Reading Week Travels In Canada!

By Rhiann Singh, University of Ottawa, Canada

One of the biggest things I recommend for anyone to do while they’re on their year abroad is to travel! Whether it is with someone, a group, or all alone, now is the perfect opportunity.

The perfect time for me to travel was during reading week. I hit the point where I started feeling homesick, as it was also nearly reading week at Manchester too. Luckily for me, I have family in Vancouver so I decided to go visit them and travel to Banff and Calgary whilst I was there.

I was doing this trip alone, which is the longest I have done solo. I was feeling a bit nervous beforehand but I was super excited too see bits of Canada.

After a nearly 6-hour flight, I finally arrived in Vancouver! I was reunited with my Great-Uncle. My Great-Aunt cooked all my favourite home cooked Indian food and immediately the homesickness was cured. I can gladly say that for the next three days in Vancouver I was not at all hungry! Whilst in Vancouver, I visited Fort Langley, which was this picturesque town alongside the river. This town had lots of vintage and antique shops, but my favourite was definitely the crystal shop. I also visited Downtown Vancouver, and saw the art gallery, Gastown, the port and went on the Canada Flyover. The final places I visited were the infamous Stanley Park and White Rock beach. Overall, I found Vancouver to be the perfect balance of nature and city life. I definitely want to come back and visit again!

After a well needed reset, I was onto my next flight from Vancouver to Calgary. When I arrived in Calgary, they had just had their first snowfall of the season which I was so excited for. I got a 2 hour airport transfer from Calgary to Banff, and I was not prepared for the beautiful scenery. I checked into my hostel, which gave cute and cosy cabin vibes. Whilst in Banff, I visited Lake Louise, which was absolutely breathtaking, I went on the Banff Gondola, which took me up Sulphur Mountain, and I walked around the town. By far, Banff has been one of the most beautiful and favourite places I have ever visited!

After a couple of days in Banff, it was now time for me to return back to Calgary for two nights. I found Calgary to be a very odd city, there was a lot there, in terms of buildings, but there wasn’t a lot going on. I basically spent the day in the mall and saw the Wonderland Sculpture, but essentially it was nice just having a chill few days. The hostel I was staying in was very lively compared to the last two I stayed in, but I still enjoyed it.

As a whole, I really enjoyed this trip. I felt more confident in solo travelling, as well as staying in hostels. It can be lonely at times, so you have to make sure you enjoy your own company. It was nice seeing the west side of Canada, as I have never visited there before, and I loved spending time with my family too.