One popular Christmas carol says that Christmas is the most wonderful time of the year. It probably is, when you imagine your entire family together seated around a table full of delicious food prepared by your mother or aunts, and your kids and your nephews and nieces are excited and giggling. But if you’re anContinue reading “3 ways to cope with the Christmas blues in Canada”
Author Archives: cardensal20
All about winter gear to survive the Canadian cold
During my first days in Ottawa, after moving from Peru, I didn’t have proper winter clothing to face the horrendous temperatures that hovered around minus 20 C. I had no idea how I would put up with those harsh days. It must have been the excitement of feeling snow for the first time in myContinue reading “All about winter gear to survive the Canadian cold”
OTTAWA: Q & A
In the past few years, Ottawa has caught the attention of many people as an interesting place to move to, in part due to good job opportunities, and because of relatively affordable housing. That’s why Ottawa has grown a lot in recent years, and many of its residents are people who have arrived from otherContinue reading “OTTAWA: Q & A”
Exploring Britannia: history, beach, and nature in the west of Ottawa
The first time I ended up in Britannia, it was by chance. We were driving back home from the west and we took one street that led us to a charming neighborhood, with beautiful old, very well-kept houses surrounded by big, leafy trees. A sign said: “Britannia Village.” We kept wandering and eventually we cameContinue reading “Exploring Britannia: history, beach, and nature in the west of Ottawa”
Ottawa vs Gatineau: where to live?
Living in the National Capital Region has an advantage: a person has access to two cities, two cultures, and two languages, as if they were one. It’s as if Ottawa in Ontario, and Gatineau in Quebec, were Siamese twins, indivisible. And that is because they have a symbiotic relationship. What would Ottawans do if theyContinue reading “Ottawa vs Gatineau: where to live?”
8 biggest struggles as a newcomer to Canada
It’s soon going to be three years since I moved to Canada, and even though many people will think that I’m not a newcomer anymore, I still feel like one in some ways. It will always be challenging living in another country, speaking another language, trying to assimilate the customs and manners of the locals,Continue reading “8 biggest struggles as a newcomer to Canada”
Immigrants wanted: How to emigrate to Canada
Did you know that Canada’s government recently set out its plan to boost immigration for the period 2021-2023 and that the nation seeks to receive more than 400,000 immigrants each year? So, if you have been considering moving to Canada this is a good moment to think about it seriously. In 2020 immigration to CanadaContinue reading “Immigrants wanted: How to emigrate to Canada”
Hintonburg: Ottawa’s hipster neighborhood
The first time I was in Hintonburg it was a rainy day. I really couldn’t see much but as I lived that time in the East end of Ottawa, I never had the excuse or the curiosity to come back. What a mistake. In the past month I have rediscovered Hintonburg. What I found isContinue reading “Hintonburg: Ottawa’s hipster neighborhood”
Eight reasons why I stayed in Canada
I moved to Ottawa almost three years ago with my Canadian husband after living together in Peru for 17 years. He had become homesick and at the same time, we thought moving would be a great thing for our three children. The truth is that we were not sure we would like the drastic changeContinue reading “Eight reasons why I stayed in Canada”
Moving in Ottawa: our experience
I hate moves. The last time I moved was when I came to Ottawa with my family. Disassembling our house in Lima was a huge job. I remember hours and hours of piling up things, putting them in boxes, discarding things, putting them in the garbage, giving them away or selling them. After almost threeContinue reading “Moving in Ottawa: our experience”