After I published my last post, I found out my stay in Canada got extended! Here was the surprising thing: I didnβt even need to apply to extend it. Apparently, because of COVID-19, the IRCC has been automatically granting extensions. At least they have my updated information though. Feel free to congratulate me on being in Canada for six months! My Mum and I are going to get some nice food to celebrate!
My next step is to get the entrepreneurβs visa. They arenβt being issued right now, but I am staying on top of updates.
Spring has Sprung!
Okay, it hasnβt been that fast. Itβs quite pleasant to see spring creeping up on you. My Mum and I call it a slow spring. In California, itβs hot by mid-March. Thereβs a part of me that says, βOkay, too fast!β when that happens.
Last month, I saw these traces of grass. Now there is more grass! This past week, I saw a hyacinth outside my window! The deciduous trees are still bare, but I see buds there and on the bushes.
Another thing I did lately: I went outside with spring clothes and only a sweater as backup! I could tell by the fact I got two compliments on my shirt in one day that other people are happy the weather is warmer. Okay, we still get some snow and/or rainstorms, but itβs not too bad and they clear up fast enough.
A couple days ago, I sat in the warm sun at a war memorial behind a library
Now, Iβm actually writing this when weβre getting a snowfall. Thatβs April Showers for you!Β Although, it is good that itβs the only one to happen so far.
I have been incredibly surprised and impressed about how sunny Calgary is! Yes, you get storms, but itβs amazing how fast the weather clears and stays that way for a while. When I moved back to the US, one update from the UK I could absolutely rely on was when it was sunny. Iβm serious. ALL my friends in the UK posted on social media about sunny days! I was surprised, βItβs sunny in the UK!β wasnβt a trending topic on Facebook. Okay, I have posted about it being sunny in London too. Guilty as charged. Just goes to show how unusual sunny days are there.
Health is Wealth:
One reason why I havenβt posted as often is I am focusing on my health right now. I am getting gum graft surgery at the end of April. Plus, my Mum and I are doing our own personal lockdown (again)!
Eventually, you get to the point where you start to realize whether certain restrictions are enough. Restrictions tightened in Alberta over a week ago but itβs definitely not enough. I have been warning everyone I know about the B117 variant because I also know about how it affected the UK. The good thing is I think the new restrictions have been a wake-up call. Shops were busy when the restrictions were announced, but now itβs quieter. I live near a main road and the traffic is a lot less lately.
I was talking to my periodontistβs receptionist lately about the restrictions. She talked about how if she had her way, it would be a six-week lockdown. Plus, I told her how I learned to be extremely careful in COVID-19 prevention after living in the US.
Asking for Travel Recommendations:
Let me explain. There is word on the grapevine that our world-famous Calgary Stampede is going to be happening in July. If it does, it sounds like the city will have a major superspreader event. Alberta is planning to have every adult vaccinated by June 30. How realistic is that? I donβt know. Under normal circumstances, I would love to see the Stampede. It tickles a TCK nerve for me. However, I donβt want to sacrifice my health. So, we invited my Dad to visit and go on a road trip together.
I wonder how many Calgarians will have the same idea as me?
What I am Looking for in Travel Recommendations:
- Either within Alberta or some interprovincial travel, as long as the regulations for that work in our favour.
- Note: We already have Yellowknife in mind. Going north is definitely on the table.
- A mix of touristy and non-touristy places. I figure if the Stampede happens, the tourist places might be busy. Jasper, Banff and Edmonton sound nice, but I wonder if people will bring COVID-19 there around Stampede time.
- We donβt want to go to Ontario or Quebec at this time, for obvious reasons. That means we canβt go to the Atlantic provinces either.Β
Looking forward to hearing your recommendations!
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Congrats on th extension. Iβm with you on the Calgary Stampede. Our illustrious premier wanted a win so back engineered the opening phases to suit. I hope this does not bite hi and all Albertans in the A. Sooner or later, we all have to get back to normal, but I would think more success will occur once we have the second dose. For now, staying safe as usual. As to places to travelβ¦.Drumheller, Jasper, Emonton, Peace River country. If you are going to NWT, there is a fine line between mosquito and black fly season and sometimes you get them both at the same time. If you can get there for the longest day of the year (I have twice) that is worth the effort. So many places to see in Alberta, you wonβt run out for a while. Stay safe. Allan
Thank you! Yeah, I donβt know what the Premier and people were thinking to allow the Stampede. I have started referring to him as Just Kidding considering the back and forth on these COVID-19 regulations. Like, βWeβre reopening! Just kidding!β I wonder how many Calgarians have the same idea as me to get out of dodge. I do agree about second doses. I am on standby for the upcoming announcement on them. Thanks for the recommendation and the heads up about mosquitoes and black flies. Donβt think I can make it for the solstice this year, but weβll see about the Stampede. Thanks for commenting π
Thanks for following my blog, I love Canada! I stand on guard for thee!! π₯°π¨π¦
Youβre welcome! And thanks for your interesting comment on my collab post π
Congrats on your visa extension! When you moved to Calgary, I assumed you had a permanent visa. Hope that all goes well with your gum graft surgery.
Thanks Rosaline! No permanent residence just yet, but someday soon. Thanks for your kind wishes and for commenting π
Congrats that your stay in Canada got extended (and that it happened automatically!). Hope youβre enjoying your time in Calgary despite the wild weather. Best of luck with your gum graft surgery in a couple of weeks. As for travel recommendations, Iβve been to Alberta three times now and have always enjoyed spending time in Banff and Jasper (which are the obvious choices). During one of our visits we visited Yoho and Kootenay National Parks (both in BC, but super close to the Alberta border), which were also very nice. I donβt blame you for not wanting to visit Ontario or Quebec, itβs a hot mess over here!!
Thank you for your kind wishes! Itβs a real landmark to be here for 6 months! Thanks for the recommendations. Itβs really important to be proactive about COVID-19 and also where you go travelling during this time. Thanks for commenting! π
Iβm sure the 6 months have just flown by. Best of luck staying safe and with your trip planning!! Itβs hard to plan for the future these days, but good to have a few options.
Definitely! I mean, who knows if my Dad will even be able to get into Canada even though heβs vaccinated. Sometimes the best we can do is enjoy the present. My magpies help me do that π
Itβs starting to feel like spring here and I am super pleased although I hear itβs going to snow soon here too- it never ends in Canada lol! I donβt have any travel recommendations since Iβve never been to Calgary but have a lot of fun and let us know where you travel too because I definitely want to do some travel once Iβm done with uni!
Youβre so right about snow never ending here lol. I will definitely share where I go, if the trip is on. Although I do hope the right thing will be done and the Stampede will be cancelled. Thanks for commenting! π
I hope so too- considering the circumstances it would be best if itβs cancelled. My pleasure!
By the way this post did not show up on my WP Reader.
If Stampede happens I canβt imagine it will be as busy as usual. First of all, the borders may not be open yet, or just opening.It might be a good year to get a taste of it without the massive crowds and parties. Visit BCβs interior β Kelowna, Shuswap, Kamloops etc. Itβs a beautiful area and although can be busy with Canadian toursits in the summer, eveything is outdoors and I donβt think itβs huge crowds. People go there to enjoy the lakes and mountains. Itβs hotter than a Calgary summer so itβs a good place if youβre missing a hot sun. Even though Kelowna had a covid problem at the ski resort this winter, the numbers still werenβt nearly as bad as parts of Eastern Canada. Or Jasper is always a good choice. Itβs never as busy as Banff. Happy planning! Maggie
Thank you for the tips! I am adding them to the list π. Thatβs good to know about the Stampede. I do wonder though because things are so unpredictable right now. Thanks for telling me the post wasnβt showing up in your Reader. I will look into it
Iβm glad you survived the winter. If the Stampede takes place this year it will surely be low-key compared to other years. Yellowknife is a long way. In the Northwest Territories, it is possible to stop in Hay River, make a side trip to Fort Smith and see the Wood Bison National Park.
I hope youβre right about the Stampede. Still, I donβt mess around with COVID-19. Thanks for the travel advice. I just happened to find out about Wood Bison National Park today. My parents and I love national parks!
Wood bison are impressive but donβt expect to see them easily, this is not a zoo and they tend to be elusive. However, you will probably see them once or twice along the way.
I get it. I have been out in nature a lot. Thanks π