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Saturday, September 09, 2006Throughout my first fortnight in Edmonton, Alberta I have noticed many different cultural changes in the way things are conducted in the West. The way the streetscapes are set up, pricing, and many aspects that one gets used to in their everyday lifestyle is far different when comparing "down East" as Albertans refer to Ontario & Quebec to Alberta. Following are a collection of these differences I have collected mentally whilst living out here. - a very high customer service ethic in stores and other outlets - cashiers, waiters and store representatives really take the time to give you the personalized undivided attention that one deserves (detailed stories to be posted)  - interior tree lined boulevards that shelter businesses, my college and residential districts off from main throughfare streets by having the second street alongside the buildings and houses, between them and the main road, a brilliant idea that is both eye appealing and much safer - crosswalks are often massive snaking contraptions, and the walk symbol that stays on very briefly, as one woman put it to my Mom and myself -------- "That damn hand goes up as soon as you get halfway across the road, what the hell is that, I will be calling the City, won't be the first time they've heard from me" -------- - The old fashioned apple juice can has perished from grocery stores, to be replaced exclusively with plastic paper Tetra cartons  - Cheez Whiz cheese spread has a $7.00 CAD price tag (Ontario- $3.99)! - streets are almost always numbered with only a handful of exceptions which even then also have numbers - the city is less than half the size of Montreal & Toronto yet feels the strange requirement for five, even six digit adresss numbers, for example my college's address: 11762 106th St - afternoon matineee movies cost only $3.50 and evening movies $7.00, incredibly lower than Onario's $9.00 matinees and $13.50 evening shows  - Edmonton Transit System, the city's outstanding public transit organization have mini brochures for each route available from racks on all buses, these mighty handy booklets outline all the timing, stops and locations of the route. They also have a fold-out map where you can follow along as the bus continues along the route to ensure you are getting where you want to  Myself holding one of the ETS route brochures The route map showing how to get from downtown to the West End Teague Neal blogged on 1:00 AM
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Thursday, September 07, 2006 "Ladies and gentleman, this is your captain speaking we will shortly be landing, please prepare the cabin for landing and on behalf of myself and today's crew we thank you very much for flying with us, the temperature in Edmonton is 25 degrees" "Ladies and gentleman this is your purser speaking, we are now descending into Edmonton International, at this time we please ask you to put your seats in their upright positions, stow your tray tables and please get your garbage and any unwanted newspapers together as the flight attendants will now come round to collect those" "On behalf of today's I would like to take the opportunity to be the first to welcome you to Edmonton, thank you very much for flying with us, it has been our pleasure to serve you, we wish you a pleasant stay in Edmonton or wherever your travels make take you" Moments prior to the purser (head flight attendant) making this annoucement the airplane touched down in it's usual agressive way skidding to a stop and making the almost instaneous transformation into a more landlike vehicle and it made it's way through the runways to the gate, parking. Once the crowds filtered out to our row, my Mom and I grabbed our bags and bid adieu to the flight attendants and pilots making our way up the gangway into the airport. This was the ninth flight I've completed this year, the process similar each time, one that personally I cherish and enjoy, one of my aspirations to become a flight attendant for some time at least. This time however marked the advent of an entirely new experience that will launch all future employment in one of my ultimate passions that I want to make a career with. The globe's largest industry- Hospitality & Travel.  My beloved mother and I embarked on the single most shopping I have ever done in my entire life. From my new 3 year old basement apartment on the North Side of Edmonton to the college, back, to downtown, back, to malls and back countless times! It's truly astonishing to my mind and both of ours how much stuff truly is needed to bring an apartment from a basic state to one that is fully functional with a cozy and homey atmosphere about it. This is even with partial basics in place. I was extremely lucky to not only find an ideal, big and beautiful apartment but it included a bed, desk, storage units, kitchen dishes and all appliances as well as cleaners, rugs and more. Nonetheless to bring it to that live in stage took much work, but exciting work. At 18 this is my first home outside of the family houses & family farm I have remembered and grown up with over the years. To finally have my own place secured, up and running is a pretty enchanting moment indeed!  My Mom came along with myself to meet all my Edmonton crew I had first shaken hands with back on my first week long visit to Edmonton this past Spring in April. This time securing things further and allowing my Mom and myself to ask further and finalizing questions. Took my Mom on a grand tour of the college campus to show her where all this time, money and efforts have been pouring into. Where I will be taking my classes, forming friendships, hopefully creating the grand finale to school, hopefully to add to my small cluster of intense lifetime experiences. Moving out 2700 km west from where I have resided is a base for my future plans to launch myself across the pond or Big pond in the near future and eventually permanently upon graduation in two years. This stage has been reached and is quite overwhelming at times yet a strong base for the future in store. I have travelled extensively throughout seven nations across the globe in North America, Europe and Asia spending sometimes several weeks at some points across the globe. Edmonton is my first time to be on and off for nearly two years. I gave my Mom a glimpse as we settled into the surroundings. Passing rows and rows of spruce trees, noticing the lack thereof of maple and oak trees. Taking in the tree lined boulevards and massive parks and green spaces spread across the city. Made her jaw drop as we went all through the world's largest mall- West Edmonton Mall! We browsed some of the 850 stores, ate in one of the 100 restuarants and hit all the key attractions. The world's biggest indoor waterpark, indoor lake complete with the submarines, the massive authentic palm tree lined avenues and so much more. We both incredibly enjoyed the high customer service ethic Albertans have here, people truly going completely out of their way for us. Completely unlike what the most common arrogant service Ontario has on offer to its citizens. With that one of the most extensive adventures of my life began, my journey into the West was official! ----------------------------------------------------------------------- A most bittersweet moment my adventure can be best related to is when Frodo Baggins in J.R.R. Tolkien's masterpiece The Lord of the Rings gets a masssive farewells ensue and tears flow as he departs along with Elven accompaniments into the West via the ethereal port of Grey Havens. These departures are simply beyond words, they are a entire experience and feeling beyond anyone's belief that happen at very specific moments in life that can be never lived again. One must savour, let tears flow and arms wrap around those you love. For you will see those you love dear so soon yet they are so far, you will not remain unchanged.  Into the West by Scot Annie Lennox - Lord of the Rings- The Return of the King Lay down your sweet and weary head, Night is falling, you have come to journey's end. Sleep now, and dream of the ones who came before, They are calling from across a distant shore. Why do you weep? What are these tears upon your face? Soon you will see, all of your fears will pass away. Sail for miles, you're only sleeping. Chorus: What can you see on the horizon? Why do the white gulls call? Across the sea a pale moon rises, The ships have come to carry you home. And all will turn to silver glass, A light on the water, all souls pass. Hope fades into the world of night, Through shadows falling out of memory and time. Don't say, come.We have come now to the end. White shores are calling, you and I will meet again And you'll be here in my arms, just sleeping. Chorus: What can you see on the horizon? Why do the white gulls call? Across the sea a pale moon rises, The ships have come to carry you home. And all will turn to silver glass A light on the water, Grey Ships pass into the west. Teague Neal blogged on 7:48 PM
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Wednesday, September 06, 2006Hello one and all my loyal global readership and welcome to those of you who have been logging in, I've noticed many new people and nations as of recently. I sincerely apologize for the lag in postings, all those promises in my last post before departing from Ontario I do plan to do. I am now settled in Edmonton in northern Alberta. Way out in western Canada, a 1 1/2 hour flight from Vancouver on the Pacific Coast! I am been extremely busy with my parent out here helping me move in and myself doing all sorts of activites. I haven't had time for my usual posting but expect much more in the coming days and weeks, please stay tuned! I will begin posting shortly! Thanks for your patients, enjoy my archives for the time being. I am hoping to post tommorow night Mountain Time. Thanks so much! Teague Neal blogged on 9:24 PM
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