Finding my Guardian Angel

So it's February 2017, I am in my Airbnb on Main St. in Vancouver. It's snowing outside. The only clothes I have are summer clothes because, as you may remember, I have spent the last 2 months in Australia and New Zealand. What do I do? Well, mainly I panic! What have I done! I have no idea where to start, I have no qualifications, and I haven't done an interview in almost 10 years. I have never even lived outside my parent's house. Maybe, I should have tried this a bit closer to home. 

Each day comprised of wandering the streets, (after buying some more appropriate clothes) and figuring out the city! On one of my first days, I wandered straight down Main St. into the city centre, which in Vancouver brings you to a place called East Hastings. This part of town has a huge homeless community with many people using drugs, and is quite an overwhelming place to come across unprepared. It was quite a sobering experience, to say the least.

My next trek downtown was a more pleasant experience, making my way as far as English Bay and the West End. It's amazing how two sides of town can be so different. This side of town really is the polar opposite, very upmarket and one would almost say luxurious. 

But every day was not just exploring my new home, I had things to do. I started by signing up for courses in the local social security offices on how to update my C.V. and looking at flyers for jobs left, right and centre. I say looking at flyers, I never actually applied for any jobs, because I was too scared! But it made me feel like I was doing something at least!

My two weeks in my Airbnb were coming to an end, with no leads in sight. Next step.....move to a hostel! As I have mentioned, I like my own company, so the thought of this was not exactly thrilling me, but I knew it had to be done to meet some people. I decided to book into the Samesun hostel on Granville St. This was bang smack in the centre of town, and quite a party hostel.....again, not exactly my scene! But I bit the bullet, packed everything into my backpack and headed on my merry way. I was extremely nervous, so before I checked in, I may have stopped at a bar across the street to get some Dutch courage! I may have overdone it. I started talking to a couple at the bar who bought me many drinks, so I was not quite as petrified entering the hostel!! 

When I got to my room, I was a bit taken aback. It was a 4-bed dorm, the three other beds were taken, and there were things everywhere ... I mean everywhere! I had a top bunk, so I clambered up there and sat, taking it all in! The other girls in the room were out that night, so I didn't actually meet any of them until they stumbled in at some stage. I, on the other hand, was lying on my top bunk regretting those extra drinks I had, and hoping my first impression on my roommates was not me puking over the edge of my bed!

The next morning I realised that some of the other girls were working, so they were up and out quite early. One of them was working in the hostel, let's call her Sam, we got to chatting, and she was my first connection in Vancouver! I went out that day to explore again, and while trying to pay for something, I realised my debit card had been blocked by my bank back home! Just another thing to add to my stress levels! I went back to the hostel and cried on my bunk for the evening. Again that evening, I didn't really interact with the other girls in the room.

The next morning I went down for breakfast, and my Sam was working. I told her what had happened and she kindly offered to help me out in whatever way she could. I spent most of that day trying to contact my bank, pestering my parents who were trying to get it sorted out in Ireland, as with the time difference, it was not very easy for me to deal with the bank. Another day without my bank card. However, that evening when I got back to the hostel, 2 of the girls were in the room. Sam, and another girl who had a job in an office in town. Sam was asking me if I got things sorted with my card. When I tried to answer her, I broke down and bawled my eyes out in front of the two of them! This was when the other girl, Gia, came and gave me a hug, told me everything would be ok and we would figure it out! 

This was the moment I met my Guardian Angel!!