knew it I was off on my flight to Canada! I was absolutely dreading the long haul flight. I really stuggle to sleep on them usually, only this time I was fortunate! 7 hours of the 13 hour trip I managed to snooze - this was a big WIN!

My arrival into Canada had me FREAKING OUT. I knew when I landed it was only minutes before I would be passing immigration and having to explain my situation for the next 2 years. Did I have all my documents? Would immigration grant me a work permit? What do I say? Where do I go? Despite the nerves and the anxious sweats, the process was extremely smooth. I was greeted by a lovely man with a strong Canadian accent. He asked me several questions in which I answered honestly and he granted me an odd looking piece of paper...my work permit! Yipee!

The next few days were spent having a look around vancouver, sorting out my social insurance number and dumping my winter luggage/clothes in storage in preparation for Mexico.

I was fortunate enough to have had a lovely roomie at my hostel. Millie, from the UK was also commencing her travels in Canada and plans to enjoy the winter season in Canada also. We helped each other out a lot, explored the city, swam in glacier water, watched an ice hockey game of the Canucks vs the Calgary Flames and spent lots of time in waiting rooms sorting out our social insurance numbers and bank accounts!!! We did it though!

Vancouver was beautiful, the mountains, trees and unique buildings were gorgeous! However I can confidently say the city life is not for me. I felt the constant urge to explore outside the busy city life, it's crazy expensive and victims of drug abuse on the streets were not very attractive qualities about the city. Despite this, I still had a great time and got everything sorted that I needed to.

My flight out of Vancouver via Dallas to Mexico was cancelled and I therefore missed my connecting flight. This was a nightmare in itself. How could they only tell me 5 hours before my flight? How do I get to Mexico? I have no where to stay if I have to stay in Vancouver another night? What the heck am I gonna do? I was fortunate to have very lovely friends that were looking out for me during this time. Stressed and anxious Teags isn't too pleasant to deal with. My family were asleep and SUCK at answering their phones. So I was very grateful for my friends help.

Twelve hours delay, an 8 hour lay over in Mexico City (with two (random) Canadian ladies) in their airport hotel, I finally arrived in Cancun.