CKnD said:
Thanks Sweden ... In the Amman channel, there has been some movement with people getting their files worked on, so I'm monitoring my Ecas like a hawk, hoping something happens soon.
Question to you and all those who have landed: Tell us about your new life in Canada, what do you love?. What do you hate ?, What do you miss ?. What parts of Canada have you seen, been too ? all those kind of things.
I find we get alot of info about peoples wait times, struggles to get here, immigration hassels. But we never get any info of those that have landed, and have started their lives hear, lets here their stories.
I've been here since the fall of 2011, so I'm not all that new, but what I noticed first that I liked a lot was the way the city is laid out (Montreal). It's built with people in mind, parks everywhere, large streets, lots of green, lots of open spaces, and not to mention the constant events and happenings. I've lived in Sofia (Bulgaria), Casablanca, and Philadelphia and none of those places felt so "human-minded."
I also like that the gov. cares and support people's dreams and interests. There are so many organizations and financial support for the arts of every kind, and for small businesses in general. Overall I feel like Montreal thinks about its people. Now on the topic of animals, I am sorely disappointed and surprised. The political mentality on pets and animals is at least 10 years behind, but that's another topic.
What I don't like is the obnoxious attitude anglophones get from some people in social circumstances, but even more so from customer facing employees in small businesses like the convenience stores, grocers, coffee shops and others such places... And I speak French, mind you. But God forbid I open my mouth and English comes out, I'm domed. Especially if I'm asking for something a little special, like no foam on my coffee. I'm sure to get extra foam if I don't ask in French... I would think, if nothing else, that customer service staff should not bring their personal feelings to work and their employers should not want to allow that kind of treatment of clients. What does that say to tourists coming to Montreal... Anyways, also a large topic.
On the flip side, another thing I really like is that I find Quebec, and perhaps all of Canada, to be a perfect balance between capitalism and socialism in that they work hard and are professional and serious about their commitments and obligations in business, and yet they do not go over board and forget to live. I have lived in communism, Muslim kingdom, and fierce capitalism, and I like it here the best in that regard.
Have not seen any other parts of Canada yet, except Ottawa for a couple of hours, and I found it dry and boring looking, much like Washington DC. On first glance, it gave off a smell of stale bureaucracy, but I could be wrong.
Oh and one more thing that puzzles me greatly. People don't know how to walk on streets here. They keep walking right into each other and no one seams to notice, LOL... very strange.
