Settlement

On February 9, 2009 about 4:00 pm we arrived at Regina Airport to meet our employers who hired us to work here in Canada. They had our pictures to identify each one of us. We were six Filipino skilled workers, three machinists and the other three were welders.

This was my first time to work abroad. The other guys had already worked in a different country. Many people told me that I was lucky because Canada is one of the most beautiful countries to work and live.

We stayed in a hotel for the whole night to get some rest because we needed to drive for three more hours to get to our home. In the morning, after breakfast we went to Mark’s clothing store where the employers bought winter clothes for us. The last thing that we did before we went home was grocery shopping. They bought food for us for one week.

While we were on our way home, I saw many vehicles stuck and flipped in the ditch on both sides on the highway. I realized heavy snowfall with strong wind was the cause of poor visibility. There was a snow storm at that time and the highway was almost closed, so we turned across the gravel road for the shortcut.  I felt nervous because the road was filled with snow and I couldn’t see the road clearly. After an hour we finally got home.

Our first week in the town we received cookies and food from the neighbors, home-made crafts from our new friends, gift cards from co-op groceries, and some other people invited us to their homes for supper.

To those people who gave support and assistance especially to the first timers like me, we were very thankful for their kindness and generosity. I really appreciate their hospitality and we will never forget all the good things that they did for us.