(A side note: we made a trip to Hong Kong to get me, (Matt), my third travel visa. I had one from Canada good till December. In December I went to Hong Kong and got one that was good for 30 days and I could enter China twice. I used those up and I used up the 30 days. I was able to get a 6 month visa and I can leave and enter China whenever I want now. )
Back to the photos...
We went to the park after we got the camera. Here is one of our new friends in Winnipeg.
After the park we went to Jenny's for the going away party (or as Jenny called "Bon Voyage").
We had a great time with our friends in Winnipeg. It made me (Matt) think of the summer of 2008 and how we always partied at Jenny's house and stayed up way too late and then had to try to work the next day.
After the party we started our drive to Ontario. We had a few stops before we got to Hamilton.
Our first stop on the trip. Kenora, Ontario. We went to the community center. I built this wall of rocks with Lakefront Restorers in October 2011. 3 guys and 3 days and we finished!
Here we are in the car during our loooooong journey through Ontario. The weather was beautiful and we were stopped for about an hour due to construction, so we took the time to take some photos...
It was Amanda's first time in Toronto!!! We took the subway, saw the CN tower, CBC building, Matt's College, and the Toronto Skydome, (Roger's Centre), for hotdogs! We also went to a restaurant called O Noir. You eat in pitch black and are served by people who are blind. It was a pretty cool experience and the food was delicious! Thanks Candi and Wes for telling us about it! ;)
Next stop:
Niagara Falls. We met up with Matt's sister, Bobbie and went on a rainy day. It was beautiful!
Okay, that's it for now! Hope you enjoyed. Next up: Our first days in China!
Matt and Amanda :)
hey howdens
ReplyDeletelooks like you're having a fabulous time!
janis (my lovely wife) just signed a contract for a school in south korea so we too will be heading out your way(ish).
question though - you were mentioning that you've had to get a number of visas already ... has it been a hassle to get that worked out?
we're still waiting to get ours going but was just curious how you've found the experience (?)
thanks so much - continue having a blast out there - and MORE PHOTOS!
cheers
mike (on janis' google account)
Hey Mike (and Janis!)
ReplyDeleteYes, Visas have been a hassle for us, but they may not be for you...
We (still) do not have our marriage licence. That is partly our fault for not putting pressure on the powers that be. That is why the school has not given him a Visa as my dependent. Matt is also working as a full-time substitute, instead of on a contract. So, to make a long story short they have not given him a permanent residents Visa like I have. He now has a 6 month multi-entry Visa though.
So...what are you going to be doing in Korea? Where are you going to be living? What kind of school is it? That sounds awesome!! We have heard good things about Korea.
Amanda
Hi there!
DeleteThis is Janis now actually :)
That visa situation sounds so frustrating. We can't start our visa application process until I officially graduate (June). The school seems to think that will be more than enough time, but I am a naturally anxious person, so I worry about it sometimes...
Just curious, is Matt subbing on a tourist visa or a working visa?
Now about Korea: It's at the Manitoba curriculum school in Incheon (right next to Seoul). It's a pretty new school (only in its second year). We had really been hoping for Clifford, but apparently the Chinese government is pretty strict about only hiring experienced teachers.
Looking forward to following the blog! :)
- J.
Hi Janis!
DeleteI never knew there was a MB curriculum school in Korea.
Matt is subbing on a travel Visa.
I think you will have enough time to get your Visas after you graduate.
That is really strange about the Chinese government not hiring new teachers. I know a bunch of teachers out here who came with NO teaching experience. I know it definitely is their preference. Interesting...
Good luck with getting everything ready for Korea!
Amanda