Day1 of an Immigrant

Estimated reading time: 8 minutes

Day1 for an immigrant is an experience unlike others. It is like moving to a new home, getting a new car, getting a cell phone, playing a new game, reading a new book etc. Well, you will be doing everything for the first time, won’t you?

Remember going on that vacation and landing at a new place where you don’t know what to do? At least, when landing in Canada, you will know the language. Communication will not be an issue. You will be able to talk to anyone and everyone around you. Unless you land in Quebec, where French is the preferred language. And yes, they do speak English.

Landing back on the topic at hand, let’s get to it…!

Why Day 1?

I went the other day with my elder brother to get tints done on my new used car (Will talk about it in the next blog). We were at SRS Tinting on Aimco Boulevard in Mississauga.

“It will take about 2 hours to get your tints installed!! Ok!!”

We decided to go for a stroll on Dixie Road. But first coffee, yes, Timmies (Tim Hortons). Don’t we Canadians love our double doubles? Yes we do!! But I drink regular now, don’t want my diabetes shooting up for no reason. Have to control that sugar intake! (My family doctor says so)

Faisal: Let’s take a walk to Comfort Inn down the road!!

Fahad: Why?

Faisal: I want to meet Lucky Singh.

Fahad: Who is that?

Faisal: My lucky guy for when I landed in Canada.

Well, this conversation was getting interesting. Thinking about you all who are planning on coming to Canada. You might not be as lucky as Faisal, you might not run in to Lucky Singh. Faisal wanted to take a trip down the memory lane, I had my coffee and we had time.

We never had that conversation, just some bread crumbs of information here and there. I will be getting the full scoop today. He had a story and I had questions. Questions I know that you will ask and you would want answered. Not all of you will be coming to Canada to a ready house, with your brother waiting for you outside the airport to pick you up.

The Landing Day:

Day1 of an immigrant for Faisal was him landing in Toronto. He is the first born in my family and the first landed immigrant from our family of immigrants. We landed in Canada a few months apart, all of us. Him in March, me in July and then Usman in October.

It was not science on why we did that, all of us had our Permanent Residencies since a year ago. We just wanted to move one family at a time! What was the benefit, I didn’t have to deal with Day1 of an Immigrant.

Coming here months apart landed us in Canada on different experience levels overall. Coming to think of it, I landed in Canada as if it was Day20. Because, most of the things were all settled and sorted.

Day1 – The Experience:

So where were we, yes, coffee in hand and the walk down memory lane. Day1 of an immigrant – a real life experience from Faisal to the world!

“I just had to record everything in my memory, I didn’t write all of this while walking and talking!!”

Faisal: The shuttle was waiting for us outside the airport. Thank you for booking us at the Comfort Inn. I was happy that at least we had booked the two week stay and had asked for the shuttle service. It was comforting that someone was waiting for us outside.

Fahad: How was the experience?

Faisal: Delightful. Made me happy that I didn’t have to deal with getting things sorted while on the ground. It was all set and ready. Just hopped on with the wife and kids and were at the hotel in just 7 mins. The driver was super helpful and accommodating and a pleasant fellow to deal with.

Arriving at Comfort Inn, I was checked in by Lucky Singh. The first guy who greeted and checked us in. It was my lucky day and I didn’t know it until I was all settled in and checked in.

“When you land at a new place, you either ask google or you ask a helpful Canadian.”

Faisal: I decided to strike a conversation and ask everything from Lucky Singh. I had come from Abu Dhabi, everything I owned was 100-240V compatible but not the same plug. I realized when I tried the socket to charge my Cellphone. Woops! Forgot the travel adapters!

Now What?

Faisal: Lucky Singh it was. I went to the front desk and found him. He said it’s an easy fix because right across from Comfort Inn, there is that Angel Electronics store. They carry universal plug converters that you will need to utilize these sockets for any international plugs. I ran across the street, bought 5 of them for $2.00 each. The peace it brings to see the battery bar go up!!

Fahad: True that!! Knowing that you will not disconnect from the world!! A sad reality nowadays.

Faisal: When the phone started charging, the stomach started growling. Wife wanted milk for Maher and Maham. We also needed to buy lunch. And I needed to get some groceries. Most important of all, I needed a sim card to get back online without Wi-Fi around.

I went ahead and asked Lucky! If you go down to Rockwood Mall, you will get everything there. Fido Store is available where you can get your SIM Card. For milk and groceries visit Shoppers Drug Mart. On the way back, you can find multiple restaurants serving halal food where you can get lunch and dinner as needed.

Lucky day eh! Information without asking google. I regretted not getting a rental because I had to use public transport. For the first time ever. Thanks to Lucky, he guided me to the bus route and stops.

Getting on the bus, I told the bus driver that I was new and if he could let me know where to get off for Rockwood Mall. Guess what! I was getting a free ride. Bus Driver gave me a pre-paid ticket that would allow me to ride any bus on any lane for the next three hours. Lucky day indeed!

Rockwood Mall had everything. Got my SIM card from Fido and got a SIM card for the wife too. Walked in to Shopper’s Drug Mart and here came a dilemma!!!

What milk do I buy???

Faisal: Milk was 1%, 2%, & 3.25% and they came in cartons and bags. Low fat, homogenized, Skimmed, Non-Skimmed, what, what, what?? I had to get hold of someone again, google was not my best friend then. It was the sweet lady at the counter that helped me.

“When you don’t know, get the 2% Milk, right in the middle!!”

Faisal: Hahahaha!! Picked up my two cartons of 2% milk and the grocery I needed from Shoppers and then headed to the bus stop. I was already missing my car. Definitely had to get a set of wheels but not now. I will search and get into one as soon as I get in to a rental home and get other things sorted. Bus took me back towards Comfort Inn and on the way I came across Kandahar Kebab House. The first halal lunch that I bought was Afghani cuisine on Dixie Road.

Day1 of an immigrant, what a day – tiring and happening!! Headed back to the hotel and settled in for the night. I had to wake up to another happening day the next day. SIN Number, Bank Account access, Health cards, you know – the regulars.

Did we meet Lucky Singh?

No we didn’t, his shift wasn’t starting up until 4pm and there was still time. We will go back to see him some other day. Although it was a great trip down the memory lane. Thank you for the insights Faisal Rafique.

Day1 of an immigrant, you remember the first always and there is a first time for everything. First days can’t be any different. You will remember the experience in the back of your head. You register every detail, every move, and every step very diligently without even knowing it. I had a first day too, you can read it on the blog landing in Canada. It was better it was different and it was relaxing because I had the support of family. I had landed home.

Anticipate and prepare for your first day in Canada. Be ready for the day when you become an Immigrant. Any questions? Connect with me and I will answer as accurately as possible. See you in Canada!

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