A Trip to West Edmonton Mall

By Gayane

A few weeks ago I was in Edmonton with my husband and two kids. The weather was so nice and we decided to drive. It’s about a seven-hour drive from Fort St. John to Edmonton.

The first day, we went to West Edmonton Mall and spent maybe about 6 hours in Galaxyland, the largest indoor amusement park in the world. There are so many rides and attractions that my kids were excited. They like it very much. They played and rode all day and didn’t want to go from there.


The next day we went to West Edmonton Mall’s Waterpark. We were surprised with my husband that it was really big. I have never seen a waterpark like that before. I think it’s the largest one. There are different water slides for adults and children.
We had lots of fun there, and I hope we will go there soon.

Differences Between My Home and Canada

Pamela writes: I asked the students to write about some of the differences they've noticed between their own home and culture and what they've seen so far of Canadian homes and customs. Most of the students have been here only for a few weeks--since the beginning of September.

Yui

When I came to Canada, I saw huge lands. It was cool in Canada, so I felt good. I was surprised that Canadians eat moose because Japanese people don’t eat it. Whenever it is cold, Canadian wear scanty clothing. If Canadians wear scanty clothing, Japanese wear much clothing, so I think Japanese are extremely sensitive to the cold. Canadian don’t take a bath every day, that surprised me. It’s usual for Japanese to take a bath every day.

Reika

When I moved to Canada from Japan, I’m surprised at many things. If Japanese go shopping, Japanese certainly lock the door, but Canadians don’t lock the door. I also always take a bath in Japan, but Canadians take a shower. Besides, it’s a short time for the shower.

I noticed food and times for eating. Canadians eat dinner very early and just a main dish. When I was in Japan, I often ate dinner at 8 p.m., and I have many foods, such as vegetable, fish, and main dish.

Ai

I had many surprising things after I came to Canada. There are a lot of differencesand cultures about foods, life style, habits and shipping and so on between Japan and Canada.

First, about foods. In Canada, they eat only one dish at supper and sometimes bread with it. That’s all. I was really surprised. Also, they sometimes eat some sweets like pudding and cookies for lunch. I feel Canadian people eat all day. These things are very surprising things for me.

Second, life style and habits. My host family never take off their shoes at house. In Japan, we take our shoes off all the time. And they drink only water from a tap. I think Canadian water is more safe than Japanese water. Additionally, they hardly watch TV. They don’t have a TV.

Third, shopping. They were drinking cola before buying. It was really surprising for me. The other day at the supermarket, I noticed a big difference. Canadian people take a shopping cart and put many things they will buy in it. Then they put all things on the counter and pay for them.

Differences from Japan and Canada – Yumi

When I came to Canada, I found some differences from Japan and Canada. First a jmajor difference is supper time. In Japan, supper time is about 7 p.m., but in Canada, we have supper at 5:30 p.m. I was surprised.

Next, Canadian people go to bed early. Everyone goes to bed about 9 p.m. I always go to bed about 12 a.m.

Then Canadian people bring snack (for example, cookies, pudding and so on) for lunch. Also Canadian people drink a cup of juice at supper. Japanese drink water or tea.

Next, at the supermarket, things are bigger than in Japan. For example, when I want a PET bottle, I can buy a PET bottle in Japan. But in Canada, I must buy a six-bottle set. There are many differences from Japan to Canada.

Sanae

There are a lot of different customs between Japan and Canada. First, Japanese always eat rice and some dishes, but Canadians usually eat a potato or bread and one dish. I was also surprised about clothes. In summer time, some Canadians wear only a bathing suit. Some men were naked to the waist. In addition, Canadian houses have small gardens which are like a farm.

However, we also have a similar custom. For example, we always worry about family or friends.

Yoko

I was surprised by many differences between Japan and Canada. First, in Japan, I take a bath in a bath tub every day, but my host family’s house doesn’t have bathtub. I’m sad, and I’m very cold. Second, there are differences of foods. Although Japanese eat rice every day, Canadians don’t eat rice, mainly they eat bread. I sometimes feel to eat rice.

Third, I find some differences at supermarket. In Japan, we had a basket to cashier, but in Canada, we must put goods on conveyor. I feel Canada’s good, for example, bread, ice cream, joice and so on, are so big compared to Japanese ones.
Fourth, many Japanese stay up to midnight, but many Canadians sleep very early.
Finally, I think there are m any differences of climate. In Japan, it is moist and hot. In Canada, it is dry and very cold. I worry this weather. I like nature, but my hometown doesn’t have it. Fort St. John has a lot of nature. I like it here.

Different Culture – Hitomi

Before I came to Canada, I thought that there are some differences between Canada and Japan, but there are more differences than I thought. I will tell you four things that I noticed.

First, Canadian people eat supper at 5 or 6 o’clock. Japanese people eat supper at 7 or 8 o’clock because some Japanese work until night. So I feel a little discomfort about supper time.

Next, Japanese people take a bath almost every day but Canadians, for example, my host family often only take a shower. I like taking a bath so I want to take a bath!

Third, I was surprised when I went to the supermarket. A clerk and a guest often talk a lot in Canada. If I talk with a clerk in Japan, other guests maybe become angry.

Finally, in Canada, a bus is usually late. I take a bus every day and the bus is always late! In inconceivable so I was very surprised.

There are many amazing differences but I enjoy Canadian life.

Vincent

When I moved to Canada from Macao, I experienced and enderwent many differences because two places have too many customs that are different. First, a major difference is the language. I’m not able to speak Cantonese or Chinese wherever I go. At the first time, I was so confused that I’ve never seen too many English words on billboards, sign boards, ads and anywhere.

Second, I saw too many individuals, stylish dudes who were walking on the street. I was surprised at a guy with punk hair but he still can go to school and kids don’t have to wear school uniforms. Then, now I comprehend how uncomfortable it is to take a bus and also how unbearable to tolerate the inclement climate.

Ryuka

When I came toFort St. John from Japan, there are many differences! First, it is early for me to eat and sleep. In Japan, I eat supper at 10 p.m. and sleep at 1 a.m. because I work till 9 p.m. Second, In Japan, I take a bath every day but Canadian people don’t do that. Third, at the supermarket, people don’t pay goods first although they take and eat first!!! It is unbelievable for me!!!!! That’s why there are many differences between Canada and Japan.

Hideki

When I move from Japan to Canada, these counties are very far so I’m having a different culture. At first, Canadian people greet everybody even though almost all Japanese people greet only friends.

Also, foods are very different. Before I came to Canada, I ate mainly rice, but Canadian people are eating bread. Usually Canadian houses hafve a pick-up truck or camping car. Japanese have not too much space. Almost all Japanese cannot get a big car. Therefore, compacts are popular in Japan.