2866 Upland Cres, Abbotsford, BC
(604) 852-8930, Fax: 852-5724
E-mail: Crystalclearone@aol.com

Gay Friendly Home:

Must See: Butchart, Minter, Nitobe, Dr. Sun Yat Sen Gardens, Fort Langley, New Westminster, White Rock, Stanley Park, Vancouver beaches, whale watching on Vancouver Island, hiking and skiing in the Rocky Mountains, biking, roller blading along the dikes and parks, or swimming.

Practise/Study english in:

& Critical Thinking

Farm-Home Stays and B&B's in Canada provide an excellent way to learn about local culture, and for ESL students to reinforce English Languange skills. Foreign students are required to obtain roundtrip airfare and required visas to stay as a tourist, student, or for work, as required by Canada and or US Immigration departments. A multiple entry visa is recommended for ESL students to both Canada and the United States to allow cross border educational travel.

What is shared accommodation?:

Shared accommodation allows several single adults to share the rent, (or mortgage, utility, tax, insurance) expences of a traditional "single" family home creating a new definition of extended "family".

We live in an agricultural green belt surrounding the mouth of the Fraser River. Award winning Nature Parks abound in BC. We are near the US border at Sumas, Washington, near Bellingham, Mount Baker and Glacier National Forest.

The mighty Fraser River, filled with Pacific salmon and ancient sturgeon flows by just a few minutes north of Clearbrook. We have a fenced yard, suitable for pets, and let our gardens express themselves naturally, without using pesticides, or herbicides. I like to prune trees, vines, shrubs and weed to keep the environment happy and healthy for all. We recycle vegetable waste, back to the soil in our gardens as compost. I like to ensure clear, clean and silver, carbon, ceramic, filtered water for human consumption in the home.

The nearby Matsqui Recreation Center has a large indoor pool with hottub, wet and dry sauna, full workout facility, indoor ice rink, snack bar and seniours community center. There are many other organic farms in Abbotsford to visit. Vancouver and many other Lower Mainland cities are within easy reach by car on highway 1, CityLink or Greyhound bus, and the West Coast Express commuter (am/pm) train.

The University College of the Fraser Valley is nearby. There are always special local community events (International Airshow, Agri-Fair, Berry Festival) at every time of the year.

Drink plenty of fluids, when out in the summer sun. Summers are a few degrees warmer and drier here in the Valley than in Vancouver right on the Pacific coast. Winters are usually a few degrees cooler. It is best to wear layers of clothing to allow for the warmest and coolest parts of the day. Bicycle helmets must be used for safety, and it is the law, when riding in Canada.

Hotel, Motel, and B&B Rates are Seasonal:

Average local B&B, hotel, motel costs range from $40-75. per day. Weekly and monthly rates are often available, just ask. Whale watching on Vancouver Island, hiking in the Rocky Mountains, biking or roller blading along the dikes and parks, or swimming on the beaches are very popular activities. Private language instruction and tutoring can be arranged locally. Reduced rates are available for a shared room, wwoofers, or help with home/farm stay.

Smoking is usually permitted outside on covered patios and porches.

Directions to Abbotsford:

Access by car from highway 1 at the Clearbrook Road exit, just 45 minutes east of Vancouver. Turn north into Abbotsford. From Vancouver International Airport, book a Fraser Valley shuttle bus in advance, or take local bus to Vancouver Greyhound/Citylink terminal, then intercity bus to Abbotsford.

In emergencies, call 911 for Police, Fire, or Ambulance.

Paul Latham, BA, Psychology

E-mail me at: Crystalclearone@aol.com . . . . or Regular mail to:
2866 Upland Crescent, Abbotsford, B.C. V2T-2E9, Canada
(604) 852-8930, Fax: (604) 852-5724