People, bars, nature, and Vancouver

Today is Monday and I have been here for a week now.

The language school looks pretty nice from the inside and is much smaller, more exciting, and funnier than I expected. Since classes only go until 12 o'clock every day, I have the afternoons free.

To give a brief summary of the past week, I will simply share some experiences from each day.

On Monday, I took a walk with Aneesha around a few blocks in North Van to enjoy the view of downtown and the houses in the neighborhood.

On Tuesday, Aneesha, a friend, and I strolled around Stanley Park, but we only saw a small part of it. Stanley Park is a huge green park right in Vancouver by the water.

On Thursday, I had very interesting conversations with some language students after class. Later, I attended a contemporary dance class at Harbour Dance Centre, with two other girls from the language school. I really liked the dance school and I will go there more often.

On Friday morning, after school, I was asked to come to a karaoke bar as it was the second-to-last day for the Spanish-learning Japanese guy. I was surprised by the time of this planned activity but went anyway. Contrary to my expectations, the dubious karaoke bar was not an actual bar but a room equipped with a table, benches, and a TV. From our room, we could hear the singing from the other 5 rooms, and it was quite funny to hear Korean and Japanese pop songs that I couldn't read or understand the lyrics of. Of course, we also sang Spanish and English songs. After our time was up, we decided to have Mexican food at Chepottle and then go to Cambies, a bar. Interestingly, I met a boy there who had checked my host family for future language students on the day of my arrival. Everyone danced a bit and went to another bar, but I had to catch the last bus eventually. During a conversation with a boy from North Vancouver on the bus ride back, I realized how nice, open, and friendly some people are here. He also told me that he and his older sister dance almost every day. Older sisters are indeed the coolest role models! ;) In the end, despite the unlit, pitch-dark street, I made it back home safely without encountering any bears.

On Saturday morning, I went to a mall with Aneesha and we had a delicious coffee at Tim Hortons, the cheaper Canadian version of Starbucks. In the afternoon, I met the Spanish-learning Japanese guy again to learn Spanish and say goodbye. In the evening, Aneesha and I went to a bar with some friends, including a Swiss couple. The evening ended up in a club, and when we finally arrived at Richie's house, one of the friends, I preferred a bonfire and good conversations over sleeping on a gross, smelly, cold sofa.

On Sunday, Aneesha, Richie, another friend, and I went out for sushi (sushi (yes fresh) is so cheap here everywhere) and then walked around Lonsdale Quay. From there, we had a great view of Vancouver's skyline on a sunny day.

So far, I have met many nice people and only explored downtown Vancouver and its bars. This week, I might visit some tourist and non-tourist spots and go hiking.