tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-83960114333484375362012-02-16T02:27:28.086-05:00This is a blog about our journey to Canada as immigrants and we hope that it will be of help to those that are one their way to making Canada a new home. It may also make some interesting reading...Allan D'Silvahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01225979201783440632noreply@blogger.comBlogger631100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8396011433348437536.post-75930345061829447112011-03-28T15:38:00.000-04:002011-03-28T15:38:52.110-04:00

Once you make the move, the first thing that you will want to do is live in an area among your own people. These maybe relatives, friends, country men or people from your own community. Toronto and its surrounding areas often called the GTA (Greater Toronto Area) is one of the most diverse communities I have ever seen. While I’m sure that other parts of Canada have similar diversity, I cannot

Allan D'Silvahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01225979201783440632noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8396011433348437536.post-39195638126152807842011-01-11T14:45:00.000-05:002011-01-11T14:45:57.877-05:00

As I wait on the threshold of citizenship to a new country, I look back at the last three years and think of the things I did, to get this far wondering if I would do them any different, if I was starting this journey again. This is based on the successes that we have achieved and may help those that are starting their lives in this beautiful and splendid country. I would like to start with the

Allan D'Silvahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01225979201783440632noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8396011433348437536.post-58137565687569601662010-02-08T18:46:00.001-05:002010-02-20T19:03:47.896-05:00

Yeah baby! I got my G! Finally! To me that is a great achievement. Not only because it brings down my insurance, also because, I don't have to do anymore road tests! What a relief! Driving the highway and practising on it for close to year helped me pass the test in a breeze. After waiting for four months for the strike to end, it was great to finally get a date for the test, pass the test and

Allan D'Silvahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01225979201783440632noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8396011433348437536.post-65780671540515377722010-02-07T20:50:00.001-05:002010-02-20T18:45:02.507-05:00

Back in Mumbai after two and half years and it was absolutely amazing. Transitioned seamlessly, almost as if, I never left. At first it was a little scary trying to get across the street without any pedestrian crossings or STOP signs, however, within a matter of a couple of days, I was back dodging the B.E.S.T buses, rickshaws, motor bikes and numerous cars. Mumbai is fabulous now, the splendour

Allan D'Silvahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01225979201783440632noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8396011433348437536.post-46411586489936767362009-05-01T15:23:00.005-04:002009-05-02T22:25:46.592-04:00

Two weeks down in the IPL and the excitement is just so riveting. The tournament is still wide open and finally the indomitable Deccan Chargers and Delhi Daredevils have been beaten. There is no undefeated side in the tournament now and the third week promises to bring in some new surprises and changes to the TOP 4.Unless Delhi and Deccan play horribly and they each repeat a performance from last

Allan D'Silvahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01225979201783440632noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8396011433348437536.post-49877458933223485522009-04-24T14:29:00.004-04:002009-04-24T15:06:00.181-04:00

The IPL is exactly one week old and the excitement has been fascinating. After some upsets on Day 1 with the Chennai Super Kings and Rajasthan Royals losing, the tournament is shaping out to be another roaring success, save for the rain interruptions. Sometimes I think if more countries played cricket, we would have lesser famines and droughts in the worldThe first week has provided some really

Allan D'Silvahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01225979201783440632noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8396011433348437536.post-32395059356246115592009-04-17T14:45:00.004-04:002009-04-24T14:29:27.184-04:00

I've been waiting for this second season ever since the last one got over. Cliched as that sounds, however, it is true. If you know me well, you know that I am a glutton for cricket of any kind (my wife will reaffirm that). If you don't know me, this is another thing that you learn about me from reading my blog.The Indian Premier League is a dream that I've always had and I am ecstatic about it

Allan D'Silvahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01225979201783440632noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8396011433348437536.post-63920869258941219332009-04-15T12:56:00.001-04:002009-04-17T13:05:46.907-04:00

It is getting close to the deadline to file taxes here in Canada. This time around I am a lot more eductaed in this regard. I know what I'm doing and I am actually employed as a Tax Associate.I find doing taxes extremely thrilling and it is a great feeling to see huge smiles on people's faces when they hear that they are getting refunds. Not the same, when they owe money!There are tons of credits

Allan D'Silvahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01225979201783440632noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8396011433348437536.post-1048076619955987662009-04-09T12:36:00.000-04:002009-04-17T12:55:11.932-04:00

There is a lot of anticipation about the second edition of the hugely successful Indian Premier League. Brain-child of the Vice President of the Board of Control for Cricket in India, Lalit Modi, the IPL is a concept that has truly revoluntionized the manner in which cricket is watched, followed and broadcasted.Mr Modi has been in for a lot of criticism about his methods, however, I salute this

Allan D'Silvahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01225979201783440632noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8396011433348437536.post-40798064500753065922009-03-07T19:32:00.003-05:002009-03-07T19:50:40.930-05:00

Winter is finally on its way out! (or is it) We don't know that, however, that is what spring is about isn't it? A season of optimism and new life! Soon it will be beautiful, green and full of colour. A time for outdoor activity that will usher in summer and all the cheer.The winter has been a tough one, yet again! We were better prepared this time and it seems to have gone away quite quickly. I

Allan D'Silvahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01225979201783440632noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8396011433348437536.post-6397026117471594932008-07-07T20:13:00.005-04:002010-06-14T14:02:28.251-04:00

It's been a year! As cliched as it may sound, it has passed like a breeze. Only a year ago on this day, we set foot on Canadian soil, apprehensive, unsure and scared about what the country and the future had in store for us. It has been a fairy tale and everything has fitted in like a jigsaw puzzle. We are blessed with good wishes from friends and family and we have been a great support system

Allan D'Silvahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01225979201783440632noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8396011433348437536.post-82795456283627549242008-05-31T11:38:00.000-04:002008-06-09T11:50:17.023-04:00

I have written a lot about the weather in my blog and I guess I will continue to write more about the fascinating change of seasons that we have expereienced. To my wife and I, Spring is the most beautiful of all seasons. The spring colours are vibrant and so pleasing to the eyes than the fall ones.The greenery all around us is much appreciated along with the beautiful blooms. Spring time is also

Allan D'Silvahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01225979201783440632noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8396011433348437536.post-55504192135305276792008-05-22T11:22:00.002-04:002008-06-09T11:37:21.432-04:00

Traditionally, Spring is expected to last from March 22 to June 21. In the spring, it is still chilly and the temperatures are expected to hover around in the range of about 5 - 15 degrees. This year has been different, following the extremely severe winter and April felt more like late June according to experts and May was like April.I'm born in May and all my birthdays have been hot, hot and

Allan D'Silvahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01225979201783440632noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8396011433348437536.post-63740176348425735642008-04-15T11:05:00.001-04:002008-06-09T11:21:58.751-04:00

In Canada we pay a lot in taxes - direct and indirect taxes. Although late last year the PST (Provinical Sales Tax) was reduced from 7 to 6%, we still pay lot in income taxes. April, is the month for all to file tax returns and in most scenarios if you pay your taxes regularly, you do qualify for a refund.As with most things in this country, the processes and dealings with the government offices

Allan D'Silvahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01225979201783440632noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8396011433348437536.post-14295476062760622732008-03-29T21:37:00.000-04:002008-03-30T08:53:39.497-04:00

Most of my blog over the last couple of months or maybe three has been about the weather. The changes and the ways to deal with it. The reason for the change has been purely due to our own neglect and the abuse of the environment and our natural resources. In 2007, the people of Sydney, Australia took it in their own hands and made a difference by powering down for an hour between 8 - 9 pm. This

Allan D'Silvahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01225979201783440632noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8396011433348437536.post-87884642548396839172008-03-20T08:28:00.002-04:002008-03-30T08:37:33.306-04:00

At 1:48 this morning, we officially switched seasons and Spring is here. However, the weather is cold, cold and colder. With temperatures in -11 to -15 range and the added wind chill factor it is as low as -20, it feels like anything but Spring. It is still bloody cold and the weathermen say that we may have six weeks of winter left.Climate change is what is to be blamed for this and Torontonians

Allan D'Silvahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01225979201783440632noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8396011433348437536.post-76513981646112508342008-03-12T08:05:00.000-04:002008-03-30T08:28:19.177-04:00

I've been writing several pieces about the cold, cold winter and now to help us feel a little better, the clocks changed this Sunday, March 9, 2008. We spring forward by an hour though officially Spring is two weeks away. What this also means is that we lose an hour of sleep and we now see more sunlight. In the next couple of weeks we should see at least 12 hours of sunlight, when the sun does

Allan D'Silvahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01225979201783440632noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8396011433348437536.post-26696728698492492372008-03-08T19:37:00.000-05:002008-03-29T19:48:23.895-04:00

Today we experienced the worst snow storm of our first winter in Canada. The snow started late Friday evening and the dumping continued for almost 24 hours. This after we had a snow day on the Wednesday of the week. Close to 30 cms of snow was recorded in Toronto and that brings us close to the record that was set almost 70 years ago.The record is 208 cms and we are currently at 189 for the year

Allan D'Silvahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01225979201783440632noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8396011433348437536.post-20151598697239914512008-02-18T17:31:00.002-05:002008-02-18T17:39:12.880-05:00

One of the Thank You gifts that Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty chose to give his faithful voters was a holiday in the middle of the winter for them to spend with their families. Aptly called Family Day, this holiday which is expected to be the third Monday in February will give all a huge respite from the harsh winter and allow them to spend it at home with loved ones.While there have been mixed

Allan D'Silvahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01225979201783440632noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8396011433348437536.post-30199643808613585252008-02-16T17:20:00.000-05:002008-02-18T17:31:06.522-05:00

There has been so much talk about climate change and how the colder countries have been getting warmer over the years. We were told before we arrived that the weather in Canada was a lot warmer than what it used to be and that they had several mild winters in the past few years. However, we had prepared ourselves for the worst and chose to come here in the summer and see the weather change

Allan D'Silvahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01225979201783440632noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8396011433348437536.post-61026389206754566312008-01-06T16:21:00.000-05:002008-02-18T16:32:56.485-05:00

If you own, rent or share an apartment in Canada, you have got to be handy! In a country where labour is extremely expensive, a lot of stuff has got to be done without professional help. While you can get most of your stuff done through a professional, doing stuff yourself saves you a lot of money and gives you a great sense of accomplishment.Places like the Home Depot, Lowes, Rona, Home Hardware

Allan D'Silvahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01225979201783440632noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8396011433348437536.post-18074445181349817482008-01-05T16:46:00.001-05:002008-02-18T17:19:58.449-05:00

Being in the Customer Service industry for almost all the 11 years of my working life, overlooking minor service failures has been okay with me. However, when you get cheated by leading service providers for the promises that they make is unpardonable in my books.I have been trained in Customer Services by some really great brands and some key lessons they taught me that1. It cost seven times

Allan D'Silvahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01225979201783440632noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8396011433348437536.post-81458913323942076942007-12-25T22:15:00.000-05:002008-02-18T16:21:07.635-05:00

It was our first White Christmas, though there was no snow on Christmas Day. The snow collected over the previous weeks made it an extremely beautiful time of the year. The snow on the ground, the streets lit with brilliance, Christmas trees around the neighbourhood and the satisfaction of achieving some of the goals we had set ourselves made it an extremely pleasurable Christmas.A big family

Allan D'Silvahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01225979201783440632noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8396011433348437536.post-11744608308555755292007-12-14T15:57:00.000-05:002008-02-18T16:13:09.417-05:00

Closing date is one of the greatest days in your home search journey even if it is not your first home. After months of searching you finally get the keys to your dream home and the excitement of it all can make you overlook some finer details that could leave you fretting and fuming on the day.Normally a day before closing is when you will visit your lawyer to sign all the papers and ensure that

Allan D'Silvahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01225979201783440632noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8396011433348437536.post-10426067842111587012007-12-11T14:35:00.003-05:002010-06-14T14:01:13.407-04:00

After failing the first attempt at my G2, I got it right the second time. In extremely testing circumstances with freezing rain converting to heavy snow, I managed to pass my test and get the license that allows me to drive under any condition and at any time except with a restriction on blood alcohol content. It was great feeling for me as I was extremely nervous and committed several mistakes

Allan D'Silvahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01225979201783440632noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8396011433348437536.post-64200556974668958922007-12-10T15:40:00.001-05:002010-06-14T14:00:09.914-04:00

Before we came here, we did a lot of research on the housing choices available here and the locations to live in. However, coming from a country like an India, you cannot really make a true judgement on which area to live in. The distances like I keep mentioning in several pieces in my blog are huge in Canada. To get around you definitely need transportation of your own, so the location you

Allan D'Silvahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01225979201783440632noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8396011433348437536.post-18839348239214870742007-11-22T12:08:00.000-05:002007-12-02T12:53:44.515-05:00

When we were preparing to come to Canada, a lot of people thought we were mad to come here and deal with the harsh winter. We were aware that the winter was going to be tough and that is why we chose to enter the country in summer and get ourselves totally acclimatised to the changing weather. In the end it turned out to be a great idea as when Toronto was hit with its first snow storm for 2007,

Allan D'Silvahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01225979201783440632noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8396011433348437536.post-34955314762140040752007-11-15T11:47:00.000-05:002007-12-02T12:48:43.008-05:00

When you plan to move to Canada another major cost that you need to factor in, is for the 'what if' something goes wrong. For this reason it is important that you cover all your important belongings with adequate insurance. There is a school of thought that argues against getting adequate cover, however, if you want peace of mind then adequate insurance cover is a must.Given the nature of

Allan D'Silvahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01225979201783440632noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8396011433348437536.post-58376115430575810282007-11-09T09:45:00.000-05:002007-11-26T08:22:46.267-05:00

If you choose to bite the bullet and buy a home, it is extremely important that you budget a home inspection in all your expenses. Contrary to advice that you will get from people around a good home inspection will save you a lot of money and heartache.A good home inspector takes into account all aspects of your house to ensure that your dream home is safe and free from any immediate danger. The

Allan D'Silvahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01225979201783440632noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8396011433348437536.post-55618860056319337692007-11-04T08:03:00.000-05:002007-11-26T08:10:55.947-05:00

Working with US based organizations for over seven years now, I've always wondered what it meant when clocks changed. 'Spring Forward, Fall Back' is the catch phrase we used to explain the phenomenon to our employees. For the first time this year, I experienced the Fall Back.To me it is no different. It is just that we are now doing things an hour later though the watch tells you a different

Allan D'Silvahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01225979201783440632noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8396011433348437536.post-71258040171999964912007-10-31T21:47:00.000-04:002007-11-04T10:55:16.882-05:00

First time on the road with a driving inspector and I failed. It was truly my mistake and I am kicking myself for it. All the preparation that I put into the exercise was wasted because of a silly mistake. In most cases, we always look to put the blame elsewhere, however, it was something that I should have controlled.A thoroughly disappointing experience and I now have to do the test again. It

Allan D'Silvahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01225979201783440632noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8396011433348437536.post-28454524982884461742007-10-30T20:49:00.000-04:002007-11-04T09:18:18.644-05:00

We have all heard the cliche about never trusting a Car Salesman, there is absolute truth in that and more in my case as it concerns a Car Saleswoman. Over the last month we have been trying to close a car deal and the stories that we have heard at various dealerships have been crazy. This account tells you about what to be wary off and hopefully you will have a better experience when you deal

Allan D'Silvahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01225979201783440632noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8396011433348437536.post-13671662289578690452007-10-30T08:34:00.000-04:002007-11-04T10:56:18.613-05:00

On Monday, I had my first experience of the Air Canada Centre and also the first time that I have ever watched a live game of any sport. It was a hockey game between the Toronto Maple Leafs and the Washington Capitals. There are absolutely no words to describe the experience expect that it was a truly AWESOME one. I don't understand the game of hockey, however, I made it a point to learn a few

Allan D'Silvahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01225979201783440632noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8396011433348437536.post-69398874055494968992007-10-24T08:26:00.000-04:002007-11-04T08:34:34.912-05:00

I haven't been updating this blog over the last couple of weeks and I guess I should be sorry. I am not! I've been busy! The last couple of weeks have been pretty crazy and not much has changed.There are several more things to be done and it can be extremely trying on your patience. I hope in the next couple of days things get better and I have more stuff to write about.If you are regular visitor

Allan D'Silvahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01225979201783440632noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8396011433348437536.post-67941319341760388302007-10-08T18:10:00.000-04:002007-10-08T18:19:29.286-04:00

They do it earlier here in Canada. It is a family holiday when everyone gets together and gives thanks for the year that has gone by. It is a night full of food and drink with a nice big turkey and lots of football on TV. Some people enjoy Thanksgiving Dinner in front of the TV while others make it a night full of music and dance. In Canada, Thanksgiving is celebrated on the first Monday in

Allan D'Silvahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01225979201783440632noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8396011433348437536.post-70597319511744512172007-09-24T17:51:00.000-04:002007-10-08T18:10:21.900-04:00

September 22 is the day when summer ends and the leaves begin to change colour and fall. Therefore, this is more aptly called the season of Fall. With the colder and dreary nights approaching it can be a depressing time for all. This pretty much means an end to all the outdoor activity of the summer and more time spent indoors. Fall is also a time when the television networks cash in and premiere

Allan D'Silvahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01225979201783440632noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8396011433348437536.post-4240335832651026372007-09-23T10:41:00.000-04:002007-09-23T11:53:03.437-04:00

There are several places where you read home listings and for people who are new to the country, this is not the easiest thing to get around. While browsing through the newspapers, home magazines or on the Internet, you will come across several listings with fancy terms which I try to explain in this piece. I hope it will help in understanding the listings better.1. Lot Size - This tells you the

Allan D'Silvahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01225979201783440632noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8396011433348437536.post-46866818214461035162007-09-21T17:01:00.000-04:002007-09-23T11:51:10.133-04:00

As you settle into the country, one of the most important things that you will buy, is your home. While you may choose to rent as you start off, eventually you will look for the security and want to buy a house. I am no expert at this, however, I would like to share some basics through the research that I have done so far.In Canada, you can either live in an apartment or in a house. While you can

Allan D'Silvahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01225979201783440632noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8396011433348437536.post-8896431595607661042007-09-18T13:32:00.000-04:002007-09-22T13:52:35.883-04:00

Continuing from my series on Driving Licenses in Ontario, you need to enroll into a driving school to help you pass your road test. You can enrol into a Driving School after passing the knowledge test. However, you can also choose to complete the In Class sessions before attempting your knowledge test. There are different driving schools and therefore you need to shop for the best one that gives

Allan D'Silvahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01225979201783440632noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8396011433348437536.post-12423237097709945282007-09-15T17:31:00.000-04:002007-09-16T17:38:05.226-04:00

The week has flown by. It was only last Monday that I was going into the office to pick up my letter of appointment. I started off immediately and have been in training the whole week. This will continue for a month and in that time I should be ready to start performing the roles that I have been hired for.The work culture is similar to what I have been exposed to in India. The kind of work, the

Allan D'Silvahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01225979201783440632noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8396011433348437536.post-25308194968604264752007-09-07T22:23:00.001-04:002010-06-14T13:57:20.041-04:00

Exactly two months after entering Canada, I got a call from a company confirming my employment with them. Wow! That is a load of my chest. Believe me, all the preparation that you do before you come here, does pay rich dividends. Even though when you set out from your home country preparing to do anything in the new country, when you have to wait for a job, it kind of gets to you. I am extremely

Allan D'Silvahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01225979201783440632noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8396011433348437536.post-61289413482104105352007-09-04T09:45:00.000-04:002007-09-07T10:31:33.658-04:00

The Labor Day weekend was another first for us in Canada. This was a cottage trip to the Bay View Resort located in Lakefield, Ontario in the lake region of Peterborough. The drive is about 185 km (115 miles) away and it takes about two and half hours to get there. However, since it was the holiday weekend, the traffic congestion took us about an extra hour to get there. It was worth the wait

Allan D'Silvahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01225979201783440632noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8396011433348437536.post-1008074616088541102007-08-28T20:39:00.000-04:002007-08-29T08:48:40.887-04:00

For those thinking about or are close to moving to Canada, I have some interesting trivia for you that will help speed up that decision. It has been on the radio for a couple of weeks now that two of Canada's biggest cities are on the World's Top Ten Best Places to live in.Vancouver, BC has been voted as the Best City to live in while Toronto, ON is number five on that list. I am not completely

Allan D'Silvahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01225979201783440632noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8396011433348437536.post-89561703496874947182007-08-26T21:38:00.000-04:002007-08-29T07:54:04.387-04:00

If you are a regular reader of my blog, then you will have realised by now that I enjoy my food. This weekend, it was experimentation time again and the cuisine was Korean. The speciality of the place that we visited was All You Can Eat - Korean BBQ. Hmmn... If you love your food and have any extremely large appetite, this is surely one of the must dos.The restaurant is set up with tables that

Allan D'Silvahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01225979201783440632noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8396011433348437536.post-50046475356090914742007-08-19T22:15:00.000-04:002007-08-28T10:45:12.563-04:00

Some geography lessons for those interested in place to settle in and around Toronto. We live in Brampton, which is to the West of Toronto. Brampton is a city and so is neighboring Mississauga which is to the south of Brampton. Both cities are extremely self sufficient and are great places to live for the Asian immigrant population (Indians included). Today, we traveled to the east of Toronto to

Allan D'Silvahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01225979201783440632noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8396011433348437536.post-86144340970582121462007-08-18T21:47:00.000-04:002007-08-28T10:12:03.505-04:00

There are several picnics held by the expatriate community here and the Bandra Picnic is one of them. In its 15th year, the Bandra picnic attracts former residents from Bandra and their friends from other parts of Bombay and India in a day full of fun, laughter, games, food, drink (yes! though it is illegal to drink in public places!) and lots of socialising and reminiscence.The picnic is a great

Allan D'Silvahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01225979201783440632noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8396011433348437536.post-7229689277255829492007-08-14T21:42:00.000-04:002007-08-18T09:50:57.088-04:00

After almost ten years of mobile phone usage, I switched brands from the trusty Nokia to my first Sony Ericsson phone. The reason, North America has a terrible choice of phones especially in the Nokia range. While Nokia is clearly the world leader in mobile phones, in North America, their offerings are limited.Nokia caters a lot to the Eurpoean and Asian markets and the latest phones are often

Allan D'Silvahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01225979201783440632noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8396011433348437536.post-48336292130904851942007-08-10T11:51:00.001-04:002011-04-19T11:12:17.906-04:00

Yes we are! What is OHIP? Well, OHIP is the Ontario Health Insurance Program and heath insurance is a must for all residents in Canada. In Ontario, it is called OHIP. The OHIP covers all basic medical costs and takes care of your General Practitioner visits as well. These services are funded by the government of Ontario and is an essential piece of identification while seeking medical care. You

Allan D'Silvahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01225979201783440632noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8396011433348437536.post-55213051444749212652007-08-08T11:30:00.000-04:002007-08-08T11:40:45.331-04:00

Just back from my first driving lesson on the road. Considering that Ididn't drive much back home, the basics are something that I didn't do too well. It is all about staying in your lanes, having the righthand positions when you turn, watching your mirrors and speed all the time.I need a lot of practice and I will get better. My instructor is reallygood and he has been teaching for the last 35

Allan D'Silvahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01225979201783440632noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8396011433348437536.post-74126386034315346852007-08-07T21:30:00.000-04:002007-08-08T11:30:46.476-04:00

If you are apprehensive about coming here and that you will miss home and everything that you got back there then please don't worry! The Indian store has everything that you need and more. There are several Indian stores all over and you will get all that you are looking for.We went to the Indian store to pick up some Shan Biryani masala, something that we don't really get in India as it is

Allan D'Silvahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01225979201783440632noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8396011433348437536.post-62075608452218050762007-08-06T23:01:00.000-04:002007-08-08T11:21:25.415-04:00

As part of our many experiences here, food, will play an importantpart. I love my food and especially my meat. Though, I am not veryadventurous, Melissa loves to try out different and new cuisines.Dinner on Monday was Vietnamese.I must mention here that I wasvery apprehensive, as a lot of South East Asian food is something thatI am not very fond off. My experiences with Chinese food in three

Allan D'Silvahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01225979201783440632noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8396011433348437536.post-37281964846725308962007-08-06T12:35:00.000-04:002007-08-06T12:42:27.476-04:00

Another unique experience about Canada is Seasonal Pricing. I am sure that a lot of you may be puzzled about what I am talking about, however, this is something really different for us. Back home in India, when stuff is in season, prices are normally higher than they are in the off season. In Canada, this is quite the opposite.For example, since it is summer, the price of steaks are a lot cheaper

Allan D'Silvahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01225979201783440632noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8396011433348437536.post-46118081654603204152007-08-04T17:42:00.000-04:002007-08-06T12:52:54.658-04:00

In Canada, it is a must that you attend driving school in order to get a better deal on your insurance. There are many schools and each of them charge you different prices, therefore, shopping around for the best deal is always good. All schools offer the same curriculum - 25 hours in class training and 10 hours of in car training. The difference is in the delivery of instruction and what they

Allan D'Silvahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01225979201783440632noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8396011433348437536.post-5957269505188130842007-07-31T20:24:00.000-04:002007-08-03T15:25:31.769-04:00

It is hot, bloody hot and it is only going to get worse, all of this week. Currently we are facing 32°C and if you think about where I come from, this should be normal. No! It is not normal! The heat here is scorching and it burns your skin. If you aren't using sunscreen with SPF 30, you're in big trouble.What adds to the heat is the humidex. Humidex is a measure used by Canadian Meterologists to

Allan D'Silvahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01225979201783440632noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8396011433348437536.post-42380380272227723582007-07-30T15:22:00.000-04:002007-08-03T15:24:02.969-04:00

I spoke about this in my very first posting and it continues to amaze me. When we made the entry into the country, we were told that our Permanent Residence (PR) cards would arrive within four weeks and the cards would be mailed to the address that we gave at immigration.The PR cards arrived today and we were thrilled to receive them. Wow! Never have I received stuff from a government office

Allan D'Silvahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01225979201783440632noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8396011433348437536.post-72128864043904106312007-07-28T22:34:00.000-04:002007-08-03T15:21:57.916-04:00

Driving in Canada is extremely important, especially if you live out of the city and do not have access to good public transportation. Driving distances are a lot shorter than those used by public transit systems and therefore you can save a lot of time if you know how to drive. This is my first piece in a several part series on acquiring a driver's license in Canada. Please note that everyone

Allan D'Silvahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01225979201783440632noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8396011433348437536.post-16580523577570265202007-07-24T14:19:00.000-04:002007-08-03T15:26:20.305-04:00

Got my hands on the final book in the Harry Potter series today. Three days from the launch date and $15 cheaper than the published price. Got it off Amazon and the best part is that it is the Adult Version. So I'm going to spend most of my leisure time enjoying the book.

Allan D'Silvahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01225979201783440632noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8396011433348437536.post-41640909738947247132007-07-22T22:12:00.000-04:002007-08-03T15:17:55.235-04:00

We spent the weekend downtown last week and it was fabulous. On Friday night, we went to watch a play in High Park, (largest park in urban spaces in the world, even larger than Central Park - NY) it was A Mid Summer Night's dream by William Shakespeare. It is a pay what you can show and everyone comes to the park with a packed picnic. There is no photography or video allowed during the show so

Allan D'Silvahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01225979201783440632noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8396011433348437536.post-50706370754431986862007-07-19T20:09:00.000-04:002007-08-03T15:12:03.457-04:00

If you are arriving in Canada without a job, this is going to be tough! Please don't lose heart, I have been here two weeks and they tell me that the initial few steps are going to be hard. Be prepared for this they say and it is a matter of time before you get your big break. So I'm waiting patiently, though, I must admit that at times it can really get to you.You have to start from scratch, you

Allan D'Silvahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01225979201783440632noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8396011433348437536.post-37110707458815831732007-07-15T21:56:00.000-04:002007-08-03T15:03:42.690-04:00

We visited downtown Toronto, the heart of city for the first time (or at least) my first time today. Melissa has been here before and the first structure that identifies downtown Toronto is the CN Tower. As we drive into the heart of the city we pass the BMO field (home of Toronto FC - MLS) and also the venue for the finals of the FIFA Under 20 World Cup. It is amazing because just across the BMO

Allan D'Silvahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01225979201783440632noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8396011433348437536.post-85473074356287078842007-07-12T12:36:00.000-04:002007-08-03T14:55:07.079-04:00

Bank Accounts in North America are different from those in India. They are extremely different and each bank has different offerings. It is important to shop around and make informed decisions. Bank accounts are very essential for setting up your base and the statements can serve as a good proof of residence. Canadians mostly bank through Automated Banking Machines (ABM), Phone Banking and

Allan D'Silvahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01225979201783440632noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8396011433348437536.post-44552587876659654852007-07-09T21:25:00.001-04:002010-06-14T11:21:07.665-04:00

After our hassle free entry into the country, we set off to acquire our first piece of documentation. The Social Insurance Number or SIN card. This is something that I wish that none of you experience when you come to Canada. Coming back to the SIN story, so we get directions and we set off on foot to the SIN office. The driving distance to this place is seven minutes and since we don't drive

Allan D'Silvahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01225979201783440632noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8396011433348437536.post-78399860738416421142007-07-07T22:06:00.000-04:002007-08-03T13:09:16.423-04:00

This is the day that we chose to land in Canada, exactly 18 months after our wedding day. Was this planned? Naah! It just fitted into our schedule perfectly well. I must tell you that it was one of the most nerve racking, brain fuzzing and emotion draining experience. We had played the experience in our minds several times and done all the research that we could to make it a smooth entry into our

Allan D'Silvahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01225979201783440632noreply@blogger.com1