TRAVEL // Hello Vancouver!

Hello there!

I'm here. It's official. It's crazy. It's weird. I still don't quite believe it. I am tired as hell. But I'm here and it's great.

Okay, you get the picture.

Yesterday I moved to Vancouver, from Essex in the UK (so reem right?) to study Chemistry at The University of British Columbia for a year. I have been planning this for so many months. Whether it was student finance, applying for a visa or choosing modules - it has been a long way coming. Although I knew for certain over a month and a half ago that I was definitely going, it has gone so quickly! I met up with lots of people, had my internship, worked Reading Festival and still worked in between.

I thought I'd do a little round up of the past week or so and here it is!

On Monday Chris had a little gathering at his house. I got to see lots of people and eat lots of food. He's planning to come over to Vancouver at some point in the next year (once he has a job - lucky graduate!) so that'll be lovely!

On Wednesday I saw the girls for one last night out. We went to The Lodge pub near Woodham and the food was so good (and cheap!) I had never been but definitely will again. Tasty food and cheap-ish drinks? What's not to love?!

The girls were super lovely and actually got me a cake! It was absolutely perfect and - fyi - if you ever get one of those cakes with a photo printed on it I declare they must be called 'face cakes'. It was so much fun choosing who's head to eat first.

 I then had my final shift at work! Clever me decided to work three days that week (after working all weekend at Reading and spending the two weeks earlier at my internship doing 9-5). May I say by Thursday I still had not started packing because I was working so much. Yes - I have forgotten a lot!

Finally, I left for the airport on Saturday. I had tried for ages to check in online to then find out that apparently my name is too long for the IT system - ridiculous! I then got to the airport to find there were no seats left on the plane apart from 1 middle seat (no thanks - all of this is not going to fit in a middle seat. We all know the middle seats are for children and I hate the awkward unspoken fight over ownership of the arm rests!) I had to pay to upgrade to extra legroom just to get an aisle seat (which I wouldn't have needed to do if I could have checked in online!)

Anyway - I then went for a lovely brunch with my parents before I headed off. The pub in the airport was so sweet and beautifully decorated. They were really flexible with the menu too - brilliant!

I then left my parents (in a very emotional state!) and caught my flight. It is very well be the best flight I have ever had. There was constantly food being given to us (and good food at that) and free drinks on board. I had the welcome cocktail and MAN did it have a kick to it. I'm pretty sure there was some gin in there somewhere.

I relaxed, watched some films, did some calculus and had a chat to the guy next to me who was flying for the first time. I actually wanted to have a full on mental breakdown on the plane but for his sake I kept it together and focused on my calculus. It was about half way through the plane that I decided this was all a horrible mistake and I am a terrible person and should never have thought about going but I think I'm over that now (I think!)

I got in late, found I had no bedding (they didn't get my order apparently) and got lost in my accommodation block 6 times in two hours. To put that into perspective - there are two blocks and that is it. I shouldn't have gotten lost once. Call me Lost Girl or something. If you want to get lost you know who to talk to! My accommodation is so sweet though and has it's own coffee shop and gym. What more do you need?

Today I just headed Downtown to get some shopping (and failed epically - if all else fails go to Walmart!). I found Sephora and Topshop though and they are both beautiful. I cannot wait to go - it's crazy! Vancouver (and UBC) are so gorgeous and I cannot wait to go and get some proper pictures. I have absolutely no cutlery, food or hangers right now so photography isn't my top priority but it will be asap!

So that has been this past week. I'm sorry for the essay but a lot has gone on in 7 days. And I mean a lot!

Disclaimer: I do not usually say the term 'reem' and was using it comically. If you thought I was using it seriously...well I wasn't!

Have you lived in/been to Vancouver? Are there any places I need to check out (I do need a nice cushion!)? Let me know!