I am now back in Reading, and back to work! The Christmas tree is up and I'm ready to stuff my face with mince pies and drink lots of Baileys :-)

The flight went by very quick, despite being unbeliveably cramped. I actually managed to watch a film this time which helped pass the time. On my arrival to Reading, a nice man offered to help me with my bags up the stairs across the train tracks (That made a change from Canada where I just got looks for being in the way while struggling with my bags). It definitely helped me get home quicker... those bags were slowing me down!

After the terrible jetlag I had in Vancouver when I arrived, I have tried to make myself stay up til 10pm and wake up at 8am so I don't let the jet lag get to me again and mess up my sleeping pattern... still so tired though!

Just thought I'd finish off my blog with a few notes on what I learnt about Canada:

- Canada is a big big place, I really need to stop assuming I can walk everywhere!

- Tim Hortons is amazing and I wish I had discovered it sooner for cheap coffee and doughnuts. Who knew a hockey Player could create such a successful business in the coffee industry!

- Canada is frikkin' freezing. Despite the many warnings, I did not pack well for it. Must pack better next time!

- Finding a normal bank cash point, as opposed to those little ones in shops that charge you, is a very difficult task.

- An impossible task is topping up your phone. It can't be done on the internet, nor over the phone nor at a cash point (if you can even find one) and only a couple of shops sell top ups!!!

- On the topic of phones. It is expensive to own one in Canada, you have to pay to RECEIVE calls and texts as well as making them!

- Canadians like to build castles

- Twizzlers are amazing!

- They show adverts before and after the opening credits and ending credits of tv shows... Crazy!

- Public transport is poor... But it is very cheap when available

- They don't have many roads and all the main highways appear to go through city centres as opposed to going around them.

- Shopping is cheap cheap cheap :-) My favourtie past time! (must save more money for my next visit!)

- Hospitality staff are underpaid so rely much more on their tips than we do!

What I have learnt about myself:

- I always want what I can't have. When in England I want Lucky Charms and am prepared to spend £10 on a box. When in Canada, I eat no Lucky Charms despite them being readily available!

- I am growing more and more indecisive with age!

- I find skyscrapers both fascinating and intimidating

- I don't have the same patience I used to with hostels!

- My packing skills have improved

- I still can't speak Canadian or Quebecois... but I think I understand it better.

I have been offered a job for the Olympic games in Whistler starting in February so I am very excited at being able to go back to Canada (more twizzlers and shopping!) and be part of the Olympics! I may pick up my blog again but I dont know that I'll have much interesting chat as I'll mainly be working.

In the meantime, I hope I get to see you all soon and I will get the photos up asap!

Elodie XxX

P.S. Since when did it become common practice to clap when the airplane lands??