It just won't stop snowing here! At least the temperatures are not as low as they were a few days ago. They have improved to -15 C and -10 C. I know, that's an improvement. :-)
The family we are staying with have a Nintendo Wii. YES!!! Well, since the kids in this house are all girls, most of the games for the Wii are girl games. So, I went over to Rogers and rented Call of Duty: World at War. Ahh! Exactly what I needed. A shooting game. Well, it took me a couple of days to finish it, so I am playing it again on hardest setting. It is HARD but a lot of fun. Exactly the release that I need right now.
Just came back from a grocery shopping trip. Food and drinks are much cheaper here than in Croatia. For example, pop is at least 50% cheaper, canned tuna is 50% cheaper. The problem is that here they don't have the good yogurt and bread that they have in Croatia. Oh well, you can't have it all.
Saturday, January 31, 2009
Friday, January 30, 2009
Ughh! A snow storm
Well, I knew it would happen. Yesterday, I had to go into town for some meetings, and it just happens that it had snowed the night before and kept snowing throughout the day. The traffic was terrible. It took me two hours to drive downtown, drop off Carla and then drive to the doctor's. Then, on the way back, we spent 3 hours driving back, fighting the blizzard with everyone else during the evening rush hour. I really did not miss this (integral) part of living in Canada. :-(
Another thing that I completely forgot about is shoveling snow. The driveway had 25 cm of snow, so someone had to clear it off. Yup, that someone was me.
I noticed one thing about food here. Apples taste like plastic and tomatoes have no taste. I miss the IDARED type of apple from Croatia. The apple was juicy, flavorful and soft. The chocolate here also leaves a lot to be desired. It tastes too sugary and too processed.
The things that I have missed about Canada are paying for gas at the pump (I don't like going into the little house to pay), big selection of inexpensive goods at grocery stores, FREE CLEAN bathrooms, and free, well-stocked public libraries.
Another life lesson: You can't have it all, decide what you need the most and go where it is. Right now, I need some sun, heat and no snow! :-)
Another thing that I completely forgot about is shoveling snow. The driveway had 25 cm of snow, so someone had to clear it off. Yup, that someone was me.
I noticed one thing about food here. Apples taste like plastic and tomatoes have no taste. I miss the IDARED type of apple from Croatia. The apple was juicy, flavorful and soft. The chocolate here also leaves a lot to be desired. It tastes too sugary and too processed.
The things that I have missed about Canada are paying for gas at the pump (I don't like going into the little house to pay), big selection of inexpensive goods at grocery stores, FREE CLEAN bathrooms, and free, well-stocked public libraries.
Another life lesson: You can't have it all, decide what you need the most and go where it is. Right now, I need some sun, heat and no snow! :-)
Saturday, January 24, 2009
In Ottawa!
I just noticed that I did not post a single entry in my blog since Carla had left Zagreb. The reason why is that I was so busy trying to wrap things up, that I did not even think of writing something down. I kept thinking, I'll write something when I get back, and now that I am back, it is "writing time."
When Carla left, I was feeling so sad. The house was empty and there was still the unknown of when I would see her again in Ottawa. Before I could leave Zagreb, I had to sell the car, visit family close the bank accounts, clean out the apartment, sell/distribute the house stuff, and so many other little things that I can't even remember right now.
I spent several days visiting family and enjoying my time with them. That was the enjoyable part of my last ten days. The not-so-fun part was selling the car. I posted ads in the paper, and on the internet and no one was buying. I even lowered the price of the car so much that it was better than anything else out there on the market, but the problem was that it was the time right after the New Year's and no one was looking for a new car.
I did eventually get a few offers, but they were conditional that I give power-of-attorney over the car to these people, who would then drive it under my name, and try to avoid paying the car tax. I did not want to have anything to do with that, so I sold the car to a used car salesman. As you can imagine, I did not get a good price at all, but when you are in a hurry, you'll take anything.
The other hold-up was closing the bank account. On the last day I went to the bank to send all the money from my accounts to Australia so that I can close these accounts. Well, you would think that this would be easy. But no, they would not close my accounts as the charge for my international money transfers would only be taken from my account in three days. So I had to give power-of-attorney to my cousin and he will wrap it all up next week.
Wednesday night, I phoned Aeroplan to see if I can change my return ticket to Thursday and was so HAPPY to hear that the ticket agent was able to find a seat for me. That meant that I would be leaving the next morning. I started packing and cleaning the house frantically as I had to leave for the airport at 7am. Well, I finished everything in the wee hours of the morning and went to bed at 3 am, setting the alarm for 5:30 am. Ouch!
Getting up early in the morning after 2.5 hours of sleep is NOT fun. Anyways, it had to be done. My cousins came to pick me up, loaded my stuff in the and we were off to the airport. We had a nice quick visit at the airport and said goodbye to each other. I was glad to have spent these past months with them and their families. The time we spent together definitely brought us closer and I think that we will be able to continue our friendship easily over the internet.
The flight to Ottawa was excellent and the reception in Ottawa was even better. I will write about my Ottawa experience a bit later, as I am trying to rest up and enjoy it while I'm here.
When Carla left, I was feeling so sad. The house was empty and there was still the unknown of when I would see her again in Ottawa. Before I could leave Zagreb, I had to sell the car, visit family close the bank accounts, clean out the apartment, sell/distribute the house stuff, and so many other little things that I can't even remember right now.
I spent several days visiting family and enjoying my time with them. That was the enjoyable part of my last ten days. The not-so-fun part was selling the car. I posted ads in the paper, and on the internet and no one was buying. I even lowered the price of the car so much that it was better than anything else out there on the market, but the problem was that it was the time right after the New Year's and no one was looking for a new car.
I did eventually get a few offers, but they were conditional that I give power-of-attorney over the car to these people, who would then drive it under my name, and try to avoid paying the car tax. I did not want to have anything to do with that, so I sold the car to a used car salesman. As you can imagine, I did not get a good price at all, but when you are in a hurry, you'll take anything.
The other hold-up was closing the bank account. On the last day I went to the bank to send all the money from my accounts to Australia so that I can close these accounts. Well, you would think that this would be easy. But no, they would not close my accounts as the charge for my international money transfers would only be taken from my account in three days. So I had to give power-of-attorney to my cousin and he will wrap it all up next week.
Wednesday night, I phoned Aeroplan to see if I can change my return ticket to Thursday and was so HAPPY to hear that the ticket agent was able to find a seat for me. That meant that I would be leaving the next morning. I started packing and cleaning the house frantically as I had to leave for the airport at 7am. Well, I finished everything in the wee hours of the morning and went to bed at 3 am, setting the alarm for 5:30 am. Ouch!
Getting up early in the morning after 2.5 hours of sleep is NOT fun. Anyways, it had to be done. My cousins came to pick me up, loaded my stuff in the and we were off to the airport. We had a nice quick visit at the airport and said goodbye to each other. I was glad to have spent these past months with them and their families. The time we spent together definitely brought us closer and I think that we will be able to continue our friendship easily over the internet.
The flight to Ottawa was excellent and the reception in Ottawa was even better. I will write about my Ottawa experience a bit later, as I am trying to rest up and enjoy it while I'm here.
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
Carla is off to Canada
Carla left for Canada this morning and should be there by the end of the day. She worked like crazy last night to make sure I have as little packing left as possible. What a Sweetie!
On another note, I am looking forward to moving to a country where they won't treat me as a criminal every time I try to transfer more than USD100. Geez! "Sir, you can't do that, it's a new law, you're not allowed to." If I got a penny each time I heard that, I would have been a billionaire by now. But, the end is in sight and all will be well soon.
I am now doing my darnest to sell the car, as that is the last thing left for me to do here. I'll spend a week or two in Canada and then I am off to Australia. It's time for me to start practicing "G'day mate." :-)
On another note, I am looking forward to moving to a country where they won't treat me as a criminal every time I try to transfer more than USD100. Geez! "Sir, you can't do that, it's a new law, you're not allowed to." If I got a penny each time I heard that, I would have been a billionaire by now. But, the end is in sight and all will be well soon.
I am now doing my darnest to sell the car, as that is the last thing left for me to do here. I'll spend a week or two in Canada and then I am off to Australia. It's time for me to start practicing "G'day mate." :-)
Monday, January 12, 2009
Back from Banja Luka
We got back from our weekend visit to Banja Luka, Bosnia late Sunday. The visit was really good, as I got to see my several aunts, uncles and cousins. It was sad to say goodbye as I would not see them at least for several years, but it was really good to spend this quality time with them.
The journey of life continues and you have to hop on the 'opportunity train' or it will leave without you.
Carla leaves on Tuesday so we are really busy with packing and/or giving away our things. There are quite a few things to do when you are leaving Croatia, as they won't let you do a lot of things over the phone. I have to go in person to close my phone account, bank account and pretty much every other government office. That work is still continues and will hopefully be done within a week.
I just need to sell the car, and then I can leave for Canada. The good thing is that the return ticket that I purchased on points to come here in May can be changed 2 hours before the flight leaves. And it will cost me only $55. Not too bad.
I am starting to look for a plane ticket to Australia, but I am not sure when to book one as I still don't know how long I need to stay in Canada. There is a bit of paperwork that I have to complete in Ottawa, so I will probably give myself 10-14 days there, and then leave for Adelaide.
Australia, here I come!!!
The journey of life continues and you have to hop on the 'opportunity train' or it will leave without you.
Carla leaves on Tuesday so we are really busy with packing and/or giving away our things. There are quite a few things to do when you are leaving Croatia, as they won't let you do a lot of things over the phone. I have to go in person to close my phone account, bank account and pretty much every other government office. That work is still continues and will hopefully be done within a week.
I just need to sell the car, and then I can leave for Canada. The good thing is that the return ticket that I purchased on points to come here in May can be changed 2 hours before the flight leaves. And it will cost me only $55. Not too bad.
I am starting to look for a plane ticket to Australia, but I am not sure when to book one as I still don't know how long I need to stay in Canada. There is a bit of paperwork that I have to complete in Ottawa, so I will probably give myself 10-14 days there, and then leave for Adelaide.
Australia, here I come!!!
Monday, January 5, 2009
Skiing at Rogla
Carla and I went skiing at Rogla, Slovenia on Saturday. We got up at 5am, left our place at around 6 am and then waited at a nearby grocery store to meet up with my cousin and his friends. Once we were all there (convoy of four cars) we took off for the border with Slovenia.
One of the couples did not have passports, as their passports were supposed to be done on Friday, but the efficient Croatian bureaucracy, in their usual style, said "Come on Monday, we have not finished it yet." The couple decided to take a chance and see if they can cross the border without the passport. After an hour of driving and paying toll for the highway, they had to turn back as the border police would not let them through. After the border, we were a convoy of three.
Then, we had to stop for the other cars to buy a Slovenian vignette. Since last year, Slovenians converted their toll highways from a toll-system to a vignette system. You buy a vignette (a sticker for your windshield) and don't have to stop at toll-booths. A good idea, if they offered more options than a 6-month and a 12-month vignette. Other European countries have a 10-day or a two week vignette, but not Slovenians. Actually, the European Union has sued them and Slovenians will have to introduce a shorter term vignette, but until then, they are raking in the money 'Balkan-style' (plunder and pillage).
Took us another 1.5 hours to get to the hill, where the last 20 minutes of driving were done on the windiest road in the world. Forget Lombardi Street in San Francisco, this road was windy and up a steep hill.
We got to the hill around 10am, rented skis for Carla and a snowboard for me, and were off to the races, or in this case ski trails. :-) It has been at least four years since I have snowboarded so it took a few minutes to get used to it, but soon enough I was carving the slopes. FUN!!!
The scenery was beautiful, the ski hill was not too busy and there was no wind. The temperature was -12C but since there was no wind, it did not feel cold at all. My cousin told me that most of the time he comes to ski here, the temperature is around 0 C and the sun is up. No such luck this time, but the conditions were still a lot better than what we experience when skiing in Canada.
We were pretty exhausted by 3:30pm, and since the hill closes at 4 pm we started getting ready for the trip back. On the way back, we stopped at a nice pizzeria and had a pizza to refuel from a tiring day of snow activities. I can safely say that this was a Fun Skiing Day! Last one for a long time, as I don't plan to do this once I am in Australia. Maybe I will take up surfboard. Yeeeeeessss!
One of the couples did not have passports, as their passports were supposed to be done on Friday, but the efficient Croatian bureaucracy, in their usual style, said "Come on Monday, we have not finished it yet." The couple decided to take a chance and see if they can cross the border without the passport. After an hour of driving and paying toll for the highway, they had to turn back as the border police would not let them through. After the border, we were a convoy of three.
Then, we had to stop for the other cars to buy a Slovenian vignette. Since last year, Slovenians converted their toll highways from a toll-system to a vignette system. You buy a vignette (a sticker for your windshield) and don't have to stop at toll-booths. A good idea, if they offered more options than a 6-month and a 12-month vignette. Other European countries have a 10-day or a two week vignette, but not Slovenians. Actually, the European Union has sued them and Slovenians will have to introduce a shorter term vignette, but until then, they are raking in the money 'Balkan-style' (plunder and pillage).
Took us another 1.5 hours to get to the hill, where the last 20 minutes of driving were done on the windiest road in the world. Forget Lombardi Street in San Francisco, this road was windy and up a steep hill.
We got to the hill around 10am, rented skis for Carla and a snowboard for me, and were off to the races, or in this case ski trails. :-) It has been at least four years since I have snowboarded so it took a few minutes to get used to it, but soon enough I was carving the slopes. FUN!!!
The scenery was beautiful, the ski hill was not too busy and there was no wind. The temperature was -12C but since there was no wind, it did not feel cold at all. My cousin told me that most of the time he comes to ski here, the temperature is around 0 C and the sun is up. No such luck this time, but the conditions were still a lot better than what we experience when skiing in Canada.
We were pretty exhausted by 3:30pm, and since the hill closes at 4 pm we started getting ready for the trip back. On the way back, we stopped at a nice pizzeria and had a pizza to refuel from a tiring day of snow activities. I can safely say that this was a Fun Skiing Day! Last one for a long time, as I don't plan to do this once I am in Australia. Maybe I will take up surfboard. Yeeeeeessss!
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