As it happens...my Vancouver expedition!

[pro_star 52]

Okay my appointment with dr. Cheema is in an hour and 45 minutes. So I figured I'd start this thread so anyone who is about to do theirs can follow along with the fun, the love, and the cussing.

Flight from Calgary to Vancouver was uneventful. Early...but oh well. Had the Lindsey Stirling on the iPhone (YouTube her, she's fabulous!) and reading an old series that there's a new book due out in another month (Diana gabaldon's outlander series)

Onward to glory! Land in yvr and wander lost until I find the "car rentals" (past the baggage claim - walk til you see the information kiosk and you'll see a sign down the escalator). Cool! Go to Alamo (never using them again).

Honestly I booked through air miles. So yay here I was thinking okay. Rental fee covered by airmiles. Already bought insurance through said airmiles. I'm good to go!

"$120 please"

Um what. They're going to get an angry call from me later. I usually rent from enterprise so I know yeah. They usually put a hold on your credit card so you don't go off with their car. But why is he charging me enough for a full three days rental on a compact car like this??

"Oh well they don't pay the taxes"

Whatever. I'll deal with head office later. Guy didn't even want to go out and check over for damage with me "oh look it over if there's anything we'll mark it on the thing I'm already making you sign"

(Anyone else noticing some fishy behavior??)

So I'm currently rocking out a fiesta that is sucking my soul away. And there was one minor instance of looking for clutch hitting brake. Lol oops.

Oh well. I will continue to kill some time in the save on parking lot until I'm at least closer to my appointment time! I'll provide an update on that one sooner!

Ps anyone wondering how far it is to drive from the airport to dr cheemas? It's a hair over 20 minutes. And that was around 8am...not bad traffic, surprisingly.

[Tina and Johan 206]

Good luck! have fun! Only a month to go?? Really?!?! I feel like this book is taking FOREVER to release! Glad to know it'll be released right about the time school is out for the summer. Perfect.

[pro_star 52]

Pretty sure it's next month

I've got the receptionist at the office has a couple volumes borrowed from me - I've told her she's under a strict time limit with them so she better get reading!!!

[pro_star 52]

Google maps will tuck you into the plaza behind dr cheemas office.

You want to be in this plaza (hope the link works) and dr cheemas office is in the back of it.

[Lights 56]

There's also a Starbuck's across the street in the Chapters. We sat around there and had a coffee and a muffin before the medical exam!

Good luck! And yes, it's easier to get to Dr. Cheema's through HWY 99 (Oak St) versus Highway 1/Trans-Canada. Ohh.. and if you're into donuts... the only Krispy Kreme's is in that area as well... Just sayin'

[pro_star 52]

I did see the Krispy Kreme!!!

[chiggins82 88]

Good luck with everything. I will eventually be going to Vancouver for medical and interview... eventually.

Rental cars are so expensive. I used to have to rent one with work at least once a month and they never want to go outside and do the walk around. Or they just note minor nics and scratches. I always take pics of any damage and email them once I have it and never had trouble. Hopefully this is the only real bad part of the trip!

[Crumulent 7]

If you want to use Transit instead, it's cheaper than renting a car, and not difficult to use (just time-consuming)

There's a train that runs back and forth from the airport and downtown. And the Skytrain runs between downtown and Surrey. I stayed downtown and got to Dr Cheemas and the Lab and back using it and one bus.

[pro_star 52]

I've heard that but I wanted a rental so I could lock things in it (for example during the consulate interview - since I'm leaving again that night.). And I had planned on using transit but when I found out that I could use airmiles to book a car (or so I thought) I just went that route.

Bright side. Got my hotel room upgraded! Penthouse baby!!!! With a jacuzzi tub!! Ended up acquiring a nice bottle of wine and some strawberries and taking advantage of that last night! The balcony is a little freaky ( it's a kind of half circle design) but I have a lovely ocean view

Ended up meeting a very lovely lady at the medical - Susan, who's sadly not a member on here...but hopefully I can turn her to the dark side MWAHAHHAAHAHA! And after the medical we both went out for lunch then wandered Stanley park and creeped around on where the consulate was. Not a far walk at all from the transit station, but still totally doable from the hotel too (score)

There's lots of little restaurants and pubs and stuff around here - and also a couple little grocery stores too.

Today Susan and I are likely going to explore more together and then go pick up the medical results.

[pro_star 52]

Day two!

Susan and I spent the day doing touristy stuff (and I discovered the one tooth store - quality yoga attire that's Canadian made and much more affordable than lululemon)

Sadly look at the clock, oh #######! 4:30!!! Make it to dr cheemas with fifteen minutes to spare (think the wheel bearings are borked on my little rental fiesta...transmission is a bit possessed as well...go ford quality!!) but phew! Made it!! The admin was surprised and laughed that we both came in together - come on friendships were made in that office!!!

Tomorrow is the consular interview. We're meeting up at a nearby Starbucks to gather in terror beforehand. Wish us luck!!!

[pro_star 52]

We both got approved. Huzzah!! Went to milestones to celebrate now I'm at the airport. Can't wait to see my mutt again!!

Was terrified I was going to get rfe'd since my police check didn't have my middle name but the officer let it slide. Phew.

Bring a book or meet up with someone awesome at dr cheemas and pal up with them cause it gets pretty boring.

They also seemed to only sometimes use the numbers "please go to window x" so apparently someone called me and I didn't hear it...oops.

Oh and after you go to window b and you get your number...if it tells you to go to window 01 - there is no window 1 lol

[rshree 16]

Heartiest Congratulations!

All the best in the rest of the process

[pro_star 52]

Thanks

[Lights 56]

Yay!! Congrats pro_star!!!

[VeeNDee 44]

Congrats pro_star. I have to say you are an interesting writer- it was so much fun to read your story!