Patrick's Soapbox

Well, hi again. Curious traveller Patrick reporting in from foreign soil.

Monday saw an offer of a job interview, and also details for seeing a place to stay (on Tuesday, but we'll get to that shortly). I did manage to open a bank account (at the "world's local bank" HSBC), but not before discovering that they have a pre-printed form for putting up on doors after bank robberies. I was... well, a little shocked by that. Do they really have that many that they have a form that just needs a couple of things written in vivid to make it apply to the current store (namely the location of the nearest open branch).

I gave in and tried KFC for dinner that night. Ultimately... well, unimpressed. The popcorn chicken was ok (though different), the mirinda (or however it's spelt) was too sweet (and not a little syrupy), and the chips... well, the chips were ok, just, odd. I guess it's going to be easier for me not to eat it now. Though I could sure go for something hot right now.

Tuesday, well, if I try hard I can remember Tuesday. I caught the Skytrain out on the Millenium line, and looped round when I could (much faster, apparently) have got off before the loop. Next to the strangely named "METROPOLIS at METROTOWN" mall. Uh, yeah. Real place. Plus I kind of forgot to write down where to catch the bus from the skytrain, so had a 40 minute walk. Although I didn't know that when I started the walk.

So I saw the place, and it was up to expectations in every way. I should hopefully be moving in tomorrow, all going well. It's out of the central city, but I'm no stranger to a commute, so that's ok. In fact I kind of prefer living a little bit away from the hustle a bustle of town. Gives you more of a chance to relax.

So, are things cheaper here? Let's take on example. Gas. Yesterday it was CAD$1.17, or NZD$1.64/litre. They can, I guess, legitimately complain about it being expensive then. (I've heard in NZ it's up to NZD$1.71 or so? Jeepers.) More to come.