As I came back to Winnipeg it was already time to say Goodbye to Melanie who went back to Germany. To end her stay in Winnipeg she invited over for a farewell bbq ... and at this time it made me also think about my residual days in Winnipeg.
In order to make my last days fun I planned with Khizar to party every night ... and so it came that I had an awesome time the following weeks.
The following weekend I had bbq with Mark, Lisa and Khizar at Kildonan Park. First I made them a surprise and I was looking forward to bring them to a small provincial park close to the airport. However, there were so many mosquitoes and we had no spray to fight them ... and we had no fire wood ... thus we had to drive back towards downtown. With fire wood and "OFF" Spray we finally ended in Kildonan Park ... a very beautiful place ... and we spent a couple of hours there, actually until almost 3 o'clock in the morning. My Canadian friends were kind of suprised for usually police made them go after 10 p.m. ... do we look so trustworthy ... let's ask the policemen of Winnipeg ;)
A Canadian Life Saver ... Off Spray keeps insects OFF!On my third last Sunday I was looking forward to go swim somewhere ... yet I couldn't motivate anybody to join and so I stood home as well. At night time we went to A&W for burgers (hey guys, the Double Teen Burger is still one of my preferred burgers) and then we went for a coffee to Baked Expectations. And then ... guess ... yeah it was awesome Karaoke time once more. With Naomi, Lisa and her sister, Khizar and Mark I spent another superb night!
A&W Burger ... mmmhhh!On Tuesday, Khizar and me went to a Salsa class. My friend Kristy asked me to join again for Salsa classes (I haven't been since my second trip, also because Melanie already left the city) and it was fun to meet them there and to improve dancing skills (my skills still are pretty weak, it seams I have to work hard in Switzerland to change the situation *smile*). We also had the opportunity to meet Jessica, a friend of Kristy. After salsa we went to a coffeehouse in somewhere Winnipeg and had some funny conversations.
Wednesday we expected to go to Salsa again ... yet, I was late, really late and until I found a parking lot it was too late to go to Salsa classes anymore. By chance we also met Jessica walking along the street, for she previously had to look for another parking lot because the wrecking service almost towed her car (I hate it, they don't give bills ... they just tow your car and you end having lots of troubles).
Never ignore this road sign ... Kind regards, Dr. Hook!After Kristy finished her Salsa class we planned singing Karaoke; however it didn't work out somehow and Khizar and me went to my house watching a movie (
Amélie ... I already know the movie well; yet, I enjoyed showing the movie to Khizar and i think he really liked the movie).
On Friday I planned a night with my roommates, something like a pre-farewell party. We started at six and went to North Garden for Chinese Food.
Tannis (former roommate) and her boyfriend Matt
Three amazing roomies :)After a delicious meal we went to the Taverne for beer and some kind of warming up ;).
Some kind of womanizer ... ;)Many friends of Tannis (my former roommate), Phil, Craig, Corrado (an almost roommate :)) joined and finally with a huge group we went to Karaoke. It was the first time for almost all of them and they really enjoyed it a lot.
Phil Collins
Craig Hasselhoff
Corrado Il Divo
... and the Dixie Chicks!Finally, singing makes people hungry and so we had to get a burger at Junior's before saying good night to the stars.
On Saturday night Kristy, Jessica, Khizar, Mark and me went to the Empire. It was a good opportunity to test our learned Salsa skills ... unfortunately, that night the Salsa floor was closed. Yet, we still spent a fun time on the main floor ... until, I shaked my head and I somehow lost my glasses. We couldn't find them for about 5 minutes and as they got found they were broken. So I lost my glasses in Canada ... tztztz ... however, I wasn't too upset for I had planned to buy new glasses soon. Thanks to Khizar, our new driver, we all got home safely.
Broken eyeglasses ... new luck?Sunday I went to the Fringe Festival with Lindsay.
The Fringe Festival is dedicated to theatre; in several locations different plays are performed for more than a week. Lindsay invited me to dance play named "
Long Black Veil" that is based on a song of Johny Cash. The play is fine; I especially liked the music that was played by a small orchestra; however, it looks like I don't get too much attracted by dance performances.
Then already my last Winnipeg week started ...
On Monday I started cleaning up my room ... I went through all the stuff that accumulated during the year.
Time to clean up ...!Kind of sad and strange to go through all that material, however after a day it was almost done. At night I was invited at Nan's house for Chinese Hot Pot ... it was a very nice way to say goodbye to a good friend.
The next day I met Mark (the Canadian blogger and business student) for a "goodbye lunch" downtown. Later on, I went to the Forks to buy a few souvenirs like Maple Syrup and Maple Tea.
Maple Syrup ... the perfect Canadian gift!Later on that day I picked up Khizar, we got some ice cream at Dairy Queen's and watched
Romper Stomper (a movie with Russell Crowe as a skinhead, I would say an average movie) with Craig.
On Wednesday Khizar and me went to Salsa classes again. We actually expected to meet Kristy and Jessica; however, they both were sick and couldn't join. Later on we went for tasty Indian food to a restaurant called Clay Oven. Finally, we went to Cinema City (for amazing $1.75 a person ... maybe the last time I get as cheap movie tickets) watching Mission Impossible 3.
The next day I had a "goodbye lunch" with Lindsay. We went to a small nice café on Osborne Street, enjoyed some tasty food, and had a good conversation. Later on that day I had dinner at my welcome family's place. They were the first Canadian I met and made me feel comfortable in Winnipeg during my first days. Finally, I met Stephen in Corrydon for a beer and together we had a review over my past year in Canada.
Friday was shopping day ... shopping for my goodbye party the following day. With a huge shopping list I went to Canadian Superstore. The same day I had to clean my car, for I sold it to Chrissy some hours later. After some paperwork and a visit at the insurance agency the deal was closed.
My previous car
Then it was time again to continue cleaning up my room before I went to the Empire. There I met Kristy, Jessica and Khizar and we tried to practice some Salsa (yet not on the Salsa floor, the dancers there are too good!).
After a fun night I had a few hours left to sleep before the preparation started for the big "Goodbye Party".
I got off at nine in the morning and I had to hurry; the first guest were expected for 12 o'clock. At 12 o'clock I still wasn't ready and luckily nobody showed up before 4 pm. Craig (my roommate) decorated the living room and the kitchen and I continued working in the kitchen ... cutting pineapples and melons, preparing a chocolate mousse (with the help of Chrissy, Dale and Phil ... thanks!) and the ingredients for burgers, and so on ...
As finally everybody showed up I was almost done and the big party could start ... :)
First we played some boccie, later on we got dinner (burgers, what else? *smile*) and later on we played cards and other games and enjoyed desert. I think everybody really enjoyed the party and it was a great opportunity to see all my friends again.
Boccie Team with Khizar, Shannon, and Lisa
Boccie Team with Craig, Corrado, and Phil
Lisa and Mark picking fruit pieces
Corrado, Phil, and Shannon making jokes
Khizar Art Master
BBQ Chef Corrado
Good kitchen mate Dale ... beats chocolate mousse to perfection!
Chrissy and a burger :)
Ray playing "Meierle" (a Swiss game (probably not) that is also famous in Canada)
Stephen, Kristy, Corrado, and Mark having good conversations
Shannon, Kristy, me, and Corrado playing Rummy
Kristy and Craig try to solve a puzzle ...
... and Stephen tries his luck as well!
Craigs wonderful decoration of the house!Sunday was my last entire day in Canada. In the morning I had to clean up the kitchen and to empty my fridge and the kitchen cabinet. At 6:30 pm I met Kristy, Jessica and Khizar for Salsa at the Forks. It was a really hot day and the humidity was very high ... a few steps of Salsa and we were drenched in sweat. Yet, we still had a fun time and we promised that we would dance salsa again if we would meet at a later point in time. Later on that night I met Naomi, Lisa, the Canadian and the Philippine Mark, as well as Phil and Corrado. Together we had a last drink at Earl's and it was a last time to say goodbye.
The "Canadian" Mark
Naomi and Phil
Khizar and Lisa
Phil and Mark
Corrado
Naomi and meDuring my last night I had mainly to clean my room and to make my luggage. After a few hours of sleep and some last preparations I got a ride from Chrissy and Mark to the airport.
A last picture with Chrissy ...
... and with Mark!
(thanks to Mark for the last 2 pictures)
After a last visit at Tim Horton's I had to pass the security control and at 10:25 my plane took off ... for a last time I could see Winnipeg ... from a bird's eye view.
I spent an amazing year in Canada; I made lots of new amazing friends and experiences. I'll keep good memories and I won't forget Winnipeg and especially not its people. And for sure, one day I'll be back ... :)
Switzerland meets a Winnipeg guy *smile*
Switzerland meets a Winnipeg guy *smile*
