Hey there sports fans!

I'M IN VANCOUVER!!! Finally after months of droning on about it, I finally made my move to Vancouver.

It was a slightly emotional farewell to Mum and my sister as I was driven up to Gants Hill tube station on Tuesday morning, laden with all my gear. The official advice was to travel light. So being the experienced traveller I am I ignored this completely and turned up with a rucksac and holdall.

I wore the BUNAC t-shirt which was sent to all Bunacer's with their registration documents. I guessed I would be the only one who would and I was proved right. Apart from looking a bit of a tit, the T-shirt did have one big benefit; the reps from Bunac could spot us, and so could all the other travellers. People would all introduce themselves to me and a small group formed. We have all become quite close. It's a shame in a way that all these people will be heading off in different directions soon, it may well be the last we see of them.

We arrived at our Hostel at obout 7pm on Tuesday. We were all a bit knackered from the flight and so really couldn't form a solid impression of the place. We got showered, and went to a local bar for a couple of drinks. Ian got stopped on the street and asked if this was the gay district (I thought we left this rumour behind in Newham). It was only when we got to the pub that someone pointed out the decorative artwork of mens willies. Still everyone seemed very friendly.

Myt first impression of the place was a bit mixed. We were not right in the centre of town and it was dark. It then dawned on me that I was here for the next year. I felt a little uneasy.

The hostel itself is very nice. We get a good breakfast thrown in to the 15 quid a night we shell out. We have decided to stay until Monday at least (My first Thanks giving). Being bright eyed and bushey at 3am is a consequence of the jet lag, but we are slowly getting over that.

As dawn rose I did a few bits and bobs and then we went for our induction which would hopefully point us in the fight direction as far as accomadation and jobs are concerned. We then went for a walk to get to know the area. In the space of thirty feet, a Japanese lady grabbed me and wanted to have a photo taken with me (I got the rest of the gang I was with involved, 8 for the price of one). I tried to tell her I was English and not Canadian but she seemed happy enough so why spoil her fun. Next, a tramp asked us if we would give him money to watch him climb up a tree of lampost (in retrospect I wish we had). Lastly, we walked passed a shop which sold the 'Rocky' board game (you have to use your moves to build boxing strategy, pure genius)

That evening, we went to a bar called "The Royal" where, fueled by beer and the adrelalin keeping me from colapsing into a coma, I hit the dance floor and unleashed my trademark dance moves upon the natives. Some watched and some fled for their lives, but a young lady from the US did ask me to dance with her. We did the usual dirty dancing, but the music was a bit too trendy for me so I let it slip. As I said my goodbyes she said that we were by far the best dancers. In my drunken state, I would have to agree.

Today has been a much more business like affair. I went to the Bank first thing and opened an account. It took about 20 mins to countersign all my travellers cheques, but it is all sorted now. Also got a mobile phone today. It's all very exciting! looking for a place to live now. I have even found a guitar shop for when we get a place. May have to buy furnature first as you canot sleep in a guitar. I'm starting to feel like a proper Vancouvian. Early days though

Still don't know how it's all going to work out, but I think the omens are good. Excuse all the spelling mistakes, but I get charged by the second for this.

Best bargain so far. Massive slices of pizza, 93 cents (about 40p) with a can of coke take that up to 90p. They bleed you dry here!

Love from BC.

Bully. x