Day 46

Something strange happened today at CSLI. I had asked for change my afternoon course, because I thought that 6 weeks in the conversation course was enough time, but I wanted to continue in my morning course (listening, with Sara). When I told it to the front desk staff they answered me that they had grammar courses full, so I had to wait until they find a vacancy for me.
Yesterday Tanya told me that she had a vacancy in her class, so it was great. But (and here is the confusing part), when I arrived at CSLI today, in the morning, Tanya was waiting me in her class. Then I went to the front desk to talk with Erika, and she explained me that I could go to Tanya's class in the mornings and continue with my listening course (with Sara as well) in the afternoons.
Now I have a lot of new classmates, what it's great, because I love meeting new people (overall if they are from different countries).

After school I went with many people of the school to "Fright Nights" in P.N.E. (Pacific National Entertaiment). PNE is an amusement park with special decoration and atractions for Halloween. Some of my friends were concerned because they didn't know if it was going to be very scaring or even gruesome, but actually it wasn't. Anyway, I enjoyed it and I recommend you to go there; the fun is guaranteed.

Day 45

This is the third time I try to write something about yesterday. I don't know why, but it's like my inspiration had gone.

But don't worry about, nothing bad is happening to me, everything is ok: I'm not starving, I haven't become in a villain that kill innocent ewes, I still have two legs (they didn't sever any of them)...

So don't care about that, I think I will recover my creativity sooner than later.

Day 44

One half of my trip here has already gone.

Yesterday I didn't do anything. I just was home, very cozy, talking with my friends by internet. I thought to go to the Brazilian Film Festival, but I finally rejected that idea on the grounds the movie didn't look very interesting.

This week I want to start to eat more vegetables and fruits, because I think that eating so much meat and rice is a threat to my health.

Day 43

In the neighborhood around Commercial Drive there are a lot of people from many different countries and they decided celebrating a party between everybody. For a few hours, the traffic is stopped in that street and people can leave the promenade to take the road. It's called "Parade of the Lost Souls".

I went with some of my friends. There were a lof of people (some of them wearing costumes) and a very big differences with this kind of parties in Spain: you could see almost nobody sluring, because they didn't sell alcohol (I think that drinking in the street is outlawed here, even in this kind of events).

I liked very much this party. There were different performances at the same time: brazilian bands playing samba, people playing malabars with fire, a shadow teatre... And also they decorated the zone. They were some charity advocates too, collecting donations.

I think it's a very nice idea share different music, perfomances and life ways in the same party. I hope that they would continue organizing it for many years.

Day 42

Friday in CSLI means "special activities". This week, as I told you yesterday, I went to buy stuffs for my costume. I decided be "the front desk of CSLI", so I'm gonna wear a cardboard box, with the CSLI's logo and some decoration.

Also I bought a halloween tie and something to make me up. I don't want to dare to do it on my own, so possibly I'll ask for help for the make up. The teachers in CSLI are true blue and I think that they'll be able to help me.

After the lunch we saw a movie. We could choose between "The Strangers" (a scary movie) or "Monsters House" (animation movie), and I chose the first one. It was ok, but not really good.

This weekend (and also next week) there are a lot of activities relationed with Halloween in Vancouver: Fright Nights in PNI, haunting houses, the train in Stanley Park, a Parade in Commercial Drive... Definitively, this week is not time to be glum.

Day 41

Yesterday was the first day of the "writing club" in CSLI. I am very glad, because we were seven people and Christine gave us a very interesting begining for the story. I think it's gonna be funny.

Alvin got free tickets for a movie pre-opening again, and gave us them. I took 4 tickets, to invite some of my friends. I went with Vanessa, Jannie and Marcelo. The movie was ok, but it was British (with british accent, british vocabulary and people gabbing very fast), so actually I didn't understand some dialogues.

Next Friday is the CSLI Halloween Party and we are obliged to wear a costume, so today I'm signed in an activity for prepare my costume. I'm not sure what costume I'm gonna wear yet, but I think it's not gonna be very scaring, so people aren't gonna shoo from me when they would see me.

Day 40

I have just finished my "quarantine".

Actually I think that nothing uncanny happened today. I was very tired after my birthday shindig, so it was a very quiet day.

The most interesting thing was that I participed in a Grammar Contest in CSLI. It was preatty difficult, even some people was stressed, but you that my nerves aren't shot easily. However, I still have to improve my grammar skill, and I only answered correctly 18 of the 30 questions (enough to pass, but not really good).

Also Erika (one of the workers in the front desk) told me that finally I can sign up for the TESOL program, but I'm gonna have to make extra-homeworks to compensate the last week (when I'm not gonna be here yet).

Day 39 (My birthday)

Yesterday was my birthday, so the writing was in the wall: I had to celebrate it.

I brought a couple of portions from my birthday's cake to the school. They didn't believe that I made it, so I want to think that it was because the taste was very good ;)

After school I went to dinner to "Cafe Crêpe" with some of my friends. I don't want badmouth that restaurant, but there was a couple of things that I disliked:
- They have a new rule that says that you have to spent, at least, 7 dollars if you want to sit down. Actually is not very hard (one crepe or sandwich and one drink is more than $7), but I don't like that kind of rules.
- When we arrived we were 11 people and the waiter set a table for us, but later came 4 more people and the waiter told us that he couldn't give us more chairs because that table was only for 8 people. So we had to seat in two different tables (and the second one wasn't near from the first one).

With our stomachs already full, we left the restaurant and took a bus to go to Granville Island. There we drank a couple of beers each one (very cheap, only $3 each beer) and we spoke and laughed a lot. Don't worry, I didn't get hammered.

I wanted to go dancing too, but when we went arrived downtown again it was 10 p.m. and we decided to go home. Whatever, thank you very much to all of my friends for come, and thank you very much for the presents that you gave me. It was a very nice birthday.

Day 38

I was a "host student" in my school today. I arrived the school one hour earlier to explain to new students how everything works in CSLI, and help then in their first day. Actually it's a cushy job. I met Artem, from Russia. He was a little shy in the morning, but in the afternoon I could talk more with him, and he looks friendly.

In the afternoon I went to all classrooms in CSLI to talk students about the "writing club". Some of them were nodding while I was talking, so I hope that, at least, a few people will join in this activity.

I celebrated my birthday home. I thought they liked the food carried out by me, so it wasn't so bad. They also put some candles in the cake I cooked and they sang me "Happy Birthday". It was a very nice dinner.

Day 37

I continued relaxing today. In the morning I was designing some thing with "photoshop", and in the afternoon I cooked the dinner for tomorrow.

First I had to go to buy the ingredients. It wasn't easy, because I go to a chinese supermarket (it's cheaper than others) and a lot of things have the description in chinese.

Actually it was a hard evening. I had a problem preparing the "gazpacho"; I don't know why, but the liquid started to escape from the blender's jarret. For one moment I was crippled by the fear, because I thought that I had broken it, but fortunately I could fix it later. While I was cooking, the kitchen sink get blocked and I had to claw into to take off the left-overs that didn't let pass the water. Also I had to improvise with the "meat bowls", because I didn't find grated bread in the supermarket and I had to do it on my own. I had problems even with the cake.

At least everything has good aspect, so there is still a silver lining to suceed with the dinner.

Day 36

This weekend I'm just relaxing, to revitalize myself before my birthday.

Yesterday I went with Paul, and the others household members, to a "harvesting party" in an anglical church. It was a potluck party, so we brought some salad, bread and one cake. It was the first time I went to this kind of party and I liked it. Maybe I'll do it in my home for "New Year Eve", when I return to my country.

We have a new homestay student. His name is Pedro and he comes from Brazil. And tomorrow is going to come another one: Raad, from Saudi Arabia. This house is going to appear a UNO meeting.

Day 35

Finally golfing activity felt through because of the weather. Instead we went to play "commodore", a popular canadian sport. Is very similar to "bowling", but with some differences.
- The ball is smaller and without holes.
- There are only 5 bowls, and each one has differents scores.
- Each round you have 3 chances to hit all bowls.

I'm not very good (similar than playing bowling), but it was very funny. Also in this bowlarama I saw, for first time since I arrived in Vancouver, I saw a foosball machine. Possibly, one of the most popular spanish inventions.

Yesterday Paul asked us if someone wanted to move to a new bedroom downstairs. At the beginning I wasn't sure about what to do, but finally I decided to rule this option out, because I'm fine in my bedroom now.

Day 34

Yesterday was Fernanda's birthday. After the school I went with her, Selina (South Korea) an Christine (Germany) to dinner in Library Square (Han su joined us later). It is a nice pub, not very expensive and also with friendly waitresses. I think that probably I will go again other day.

We were watching the Ice Hockey Game on the TV (Canucks won with a gold-goal at extra time). We also were speaking about the relationship of South Korea with North Korea, China and Japan. You know that I want to work in a embassy, so this conversation was very interesting for me. Selina (her name in korean is Hyun Sook, but I never pronunce it well) and Han Su teached us a little of korean language, and I think it's probably easier than japanese or chinese, but whatever is very hard for me.

After the dinner we met Alma and Yasmin and we went to AuBar. We had signed up in the website to enter free in the bar, but finally we had to pay (later Fernanda tried to prompt them to give back our money, and they gave her free tickets for other Thursday). My friends told me that they think I dance very well. Maybe, if I need money, I could get a job like dancer in a night club. I haven't "work visa", but they could pay me under the table.

At about 9.30 (2 hours and a half after entry) I felt a little sick and I went my home. I suposed I looked ghastly, because all of my friends asked me if I felt ok.

Today I'm signed up to play golf, but it's raining and I'm not sure if we really are going to go.

Day 33

I feel under the weather today. I have being felt dizzy all the day. Maybe I am catching a cold.
In fact, I wanted to go with Marcelo to see the Giants (ice hockey) today, but finally I decided to come home and relax.

Tomorrow is Fernanda's birthday and we are gonna celebrate it after the school, dinning and dancing. I live in the suburban outskirts of Vancouver so I'm gonna stay downtown until the dinner. It means that my next entry in this diary is gonna be on Friday morning, before go to my Friday activity (this week I have signed up to play golf).

I think I have no more information to give you today. Have a good night and be happy.

Note: to do it more challenging, from today I'm gonna try, at least, 3 new words or expresions each day.

Day 32

Like I expected, I didn't have internet in the Rockies. And yesterday, when I arrived home, I was too much tired to write anything. So, sorry for the inconvenience.

The trip was great. The landscapes are very beautiful. I can't describe them with words, so if you wanna know how wonderful are they you must enter in my picassa album, where I am uploading all the pictures I took. Also I knew new friends from other schools. Actually, it was an amazing weekend.

Yesterday was the "Thanksgiving Day" in Canada. I hoped be at home, but when I arrived they had already taken the dinner. Whatever, they saved some food for me, and I liked it a lot.

Last weekend, while we were in the bus, I talked with Marcelo about literature, because he also like writing. So today we talked with Christine (one teacher of CSLI) to propose her creating a "writing club" in CSLI. Maybe she can give us a sentence each week and we would write a short story starting with this sentece. I think it could be funny and, at the same time, a good way to practise english.

I am spending a big chunk of the nest egg that I tucked away the last two years, but I am sure that I am using this money very well.

Day 27

I'm gonna go to the Rocky Mountains this weekend! Yesterday I was talking with Marcelo, and he told me that he was gonna go there, with Louanne (I don't know if it is the correct spelling), Olga and Fernanda. I thought that it was a great opportunity, because we haven't classes next Monday (it's Thanksgiving Day), so on that moment I called Club ESL and I yanked the last place for the travel to the Rocky Mountains.
It wasn't easy, because I had to pay before 5 pm, and I didn't got enough money in my wallet. So at 4 pm I ran to my homestay to take money and I went back to downtown. I arrived in the agency just in time, and finally I could sign up.

After that, I went to take a soft drink with other classmates in "Malones" (the bar is nice, and the waitresses are very kind, but the manager is very rude) and later we went dancing to "AuBar". Petr (a man from Czech Republic) achieved free tickets for everybody (I don't know how he did it). In the Night Clubs in Vancouver is not allowed smoking, and I like it because in this way you haven't got this pungent odor in your clothes when you return to your house.

I have just uploaded more pictures. There are not so much, but be patience, next week I will upload my pictures from the Rocky Mountains ;)

PS: I supose that in the Rocky Mountains I won't have internet, so I will write again on Monday.

Day 26

Amazing!! The Spanish Day was succesful!!!

Finally 17 people joined in the lunch. I think the food was incredibly good (I'm sticking to my guns about this), and we had enough for everybody and even to give a little to the school's staff.

In the afternoon's break time we organized a running of bulls. Most of the school students came near to the kitchen, and then we gave them newspapers or papers to roll it. I explained them how to act in the running of bulls, and after to sing to "San Fermin", the bulls appeared. Unfortunately, I think that people didn't understand me, because most of them stayed, quiet, in the hallway, when it's supposed they had to run before and beside the bulls. Anyway, people laughed a lot, and this is what we wanted.

After that, we went to the hall, for a little demostration of bullfighting (a lot of people was shocked when I told then that the bull dies), and a spanish dance class too. In this class we taught them how dance "La Macarena", "Aserejé" and "Paquito Chocolatero". Only a few people danced with us (included the teacher Kara), but everybody was clapping and enjoying the songs. Possibly they thought that we went nuts when they saw us dancing, but it was very funny.

So thank you very much to people who joined us, and overall to the others spanish in the school. In the beginning they weren't very sure if we can do a great party, but we did it!!!

Day 25

Today was the "Spanish Day Eve". We went to buy the food for the lunch and after that we were cooking in the CSLI's kitchen, for 4 hours. We found a cheaper supermarket not very far from the school, so we needed less money than we expected to buy the food. Then we decided buy more food to prepare a dessert too.

We have cooked 4 spanish omeletes, a lot of gazpacho (I don't exactly how much, maybe 2 or 3 liters) and "milky rice" yet, but we still have to prepare the "pan tumaca" tomorrow, before the lunch. I also made some costumes (with plastic glasses and garbage bags) to dress ourselves like bulls. I think the spanish day is gonna be funny, and everybody is gonna be mesmerized. But people should be careful in the running of bulls if they don't wanna be dragged by the bulls ;)

Tomorrow I'm gonna take my camera and my videocamera too, so I hope can show later how the spanish day was.

Day 24

My fourth week at CSLI has started.

Rachael wasn't in the school today and Tanya teached us in the afternoon. She is very kind too, but possibly she has any mental problem, because she told us that she likes english grammar :P
Excluding that, there was nothing to write home about.

At 4.00 pm I went Metrotown with some friends. I wasn't sure at all to go, because women shopping usually drive me up the wall, but I wanted to buy something too, so I went with them. There I bought a black sweater, for $25. There are nice prices, so maybe I will go back other day to buy more things (I need to buy trainers).

Day 23

This Sunday was a funny day.

I went with Gema and Rocío to "Tapono Restaurant". This is a japanese restaurant with an "all you can eat" menu. We spent about 2 hours to square away our lunch. I think that we asked for almost all the plates in the menu, we turned crazy the waitres, because we called him many times to bring us more food. We laughed so much than we ate. It was very funny, food was very good and it wasn't expensive (12.85 each one, plus taxes).

After that, we went to BC Place, to see the "Snow Show", but there weren't tickets. Then we walked to a cinema, but it was expensive, and we decided not to enter. So we thought going to a music store in Robson. It is amazing! They have a lot of music and movies, and everything is quite cheaper than in Spain!! I thought that my eyes were playing tricks on me when I saw the prices. I bought two films (Frequency and Fallen) for only $10.08 (taxes included). If anyone of you want a CD, please send me an e-mail with the name of the album and the author, and I will try to find it for you.

I'm tired, so I'm gonna go sleeping. See you tomorrow!

Day 22

Last night I went to take a ride. When I arrived the meeting point nobody was there. I was waiting for 20 minutes, then I thought that my friends stood me up and I went the Skytrain Station, to go home again. However, when I was almost entering the train, Gema called me. Just in time.

We (Gema, Rocío and me) went to "The Red Room", in Richard Street. We had to wait for one hour to entry. Meanwhile, we were playing "I see, I see", in English. Inside we found Macarena and more people from our school (Rafael, Amanda, Maria Luisa...). We were dancing until 2.30 am, and I enjoyed it a lot.

I start to think that the high alcohol prices are a precaution to make the people drink less. In fact, yesterday I did't say anybody sottish in the disco (in Spain always there are a few people very drunk in pubs).

Today I was spent, and I passed all day at home, lying and resting. I saw "Star Wars: the attack of the clones" in DVD. I proposed my friends go to the cinema, but finally we're gonna go tomorrow (or maybe not, I'm not sure).

Day 21

I have already completed 3 weeks living in Vancouver! I think it's gonna be dificult for me say goodbye when and I will have to go back to Spain.

This morning was a little hard, because I had to face the music for go out yesterday. I went the Vancouver International Film Festival with the school. We saw "Borealis", a documental about a huge forest in Canada. The director (who is the main character too) is a little crazy, and the film has many funny moments. I liked it.

I'm tired, but I ain't gonna throw the towel. Just now I'm gonna take the skytrain, because I have a meeting with Rocío, Gema y Alma. A big night is waiting for me.

Day 20

Yesterday was a normal day.

The most interesting thing that happened yesterday is that all spanish students en CSLI (except Sandra) went to dinner together. It was a goodbye dinner for Macarena and Veronica, who graduates today. We ate crêpes, and it was a nice dinner.

After that, Macarena and Veronica proposed go to a disco, but almost everybody went to their homes. Only Veronica, Macarena and me went dancing. I arrived home about at 3 o'clock. Now it's about 9 am. If you put two and two together, you will understand that I am still a little sleepy and I don't remember anything else to tell you. I promised yesterday to take a ride tonight again, so I think tomorrow I'm gonna need to sleep a lot.

Have a good day.

Day 19

I ate "serrano" ham!! I went to one restaurant to buy a sandwich for my luch, and they had sandwiches with "prosciutto and cheese". Obviously, I took one.

Talking about more interesting things, today I could solve my money problem. My parents sent me money by Western Union and now I have enough cash for many days. I'm wealthy again ;)

Paul arrived last Monday, and yesterday he gave us t-shirts from France. I like very much my t-shirt, and I have worn it today.

In CSLI, one of the teachers gave one of my friends a heads up, because he listened her talking in her own language in the school.

Tonight I'm gonna dinner in Downtown with mexican and brazilian people, and after that maybe we'll go to a disco, but I'm not sure. I asked Rachel if she wanted to come with us, but she refused. I think it is because she is too old to keep our time :P*

*Rachel: I'm just kidding. Don't shout me when you read it ;)

Day 18

It wasn't a very good day.

At noon only 5 people had signed up for the spanish lunch, and we decided to delay it one week. We prefered doing our peculiar party (with running of bulls included) this week, because next week Macarena and Veronica are not gonna stay here, but we had to alter our plans.

In the afternoon I visited a chinese store inside chinese garden, in Chinatown. They had a lot of beautiful things, but the prices were very highs.

Before arrived in my home, I tried to take money from an ATM... but I couldn't. The ATM refused my card, and now I have to wait until tomorrow to talk with my bank in Spain and try to get any solution. I wanted go dancing tonight, but after that I decided stay at home and keep the cash, because it could be necesary for me next days.

Day 17

Today I passed for all classes in CSLI to tell everybody that this Wednesday there is a Spanish Day in the school. I think people is interested in participate, but I am not sure. Fernando is very stubborn and said he's not going to dance.

I bring my "diabolo" to the school and I was teaching how to use it to some people. Selina learned very fast (she had never tried it, and in half hour she learned how to do 2 tricks). Maybe I would take it more days.

After the school I went with Gema and Rocio to buy things for the Spanish Day, and after that we walked by Gastown.

Tomorrow is gonna be a industrious day, because we have to preparate all for the Wednesday's party. I hope a lot of people would sign up for the lunch.

Note: from today, I'm gonna try to use each day, at least, 2 words that I have learned since I am in Vancouver.

Day 16

I woke up early, about at 9.30 am, and I talked with my parents by Skype. I love this system, because I could talk with them 54 minutes for only one euro.

About at noon I went to Downtown, to do a sightseeing with Almudena y Fernando. We walked around Downtown, from Canada Place to English Beach, everytime by the shore. I liked specially Pacific Boulevard, where you can walk very near to the ocean (even I put my hands in the water).

Vancouver is a really beautiful city. I think I'm gonna enjoy walking across it the next two months.

Day 15

Yesterday I arrived in my home at midnight and today I was been out of my home, so now I have to tell you what I did all the weekend.

Yesterday I went to Victoria. I was near to lose the bus, because I made a mistake setting the alarm in my watch, and I had to run and take a taxi. But finally, I get it.

I liked the travel, but I think that is very expensive. Maybe, if I would have to travel Victoria again, I would go by my own, without a travel agency.
In Victoria I saw the Royal BC Museum and a IMAX film (about dinosaurs), and I walked along the port. I liked the Museum a lot, because it has a very good ambientation for each collection. I took a lot of pictures.
I thought go to see whales, but I had to paid 80$ more and I decided don't go.

Two spanish girls went to visit a castle, in Victoria. That castle appears in the TV show "Smallville" and in some movies too (for example, in X-Men).

In the ferry, when we were coming to Vancouver, I was talking a little with a man from U.S.A. I think I'm improving my english, because he understood me well and I understood him too.

Day 14

Amazing!! This is the word that better describe my day.

In the morning, I went to the Graduation Party in a boat. Like others weeks, they gave the certificate to all people who graduated today. But I didn't know that they gave too a medal to the better student of each class, and I have won one!!!! It was for my participation in the Listening and Pronunciation course, in the morning, with Sara. It was a surprise for me, so I am very happy.

The party started after "the graduation ceremony". We danced a lot and I enjoyed it very much. You can see party's pictures in my picassa album.

In the afternoon I went to book my travel to Victoria (tomorrow I have to wake up about at 5.45 am) and after that I went to Stanley Park with Almudena and Fernando. Almudena rented a bike, but Fernando and me prefered to take rollerblades. It was very funny, because I haven't practised it so far, and the first 15 minutes I had to do serious efforts to not fall down (Almudena took some pictures and videos). Fortunately, after that, I remembered how to use the rollerblades correctly.

And tonight, for dinner, I have gone a chinese restaurant with Alvin, Amos and Jun. They gave us one "lucky cookie" for each one. My lucky cookie said: "Seize from every moment its uniqueness, especially this week". I am surprised, because this is a perfect advice for me now.

Day 13

Hi guys!!

Last night I cooked the dinner. I had a problem with the skillet and the ommelette didn't look very well, but her flavour was ok. I couldn't cook "pan tumaca", because we hadn't bread.

Rachel corrected my diary (the first 8 days) and I had mistakes, but not a lot. I am happy about this :). I hope to remember my mistakes to not repeat them in the future.

Today was the brazilian lunch at CSLI, and it was the first time I tried brazilian food. I liked it very much, overall the "strogonof" (I got the recipe and I will try to do it in Spain). After that, I joined in a "samba class". It was very funny.

My school has prepared a Graduation Party for tomorrow. This party is gonna be in a boat. It looks amazing. I am sure that I'm gonna enjoy it.

On Saturday I hope can go to Victoria, with Macarena, Almudena y Fernando. I tried to find the travel agency this afternoon, but I didn't. Tomorrow I'm gonna try it again.

Day 12

I'm sorry, but nothing really interesting happened today.

Yesterday I went to a disco in Davie street, with Macarena (spanish), Cheque (mexican) and Amanda (brazilian). We was dancing all the time, since 10 p.m. to aproximately 2 a.m. I had to pay 10$ to entry and 6,75$ for my beer. Also, I paid 18.75$ more for the taxi. I enjoyed dancing but, definitively, go dancing in Vancouver is very expensive.

Finally the spanish lunch at CSLI is gonna be on next Wednesday. On Monday we want to announce it to everybody, and on Tuesday we're gonna cook almost everything in the school's kitchen.

I'm gonna cook the dinner tonight, with Spanish Ommelette. I hope that they like.

Maybe tomorrow would be a more exciting day. That's all folks.

Day 11

Hi friends, how are you? One more day, here I am to tell you how was my day.

Yesterday I tried Philipine food for first time, and I liked it. The main plate was a portion of beef with bacon cooked inside aluminium paper in the oven. Delicious.

Actually, I haven't very interesting things to tell you today. I have eaten again in a mexican restaurant, I have decided to do the spanish lunch at CSLI next week with the others spanish people and I have defeated a korean guy playing ping-pong.

After dinner (today is the turn for Amos and his taiwanes food), I'm gonna go to dance with some friends in Downtown. I hope not come back very late, because tomorrow I have to wake up at 7.30 again.

Day 10

And now is the moment to tell you what I have done today.

At CSLI all continues perfect. Today I have tried a pre-cooked brick of macaroni with cheese for lunch. It wasn't delicious, but it was ok. This afternoon I have given to Rachel one copy of this diary, and she's gonna correct it. I am sure that this copy is gonna be full of red pen when she takes it back to me.

Four new spanish students have arrived to CSLI today and I have proposed to them (and to Macarena too) to make a spanish lunch at CSLI. Maybe we'll do it next week.

After school, I have gone with two of the new spanish students (Almudena and Fernando) to Gastown (a historic zone of Vancouver). Maybe you'll not trust me, but we have spoken in english almost all time. And I have taken pictures (you can see them in my picassa album). I have liked it very much.

Tonight Alvin is cooking a philipine dinner. I will tell you tomorrow how it was.

Day 9

Sorry. Yesterday I forgot to write in my diary. Today I'm gonna write 2 times: one time to speak about yesterday and another one to speak about today. It's good, becuase now I have the oportunity to write in past simple ;)

Yesterday, such as I do on Saturday, I stood at home. I went to have my lunch with my new korean homemate. After that, I saw another movie in english: Billy Elliot. It was a little harder than Minority Report, because this one had more dialogues, but I understood it quite well. For dinner, Jun cooked korean food and I liked it.

It is all I did yesterday. I think it's not enough for my diary, then I'm gonna tell you some curiosities about Vancouver:
- When you go to eat something to a restaurant, you have to pay your drink, but the water is free. You can drink all the water you want.
- They don't include taxes in the prices. If you see something whose cost is 1.99, possibly you must pay about 2.18$ to buy it.
- There are a lot of homeless; more than I expected. Overall in Hastings Street.
- People in Vancouver eat less fast food than I thought. Sometimes for lunch they eat a sandwich either a hamburguer, but they frequently cook for dinner.
- There is no only one color for taxis, such as in Zaragoza (white) or New York (yellow). Each company has her own color.

If I discover (or remember) more curiosities about Vancouver, I will tell you another day.

Day 8

Today I have stayed at home. Well, I have gone to a indian restaurant to lunch, and I've watched Minority Report (with audio and subtitles in english) this afternoon. This is all i've made today. And I don't recommend you indian food, I think it's too much spicy.

Hiroyuki has gone in the morning, and in the afternoon has arrived a new homemate: Jun Su (I don't if this is the correct form to write it). He comes from Korean, arrived Vancouver 3 weeks ago and he is gonna stay here for a complete year!!!

Tomorrow Paul is gonna go to Europe. He's gonna visit France, and it's possible he takes a car and he drives to Luxembourg and Belgium. During the next week, each night one of the homemates are gonna cook the dinner. I have to cook at wednesday, and I think I'm gonna cook a spanish ommelette.

My family has given me bad news. I will never forget you.

Day 7

Today I am not going to write a lot. I am going to give you the new webpage where I will upload all the pictures I will make. Now, there are about 30 photographs.

http://picasaweb.google.com/amenambar/Vancouver#

I only want to say that one hour and thirty minutes is not enough time to see Stanley Park. I will have to come back another day.

Tomorrow Hiroyuki comes back to Japan, and tonight he is going to make a japanese dinner for us. I am sure everything is going to be delicious.

PS: Anai appears in many pictures because she has forgotten her camera at home, and she has asked me if I could take picture for her with my camera and give her later.

Day 6

Today (as every thursday at CSLI) it have been a Graduation Day. A lot of people have been graduated today (almost 70, I think), and they have received their diplomas (yes, it is the same word we use in spanish, this isn't a mistake).

We have taken pictures in each course. I know you are waiting for pictures and today I am going to show you two I have taken today.

They are my classmates in the Listening and Pronunciation course. Sara (the third woman by the right, in the top line) is the teacher. I would like tell you the name of each one of them, but I only remember 3 or 4 of their names. In the top line: Go Ja, Daniel, Haryuko (I am not sure), --, Sara, Janie, Solange. In the bottom line: Jin Ju, --, me, --, Hyun Ju, --. If I remember their names later, I will complete the blanks.

And they are my classmates in the Vocabulary and Grammar course. I remember more names in this picture. In the top line: Johanna, Iovana, Solange, Julia, me, Rachel (the teacher), Tetsuya, --. In the bottom line: Miho, Hyun Ju, Jun, Deborah.

Every people in those pictures are very kind people.


After school, I had bought a mobile phone. I think it is cheap (55 CAD). And after that, in the evening, I have gone with my homestay family to see a movie in the theatre. We have seen the pre-opening of "My best friend's girlfriend". I am very happy, because I have understood better than I expected.

Tomorrow I gonna visit Stanley Park by bicicle. I hope we have good weather for this activity.

Day 5

Hello, one more day.

Step by step, I am starting to meet new friends. Today I went with Anai (from Mexico) and Macarena (from Cáceres, Spain) to take a soft drink after the school. They have introduced me Carlos (from Perú), and Daniel (from Mexico). They are nice people.
Also I have taken my lunch with Hiroyuki (from Japan), one of my homemates.

The courses are going very well. The first day at Listening and Pronunciation course we made an exercise to listen 2 news from the television, and I understood almost nothing. Today, we have heared other 3 news (from the radio, this time), and I have understood it preatty well.

This morning, at the same course, we have watched the second part of a episode of "Friends". It was so funny, because they watched the first part last week and I weren't here last week, but I remember what happened in the first part better than people who watched it last week. I knew one day all the time I spent watching Friends in Spain it's going to be useful ;)

Tomorrow I am going to go to the cinema, because my homestay family has free tickets. I think i am going to understand almost nothing, but it's a great oportunity to go to the cinema. I will tell you how it was.

I think it is enough for today. Have a good day and I will come back tomorrow. Bye.

Day 4

The titular for today is: I LOVE THE CSLI SCHOOL. The courses are very very funny, I am learning and I am meeting people from all around the world.

Today I have met many people. In the morning's brake I have been talking with a classmate, called Hussein, from Saudi Arabia, and we have talked about go to a disco this weekend. At lunch time there was a "mexican lunch", to conmemorate the Mexico Independence Day, and I talked with two mexican girls, called Anais and María Luisa.

In the afternoon class I have talked with two korean girls, but i can't remember their names. It's very dificult to me remember asian names (and many times, asian faces too).

Fridays we have outside activities during the class time. For this Friday I have joined in one to visit the Stanley Park by bycicle. And maybe, friday afternoon I will go to the aquarium with a spanish girl and two mexican girls.

I am very happy, and I expect it's going better day by day :)

PS: I haven't made any photos yet, but when I have some photos I will upload it to internet to you can see them.

Day 3

Today i have started my courses at CSLI. I have enjoyed this day, but it has been a hard day.

I haven't started my day well. I forgot where I must leave the bus, I passed my stop and I had to run back to the school. Fortunately, I arrived in time.

After sign in a few documents and a short presentation of the school, I have had to make a test. It isn't too dificult, but they give you a little time to make it. When I have finished it, a teacher had come to interview me. With the test and the interview, they have said to me that I have a middle level, and they have joined me in 2 courses: one listening and pronunciation course in the mornings, an another one for vocabulary and grammar in the afternoons.

I have enjoyed both courses (teachers are very nice people), but overall listening course is very hard. Also I have had to do some homework this evening at home (I have spent more than 2 hours to transcribe a 4 minutes audio).

Well, I don't remember anything else interesant to tell you. Maybe tomorrow I will be more inspirated.

Day 2

I am quite tired after a large day, but i try to write anything before go to sleep.

Yesterday I arrived Vancouver without troubles. I was tired due to the travel, and I went to sleep early (after talk a little with Paul and Alvin, my homestay family).

Today i woke around at 8.30. I have met Amos (one of the others students, from Taiwan) and Trevor (a Paul's friend). Later, we ate pancakes for breakfast (I had never eaten it and I like it very much), a they explain me the home rules. At 11.00 aproximately, Paul and Alvin came with me to Downtown, to show me the zone and where I have to take and leave the bus to go school tomorrow.

For lunch we have gone to a Sushi restaurant. It was delicious. And in the afternoon, I have gone shopping with them (but I didn't buy anything).

During (and after) the dinner I have talked to them about me, about my family and about why I choose Canada to study english. After that, I have shown them some photographs of my family and my home, and we were be talking for an hour (or more). I try to teach them how to play "guiñote", but it was late and I think they don't have understood me.

It is all for today. Goodnight!

Day 1

I had started my travel today. This is a large trip that is going to keeping me in Canada during eighty-five days.

I'd never thought i will fly to Canadá to learn english... just two months ago. Then my shoulder go out, i had a lot of time to think in my future, in my desires, in my dreams. I thought there's time to drive my life in another way, to do things that my job doesn't let me... such as go to another country to learn english.

First time i thought go to England. It is the nearest place to my home where i could learn this language as native. But i'm not sure at all, and i decided to ask my cousin, who was in England learning english some months ago. With her advices, and other from my parents, i chose Vancouver instead of England.

And now, one month and a half after that, here i am, flying over the Atlantic Ocean. This is probably the most important experience in my life. I can't believe it yet.

The aircraft is comfortable, but i haven't too much space to write on my laptop, then i stop for today. Tomorrow i will tell you how was my arrival at my new city... my new home... my new life.

PS: each airplane seat have a screen with a lot of music, films and tv programs. I have seen Iron Man, but it was in english (without subtitles) and i understand almost nothing :P