MY
WINTER MEMORIES
When I just landed and still in the process of
settling down, I had applied for my educational transcript from my university
back home for an admission here in Canada.
In fact to get the transcript was war, it is a story
for another day. So you can imagine my joy when I got a call that the
transcript has been processed and will be delivered by DHL. Unfortunately, DHL came twice to where I live and
didn’t meet anybody at home. Anyways, I was told to come to their office to get
the transcript as they couldn’t deliver it.
Haa! I looked up their address on google map and decided
to go the following day.
Meanwhile, I had no car and I didn’t want to bother
any of our friends, in my mind I was being considerate. That’s how I set off for DHL office at around 3pm on
that cold day. It wasn’t snowing but it had snowed in the past days and
everywhere still had the white blankets of snow. Coupled with the minus
something degrees temperature.
Like I said, I had looked up the buses on the route
and knew what buses to take. I didn’t spend up to 10 minutes at the bus-stop
before getting the first bus and I felt so cool with myself.😎 I got down at a stop and waited for 25minutes in order
to get on the next bus, that was when I knew that Calgary winter doesn’t respect anyone. Despite my gloves and all, I
was cold.
I got on the bus and I told the driver the address I
was going to - one of my strategies then so they won’t drive me pass my stop. After about 30 minutes drive, the bus driver said I
had arrived at my stop. I looked around, I didn’t see anything: only snow. He said I will walk like 10-15 minutes before
I get to my destination. Hmm, that was how I started walking and unconsciously
wished there were ‘okada’ drivers or commercial bikes like we had back home.
To cut a long story short, I got to the DHL office, collected
my package and decided to head back to the bus stop. I still don’t know what happened, but I lost my way.😒
I was walking
around, perambulating in the snow; hoping to find my way back to the bus stop,
but it was in vain, I must have missed my turn or something, it was
getting dark, I started hyper ventilating. I must have walked around the block
for about 5-6 times, roughly around 30 minutes in the cold. It was a strictly office area, there was nobody to ask
any questions, and it had gotten dark not forgetting that it wasn’t up to 7 pm
yet.😕
When I couldn’t hold myself anymore, yours truly
started crying (yes, thinking back now I feel kind of ashamed).ðŸ˜
The next office I saw, I walked in and that was how I
met a guy, I asked him how I could get to the bus stop and he was like he
doesn’t know, since he doesn’t use the bus.
I just started bawling, I’m sure the guy must have
kind of felt embarrassed because he said he was on his way home and if I
wouldn’t mind he could give me a lift to the nearest train station. I had never
felt so grateful in my life. I thanked him and walked with him to his car.😰
All of my mother’s warning about not going with
strangers fell out the window.😫
From the train station, I was able to get myself home
safely to heat and hot chocolate.
In retrospect, I will advise new immigrants to study
the routes well before they set out, If I had known it will entail walking for
like 10- 15minutes from the bus stop I would have reconsidered my options. Also
plan your timing, I should have gone earlier in the day when there was enough
daylight.
Lastly use your friends, I know everyone is busy and you might not
want to disturb them but seriously what are friends for? 😇
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