A year in Vancouver!

Anything we haven’t seen before is marvelous…

Having complained in November about the rain I’m now going to complain about the cold. I think this week it has managed to get down to about 19F and on only one day has warmed up to 32F, this week to say it was freezing would be an improvement! I have to add that the snow has been very pretty though. It has been snowing on and off pretty much all week, although it hasn’t really settled, just fallen in big drifty flakes, of the dreamy Christmas card variety.

First point worth mentioning this week was the deer at the bus stop. I was driving past on my way to work (I think) and as I passed the bus stop there was a deer stood right next to the sign post. I did have to stop the car and return for a second look, I was sure it must be a fake one left as a joke, but I can assure you that it was totally real, and moving. It was one of those moments when you wish you had a camera. I also have no idea if it actually got on the bus.

This week I did also finally manage to get down to the Aquarium and have another meander around Stanley Park. Apparently the Aquarium is amongst the largest in North America, and after the CN Tower in Toronto it is the most visited tourist site in Canada. As in most aquariums the main tourist draws are the dolphins and the whales- in this case Beluga whales and Pacific White-sided dolphins. The aquarium does seem to promote scientific research and has two new beluga whale calves as evidence of a successful breeding program; however, I couldn’t help but feel that the enclosures seemed a bit cramped. In comparison to the space they had to show in Sea World it all seemed very condensed.

The aquarium does concern itself with the local habitat and two of the three main exhibits are related to local issues. They have dedicated one gallery to the Pacific waters and the BC Coast, and show otters, seals, octopi, and other local wildlife, such as starfish. I have to say this wasn’t the most interesting gallery, but I did feel it had a definite educational purpose. It was more exciting as the gallery progressed through to the Arctic North, again still along the BC coast and in to the Yukon, and this was where the whales came into their own. It did also extend south down the pacific coastal region and into the warm waters with impressive displays of turtles and coral.

Possibly the most interesting area, and because it was so very different to anything else, was the rainforest gallery. Not only did it have the exotic species of fish but they had expanded it to create a whole rainforest feel, along with plants, parrots, turtles, and underwater river displays. It didn’t hurt that the temperature also went up by more than a few degrees.

The theater also had a 4D experience of a BBC film about pacific coastal marine life. I have had the “joy” of experiencing 4D theater before in Austin TX, but for some reason had totally managed to forget this and was therefore shocked when the whale spraying water was not in 3D but also resulted in water in my face. The eels round my ankles, the snake biting me in the back and the vibrating chair coral were all highly entertaining!

The Killer Whale in the picture this week- outside the aquarium- is a bronze work by Haida artist Bill Reid. I have no more information on this sculpture but thought as I have used a few of his works in photos and talked about him before it was worth a mention.

I had hoped to get back to Gastown/ Chinatown this week, having not been there for a while I had wanted to update and take some better photographs of the steam powered clock in Gastown. The clock was created by Ray Saunders and was built in 1977 following a design that had been created more than a century previously. It is reportedly powered by an underground system that could be used the heat the surrounding buildings, and I’m told it is the only one in the world. I have to say when I first saw it I was expecting slightly more than four toots on the quarter hour, but the big surprise is reserved for the hourly chime.

Not far from the clock is Maple Tree Square, unsurprisingly named after a maple tree that was to be found there. It was the spot on which, in 1886, the people of Granville settled on the name Vancouver for their new and ever growing city. Today a statue of Gassy Jack- a Yorkshire man who couldn’t keep his opinions to himself, of Gastown fame, stands on the spot and a new tree stands nearby with a plaque commemorating events. Unfortunately time ran out… at least I know where I’ll be headed next, or at least one in a long list of places.

A year in Vancouver!

Fortune favors the brave…

This week I feel I have generated more questions than I have really managed to find answers for. The crash barriers have been removed at the turning at the bottom of the hill that I drive down every morning. I can see, I suppose the logic behind this, in that they were costing a lot of money, and time to repair in a regular basis. A LOT of people seemed to drive into them. I agree that removing them has solved this issue. I’m just not sure that removing crash barriers that are obviously well used is the safest option.

Another question for the week, and one that I do actually have an answer to, is when should you leave a restaurant without paying the bill? Answer, when the fire trucks arrive. I was really hungry this afternoon and actually quite looking forward to meal. I had chosen what I wanted, chicken dippers and fries (one day I will grow up and stop ordering off the kid’s menu) and the bread had just been placed on the table- incidentally, it was very good, when a sharp beeping sound pierced the air. Smoke was starting to fill the air, surprisingly quickly, and staff were opening doors and escorting customers to the parking lot. All in all four fire trucks turned up, and I have to say while I’m sure they are great at their job I feel a little let down on the phwoar front, as they had full kit on. You’d have thought there would be some perks to ordering dinner in a restaurant that was burning down! Ahh, yes there was. I got the three sips of diet coke and the corner of bread I’d eaten for free! Mental note to self, next time take food off tables as you pass. After a 20 minute wait in the freezing cold, no exaggeration it was 32F, I ended up at Wendy’s.

And my final question for the week- when is a year not a year? I know I started out in July thinking it would be a year in Vancouver- hence the title of my blog, but things change and now I find myself Boston bound, so next week will be the last Vancouver entry and then a quick name change and possibly a face list will find me blogging about Boston in January. I have to say, I have had a great time here, and there are loads of things I will miss- not least the drive to work each morning, which has amazing scenery. I have tried to photograph some of it, but not being great at driving or photography you can only guess what a disaster they are together. I will try to squeeze as much as possible into the time I have left, and then I’ll say the same as I did about the USA, I will have to come back. I really have enjoyed it here…

A year in Vancouver!

The bigger the undertaking, the trickier it is…

This week all I can say is, “please stop raining!!” And yes, the two exclamation marks were totally needed. I’m not usually a fan of doubling up on punctuation, but really, in this case… It has gotten to a point where I have taken to throwing coins into wishing wells and making this my wish. I’m also going to add, a day early, in the hope of tempting the fates and really praying they prove me wrong, it has rained every single day for the entire month of November. Go on, I dare you, stay dry tomorrow. I feel like I live in Cloud City, except Hans Solo has yet to show up in his Millennium Falcon.

Usually, or at least for the past four weeks I have tried to avoid the rain somewhat on a Saturday, I know, I’m not made of sugar, I won’t melt… but my hair will frizz, by finding indoor activities and adventures in which to partake. This week, I thought I had also found an indoor attraction, only to be proved wrong once I arrived. I headed out to Queen Elizabeth Park, yes I know a park is usually outdoor, and most of this one is no exception. However, I will pause briefly to say the fountains were very pretty, and would have been worth more attention if it wasn’t raining quite so hard, and the landscaping was gently enticing, and again with a sunny day would make for a very pleasant walk. It is not quite on the same scale as Stanley Park and it does not have the dramatic and enchanting appeal that I enjoy in Stanley Park, although I appreciate this may all be a matter of taste, however, it does have the Bloedel Conservatory.

From the initial description of the conservatory I was given to understand that is would be something like I imagine (never having been) the Eden Project in the UK is like. The guide books spoke very highly of it, and the literature produced by the parks authority describes it as Over 500 different plants from tropical and subtropical areas of the world are on display, and over 100 birds of various species call the Bloedel Conservatory home, free-flying within the spacious plexiglass dome. Take a stroll through a simulated tropical rainforest paradise, then explore the subtropic and desert climate zones. Unfortunately, due to funding cuts this is set to close, for good, in the New Year. I thought I would therefore, take this opportunity to visit before it finally closed. I have to say I was very disappointed. The dome which supposed has great views of the city was frosted and cloudy, and cracked in numerous places leading to a huge amount of leaks, so many in fact that a umbrella was necessary inside and the birds had been taken to seeking shelter under foliage and perches, and in one case, an umbrella! The dome was also much smaller than I had imagined, having a radius of just 40 meters, therefore leaving little scope for changes of habitat, and certainly not ending up in a dry desert like environment due to the roof issues. It is a shame that this is going to be closing, as it had the scope and potential to be a fantastic learning experience and really enjoyable place to visit, but I can see that the expense needed to maintain and correct it, from its current state would be extensive.

Queen Elizabeth Park, remains a nice place to visit, and possibly in the summer its attraction will be that is isn’t Stanley Park, it is certainly easier to get to, has much cheaper parking, and a couple of Henry Moore sculpture pieces that will be worth a second and closer look.

I feel a little like time has slipped away from me this week, I’ll see what next week has to bring…

A year in Vancouver!

It is too late to ask advice when the danger comes…

And this week it presented itself in the form of coyotes, and me very nearly ending up on their dinner plate. I was quite happily walking home on Friday evening, I was about 300 yards from my apartment, it was about 7:00pm, dark and I was on a road which cut through wooded area when a man stopped his car and started talking to me. Usually at this point I would be a little suspicious of the man in the car- I listened to all the “stranger danger” sessions at school, and having a bit of a sweet tooth, let’s face it, if anyone is offering me candy, I’m not going to be putting up much resistance. However, this was a very nice man and he thought he really ought to point out that there were two coyotes standing about eight foot away from me. The bit of noise he had created in his car and his lights encouraged them to disappear into the trees, but they did make a couple more passes before I reached the top of the road. Having Googled their behavior when I got home, I was delighted to find I was a little to chunky for them to actually want to eat, I knew pizza and fries had a purpose! What I think is a little more concerning is my complete lack of a survival instinct! How could I have not even realized that they were there? If I had been a cave person I would have been sabre tooth tiger food before I even knew I was in trouble- I think it is safe to say I was descended from the sit by the fire and check out my pointy shoe wearing tribe rather than the actually do something useful tribe.

The magic ski pants did get another outing this week, relatively short due to high gusting winds, not so much skiing as being randomly blown about in any which direction. Interesting sport, but not sure it will catch on for the Olympics! However, I will try not to dwell on the ski pants too much as it is likely I will start on their many fantastic qualities and get far too carried away.

I did also manage to get out to Science World this weekend. This is one of the places I have been past every week since I arrived here and finally managed to get inside. The building has always appeared fairly intriguing, and is quite possibly one of Vancouver’s most distinctive structures being a big silver geodesic dome. It was apparently left over from Expo ’86 and is now a very hands on and child friendly museum, if you don’t mind embarrassing yourself somewhat it can also be an adult friendly museum… After playing on the stretch and reach machine I learned that I am decidedly more bendy than the average 29.2 (ok- that is 31) year old women. I was very proud of myself for being able to reach 48 cm rather than the standard 33cm, and I had no warm up and practice time first! I have to say, men only have a disappointing average of 25cm- really guys!?!?!?

The science museum does have five galleries and loads of things to play with, the teacher in me found it a little too gimmicky and not learning focused enough, or at least not directed enough. I would have liked a little more explanation on some of the exhibits, and maybe a little less interactivity on the “Where do we come from?” gallery. I really can’t get my head around the video game sperm that was killed by not swimming fast enough through the acid patch… it just seems wrong somehow, although I’m sure there is a lesson in there about speed of hand movement and use of fingers to help… finish the sentence yourself J

I did say a few weeks ago that I wouldn’t turn this into a movie review- but “Pirate Radio” rocks. I can see why some of the reviews this side of the Atlantic may have been less than enthusiastic, possibly a few too many cultural references that slid under the radar, and we did only get a cut down version, so if anyone in the UK wants to fill me in on the missing 30 minutes… I laughed far more than anyone person should- especially when half the time I was one of only a handful of people from a packed theater who found the jokes funny. Maybe that says more about me that the movie?

A year in Vancouver!

He praised his own achievements, not without cause…

This week has seen a change in temperature! It is hard to believe that last Wednesday I was climbing the Grind blissfully unaware that it would be the last one of the season. The sun was shining, the sky was a bright blue, and despite a slightly chilly wind the temperature was a pleasant- well at least for running- 55F. However, come Thursday morning a storm had appeared, the sky was gray and a snow flurry signaled the start of the winter season, or at least the Grind had been closed due to snowfall. Before the weekend the skating rink was open and the skiing had begun. So, instead of climbing the trails this week I found myself standing in 2.5 ft of snow and lacing up my skates for some outside ice skating. The rink may not quite be infinity style but rather than an edge it the ice seems to rather turn into snow, which makes skating harder! However, despite the two years it has been since I last hit the ice I felt I had a handle on things. I’m still no better at dealing with the cold, but I did really enjoy myself, until small children appeared and thought they could share the rink- don’t they understand who I am?

Saturday brought about some indoor activities and I headed back into town for a lecture and a presentation at the art gallery. Owen Kydd, a Vancouver local, had a photography and film installation/ selection of pieces that he was discussing. Kydd was exhibiting three pieces if work, “Mission”, “Night” and “Joshua” and all three took the same form and were shown on three connected walls. A triptych of videos displays a series of still lifes, portraits, vignettes and tableaux, all out of sync. Each one linked to the title of the piece. “Misson” shows the city of Mission, one of the many postagricultural communities at Vancouver’s periphery, “Joshua” is a California version of the same small town story and “Night” is from the East side of Vancouver. At times an image may appear still: one shot taken across a parking lot has the feel of a still photo until a car arrives into the frame and stops in front of a movie theater, reminding us that we are watching something unfolding in time. While depicting innocuous items and seemingly unimportant moments in time I found the concept to be intrusive, as though invading thoughts and catching people unprepared and vulnerable, maybe exposing a way of life they felt contented in, and a community they felt connected to. In contrast, I found night, although evoking the same expressions and emotion within me more accessible. Maybe this was because I expected people to be more alone and vulnerable at night, more lost in their own thoughts, feelings and concepts of reality. At night, and in the dark individuals in stillness and lost in their own musing seemed more at ease with themselves and a normality I could identify with than those ‘lost’ during what I would supposed to be an industrious, social experience during the working day.

One other photographic exhibition that I do feel deserves a mention was Scott McFarland’s take on Constable. He had an exhibition on the same floor as Kydd and was where I happened to find myself later in the day. His recreations of ideas based on Constable and shot on Hampstead Heath had me reflecting on summer days in England and the pleasantness of lying on the grass watching the clouds blow and change overhead as a world gets on with its busy day around you. Possibly some of my enjoyment of these comes from reminiscing about childhood memories from Greenwich. I don’t think they invoke the same response as the Kydd works, but in my shallow opinion, much more the kind of thing I’d hang on my wall… in case anyone want to buy me a Christmas present…

A year in Vancouver!

Dullness is incurable…

And this week has certainly been anything but dull! Having previously mentioned last week to some children I teach that in England we would have fireworks on November 5, not October 31 they took it upon themselves to do some research and find out why. I was initially impressed with myself- enquiring minds and independent learning skills- I’m good, secret smile to self. So, as Thursday arrived I walked into my own mini England, complete with costumes and accents. At this point all I can say is I know I have an odd accent but I REALLY hope I don’t sound the same as they did, although they assure me they were copying me accurately. The costumes were… well, they seemed to have mixed up a few different traditions at this point and wanted to vote to see who could be King and Queen for the day, so had found some crowns and tiaras and hidden some pirate gold for the games and the dancing later, and just in case we had forgotten Hallowe’en the previous week, candy was given out for the costumes. I must admit, even I was a little confused at this, but continued smiling and went along with the fun and adventures of the day. At lunch time we burned paper “guys” that they had created and had the biggest sparkles I have ever seen. Eleven year old boys get way too excited at the prospect of setting fire to things. Then back for the last treat of the day which was a rendition of “Remember, remember the 5th of November…” My concern for their independent learning skills was awakened at this point, when they asked what ‘gunpowdertreason” was exactly because it sounded sweet and did we eat it at any other point of the year! I think a little more work maybe required on this topic before I can say that we all totally grasp the historical significance of this event!

Show and Tell this week was also drama based, but I have no idea what the Apache were doing invading Canada, speaking with Tennessee accents and playing badminton- but given this was supposed to be linked to Social Studies, it was a Friday afternoon and it made me laugh I let it slide. Teaching is not what it used to be! (Said with a wry smile, a slight shake of my head and the knowledge that I have just had two days of great fun.)

This weekend I thought I try out the Museum of Vancouver, despite the less than enthusiastic reports I have had of it in the past, and the not particularly enthusiastic guide book entries. I did have a few other options, but the weather forecast was for rain so I automatically ruled out anything that might not be undercover, and the MOV had free parking, and a huge parking lot so beat the others hands down. In my book that makes it a massive hit right away! So, I happily headed out to Kitsilano and Vanier Park.

I arrived at the museum just as a tour and a short presentation speech was being given on their new exhibit- “Ravishing Beasts”. http://www.ravishingbeasts.com/
I’m not usually a big fan of taxidermy but this was actually a fairly interesting take on it. The MOV had originally been housed on the top floor of another civic building, but at the start of the 1960s it was relocated into the premises they have today. At that time they had a large taxidermy collection, and it was carefully put away into storage for the duration of the move until they were ready to re-show it. There it remained, until this October when it was re-established as a modern art collection and presented as more than just a “scientific learning experience’. They do have some pieces that are there purely for educational value, such as the non extinct passenger pigeon- the last one died in Cincinnati Zoo in 1914, and they have tried to link in visitor experiences to the changing perception of the craft of taxidermy by showing item such as the elephant foot side table from a Victorian parlor alongside a character gopher on loan from the Gopher Museum in Calgary. Despite the disclaimer that all animals used had died from natural causes I’m not sure I understand the use of them in art, I think I find it all a little too macabre still, I can justify it as an educational necessity, or when it is a non expendable source, but I’m not sure dead animal pelts made into humanesque shapes is what I would call art. Having said that, it does not serve a utilitarian purpose, it is thought provoking and it has created a response from me, so maybe it is art after all. I think on balance though I still prefer Monet.

The rest of the MOV was dedicated to the history of Vancouver. Starting as you enter with a crab like sculpture which according to native legend guards the entrance to the harbor, and ties in nicely with the astrological symbol corresponding to July 1, and Canada Day; the museum is still undergoing a multimillion dollar renovation which might explain why the Aboriginal peoples were only represented by two small boards and a totem pole in the foyer. However, from the lead up to WW1 through to the 1970s I thought the museum was a great documenter of social history, if not the heavy factual dates and long cards to read, it was a light and entertaining guide through period costume, furniture, music, posters and TV. Often laid out as a street scene or a domestic room, it gave the opportunity to gather a feel of the time. The explanations- although not hugely detailed, were often on cards next to exhibits and the personal stories of people involved were often noted down beside particular items. While I spent a very enjoyable three hours in here, it not on the same level as major museums in other large cities, and certainly not on the scale you would find in the ROM in Toronto, this maybe an unfair comparison on my part, and possibly I should leave that thought until I get to Vancouver Island and check out the Royal British Columbia Museum.

Oh- not only did it not rain while I was out, I even saw some blue sky when I left… who knew the weather forecasters could be so wrong?

A year in Vancouver!

Going to Hell is easy; it is coming back that is hard…

And judging by the number of costumes, parties and ghosts and ghouls that this city had in offer for October 31, Hallowe’en was going to be one big celebration of magic and Paganism. I only had one slight mishap on the costume front, I genuinely couldn’t tell if one guy was dressed up, as most of the bar staff were, or if he was just wearing a flannel shirt and suspenders, was that was just his regular lumberjack attire- it is after all, Canada... and I certainly wasn’t brave enough to go ask, especially after he sat down at the bar and placed and order. Maybe not quite going to Hell, but given the events and publicity surrounding this night it was going to be one big party. The fireworks started before it even got dark and carried on pretty much all night, and I have to say they really were quite beautiful. Like any city Vancouver has its fair share of haunting and eerie ghost stories, particularly in the older areas of the city, such as the Gastown district and if you can’t be scared on October 31…

Most of my weekend has been spent outside making the most of the absolutely gorgeous weather we have had, despite the repeated warnings of rain all weekend the skies have been a bright blue, the occasional white fluffy cloud has passed by and the temperatures have been in the mid 50Fs. Therefore I have completed a Grouse Grind, run in the park and walked part of the Baden-Powell trail around Deep Cove.

Deep Cove really was a quaint and pretty little town. Possibly a bit over run with people outside and making the most of the opportunity- apparently, and I haven’t checked this out it was -8C in Calgary and hovering about the 0C mark in Toronto, I knew there was a reason I didn’t move there. Anyway, trainers laced I headed up the trail and into the woodland on the short 2KM walk to the lookout point, managing to sneak a glimpse at a sea otter on my way out of the parking lot. I was little unsure about it, and thought I might find myself writing about the embarrassing experience of pointing out, and trying to photograph a floating stick so was more than a little relieved when the “stick” started to move its head and make undulating swimming motions through the water! Unfortunately I didn’t manage a photograph.

I did however enjoy the walk up to the rock shaped point and I could look back and see the opposite side if the view I get every morning as I drive to work. Tomorrow I will be thinking- “ahh, I know what the other side of that cove looks like.” Yes, I am that sad, and yes I do talk to myself when I’m in the car.

My only whinge for the week- a Chevy Tahoe is not a small car, it never will be and people should stop trying to park them in small car spaces, and stopping distances, yes, when driving in the rain they are still important! I’m done now.

A year in Vancouver!

False becomes true when the boss decides it…

And this Saturday saw downtown Vancouver transformed into Germany! The streets all had German signs and names, the cars all had German license plates, the road signs were displaying German symbols and instructions, the Poliezi were out in force, as were all their cars and vans, the bill boards had German commercials flashing on them, and the buses were all white and green with German destinations…

Yes, it was movie time again!!! This week I had managed to walk into the set of the new “A Team” movie, and I had managed to time it just right. Instead of being able to cross the street I was moved into a safe area while the cast and crew had a run through of a gun fight and then proceeded to add moving vehicles. This built into a car chase and culminated in head on collision with water being poured down the road to enable the cars to slip and skid more effectively. I was too busy trying to take some pictures of my own, and even discovered my camera can make movies- who knew- to have any idea of the different performances of cars of various surfaces! Apparently, the crew on movie sets get a little uppity when you try and take your own pictures of their set, especially if you insist on walking through areas they are trying to clear, so I have to say, my photos may not be quiet the same quality as those produced by Twentieth Century Fox!

The rest of my weekend was much more normal. The Nike 10K Human Race finally came around and so I donned my running shoes again and aiming to put in a better time than last year I took off. All in all I was pleased with my time, 47 minutes, 58 Seconds, not staggeringly fast when you realize the women who placed first was in Japan and ran it in 34 minutes, and even less impressive when you hear that the fastest man was in Spain and ran it in 29 minutes. Nonetheless my time did put me in 2811 place out of an overall total of 86,877 runners and 162 in the women running in North America. Unfortunately I can’t get a reading on everyone’s times so I only hope there were more than 162 women running in North America! And I now have approximately 360days to start training for next year’s. (Yes, I do know how many days are in a year, but they move the date a little each year and I don’t know when it will be held.)

Mixing up my order of events slightly, I did also have a wander around the Snow and Ski Expo in Canada Place, mainly while the filming was going on outside. I couldn’t believe how cheaply they were selling off some of the old equipment! Not that I needed anything, and this year it did actually stop me buying things. I was a little disappointed that I couldn’t get any new skates and this was starting to appeal more and more, I guess I should have worked that out from the name of the show- skating not being mentioned and all. So, I have done the next best thing, dragged my old ones out of the cupboard, loving polished them and made sure the blades are in tip top condition so I’m all ready to go… My one purchase at the Expo was a lift pass. Bargain of the day at $140.00, so now I can get up the mountain without having to walk up the Grind every week. Lucky as it will only be open for a few weeks. Or as was pointed out the man in the queue who asked when he could start skiing- “when it snows”, is also when the Grind closes.

My excitement at getting my skates out the cupboard again may not be limited to just the idea of lift passes and snowshoeing (how much do I want to try that?) but also the fact that I finally got around to seeing “Whip-It” at the movies. I’m not going to turn this into a movie review, but it was an awesome movie. I loved it and can’t wait for the DVD to be released so I can watch it again. (Just for you Mom, the lack of TV doesn’t mean I can’t play DVDs on my laptop) I would wonder if you could have similar sport to Roller Derby on ice, but they already do and they call it hockey!

A year in Vancouver!

The gods use us mortals as footballs.

Ohhh- shock, horror and mortification this week! You know how it is when you are sitting in a parking lot and all you can hear is bass? You look around expecting to a carful of “youths” probably wearing hoodies, windows down and a total lack of respect for all about them? Yes, I’m getting old and judgmental- well that was my experience on Wednesday afternoon. Having finished the Grind I was sat in my car, in a National Park, trying to work out where that continued bass pounding was coming from. After five frustrating minutes I realized that yes, I was the anti-social, hoodie wearing individual. And as if that wasn’t bad enough I don’t even have good taste in music! I had the bass up for 80’s pop music and was subjecting everyone to a bit of Kylie and Jason! Luckily, I’m a baseball cap under my hoodie kinda of girl, so managed to completely conceal my face. I can only apologize to any youths in Vancouver who end up with a bad name now.

This weekend has seen a diverse range of activities, starting with a trip to the Museum of Anthropology. I was surprised at how calm I remained, despite driving through all the downtown traffic, and playing games of lane switch and stop/start for about two miles. Unfortunately, I’m not sure the same can be said of the queue I caused when I arrived at the parking garage. The ticket machine was out of order, thus someone was issuing tickets and taking payment as you arrived. While I was ready with my debit card, the cashier wasn’t. Quite a queue can build up on eight minutes, and people can get a little stressed when this tails back out of the garage onto the main road and leads to a blocked intersection. Sorry. Although I refuse to take responsibility for the intersection- that was someone else with as little thought as me.

The MOA is mainly dedicated to the art and culture of the aboriginal peoples of the Pacific Northwest, particular the Haida who originate from the islands off the Lower Mainland. Whilst the museum is starting to enlarge its collections and has a large display of European pottery the main artifacts and exhibits are carvings and totem poles. These totem poles change in use and appearance depending on which group of people created then, or the area in which they originated. Each culture having a distinct use for the totem pole, and a distinct and different way of carving. One thing the poles did all have in common was their purpose in relating a family history or a story. All of which linked to the mythical or the gods and the creation of the family. The poles changing with each generation as new stories, histories and family connections are made.

This theme of gods and creation is carried through the museum to one of the more well known and famous pieces of sculpture depicting the story of the Raven and the Clam. This is one part of the Haida belief system, as the second time in as many days as I have come across it- one of those things that you have never heard of before and three people tell you in a short space of time. The Haida believe that all members are born into either the Eagles or the Raven people and they have a part of the creation story to tell. In this cedar work of art the Raven is tricking tiny people into climbing out of the safety their clam shell and thus turning into full sized humans who have to contend with the harsh realities of the world. The squirming people arrive into a world of snow and have to rely on the Raven to steal the sun from the gods and turn it into rivers and animals. A definite nod the long dark winters and cold, snowy conditions these people would have endured for much of the year up in the north of the islands.

It is possibly also worth mentioning, if only for the benefit of my sister- see I do care, that the museum itself was designed by Arthur Erickson. It really is an amazing space that allows visible access to parts of the collection not currently on display, includes immense doors carved to depict aboriginal myths, and has acres of square glass walk ways that allow you see the outside sculptures and collections from inside. Not being a big architecture buff I’ll leave it there. Suffice to big thank you to the very nice lady who provided me with all this information whilst I was at the museum.

I did make a few stops on my way home, the first being at Pacific Spirit Regional Park. This is a lot larger than Stanley Park, if in my opinion not as pretty and dramatic in backdrop and appearance. It did however have the added advantage of having a lot less people and some pleasant trails to enjoy as the leaves on the trees changed color. Maybe one of its most enjoyable features was the lack of interference; there were no benches and trams running round the park, although I have a feeling that bikes can become prevalent in the summer months as a lot of work seems to have gone into preparing trails and tracks for them.

The last stop for the day was also very short. I did finally make it to Kits Beach, and I have to say it wasn’t the vibrant and social space for people watching I was expecting. Having thought I could grab a Starbucks and watch as people wandered by I was a little disappointed to find I was one of three customers and the only person on the beach. Maybe it was due to the fact that the tide was in, and it was 4:45 pm on a Saturday afternoon in the middle of October- I really ought to pick my time better. However, as I wasn’t prepared to sit still on a windswept patch of sand I guess I can’t really complain that other people were also less than eager.

I’ll just have to plan next week’s endeavors slightly more carefully.

http://www.moa.ubc.ca/history/index.php

A year in Vancouver!

You pray for good health and a body that will be strong…

So… a start to this week by firstly acknowledging how totally lax I’ve been recently and secondly apologizing for a fairly lame effort this week. But mainly a huge congratulations to the guys running in the Chicago Marathon. Awesome efforts, and totally amazing results! I’m nowhere near that impressive, but that doesn’t stop me hoping I can grab onto coat tails, hang on for dear life, and follow them to Boston for a weekend!

I hate to admit this but my weekend has really been a little dull- all essential work has been carried out, my hair is neatly trimmed- I’m internally debating a big change, but know deep down I’ll regret it immediately, my apartment is spotlessly clean, which means I can breathe easy… I get very stressed if I can’t smell bleach and pledge by mid day on a Saturday, and all my laundry is clean, pressed and hanging in the closet. All organized by outfit for another work week. Yes, I am a little anal, yes I have control issues, and yes I can control the issues I have… well, sometimes J

However, my freakiness has kind of taken over this weekend. I found time to go running, nothing compared to Marathon times, I found myself at Wal-Mart again and enjoyed the weather which I’m scared is making for a mild October. While I’m enjoying the chance to be outside and use the parks, go for walks, climb the grind I’m getting nervous that Winter is hiding around the corner and the beautiful Fall days and colors will disappear overnight leaving a bitterly cold, white frost on the ground…

I have rediscovered hot chocolate this weekend, and spent a good portion of the weekend perfecting the art of making my own. I now have a cupboard containing ample amounts of whipped cream, chocolate sauce and mini marshmallows, so at the risk of challenging nature and jinxing myself- bring on the winter weather- I’m ready! (Yes, I may regret that sentence in a few weeks, and yes I cleaned the kitchen afterwards!)

Anyway, next week- weather permitting, I am going to make more of an effort to do something new and interesting. I will get further than the park- the trouble is it is so enticing and interesting. I kind of get drawn into the people watching, I could, and as this blog is testament to, very happily wander around for hours just musing on the comings and goings of other people. It really is a very convivial, relaxing, stress free place to be.

P.S. due to forgetfulness, and lack of camera, I can't take credit for the picture this week.

http://www.virtualtourist.com/

A year in Vancouver!

Why are you laughing? Change the names and the story’s your!

First off I’ll start by apologizing for not producing the promised wheels. I really did mean to continue taking advantage of the great weather and to roller blade around Stanley Park. I even got as far as the sports store and looking at the roller blades, but then I got distracted by the ice skates and instead of roller blades I’m now much more excited about dusting off my ice skates and getting the blades sharpened ready for the ice rinks, so continue to watch this space, as skating of a slightly different description is still on its way, albeit a few weeks off yet!

That’s not to say I didn’t get to the park, I really have been enjoying the weather recently, although I’m starting to get very scared that it will disappear soon, and I’ve managed to get a run and a few evening walks in. The leaves have continued to slowly change color and are turning from a brilliant green to subtle and subdued oranges and yellows. The wildlife is running through the dappled sunlight really is picture book pretty in the evening. I’m not sure I will ever appreciate how truly gorgeous and beautiful it is here.

The two main events of the week have been the theater on Friday night, as part of an ongoing comedy event over last week and next week was generally well received, and the bi-monthly grocery shopping which gives me a nervous twitch.

Friday night was a performance of Peter Schaffer’s “Black Comedy”, and after a friendly warning that it was easy to over perform I was delighted to say the actors and crew hit just the right note. If you don’t know the story it is about a young artist hoping to impress a famous art collector and his prospective father- in-law. In order to do this he steals his neighbor’s furniture. The farce ensures when there is a power cut and the said neighbor returns early from a trip, wanting to take refuse in the artist’s house. As is usual with farce the mix ups and problems are always exacerbated well beyond the known quantities. It was very well done and incredibly funny. Although the accents did waver slightly a passably attempt at an English accent was managed by all the cast, I only hope I don’t sound quite like some of them! Some of the jokes may have also been lost on a predominantly Canadian audience who didn’t appreciate or experience the true delights of British Rail coffee and sandwiches. Unfortunately the Chekhov play, “The Marriage Proposal” was incredibly overacted way beyond the point of funny, and cringe worthy and sliding quickly into embarrassing. The only positive being that the actors managed to condense 30 minutes of dialogue into 24 minutes meaning that it was over faster than expected. Otherwise a fantastic night, made better by the presence of Malteasers!

The grocery shopping trip is only worth a mention because I can’t believe something so mundane can enrage me so much. My stress levels spike when this time of the month approaches. I have never seen so many rude and discourteous people in one place. The driving is shocking, if you don’t have a small car, don’t park in a small car space! You will get stuck, you will not be able to get your car out again, and you will cause a multi-car pileup in the parking lot. Read the signs and follow them! The less said about being in the store and elbows being used the better. When the four counters each have eight people with over flowing shopping carts waiting to pay it is time to open the other twelve unused ones. Blocking aisles is never a good shopping policy! Rant over- I will go take some Prozac and calm down, safe in the knowledge I’m not going back for another two weeks.

Some come to see; some come to be seen…

After the ripple of excitement at Fall approaching last week, and my fascination at the slowly changing color of the leaves I have to report that Summer has well and truly returned this week. The sky has been clear blue and the sun has been gloriously shining nearly all week. In fact the weather has been absolutely perfect for being outside and making the most of the city. So that is exactly what I have been doing.

This week has seen a few late afternoon walks, and a run around Central Park, watching the ducks and the turtles in the pond- I would love to call it a lake but I really don’t think it is that large, but I’m not sure pond entirely does it justice either as it does have an island and footbridge. Actually, this week has been fairly interesting on the wildlife front- I really will look into getting a different hobby- I have encountered a squirrel as large and as scare as panther, I was more than a little afraid it was going to hunt my down and carry me off onto the forest, and I really should apologize to my father who has spent the last year telling me about vicious black squirrels; in the past they have never seemed that large or aggressive but having been confronted by a panther sized one I’m prepared to acknowledge he may have a point. I really am quiet taken with the baby squirrels though, another new and novel occurrence. Possibly the highlight of the central park wildlife experience was the owl flying around this afternoon. I have never seen small animals, chipmunks, squirrels and the like stay quite so still and silent. You really could have heard a pin drop, and the flurry of activity when the owl finally moved was shocking swift. The only reservation I now have about the park is the rustle you hear in the trees and undergrowth as it starts to get dusky. In the past I have put this down to deer, now I learn that it is coyotes. I’m not really sure I’m that keen on seeing them, although I have a feeling the panther sized squirrels would see them off..

To continue on the nature theme, I feel the chipmunks on Grouse Mountain deserve a quick mention this week, incredibly cute and prepared to brave the only wet day we have seen in a while. It is also a very dubious link to the oft mention topic of “The Grind”. I was a little slower this week, adding 15 seconds to my time. It was however very wet, so in true “Top Gear” tradition I will have to start a wet/ dry fastest grind times. I think this week I was actually climbing a waterfall! While the rain had stopped a few hours previously and the tree cover stopped any residue dripping onto me I think all the water was washing down from the top and trying to sweep me out to sea. None the less I did make the top, and I also now have a new T-shirt proclaiming I can do it in less than one hour.

Saturday was the main activity day for the weekend, and the beautiful weather made it just perfect for people watching outside. It was also, luckily Davie Day, which involves Davie Street being shut down for a street party/ festival with music, street vendors, craft tents and a whole host of people wearing wonderfully outrageous costumes. I have to wonder how the many dressed in sheet metal didn’t manage to cook himself given the temperature, and the fact that even I turned a light shade of pink across the cheeks! Generally though there was so much going on, people in costume- I am really sorry that I forgot my camera and thus the picture this week comes from the Davie Day website- http://www.davieday.com/ if you want to check it out. Children painting murals, calking on the sidewalks and a really happy friendly vibe. (I’m not sure small children are the best artists in the world though). From Davie Street it was a short walk down to English Bay which was absolutely jammed with people, but as ever it has a fantastic feeling. It is the kinda of feel that makes you realize how lucky I am to live here, and makes me realize how awesome Vancouver is. I really can’t describe the whole feel of being able to see the ocean, the beach, the mountains, the city back drop and be walking through the middle of an amazing event on the most perfect summer day. It was a moment that I would want to freeze in time and capture forever, a real freeze frame memory.

As I wandered round the bay and into Stanley Park you could hear music from the Country Music Festival- not necessarily my thing, but there really is always something going on- and see the boats out in the harbor. There is also a man who creates Inukshuks (sp) on the rocks along the beach and as the tide came in you could see them all balanced so precisely on the edges of the waves. How he has the patience and the expertise is amazing. Again I really wish I had had my camera, but I’m going back to Stanley Park next week, having decided I’m brave enough to hire a bike or roller blades and I will take some photos then.

Sunday was relatively quiet- a trip back to Central Park- making the most of the weather, just in time to catch the kick off for the Whitecaps game. The Whitecaps are the local soccer team, although I think a new one has just been bought and will play MLS. Not that I had tickets for this game but the stadium is set up so you can kind of peak through the fence. I have obviously also spent far too long in the US as I came to a halt as the National Anthem started and knew every single word, I think I managed the first line of the Canadian one. Umm- time to practice methinks.

In a burst of enthusiasm for next week’s planned rollerblading trip I did also visit the sports store and look into rollerblades- turns out I need to be about $160.00 committed to the project, so I thought I may check the weather and cheaper store before getting too excited. But next week I’m fairly sure wheels will be involved.

A year in Vancouver!

They say they memorize a lot of verses…

To continue with a theme I seem to have followed for the last few weeks- sports attire and shoes. Yes, they really do help. This week, again dressed in the right looking hiking combination I attempted the Grouse Grind. http://www.grousemountain.com/Summer/summer-activities/vancouver-bc-hiking-trails-trips/grouse-grind.asp
While I’m under no misapprehension that I will ever be near the quickest times of the season (all under 40 minutes for women) I was celebrating this week as I broke the hour mark. My fastest time now stands at 58 minutes and 27 seconds, and as a reward for this achievement I decided a Grouse Grind T-shirt was in order. The only problem being that I decided this at the top of the mountain and my purse was at the bottom…. Guess I’m going back up on Wednesday. “Nature’s Stairmaster” does save me a trip to the gym though and is a sight more picturesque to climb. This week you could hear the pitter-pat of the rain drops and the soft thud of the water on the earth trickling around you while ascending through the cloud level. Amazingly I stayed completely dry due to the tree cover on the way up, and by the time I reached the top I could look down on the cloud that was raining below.

Over the weekend I finally managed to get tickets sorted out the Bard of the Beach festival. This is something I have been meaning to do since I arrived and was being a little lax over. However, after two failed attempts to acquire tickets I thought I really ought to be a bit more organized and make ensure that I did go and see a production. So with tickets to “All’s Well that Ends Well” I was set. The festival has four different plays showing each year and takes place in Vanier Park, which means that the waterfront is the natural and magnificent backdrop to the stage. Festival style seating and tented stages leave the audience with an intimate and engaging experience. Initially I was a little apprehensive as “All’s Well…” was set against a Victorian backdrop, but the actors were incredible and the whole production was captivating. While I’m not a huge fan of “Othello” or “Richard II” I may see if I can manage to get some more tickets for “Comedy of Errors” next week, could be a tough call as it is coming to the end of its run. Definitely one to watch for next year, and be a bit quicker off the mark.

Excitement levels were growing today as it felt like the first Fall day! The temperature, while not cold was a few degrees lower than it has been, and cashmere sweaters and boots with socks felt like appropriate attire. I do love the few September sweater days that start to appear towards the first half of the month. While the forecast assures me that it will be mid to low 20s again by Tuesday I could see the first orange tinges to the leaves and the slight crispness in the air that appears to toward dusk, for the first time in about five years I starting to remember what seasons feel like. I’m sure I’ll be much more excited by this as the leaves really start to change over the next few weeks- Fall could be my favorite time of year, well until Spring anywayJ. So, I’m off to buy new boots, and I’ve just realized I don’t have a coat either….

A year in Vancouver!

And all the Muses; if you bring no gift… out you go.

I started the activities this week on an altogether far too zealous note. After hauling myself up the Grouse Grind last weekend I was a little horrified to find out that my time was only average. Given the effort I put in I felt I deserved a little better. So in an attempt to feel I have achieved something I set out on Wednesday afternoon to improve it.

Obviously I did as anyone would do in a similar situation and prepared fully for the challenge. No, I didn’t enlist the help of the tried and tested carb loading program- and yes, chocolate brownies count as carbs, nor did I substitute the all important carbonated drink for the altogether more suitable sports drink, energy drink or just plain water. I went for the clothing. As everyone who has ever taken part in a sports related challenge knows the outfit is everything. So, once again thanks to Nike and diet coke I was totally looking the part and ready for the uphill.

The clothing may have made me a little overconfident to start with as I think I took the first part a little too fast, as I then spent the next three quarters of the way feeling like I was slowing down or about to explode through lack of oxygen. I was also a little concerned that since last Saturday the route seems to changed somewhat due to chunk of mountain disappearing. My first encounter with disappearing mountains was in Colorado last summer when a sign warned of falling rocks. Sure enough in the five minutes it took to pull over and take a photograph the road was littered with boulders! So while making me a little nervous I was going to be fine. I was entrusting my safety to a Nike t-shirt after all. I have to say, looks apparently are important as I managed to cut seven minutes off my time! Yay me. So with 1:04 a new personal best I’m aiming to match it again this week (or possible cut a few more minutes off…)

By Saturday I had decided that a little bit of culture was in order and I thought a visit to the art gallery to see the “Dutch Masters” exhibit was the way to get it. While Vermeer was a prominent artist at the exhibition “The Girl with the Pearl Earring” was not on show, which didn’t stop the gift shop being full of articles and copies of it. I did however thoroughly enjoy the precision with was shown in most of the paintings on display, and was totally entranced with the thought of looking through someone’s head into a world from 350 years ago, seeing the people, writing their stories, imagining who they must have been, what they would have been like to know, what they were thinking whilst being painted, it is like people watching in the past…

While the “Dutch Masters” exhibit was my primary reason for the trip I was entirely taken with a reclaimed house installation. It was spread over four floors and every item had come from one of many houses that had recently been demolished or restyled. At the bottom it was all very 1940s style and original furniture and fittings, and as the house meandered up through the floors of the gallery the atmosphere and eras changed until the later 1980s and early 1990s on he top floor. As you may have guessed by now I like art that I can make links to and create stories about, and this gave me many opportunities to place people into these areas, to image families about the table in the kitchen, to wonder what news was conveyed on the old phones, to think about the reactions and joy, sadness moving occasions each room could have seen, or the stories the pieces told.

I was in luck as this theme continued into the photography on the top floor. I do sometimes have issues with photography as art, I’m never keen on pieces that look like holiday snaps, I can be impressed with the light, or the texture or the fact it takes up a space the size of a small country, but I do like to have a story, a point of view or a collection of emotions that I can attach to a photograph, which is easy if it is a snap I took of something important to me, but much harder when looking through someone else’s camera. My favorite two photographs being one of an apartment building at night with all the lights on and various movements showing through the illuminated windows and the other a departure board at an airport. I do at this point have to admit my negligence at not looking at the artists’ names, and must make a mental note to go back and check.

Sunday was shopping day, and I have eventually gotten around to buying new running shoes! So not only will I have to stop complaining about how useless my old ones were, but I should now be able to run amazingly well, because as I have already attested to, the right shoes are really all you need…

A year in Vancouver!

It’s stupid to complain about misfortune that is your own fault…

Although, slightly exciting I did walk through a film set a movie they are making in the park- "Charlie St. Cloud" so look out for me when it is in the movie theater :) (I did make very sure not to be in any shots!) I've also seen part of a set for Twilight- I think! They are making a lot of graveyard movies here at the minute. Was really quite odd because they have added trees and flowers and other general park like objects- not just head stones and angles- and not being very observant it took me ages to work out why I couldn't go where I thought the path was. I spent a good five minutes standing looking stupid thinking- "I'm sure these bushes and trees never use to be here, I'm fairly certain this is the path I usually walk on" and trying to work out where I had gotten lost before realizing that actually they were movie trees- real trees, but on wooden boards as movie props- D'oh.

The football was kinda weird and my attention wandered fairly fast, thus I missed the first two touchdowns entirely. The national anthem took me a little by surprise- should have thought it through but was expecting a stirring rendition of "The Star Spangled Banner", was odd to hear "Oh Canada" instead, but was the first time I have heard it since moving, so I remark on it as an occasion. Then I was busy critiquing the "Dance Team's" boots which were shocking! Orange PVC knee high boots just don't work on anyone, and half these girls weren't going to look good ever, and even I can dance better than them- which is not a good thing. If you fall into the too chubby and too ugly to be a real cheerleader category you have to join a dance team. Then again some of the football players were obviously not cut out for running and wobbled and rippled as they waddled onto the pitch. I'm guessing these were the throwing and kicking guys. I also discovered fairly early on why a game that should take an hour (4 1/4s of 15 mins each) takes nearly three hours... The whistle blew; the guy in blue took the first kick, the ball bounced... And a whole 4 seconds into the game it stopped for a time out while 10 of the 12 players swapped off the pitch! Having previously (yes, my time in Houston did teach me something sports related) worked out that this is a game played on a grid iron field I was under the (mis) apprehension that the idea was to get the ball from down the field into the end zone. Touch down, field goal- crowd cheers etc. The BC lions seem to have neglected to implement this fact into their game strategy and spent a lot of time running left to right on the forty yard line. I think I may know why they didn’t win. This game is insane.

Other questions I am still pondering- Why the BC Lions are called that, why the logo looks nothing like a lion (mountain or otherwise), why the Lions headquarters is called The Shark Club, why they play in bright orange, and why everywhere I go in this city I can smell people smoking a joint (although they hide it very well and I rarely see them)? You could smell it all the way from the sky train to the stadium, despite the number of police around, and all the way back and even on the train.... I have decided after having a huge coughing fit and possibly inhaling more smoke than whoever lit the one on the train I don't have a sore throat and cough at all I am actually suffering from joint inhalation! Which, never having done it myself is a new experience. I'm sure it is worse than Amsterdam here.

This weekend has really been quite busy and Saturday saw the sun shinning, beautiful blue skies and very pleasant temperatures, thus the original plan of wandering around Granville Island, sitting in a coffee shop and walking along False Creek was shelved and the Grouse Grind Challenge was met head on. Grouse Mountain is visible from all over Vancouver and the cable car ride to the top is a very popular tourist attraction. However, the cable car trip (up and down) cost $40.00, however, there is a foot powered route (I hesitate to use the word walk) to the top which is entirely free, and the cable car experience is a mere $5.00 to ride from the top back to the base of the mountain. Being completely tight I was going to walk up the mountain. I had a bottle of coke and Nike shoes (no, they aren’t sponsoring this!) so of course I was ready for a walk. It was 2K, how hard could it be? The first ¼ of the walk was steep and I was a little concerned at the amount of heavy breathing I seemed to be doing so soon into it. Surely it should be this hard? It was at this point that I realized it was more of a climb than a walk, and the park people had kindly created a type of step system to help walkers. At the ¼ way point the signs became a little more disturbing. The route was about to become much steeper (40% incline-so the helpful sign said) and the make shift steps seemed to disappear. I was now making my way up rocks and dirt and using hands and knees to keep balanced. I’ve been up rock climbing walls with less gradient than this! In retrospect I also realize how overly premature my joy at seeing sky was at this point! There was me thinking I must be near the top if I could see sky, turns out that there were just fewer trees at this level. Anyway, an hour and ten minutes after I started out I reached the top (they have a handy timer to let you know your result) and the views were sublime. It was one of the most exhilarating things I have done since I got here. So much so in fact, that I think I may go back next week and see if I can get up there any quicker. It was a complete workout as anyone listening to me whinge about how much my butt checks ache can attest to.

Having made it to the top I walked around with my camera out marveling at the total awe inspiring views (I do think everyday how lucky I am to live in such an amazing area of the world). I also managed to see the bears, and while I won’t bore you with all the interesting facts and details I picked up I was hugely impressed that this one was just less than 9” tall, weighed about 1000lbs and could sleep for eight months of the year! I was also more than a little scared at the size of its paws and the length and sharpness of its claws. If you would like any other bear facts please feel free to email me, but I thought I ought to scale back on the nature studies lesson I was about to deliver. J The cable car trip back down the mountain was definitely worth the $5.00 I paid. Whilst the views continued to be unbelievably gorgeous over the tree canopy it was hard to fully appreciate them whilst packed in a metal container with about 75 other people. I am really feeling quite optimistic about the next trip out there.

Today finally saw the long awaited and anticipated trip to Granville Island. Having read and heard so many great things about this quirky place I had high hopes and was looking forward to a relaxing afternoon of surprising gallery type stores and people watching with a drink and something to eat. Unfortunately, and by now I really should know better, the traffic and parking situation were to work against me. I will apologize in advance for the following rant, but my frustration levels quickly began to grow as the amount of road works and diversions increased. It really can be draining and take an unprecedented amount of time to drive around this city. Therefore, by the time I arrived on Granville Island I was already a little stressed and uptight. The lack of parking only added to this frustration as did the unnoticing and unthinking pedestrians. Granville Island is very pedestrian friendly with crawl like speeds for cars and designated crossing points every 20 yards, yet still people feel it necessary to walk into the middle of the street and stop and chat to their friend. I may possibly have embarrassed myself slightly by throwing my hands up in the air and yelling for people to get on the sidewalk (there may have been a few less polite words in that sentence) before realizing that the window was open. Whoops.

By the time I had parked and walked back I wasn’t in the most receptive frame of mind, and the queues and people wandering aimlessly continued to irritate me. I do have to say, that despite the lack of sitting and the immensely crowded stalls the Public Market was fantastic. There was no sort of food product you could not buy. The choice was staggering and endless, with vast quantities of fresh fruit and vegetables piled up. If I had had the patience to wade through the crowds where the bakeries and confectionary looked delicious I might have saved myself a trip to the grocery store later. However, I can see the potential of the market and I think a better prepared trip might yield higher rewards, so there will be a next time very soon, and before I head out I will take a deep breath and count to 10….

All in all I have had a fantastic time this weekend and I look forward to creating plans for next week.

A year in Vancouver!

They don’t care for good drivers or fast horses now…

Just strong legs and a complete inability to feel pain were required today. As promised and talked about for the past three weeks today I headed out to Whistler for the Canadian Cheese Rolling festival. Cheese rolling is pretty self-descriptive in so far as an 11-pound cheese wheel is thrown down a hill and everyone chases it. On the way down, racers lose their footing and end up tumbling, rolling, sliding and bumping down. Hence the inability to feel pain, and I have to say a fair few people were limping around and dripping blood. Traditionally, the first person to get down the hill to the finish line wins the race and the cheese. I’m told this is originally an English sport- Gloucestershire and while I’d love to say that can’t be right, I figure something had to be developed to keep folks entertained while the cricket was on.

Needless to say, while I had no intention of throwing myself down a hill, I know, I lack a sense of adventure, I did enjoy watching various people dressed as a mouse, a cat, a herd of cows, and one man (undressed) in a bath robe chasing cheese. Maybe next year I’ll have padded up and kitted out and decided a season lift pass is worth the pain and agony of throwing myself down a mountain and after an 11 pound cheese.

Having made the 125KM drive out to Whistler I thought I have a wander around. After a small temper tantrum in the parking lot I managed to find somewhere to leave the car and set off to see the town. Whistler Village is a purpose built ski resort, and hugely busy all year round. Despite this, and the slightly manufactured feel to it, I did find it rather quaint and pretty. All the buildings have been kept in an Alpine style and it isn’t hard to imagine it 6’ deep in snow and Heidi skipping through the square. The lifts are running up the mountain all year round. In the summer for hiking and biking and a biking completion was taking place. This weekend was a mountain biking competition from Whistler Village down to the valley floor, through “BC’s epic biking tracks”. This was supplemented by the VW Trick Showdown in which riders clung onto bikes as they hurtled down a ramp and turned summersaults in the air. Very much like the aerial skiers at the Cheese Rolling. Again, I think a wish to stare death in the face and a complete in ability to feel pain was needed, as worryingly the air ambulance passed over head more than once.

The drive back provided one last chance to see the amazing and breathtaking scenery of Britannia Bay and Garibaldi Provincial Park. I really do live in the most amazing place. It is truly awesome. The mountains still have snow on the top, the lakes and bays are an unbelievable blue, and it is totally unspoiled (in so many places) affording views of lakes, rivers, forests, glaciers and mountains. I have added this to my list as a place to drive back out to in a few weeks time, when I have time to wander around, visit Shannon Falls and even pay a visit to the Mining Museum. Watch this space…

All in all, a mixed and interesting day. It was probably worth the trip out just for the Sea to Sky Highway- Route 99- when the improvements for the Olympics are completed it will be a fantastic road to drive, in the mean time it has annoyingly slow speed restrictions (in places- mainly where it has already been improved and no-one is allowed to drive for fear of ruining the new surface before the Games) but the most fantastic views imaginable.

A year in Vancouver!

A handsome face is a silent testimonial…

And really what can I say about the sheer beauty of the Capilano River, suspension bridge that crosses it and the treetop walk way on the far side.

I have been thinking about this trip for a few weeks now, it has been appealing but put on the back burner on a couple of occasions due to events that have seemed a little more time sensitive. Anyway, today was the day I was going to get there, come what may. That is until I woke up to grey skies. I was a little dubious but packed a bag for the day determined to continue with my plans. Then the rain started… and didn’t stop.

Now, disappointed just about starts to fill in how I felt. Not because I was going to miss out, there is after all, always next week- well I’m going to Whistler to watch the annual Canadian Cheese Rolling, but the week after is looking good, it was more the sinking feeling that goes with knowing you have been planning something for a few weeks and now you have to rethink. I was fairly determined to do something new today and continue with the “getting to know the city” streak I have going. So, I decided to check out more indoor options. The list was narrowed down to the Aquarium, the Rembrandt exhibit at the art gallery, Science World and if the rain eased off Granville Island. The list became shorter still when the rain continued, ruling out Granville Island, Science World looked very child friendly (not that this will stop me going) and had some more interesting exhibits arriving in September and the art gallery was cheaper if booked online for a future week. So, by process of elimination the Aquarium was top of the list, and I set off for Stanley Park.

Turns out 80% of Vancouver had the same idea, and people were queuing outside the Aquarium for about 90 minutes waiting to get tickets. The thought of fighting for a parking spot and then standing in the rain was enough to put me off this plan too. I figured if I was going to be out in the rain, and I thought I could see a chink of blue in the distance, I might as well be moving as queuing and Capilano was the place to be. So, original plan back in place I headed over the bridge to North Van. By the time I had parked the rain had stopped and the temperature was heading up.

The Capilano Suspension Bridge was first constructed by George Mackay (of Stanley Park creation fame) and opened in 1889 to cross the Capilano River. It covers a 450 ft gap across the canyon and hangs 25 stories high, apparently just the right height to look into Lady Liberty’s eyes should the NYC statue ever be dropped into the Canyon. The park continues with a treetop walkway and a small exhibit explaining First Nation Carvings. A pleasant few hours were spent wandering through the tress, looking at the dazzling views and generally enjoying the outdoors.

The next stop was Stanley Park- again, and was entirely unplanned. On the way back from the bridge there was a sign pointing to the Festival of India, and as this is a mix of tourist and local that seemed like a good place to stop. As ever, a lack of parking was an issue and it took a while before a space was found on Davie Street and the day continued with a walk around English Bay and back to the festival. Really, what could be more pleasant than watching the waves creeping up the beach and lapping up to the shore? The sun was now out, people were enjoying the beach and everything seemed to hang in that stress free, relaxed moment. Having walked from the Inukshuk Statue- moved to Vancouver from the Northwest Territories after the World Fair Expo in ’86 and originally used as a symbol of hospitality it has now been adopted for the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics- and round the Festival of India (I know- the guided tour a few weeks ago may not have been the best idea) I was about ready to head home. Possibly a little too much on the tourist trail, but I was aiming to mix and match it really didn’t matter.

I did however, manage to squeeze in one last and totally unplanned activity for the day. The World Police and Fire Games were closing today and I managed to see some of the closing ceremony. I am beginning to see some of the issues the UK had compared to other nations. Most teams were there in coordinating track suits, or dressed in uniform, the “UK’ didn’t really seem sure who they were. Some had shirts saying England, some had UK, some had Team GB and the banner announcing them didn’t seem sure if Northern Ireland was included or not, Scotland seemed to have generally, if not entirely decided to separate themselves out, and Wales were dressed as daffodils- green petals and yellow flower shaped head dresses. I have to commend them for effort…

The last treat of the day was a flyby and aerial acrobatics display by the Snowbirds- the Canadian Forces aerial demonstration team, I still don’t know how they manage to coordinate all that in the air, and at the speeds they travel. I do know it was a great day and an awesome way to end it.

Next week, cheese rolling, and entirely new experience…

A year in Vancouver!

I only spout poetry when my feet hurt…

And having managed a fair amount of walking this week, I have to say my feet were starting to ache. Having managed a cursory tour of Vancouver already, on bus, I decided to venture slightly further afield and walk around a few of the slights and places I had previously driven through.

Wednesday evening saw unusually high temperatures for Vancouver and it was the turn of Team UK for the firework spectacular in the HSBC Celebration of Light. Over two weeks four teams each take a turn at setting fireworks to an appropriate piece of music. I have say I think I was ready to shed a tear when the National Anthem was played and the stirring opening bars of Edward Elgar's Pomp and Circumstance Marches could be heard. The fireworks were amazing, you wouldn’t have expected anything else, and the whole place was buzzing. All around the bay you could see the sky light up and people on all the beaches, tower blocks and hotel windows watching. If the weather holds out for the weekend then I think I may well be in the same place on Saturday night to see the final entry in the competition for this year- The turn of China I think.

http://celebration-of-light.com/#

This weekend is a public holiday, so getting in the holiday spirit I thought I’d head back to Stanley Park, one of the largest urban spaces in North America and a fact I didn’t know until the weekend, some 20% larger than NYC’s Central Park. While I didn’t manage to cover anywhere near the 22 miles of trails that it contains I did manage a stroll along the Seawall to the Totem Poles, an aborted attempt in the late 1880s to recreate a whole village. Most the ones in the park today seem to be more recent reconstructions, yet they still manage to show a wide range of symbolic creatures and my favorites even manage to retell a story. The link to the local history being somewhat appealing.

I didn’t walk too far, but I did wander round to the lighthouse, which was a lot smaller than I had expected based on previous pictures I have seen. More of a light tower really, and since the light house keeper lived in a cottage and travelled there every day, I guess that is exactly what it was. More of a token effort than the big lighthouse you hear if in stories.

The “Girl in Wetsuit” statue is also situated in the park. It was initially a gift to the city by the sculptor Elek Imredy and despite the assertion that the statue bears no link to “The Little Mermaid” in Copenhagen I would have to disagree. The pose is almost identical, and to my mind it is just a slightly more modern interpretation of its more famous counterpart. And very much at odds with the reconstruction of the figurehead from the USS Empress of Japan which sits nearly opposite. This was installed to commemorate the trade of Vancouver with Asia. Stanley Park is an eclectic and thoroughly absorbing place, I can see I’ll be spending a fair few weekends in various points of this park as the year progresses.

My local endeavor for the week was to be a farmer’s market being held in Burnaby, it is hosted once a week from the end of June to the middle of October and this week I thought I have a brief wander around and see what was going on… Having first run around Central Park (not quite NYC) but a local park in Burnaby with a selection of marked out 5K trials I was ready for something a little different. However, I got a little distracted by the “World Fire and Police Games” which are currently taking place in and around Vancouver and I didn’t quite manage to make it to the market. The track and field events were taking place in the park while I was there, and I was impressed to hear that anyone could manage 3m 85cm in the long jump! I was also put slightly to shame by the runners who were doing 2k thru 5k warm ups before their events and seemed to look a lot more relaxed and fresher than I felt, and mine wasn’t even a warm up.

This week I feel I have managed a nice mix of activities, and I look forward to seeing what next week will bring, I may try the farmer’s market again….

A year in Vancouver!

Whatever you want to teach, be brief…

My plan for trying something new every weekend has had to out on hold this weekend due to the arrival of a migraine on Friday which has meant I have spent nearly all weekend asleep. Why do these things always happen at the weekend? It didn’t stop me getting an amazing view of the storm that was brewing late Saturday afternoon and bubbling all through the night. The thunder and lightning were impressive- even by Texas standards, causing the ground the shake. (At least I don’t think it was me shaking). And as the sun started to set the sky was a flaming orange, very dramatic with the mountains in the background! Perched on the window sill feeling safe and secure is definitely the place to watch them from.

I suppose my new adventure for the week is the arrival of my very own, first Canadian pay check. This week I have been tutoring English and Math to a boy who has just finished Grade Seven. After careful consideration I’m definitely enjoying the experience of an older student, and I’m not feeling out of my comfort zone. I wouldn’t like to say I’d take a whole class of them on just yet, but this is certainly fun. Then again he is very well behaved and enthusiastic about what we are doing, and about soccer and Harry Potter, all of which have made an appearance in my carefully selected English texts… I knew there was a reason I spent so many years learning how to teach!

The rest of my time this week has been spent in the never ending frustrations of trying to import a car and change a driving license over, both tasks which should be relatively easy, but as ever, are proving more of a challenge than originally anticipated! I’m sure it must be me being naively and strangely optimistic about these things, but they never seem as smooth as I’m told they are going to be! Maybe by now I should have leaned my lesson and stopped believing the first thing I’m told by government agencies.

Next week, back to the exploring and investigation…

A year in Vancouver!

Having seen all a man could who didn’t dare get out of his ship…
First tourist trip- a guided tour around Vancouver. The plan is to generate a list of things to do each week, to make sure I see and do all the main areas.

I started out with the Sky Train to downtown, which I feel is slightly more local than tourist, but appearances can be deceptive and it wasn’t too long before the camera came out and I was clicking and snapping (with the camera) at anything that moved and most things that didn’t. I have photographs of churches, fountains, trees and beaches and a long list of ideas, places to visit and things to see. I was going to start ticking noteworthy items off my list this afternoon and headed from the bus toward the Marine Building having been informed that it was worth checking out the architecture. However, that plan was soon thwarted as I the building was covered over cordoned off and actors were milling around in front of it. “One of 200 movie or TV shows filmed in Vancouver each year” or so I’m informed by a bus tour system J

With that plan on the back burner for a week or so I headed over to Canada place to marvel at the size of the cruise ships in the docks. It really amazes me how anything that size can be conceived, and what a huge undertaking each one is. With the sun bright, the sky blue, the shore glittering across the bay, the sea planes taking off and the cruise ships in the harbour I really was finding Vancouver an incredibly pleasant place to be.

Lunch was a laid back affair at the Cactus Club Café, another of my plans being finding different places to eat on a weekly basis, although I do tend to get drawn back to old favorites, so I’m not sure how long that one will last. And if you ever find yourself in their I can highly recommend the salmon.

My local adventure for the week was to join the library, which has to be the least touristy thing possible. Entering and joining the library was surprisingly straight forward, it was leaving that caused me some issues. I have obviously spent far too long in my car recently as I approached the barrier with caution, stopped and waited. It didn’t automatically lift, so I took a few steps back and tried a bit more slowly. Again it didn’t lift. I stood and waited a few minutes, then realized that people were starting to look at me in a slightly odd way. I tentatively reached out an arm, and no, still the barrier wouldn’t lift, it was about this time that I realized it was a push barrier and not automatic. Possibly not smarter than a fifth grader then!

So, with a map in my head (don’t laugh), or the very least the Sat. Nav. and a library book I’ve some highlighted spots (no I haven’t written in the book) to visit, I’m going to mix the tourist with the local, and see where I end up next week… I may even master opening doors.

A year in Vancouver!

It is better to trust in courage than luck…

Documenting the drive up here proved more enjoyable and popular than I had anticipated. So, I thought I’d continue in the same vein and post a new note each week on new experiences, at the very least it will keep my parents happy and save the frantic phone calls when I realize that I haven’t been that great at keeping in touch.

Having finally navigated US customs and managed to get my car back, I’m now facing the next challenge- registering it in Canada. In theory this should be easy, but as with most things I’m discovering what a reliance I had on the internet. Usually I would Google search the forms, the places I need to be, and the whole process, if not smooth, would at least have a certain procedure to it. Without the internet I’m kind of at loss of where to start. Luckily, I will be reconnected to both the internet and the phone network tomorrow! Having survived nine whole days without either I’m looking forward to interacting with the cyber community again! Although, I have started to wonder how people functioned without either, or how much extra work we create for ourselves by being so available!

So, the apartment is starting to resemble something vaguely habitable, I have gotten creative and started sewing cushion covers to match new cupboard doors. Never a good thing! When I get creative small children run for cover….

And life generally seems to be returning to a routine and pattern. I have found the gym, although the altitude is higher than I’m used to, and I’m still not sure about running up hills- I’d forgotten all about the delights of hills in Houston. I’ve found a park, and for now the sun is shining and all on the horizon looks exciting and busy.

I’m now off to buy a phone so the man from Shaw can install it for me (apparently not just plugging it into the wall) and I will be back in the world of technology!