Adverb clauses...

When I’m back in Czech Republic, I’ll take care about my house.
If there is an opportunity, I’ll work abroad again.
Unless I have enough money, I won't be able to pay off the mortgage.
In case that I have a good job, I’ll be able to reconstruct the second floor of my house.
Because I am single, I can work hard and far from home.
After I return from abroad, I’ll be working in my own business.
As soon as I end my next project, I’ll travel to Australia.
Once I have my own business, I’ll never work for someone else.
Before I start my family, I would like to be sure that my financial situation is sufficient.
Although my plans are ambitious, I believe that I’ll succeed.

Knowledge in Europe

Today I was in the Museum of Anthropology at the University of British Columbia. It was very interesting, but in the Koerner Ceramics Gallery I found something what drew my attention. “The map of Central Europe is wrong!” I though readily and I started to laugh quietly. One lady noticed me and asked me curiously, “What’s up?” I answer promptly “The map, the map is wrong.” Then I explained to her where the mistake was. She told me subsequently, “You should tell it someone who works for the the Museum” and I realized that it was a good idea. At the front desk, I tried to clear up this issue to a boy, but he queried me drily, “Do you want to complain?” I was a bit shocked, because I really didn’t expect a question like this. So I answered confusedly, “No, I don’t. I just thought that it should be corrected.” He agreed approvingly, “Well, this is the University Museum and people expect truly information, so…” I added contentedly, “Yes, I think so.” “We’ll correct it as soon as possible,” he finished our conversation respectably. It would help I said myself proudly and left.

By the way, the mistake is in names of Slovakia cities. There is a city “Bralstaine”. I couldn’t find a meaning of this word. I have never heard about it. The city is in place of Bratislava, but Bratislava is already there. Of course wrong, Bratislava is in place of other city in centre of Slovakia, Banska Bystrica. And how did I find this mistake so fast? Because I was born in Banska Bystrica! :-)

“OPEN-STEP”

When I came to Vancouver I had to learn some new manners. I remember when my home stay - mother explained me how to travel by bus. She showed me a bus station, streets around and emphasized that I need to pull the line in a bus to let a bus driver know I am leaving. But she forgot to tell me that Vancouver buses have “open-step”.
“Open-step” is the first step down by a door. It means that the bus door won’t open if you don’t step down on the “open-step”. I really didn’t know that! I travel a lot and I have lived in many cities and traveled by public transportations, but this was something new for me.
So when I traveled back from school my first day in Vancouver I paid attention to every bus station. I didn’t want to miss my station, so I pulled the line in right moment, stood up and walked to the exit door. The bus stopped, but the door stayed closed. I am not a panic-monger, so I was waiting. Then I realized that everybody is waiting. Bus driver, all passengers, me… Seeing that I was the only person who stays by the door and nobody else wants to get out of the bus, everybody was looking at me. It was pretty embarrassing. What could I do? I had no idea that I have to step down, so I smiled at them too. After several seconds, but in that moment it seemed to be two ours, one nice elderly lady told me “Step down!”. So I did and the door finally opened… …and I was free!

Michal Viewegh - czech author

A few months ago I read a book by very famous present author, Michal Viewegh, who is from Czech republic. His books are situated in actual present time and characters, which appear in his book, are realistic. He writes his stories with sense of humor and to read his book is really amusing. Even difficult and complicated life events he can describe as a fun experiences.
The original name of the book I read is “Povídky o manželství a o sexu”, it means “Stories about marriage and about sex”. All content of the book is full of his life situations and his experiences. Chapters of the book are divided into separate life periods of the author’s life. It starts with period of his teenage, when he met his future wife. Next chapters are about they marriage and all nice and awkward events. Of course, in consequence there is a divorce and his life, life of a famous and rich writer, who is surrounded with his mistresses. He writes about adventures and evens associated with all women in his life. He uses simple phrases and he can paint details very interestedly and humorously.
I know that his books are translated to several languages. I believe that this book is also in English version, but I am not sure if it is possible to find his books in Canada. Perhaps yes. I can recommend this book to all readers who like funny and interesting reading and real stories of real life.

Who am I?

I’m the type of person who likes changes. Sometimes I like to meet people who are friends of mine and sometimes people whose I don’t know.
I rarely make things, which makes no sense. Usually I do activities that are purposeful.
My double bed is the best place where I used to relax, read, watching TV, etc.

Encounter in Vancouver

Last week I went with my friends from Switzerland to the Downtown in Vancouver. It was about 2:00 p.m. so we decided to buy hotdog for each of us. So we stopped by a trolley where hotdogs are sold. The shop assistant was very kind and while he was preparing hotdog he was asking us where are we from, etc.
When he found out that I am from Czech republic he started to speak Russian and a bit Czech. It was funny, because he knew only several words, but it was nice.
Then he told me that he is from Bulgaria and about twenty years ago he worked in Czech republic as a worker.
I should have asked him how did he get to Vancouver, why just Vancouver and if this is his final destination. Perhaps he had bad conditions for living in his country. Maybe he could have done something else and maybe he chose the right country. Anyway it was nice to meet him and talk to him. I like hotdog, so probably I will meet him again and I will ask him.

Immigration office

On May 04, 2008 I arrived to Toronto from Vienna. I had two hours to change the plane to Vancouver. I knew it is neccesary to get visa at Immigration office and than I can continue to Vancouver.

Unfortunatelly the queue was pretty long and I realized "this will take hours!". There were 6 officer boxes, but only 2 officers inside and their work... about 20 minutes for one person asking for visa.

So I asked very politely one lady - officer if it is possible to get the visa because my plane is taking off in less than two ours. Her answer....go back to line!

My luck was that I was the first person who left the plane so finally I cought the plane to Vancouver right on time. But behind me there were another about 50 people, maybe more. If there was somebody traveling to Vancouver, he/she couldn't catch the plane. Impossible!

My advice... If you are travelling to Canada and you have to change the plane and wait for the visa, you should manage your time between two flights for several hours. It is hard to say exactly how many. Maybe 2 or 3 or 4... It depends on the officers and their willingness! Be sure, they don't care who you are and when your plane is leaving...