6 Annoying things about Canada

1. Probably the only continent that doesn't use the far superior metric system. Oh and measurements vary too (US vs Canadian gallon) and they sometimes decide to use metric just for kicks. There are also 2 differnt kinds of pints. Make up your fucking mind Canada, either use metric or don't.
2. Many people here don't 'get' dry/sarcastic humor or irony.
3. They have their own 'special' paper system (I think the people who came up with it were a bit special). Hey let's ignore the beautiful ISO 216 based on the fibonnaci sequence the rest of the world uses and implement parochial archaic measurement systems.
4. The hidden cost of everything, no wonder people hate advertisers. Coffee is 1.60 + gst + pst + tip = 2.10 = Fucking bullshit.
5. Tipping, it's bullshit plain and simple. Tipping means more attractive employees (particularly attractive females) will get earn more money, additionally it also means employers can weasel out of paying people a proper wage and results in passive aggressive behaviour when you don't tip (or don't tip much). Personally I think it's kind of retarded to let customers evaluate wait staff on their service and pay them accordingly.
6. High cost of living, comically low wages. Minimum wage in Vancouver (one of the most expensive cities in the world) is 8.00 an hour. How the fuck does the government and more importantly the people allow this to be so?

Feeling a bit foolish

well well well...
Not really getting any response to my job applications, pretty disheartening given I've applied for so many. I've tried varying my application and targeting it more specifically to each advertisement, so we'll see if that brings any results.
Anyway Canadian clothing stores have a pretty shitty range and I'm finding it hard to buy interview clothes that don't look completely ridiculous, let's just say the clothes here tend to be ill fitting, baggy and conservative. Might try another mall tomorrow to get a decent shirt and a pair of pants, belt and shoes.
Once I get that sorted I really need to start canvassing for jobs to get some money coming in, the other alternative at least for the short term is wwoofing.
To be honest it's a bit frustrating just how retarded the job situation and recruitment process is here, there have definitely been moments where I felt like chucking it all in and going home to Australia.

Rockies

Just got back from the rockies, it may in fact be the most beautiful place in the world, at least what I have seen.
Currently at the Samesun on Granville st, it's kind of shit but was cheap after the moose tour. Think I might check into something quieter in a day or two, maybe after I get my SIN number and Canadian Sim card in town I might go to the HI in Jericho Beach for a bit of quiet and apply for share houses and jobs.
All in all having a good time, weird moving around so much though.

Got there in one piece

Arrived in Vancouver and everything went well. Had the stopover in Seoul that was interesting, good food and bad english, was fun though.

The hostel I checked into is a bit of a ghost town, not very social and a tad depressing to be honest. The only good thing about it will be the quiet and the wireless internet, good for job hunting.

Leaving tomorrow

Nearly packed, just washing some of my clothes then packing away the rest of my stuff. Have to get to airport at 6:30 (eek).

Well that was a load of bullshit

Apparently the "free stopover" wasn't "available" so it will now cost me an extra $101 (for hotel and transfers) on top of my fare in South Korea, not a huge amount of money but kind bullshit considering the price was quoted and I was told that was the deal I was getting. Apparently it is because of booking my flight at short notice and this "hasn't happened before" but honestly I am pretty shitted off mostly because I was led to believe that this was not something I would have to pay for and now I do. Kind of shitty, I feel deceived and will learn from this experience.

Stopover in Seoul

Currently planning my movements for the stopover in Seoul. From what I can gather my best bet will be to go to sleep early in the hotel Korean Air puts me up in for the night (most likely the Hyatt at the airport) and take a Limousine bus to Insadong in Seoul fairly early the next day (about $30,000won return, which is roughly AUD$30) and check out the food etc and make sure I'm back at the airport at about 3:30 - 4:00 for check in. Realistically I only have about 6 hours there but so I'm just going to hit the tourist district as wandering around a non english speaking country can be confusing and disorienting and not a good idea when you have a plane to catch later in the day.
I am budgeting for about 100,000 won in Cash for the day and anything I may want to buy, food is fairly cheap at around 5,000 (but realistically I'm going to be disciplined about buying things this time around as I need to carry them around in a backpack) I can use credit for, that way I won't be left madly trying to spend excess cash.
Should be fun, I think I'll just end up spending my money eating lots of awesome Korean food.