Day 93 - Vancouver
Tuesday, November 09, 2010
Monday 8th November
My 'itinerary' for the day had me starting at 8am at the local Canada Service Centre, but I didn't actually wake-up until 7:55am! I wasn't dismayed though - the fact that I slept from midnight to then was a relief - my jet lag is easing.
The three must-haves for the day were to get my SIN (social insurance number); open a bank account; and set-up a Canadian telephone number. I was expecting a big line at the Canada Service Centre for the SIN, but I was greeted immediately and walked out with the SIN 15 minutes later (the card will be sent to the Whistler Post Office for me to pick up in 2 weeks).
Conveniently, across the road was the Royal Bank of Canada. I'd decided to set my account up with them because a) they had a branch in Whistler Village and b) they were the largest and most trusted in Canada. The building was very old and opulent - a 'concierge' greeted me and directed me into an office to meet with my account manager. As we started the meeting, she gave me an 'agenda' and pencil so I could write questions, notes, and comments throughout the meeting!! Setting up the bank account was no problem (I didn't even have to put any money into it), although I didn't get a credit card. As a temporary resident, I would need to give them the amount of money I wished my credit limit to be as a safeguard (i.e., if I wanted an $8000 limit, then I'd need to give them $8000 placed in a term deposit I couldn't touch).
Next, I boarded the sky-train again to a beauty salon in South Vancouver. This was the only place in the whole of Canada which sold Napoleon products, and I desperately needed some lip gloss. (SInce I have lots of allergies - surprising to some people, maybe - I have to use Napoleon lipgloss, as it's the only lipgloss I don't break out with, vaseline excluded.) They only had two options, saying they could order it in for me, but I took what they had.
Back in downtown Vancouver, I now needed to connect my phone with a local company. There were three main options: Bell, Telus and Rogers. Bell had crap customer service so I didn't bother with them, and Rogers made you sign-up to a 12 month contract unless you wanted pre-paid, in which case you couldn't get data (I wanted data options as I would use my iPhone for surfing the web). Telus were great - friendly and professional - with great options. Unfortunately, I couldn't sign up for a post paid plan as I didn't have any Canadian issued ID, so I settled for a pre-paid option initially (and will apply for post paid later). This ensured I had a Canadian phone number, ability to call local numbers, and could surf the web. I stopped in at the nearby 7-11 to pick up an international calling card (4.5c/minute to Australia).
I called in at Starbucks to replenish my energy - I'd been given a free voucher there previously since they forgot my order - and then was back into Sears (department store) to pick-up the final things on my list. On the way home, I called in at a 'loonies and toonies' store (that's what they call their $1 and $2 coins) and bought a cheap striped bag to transport all of my new clothes to Whistler in. (I think I'm only allowed one bag on the bus tomorrow, but can pay for a second bag).
Phew - shopping complete! (Well, until I get to Whistler at least). But it's no rest for the wicked, as I had to do my laundry (first time I've done it in 3 months!).
My 'itinerary' for the day had me starting at 8am at the local Canada Service Centre, but I didn't actually wake-up until 7:55am! I wasn't dismayed though - the fact that I slept from midnight to then was a relief - my jet lag is easing.
The three must-haves for the day were to get my SIN (social insurance number); open a bank account; and set-up a Canadian telephone number. I was expecting a big line at the Canada Service Centre for the SIN, but I was greeted immediately and walked out with the SIN 15 minutes later (the card will be sent to the Whistler Post Office for me to pick up in 2 weeks).
Conveniently, across the road was the Royal Bank of Canada. I'd decided to set my account up with them because a) they had a branch in Whistler Village and b) they were the largest and most trusted in Canada. The building was very old and opulent - a 'concierge' greeted me and directed me into an office to meet with my account manager. As we started the meeting, she gave me an 'agenda' and pencil so I could write questions, notes, and comments throughout the meeting!! Setting up the bank account was no problem (I didn't even have to put any money into it), although I didn't get a credit card. As a temporary resident, I would need to give them the amount of money I wished my credit limit to be as a safeguard (i.e., if I wanted an $8000 limit, then I'd need to give them $8000 placed in a term deposit I couldn't touch).
Next, I boarded the sky-train again to a beauty salon in South Vancouver. This was the only place in the whole of Canada which sold Napoleon products, and I desperately needed some lip gloss. (SInce I have lots of allergies - surprising to some people, maybe - I have to use Napoleon lipgloss, as it's the only lipgloss I don't break out with, vaseline excluded.) They only had two options, saying they could order it in for me, but I took what they had.
Back in downtown Vancouver, I now needed to connect my phone with a local company. There were three main options: Bell, Telus and Rogers. Bell had crap customer service so I didn't bother with them, and Rogers made you sign-up to a 12 month contract unless you wanted pre-paid, in which case you couldn't get data (I wanted data options as I would use my iPhone for surfing the web). Telus were great - friendly and professional - with great options. Unfortunately, I couldn't sign up for a post paid plan as I didn't have any Canadian issued ID, so I settled for a pre-paid option initially (and will apply for post paid later). This ensured I had a Canadian phone number, ability to call local numbers, and could surf the web. I stopped in at the nearby 7-11 to pick up an international calling card (4.5c/minute to Australia).
I called in at Starbucks to replenish my energy - I'd been given a free voucher there previously since they forgot my order - and then was back into Sears (department store) to pick-up the final things on my list. On the way home, I called in at a 'loonies and toonies' store (that's what they call their $1 and $2 coins) and bought a cheap striped bag to transport all of my new clothes to Whistler in. (I think I'm only allowed one bag on the bus tomorrow, but can pay for a second bag).
Phew - shopping complete! (Well, until I get to Whistler at least). But it's no rest for the wicked, as I had to do my laundry (first time I've done it in 3 months!).
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