Journey of the Heart Vancouver

Author: Li Nuo
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2006-09-01
Features: A New Arrival
On the way, I was like an alien who had accidentally fallen into the human world, filled with curiosity about everything around me. Although I had traveled to the UK and Singapore/Malaysia before, this time when I set foot on Canadian soil, the sentiment that arose in my heart was different from before. After all, this place would become my second hometown, whether I liked it or not.
Through the car window, I began my "initial review" of Vancouver. The bright sunlight brushed against my face, light and gentle. The car was still moving, but I had long lost interest in the conversation inside. Although it was afternoon, if it were in Beijing, it would definitely be bustling with traffic and crowds. But at this moment, looking out the window, everything here was so peaceful and tranquil. Along the roadside were rows of small shops: cafes, convenience stores, laundromats, and so on—everything you could possibly need. The pedestrians on the sidewalk were leisurely and composed. Yet, what truly attracted me were the small coffee shops. Here, the coffee shops would set up tables and chairs outdoors, along the sidewalk, and people would sit outside, holding cups of coffee, wearing sunglasses, either alone or in groups, but all with the same calm demeanor. Over the following days, I kept thinking that drinking coffee in Vancouver was more like savoring than drinking. What I savor is not just the coffee, but also a mindset, and more importantly, a way of life.
As I was still immersed in the excitement of arriving, the car slowly a quiet courtyard. This was a family inn, our temporary home. We all got out of the car, carrying our luggage to check in at the front desk. The receptionist was a Chinese girl. Seeing that we were all speaking Mandarin, she started chatting with us in Chinese. From her, we learned some firsthand information about immigration. She said that Hong Kongers were the earliest arrivals here, followed by Taiwanese people, and in recent years, mainland Chinese immigrants have also been coming here in a wave that is unstoppable like the surging Yangtze River. Dad is an outgoing and cheerful person, and at this moment, he started talking to the girl in English. After a few sentences, she asked, "Is your family a skilled worker immigrant?" Dad laughed and said, "How did you figure that out?" The girl replied, "Because skilled workers from mainland China are generally good at languages, while investors are relatively weaker." "Oh, I see. But I'm an investor, not a skilled worker—just kidding!" Dad realized what she meant. I thought she would just laugh it off, but instead, her expression turned serious, and she said earnestly, "You can't lie here!" Suddenly, I remembered reading some books about foreign countries before, where it was often mentioned that honesty is not only a moral obligation but also the key to standing firm in society.
P10-11