The trip is over...

I arrived in Toronto on May 2 at 6.30 am.

Look at the "Diary of a Backpacker" below!

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The Journal of a Backpacker

Six days, three cities

References

Cities:

• Ottawa (April 26 and 27),
• Montreal (April 28 and 29)
• Quebec (April 30 and May 1)

We = Yuko, Rui, Ayana, Kyeong Hee, Loreto, Byong Wook and me.

Me = Eugenia

Quebec

Flag of the Province of Quebec

Flag of Quebec's City

April 30, 2008 QUEBEC

It was cold here. The day we arrived it was snowing! In the afternoon, it was cold and windy. My hands, my ears and my nose were frozen. I transformed a sweater into a scarf. I was dressed as an onion and I wanted to wear socks in my hands because I didn’t have as gloves but my friends laughed at me! Hahahah yes… it was a crazy idea! Hahaha

Despite the cold weather, we visited the following places:

OLD QUEBEC

• Alle Grande Ave.
• Mc Donalds
• Le Parliament
• La Place de Armes
• Le Chateau Frontenac
• Montmorency Park
• Basilique Cathedrale Notre Dame de Quebec
• City Hall

May 1, 2008 QUEBEC

OLD QUEBEC

• La Citadelle
• Le Quartier Petit Champlain

Montreal

April 28, 2008 MONTREAL

We took the bus from Ottawa to Montreal at 8 am and we arrived in Montreal at 10.30 am.

It was raining heavily, so we couldn’t walk in the street. However, Montreal has a wonderful subway system and an amazing underground city. We bought the one free day pass, also called “la carte touristique” which allowed us unlimited accesses to buses and metro for one day in the city of Montreal.

Because we didn’t want to waste time, we left our stuff in the bus station’s lockers and we started our tour.

What did we visit?

Notre Dame Basilique. You have to pay USD 5 to enter there. At 2.pm there was a tour in English. We took that tour. The guide explained us the history of the Basilique and some curiosities. For example, in this church Celine Dion got married and in the small chapel his son was baptised.

Chapelle Notre Dame du Sacre Coeur. If you want to get marry here, you need to book one year and a half before.

After that we asked the guide what else we can see in a rainy day and he suggested walking through Saint Paul Street or watching an IMAX movie. We chose the first option, of course.



Saint Paul Street. This is the oldest street in Montreal and today is home to many art galleries, boutiques, restaurants and cafes.


Place Jacques Cartier : It was originall a market place , created in the 19th century and dominated a monument to Admiral Nelson.

City Hall or Le Hotel de Ville: The building went up between 1872 and 1878 and survived a disastrous fire in 1922. And it was from this balcony that French President General De Gaulle uttered his famous “Vive Le Quebec livre” in 1967.

Rue Notre Dame

Bonsecours Market. It was opened in 1847 and as the city hall until 1878. Now it is the house of some excellent designer boutiques. There we were not allowed to take pictures.

Place de Armes Subway Station.

Underground City at Mc Gill Station

We had dinner at Eaton Center

We went to the Hostel: Hi Montreal at Mc Kay Street.




April 29, 2008 MONTREAL

Luckily, it was not raining. My friends wanted to go to a museum but I didn’t. Sometimes it was very difficult to agree about what to see and where to go. We were six people, very big group, however, we didn’t need to be together all the time.

The day was cold but it was not raining, so it was my opportunity to walk all around the city. The day before we visited some places but I didn’t know where they were situated. So, I decided to go again to “Old Town”. Luckily, I met a partner. Byong Wook, who had arrived the night before, joined me that day and we went together.

We walked all day long. What did we visit?

Well, we started our tour at the bus station and we visited:

OLD TOWN

• Berri Street
• Notre Dame The Lourdes Chapel
• Molson Beer Compani
• CBC: Canadian Broadcasting Company
• Biblioteque et archives nationales
• Saint Paul Street again.
• Notre Dame de Bon Secours Chapel: we went to the top.
• Margerite Bourgoys Museum
• Marche Bonsecours
• Notre Dame Basilique
• Noel Eternel Shop where everyday is Christmas www.noeleternel.com
• Place des Armes

DOWN TOWN AND THE UNDERGROUND TOWN

• Holiday Inn China Town
• Palace dus Congress subway station
• Le Eaton Center

OLIMPIQUE STADIUM

• Centre Sportif
• Biodome

BUS NUMER 11 to MONT ROYAL

• Mont Royal -Point of View
  Montreal was name after this place: Mont Royal. The meaning is the same: Mont Real = Mont Royal

SAINT JOSEPH ORATORY

• We light a candle.
• Beautiful sunset view of the city of Montreal
• Beautiful night view of the city of Montreal

Ottawa

Flag of the Province of Ontario

Ottawa's Flag

April 26, 2008 OTTAWA


We took the bus from Toronto to Ottawa at 4.30 pm. That day the TTC, the main transportation company, was on strike, therefore, there were not any bus, subway or street car. We took a taxi to go to the bus station.

We arrived to Ottawa at 9.30 pm and two Korean friends of Kyeong Hee, who have been living in Ottawa, were waiting for us. They drove us to the Hostel where we spent two nights.

At that moment we were very glad of being there. Our adventure began. However, after finishing our trip we realized that this hostel was the worst we had been. It didn’t have enough hot water to take a shower, the beds were very uncomfortable and the bed sheets ugly. Nevertheless, it had a good location and free tea and coffee to drink whenever you want.

We waited for Loreto who was coming in another bus and we went to sleep.


April 27, 2008 OTTAWA


After having breakfast in Mac Donald’s (by the way, Mac Donald was very useful in our trip, however, I still hate its food and for a long long time I don’t want to go to a Mac Donald’s again) we started walking.

What can you see in Ottawa?

• The Byward Market (Le Marchee By)
• Magic Mirrors: amazing movable theatre
• National Gallery of Canada (Musee des Beaux Arts du Canada)
• Notre Dame Cathedral Basilica Ottawa
• Royal Canadian Mint
• United States of America Embassy
• Fairmont Chauteu Lourier (Hotel)
• The Canal Rideau
• The Parliament– Tour inside the Parliament
• The Canadian Tulip Festival from May 2-19: Where Ideas Bloom!
• Ottawa River (Pont du Portage Bridge)
• Canadian Museum of Civilization
• Japanese Garden (behind the museum)
• Pont Alexandra Bridge
• Hostel again.

The hostel in Ottawa

OTTAWA BACKPACKERS INN is a centrally located hostel which is only a 10 minute walk from most tourist attractions and amenities (including the parliament buildings, the Byward Market and the Rideau Canal).

http://www.ottawahostel.com/

Look at the name of my bed!!!

Siesta.

Haciendo honor a mi Santiago Querido.

Y para que no nos critiquen mas a los santiaguenios, lean este articulo que encontre en Clarin:

"Crece en el mundo la tendencia de dormir la siesta en el trabajo"

Link: http://www.clarin.com/diario/2008/05/02/sociedad/s-02615.htm

"Hacer la Siesta"

Link: http://weblogs.clarin.com/management-y-negocios/archives/2008/05/hacer_la_siesta_1.html

"I thought I saw a pussycat!"

The pussycat in the Hostel!

In the way to Ottawa

Me taking pictures

Kyeong and Ayana looking at the tourist information

Yuko and Rui sleeping deeply

TTC on Strike! We couldn't "ride the rocket" today

Did you think that Canada was the "wonderful land"???

Well, I regret to tell you that Canada has problems as many others cities.

Today we couldn't t take any bus, subway or street cars.

It happens once in a while, but it happened today! just when we needed to travel to Ottawa and arrive to the Bus Station on time.

I want to believe that "It is the Murphy's Law"

Taxis drivers were very happy today!

Me, not to much....

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TTC WORKERS ON STRIKE

Apr 26, 2008 04:30 AM

Tess Kalinowski Noor Javed Staff reporters
Torontonians are waking up today to find themselves hijacked by a transit strike.
Subways, streetcars and buses were taken out of service at midnight after TTC workers rejected a tentative contract settlement.
But the strike could be over by Monday as the provincial government scrambles to put together back-to-work legislation that could be passed as early as Sunday.

Link: www.thestar.com/News/GTA/article/418713

Happy Birthday Diego!!!

Thank you YUELI!

Everything has an end :o( ....Todo termina.... "My testimony" :o)

Graduation Party. My teacher Kristina and me.

It is said that “time flies when you are having a great time” and I think it’s true. These two months in Canada have passed so quickly that I can’t believe I have learned so many things and I have participated in so many activities in such little period of time. For that reason, I want to express my gratitude to YORK UNIVERSITY and YUELI for giving me the opportunity to have such wonderful experience.

After taking the level test the first day of class, I was placed in Level 5th Course. My teacher was amazing. Her name is Kristina and she not only taught us English grammar, vocabulary and pronunciation but also she encouraged us to develop our critical thinking and expression skills. She gave us a very value message: “If you want to improve and get better, all you need to do is PRACTICE”. I will never forget that and I will keep practicing in order to reach my goals in life and to improve my English skills.

When you study at YUELI, you do not only receive an “English experience”. In contrast, you obtain an entire “multicultural experience”. I had classmates from many different countries (China, Korea, Japan, Iran, Afghanistan, Saudi Arabia, etc.) and it is amazing when you realize that you can communicate with them through the English. I had made a lot of friends and they taught me many interesting things from their own culture and countries.

Locke, a famous philosopher talking about how people learn, said: “We know what we experience”, in other words, we know what we can touch, see, smell, hear and taste. YUELI Trips allowed me to experience the English through all my five senses. I went to the Maple Syrup Festival (Delicious!), I went to Ice Skating at Natrel Ice Rink (Challenging!), I went to Niagara Falls (Beautiful!), I attended to a Lacrosse and a Basketball Game at Air Canada Center (Amazing!) , I painted my own piece of pottery at Ceramic’s Studio (Creative!) and I visited Toronto Zoo (Enjoyable!). YUELI’s Trips not only gave me the chance of visiting amazing and beautiful places and knowing the Canadian culture, but also, gave me the opportunity to meet wonderful people from all over the world.

If you are looking for a multicultural experience and an excellent preparation for your university career and professional goals, I recommend completely this Institute. I have no doubt that studying English at YUELI has been the most wonderful experience I have ever had.

Thank you again for this opportunity.

Maria Eugenia Deltrozzo

Santiago del Estero, Argentina

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Kristina's Class at The Final Lunch

Kristina, Byung Wook, Ling, Euge, Kyeong, Cherry, Ayana and Frankie.

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I have passed Level 5!!!

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My Seminar Class Teacher: Patricia

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My Classmates: Cherry, Kyeong and Ayana

The Final Lunch

I met wonderful people here!

Manjula

She was the one who informed me that I was awarded with the scholarship! and she helped me to prepare the trip. Believe me, I wrote a thousands of mails to her and she always replied me. Thanks Manjula!

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YUELI's Trip Leaders and Conversation Partners.

They are amazing people!

Hanna.

She is the leader of the Coffee Talks, one of my favourite activities!

++++++

Yudy.

She led many YUELI Trips. I went to Niagara Falls with her.

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David Deen.


He is studying "Politics" at York. He led Maple Syrup Festival and he was one my Conversation Partners.

++++++


I do not have pictures with Fabian, Vivian, Kathleen, Rabia and Faria.


I couldn't find them in the Final Lunch for the picture (so many people there!)


But they are wonderful people ,too!

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Seminar Class Classmates!

John from Japan and Haithan from Saudi Arabia

John (above) is very very funny and Haithan (below) loves soccer.

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Loreto and Yuko

These girls are amazing and they have already finished level 6!

Congratulations!!!!

Kristina's Class - Course 5A - March&April 2008

Byung Wook, Frankie, Ehsan, Jason, Fei, Cherry, Kristina, Eugenia,

Vicky, Ling, Ayana, Kyeong Hee, Nizar and Feng.

Never forget: It's all about PRACTICE!!!

:o)

Time flies !

Time flies. I can’t believe that I am finishing the course tomorrow. It seems it was yesterday the day I arrived, but the calendar says that I have lived here for two months.

The endings always make me feel sad. I will miss the University, my teacher, my classmates, my home stay family. However, I know that I don’t have to be sad because it is finished; I have to be glad because it happened to me.

I had an amazing experience here!

Last April 8th I had a meeting with the Director of YUELI, Mr. Calum MacKechnie. He wanted to welcome me and asked how I was doing. I wanted to meet him to express my gratitude and say “Thank you” for the opportunity he gave me. If I didn’t get the scholarship, it would have been impossible to me to come here. He made my dream came true.

When I was talking to him there was one thing that came up to my mind. I said “This is the most wonderful experience I have ever had” and that is true. This is the most wonderful experience I have ever had! even more wonderful than my whole university career at “Siglo 21 University”.

It was an honour for me to come and stay at this University for two months. And when I get older I will say proudly to my children and my grandchildren that “I used to be a YORK University Student”.

:o)

No feast on earth lasts for ever!

What's happened in these two months???

The University changes its colour. From white to green!

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We celebrated the 49 th Anniversary of YORK . We had a big party with cake, balloons and gifts.

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And I met the YORK Lions one beautiful april morning!

MERCADO FITNESS, I wish you the best in the 4th Conferences!

I can't believe it has been one year since we were organizing the third ones!

I wish I could be there but unfortunately I can't be in two places at the same time.

It is the opportunity cost that I have to pay.

All The Best

for Tomorrow and for Friday!

eugenia@mercadofitness.com

:o)

www.mercadofitness.com.ar

Toronto ZOO

TORONTO ZOO

Toronto Zoo Vision: The Toronto Zoo is Canada's premier Zoo, known for its interactive education and conservation activities. As a unique wildlife experience, we inspire people to live in ways that promote the well being of the natural world.

Location: The Toronto Zoo is set in the beautiful Rouge Valley. The Main Entrance is located on Meadowvale Road, Scarborough, north of Highway 401

Animals: The Zoo has over 5,000 animals representing over 460 species.

Attendance: Approximately 1.2 million visitors per year.

Walking trails: There are over 10 km (6 miles) of walking trails.

Size: 287 hectares (710 acres). One of the largest zoos in the world.

Source: http://www.torontozoo.com/

I went to the Zoo!

Euge, Yuko and Leon

I have only been in two zoos in my entire life: The “Jardin Zoologico” in Santiago del Estero (Argentina) and the Toronto Zoo (Canada).

As you can imagine, there is an enormous difference between them!

Although I lived in Cordoba for 5 years and in Buenos Aires for one year and a half , I have never visited the Zoos in those cities.

Lack of interest? Lack of motivation? Lack of time? No, I think that it is very difficult to be a tourist in your own city.

In Cordoba I was a student. In Buenos Aires I was trying to be a worker. My priorities were focused on others points. In addition to this, when you feel that you have all the time of the world to visit some places and you can go whenever you want, probably you never go.

However, in Toronto is different. Here I am just a tourist and my time is limited. So, I need to take advantage of it.

Last Sunday I went to Toronto Zoo and I had a wonderful time. After being there, I decided that when I go back to my country, I will visit Buenos Aires Zoo and Cordoba Zoo.

But now, enjoy these pictures. All the animals from “The Lion King” Disney Movie were there, but the best animals for me were the elephants and the giraffes

As you can see, I am wearing a T-shirt. Summer is here. It was a very hot day.

Another "animals" in the Zoo... :o)

Euge, the frog and Yuko

Leon and Yuko

Euge and Leon

M J and friends