Well, I'm in Canadia!

Hey y'all.

So, I've been missing for a while and that is because I made a very spontaneous decision to buy a one way ticket to Vancouver, B.C. I wasn't really sure how to start this blog post. But there ya go! I'm in the Great White North.

Now, this trip isn't just for no reason. I'm in Vancouver to tour UBC (University of British Columbia) and to visit all of my family up here. Most of my cousins I haven't seen in years and I'm really excited to finally see them again!

I've also decided to be a bit more touristy while here. I've been to Canada (or as I like to call it Canadia) almost every year since before I can remember. (I'm a dual citizen and most of my family lives up here).

I arrived Friday night (March 14th) and was picked up by my aunt Salma and my cousin Isiah. We just hung out and got every thing settled. I love her apartment. It is the coolest place ever. Right in the middle of downtown Vancouver and with an amazing view!

The view from her apartment. So amazing!

On Saturday, we went out to Burnaby (which is just east of Vancouver) to do some grocery shopping and walk around in this huge mall called Metrotown. Holy moly, that place was intimidating. It just didn't seem to end. 

While we were shopping, my cousin and I decided to take some selfies.

Yep, he is a cutie. And so funny! At one point, I told him that I was going to introduce him to rap music and he said (and I quote) "who is rap? - is he a friend?" Yeah, I know. He is the best!

Under the number sign, to the right…are the buns! 

On Sunday, we walked to Chinatown and got the most amazing coconut buns I have ever had. It was at this hole in a wall bakery, and man oh man are these things delicious! We got there at the perfect time too because right after we ordered a dozen, the bakery was full of people and there were only three buns left! 

There they are. In all their glory!

So good. Every time I come to B.C. I always crave any kind of Asian food because they have the most authentic! (Apart from actual China, South Korea, Vietnam, or Thailand…hehe).

Then, we dropped off Isiah to his dads and went to explore the downtown mall with my other aunt Shaira. So much shopping! And walking! My feet were dead. 

Monday, I just hung around and made plans for the rest of the week. I was also researching what to do for next week since Isiah will be home the whole time with us! 

But today, I took the sky train down to Richmond, which is suburb in Vancouver to meet up with my aunt Shaira. We took a drive to Steveston Village, which is where Once Upon A Time is filmed. We walked around and then had lunch at this amazing sushi place. 

That's about all to Steveston Village

The sushi we had was delicious. We had arrived just in time because the restaurant was closing at 2. We ordered and got our yummy "boxes", which had quite a bit of food.

Tempura, salad (the white square bowl), sushi, sashimi, chicken and miso soup.

All with complimentary tea. We had gotten there so close to closing that by the time we were done with our food, we were the last ones in the restaurant. The place was completely empty.

Like a ghost town…um, restaurant...

I also got a picture of the guy behind the counter making the rolls, but he doesn't look too happy hehe. He saw me taking a picture of him and then when my aunt told him I was from Texas he smiled and said "welcome to Canada!"How wonderful.

Not too happy, eh?

Once we finished, Shaira dropped me back to the station and I took a ride home. I even saw a guy wearing a Texas jersey. I was going to approach him but up here people freak out when you randomly talk to them. 

But so far, so good! It hasn't been too cold and it's only rained once (if you don't count misting).

Things I Haven't Posted

I've always tried to be consistent with my posts through out my travels, but every now and then some details would slip my mind. Or I didn't think they would work with the post that I was drafting at the time, so I would write a little note and forget about it.

Since I have been back home, I have been researching to figure out where to go next. I have a lot of notes about where to go and who to contact and as I was going through them I came across the list of "things I haven't blogged". (Yeah, it was labeled like that).

A lot of these said things on the list are not that important and I won't dwell on them. But there were a few that really stuck out and though it has been a month since I have come home, I want to write about them.

When we finally arrived to Nairobi (the first time), as my father and I were getting a taxi, we noticed these very "American" tourists (two men) who were completely over whelmed by all the locals trying to get their business. At one point they even lost each other. Dad and I laughed to ourselves and got into the taxi.

When we arrived to the hotel where we were meeting my grandfather's friend, five minutes after us came those two very "American" men. They were filling out a form at the hotel and one of the men, a bigger guy, reaches to the question "where are you from?" and proceeds to very loudly state: "TEXAS!"

When my father and I heard that we couldn't help but get excited. My dad asked the man where he was from and it turned out he didn't live that far from us. Just imagine, the chances of meeting some one from where you are.

We were just chatting about what in heavens name we were all doing in Kenya, (I mean think about it. A couple Texans in Kenya? That sounds like a recipe for trouble.) When they heard my story, the bigger man almost swelled with pride. He was so happy to learn of what I was doing.

And much like that other man I had mentioned in my "Art of Making Friends" post - the Welsh man- this Texan really made me realize how amazing people are. He didn't say much but he told me how proud he was that a young Texan like myself was doing a trip like this, and he wished me all the best.

I'm not one for superstitions, but looking back, I think that man really brought me good luck. Every now and then during my travels I would go back to that encounter and just remember that there was another person from Texas who was rooting for me and was proud of what I was doing.

A person I will probably never see again. A person whose name I don't know. A person who reminded me how proud I am to be from Texas. A person who, from the very beginning, gave me motivation to never look back.

Mombasa

There is one word to describe Mombasa. HOT! Holy moly, it's hot. And coming from a girl who left Texas when it was 109 every day...that's a big deal. It finally feels the way I imagined Africa to feel. No end or relief to sweat or that filmy feeling you have when you aren't sweating, but you're not comfortable either. I'm not complaining though! I welcome this to whatever snowy, stormy weather any one is experiencing right about now. 

The very first night I arrived in Mombasa I met up with Nurjan Auntie and we went out for BBQ. Mishkaki and Zanzibar pizza! Best food ever. With a black currant fanta to top it off. That has become my replacement for root beer here since no one know what root beer actually is. 

The next day she had work so I just decided to relax and read. She has a wonderful collection of books and I am eager to read as many as I can before I leave. 

That night when she came home we went for a drive and stopped by the seaside to just sit and enjoy the cool breeze. I had fresh coconut! Yum yum yum! 

The next day (Tuesday) she came home early and we went to old town. There are so many Arabs and Muslims it's like being back in Turkey. There were so many shops and vendors! And we got so much food! Sweet bread (made of coconut rice), melons...and then we went to the seaside and got more coconut and sweet potato with chili and lime! 

And here is a picture of the sunset. 

Just gorgeous. 

As of right now, I've finally got some wifi. I'm at this super amazing resort owned by my grandparents best friends. I just had lunch with them and they are so nice. We just realized we have met before at...just guess y'all...an Indian wedding! I knew they looked familiar! 

So now I'll just be chilling and trying to get as dark as the Africans! I can already feel myself getting darker! :p