Week 7-8

Okay, so, I didn't update last week. The reason why is because nothing really happened... I simply went to work, had some chats with my coworkers and customers, and that was it. Only one big thing happened in the weekend, but I couldn't fill up the entire week with that, so I decided to wait and combine this one with last week. 

I'm sorry for that, but we have gotten to the point where I have actually seen most around Nanaimo. Somewhere this week I will find out more about the Canadian school system, hopefully. 

Sunday 25 October

Yeah, this was the one day during the week that something significant happened. We went to Tofino, which is a seaside place with a lovely beach! It was also a 3-hour drive, so it was somewhat stuffy in the car. 

On our way there, we stopped at a place they call "The Rocks." It's a river that's in between many mountains that cuts through the stone. You could adventure (parkour) your way towards the edges of the rock and see the waterfall. I didn't dare come too close to the edge, though, and a bunch of teenagers were in the way, so I couldn't get a good picture. I do have some pictures of the surroundings and rocks as I slowly jump my way to the water. (Don't know when I will upload those, though. Hopefully tomorrow)

Okay, so we first went to the beach near Tofino where a lot of surfers hung around. The waves weren't that impressive, but they were there. It was a nice walk across the beach and the weather was pretty okay considering it had been raining the days before.

And then we went to Tofino itself. It's a pretty small town actually with not a lot to do. We had lunch at a seaside restaurant and while we were sitting there, one of the rescue boats left. We had no clue as to what was going on, so after eating lunch we left again. 

While we were driving out of Tofino, an ambulance drove towards the harbour. Then, just as we left Tofino, another ambulance came blaring in. We drove by another two coming from nearby towns (nearby in Canada is really not all that nearby, though) on our way back to Nanaimo. We didn't find out why until we were home again.

Apparently a whale-watching boat sank near Tofino. Five people died and one is still missing. It was horrible. Here's the link to the news article if you want to find out more. They still don't quite know how the boat sank, but the water at the place where it sank could be unpredictable.

So, yeah, that's what happened... My thoughts go towards the families and loved ones of those who passed away. 

Tuesday 27 October

And then Tuesday was a normal day at work again.

We got a new coworker too! Apparently, somewhere last week when I was not there, another coworker got fired for talking back to the manager and refusing to do work like doing the dishes. Everyone was somewhat relieved to see her go, because she was lazy and would push the work onto other people.

Our new coworker is great, though! She is very willing to learn (I got to teach her some of the drinks too) and it's great talking to her! We have discussed a lot of things about travelling and school whenever there are no customers around. It's really nice.

Friday 30 October 

Working at the hospital again! I had a lovely chat with an old lady who needed help with adding milk and sugar to her coffee. She talked a bit about herself and what has been going on. It was a nice conversation. 

Also, they started selling poppies for Remembrance Day! Well, "selling." You actually donate money and take a poppy in return. It's a great concept! I might be spending my change on those and bring a whole bunch back home for souvenirs, because they're really pretty and I love the cause and idea behind it.

I will talk a bit more about Remembrance Day when it actually arrives on the 11th of November, so I'm just in time to experience that.

Also, they are way too nice to me at the Foundation. They already gave me my goodbye gift (because the manager was afraid she would forget to give it to me). It's so nice of them; I have to remember to hand them a thank-you card before I leave. The present was a travel mug, which I don't have yet, so I'm really happy with that! I'm really going to miss everyone there. They have all been threatening to kidnap me, because they don't want me to go home. 

Saturday 31 October

This was Halloween, Halloween, Halloween...

My first time celebrating Halloween and I did nothing about it! Yeah... Leah said the week before that we should carve a pumpkin at her home, but then I wasn't allowed to come again... soooo no pumpkin carving. Will and Aida don't participate in it, so no pumpkins there either. The sad thing was that we live in an apartment, and children don't trick or treat at apartments, so I got to see nothing of that either.

However! We did go to the Mall where children would trick or treat from 4 pm until 5 pm at the shops there. They were absolutely adorable! There were some really good costumes and some really cute ones and it was just so sweet to see! Lots of the shopkeepers were dressed up too. There was a guy dressed as Snow White and a girl as Pikachu, it was great! 

I'm sad I didn't get to do a pumpkin carving, but I at least saw children running around excitedly, high on a sugar rush. I tried taking some pictures, but I felt somewhat rude taking them, so there aren't much (and I think the ones I have are somewhat blurry).

Sunday 1 November 

The best thing about the first of November over here is that it's the day after Halloween. That means that all the candy in the stores is on sale for ridiculously cheap prices. So, you know, that's really lovely. It's like the sixth of December when stores are basically throwing pepernoten at your face to get rid of them.

Also, another great thing started this weekend, although it's not so great for the fish. That's right! The Salmon Run started! 

It's the time of the year when the salmon return to the river to lay their eggs and die in the process of doing so. It is a major attraction over here. 

We had to drive all the way to Victoria to get to the rivers where they spawn and see them swimming up. There weren't that many yet, but there were enough to take some pictures and film a bit too. I think the clips are clearer than the pictures (and hopefully you'll see those by tomorrow).

So, the salmon return to those rivers after four years swimming in the ocean. The females dig holes in the ground to lay their eggs. They lay a couple in one and then continue swimming upwards, digging more holes and laying more eggs along the way. They do this for up to ten days and then they die. The males swim around and fertilizes the eggs if the female allows them to come closer. Lots of seagulls watch the show happening and wait until they die, so they can have their food for the day. The rivers smell a lot like dead fish after about 2 weeks of this process. Generally, this continues until mid-December. 

So, yeah. That was it. Twelve more nights until my plane leaves...