It's New Years Eve, after a beautiful sunny morning, (Van. is about the most gorgeous city on the face of the planet!) the clouds took over and the temperature dropped several degrees. (I think I just felt some sleet just before!)

The culture shock didn't set in (that Luc talked about when getting off the plane) until last night at dinner. I felt particularly alone and as far away from Melbourne as I am... Finding some partying company for New Years will prove to be a bit of a challenge in the current timeframe.

Anyway! seen quite a lot of downtown already, been to markets, train stations, been on the subway, "Skytrain"?! - why on earth is a subway called "Skytrain"?!, and all that. The Polar Bear swim is tomorrow afternoon - I dont think I'll be competing - they have to swim 90 yards into the ocean and back. In January. Obviously you have to be very stupid to do that kind of thing.

I'll be meeting up with some family friends (hopfully!) tomorrow and will have a very cheap bed and some nice food to eat. Will be very nice. Starting to get a bit worried about the cold - given that Van is the warmer part of Canada!
Will be headed for coldville, (namely the middle of Canada) on the 5th.