Canada

Well I made it to Canada and can definitely feel the differences between the US and Canada already! Wilbur my Lincoln limo driver dropped me off at LAX about 3 for my 5.55 flight! I checked myself and my bags in and then thankfully made it past security although it was a bit of an experience when a security guard is yelling at you to remove your jumper and shoes!! My flight was delayed so I had to hang around till 6.30 and then it was time for Canada! The flight was pretty boring but all went well until immigration at Vancouver International Airport! I got a bit of a fright when the immigration lady told me I needed a study visa for UVIC!! I said I didn't and she just kept repeating you do. I stood there in silence for what seemed like forever not knowing what to say until luckily I was saved by another immigration officer who laughed and said just stamp her passport and let her in she is fine!! Phew!! After a bit of a walk around the airport I finally found Gem back at Arrivals, she was having a bit of a nap on the chair and didn't see me come in! We then went to Downtown Vancouver where gem had booked us in for the night staying at Hi Hostel. It was more like a hotel than hostel, the beds are very comfy, rooms bigger than a standard uni dorm and pretty cheap phone and internet usage! Sadly last night they were full so we had to take a very very short walk (directly opposite) to the Same Sun hostel.... Only problem is only a co-gender room was available. It was a bit squishy and not as stylish, kind of screamed 13 dollar a night Melbourne backpackers to me but a room was a room. The whole place was painted in bright and various colours which made it look a little tacky too! Turns out we were sharing with a hippy lady from Wales who was visiting her son as he had been in Canada for 14 months working! The disturbing thing is they BOTH slept NAKED. I don't have any hostel experience so maybe this is a normal thing, I don't know but either way it sure did broaden my horizon's pretty quick!! We are now booked in at what I call "Hi home" for the next 6 night which I am thankful for!