O Canada
The Canadians didn't make me learn their national anthem by heart, but they made me want to by the time I left their fair land.
Vancouver is more fantastic every time I visit. There's something about rainforest and sea and city all commingling around you that makes you breathe in the freshest air you've ever inhaled, look around mouth agape, and say, "This is awesome."
Business was good. Really good. No one can make me feel even the teensiest bit bad about it. Fantastic stuff.
I spent a day and a half for myself -- a mini-break I treated myself to before heading back into the office and diving in eyeballs first into stacks and stacks of work.
You can pack in a lot in a day and a half and still not feel as though you're rushing in the least. Thursday afternoon I went to Granville Island. Skipped the tour of the brewery and went straight for the tasting room. Then did some browsing in some of the cutest little boutiques. Enjoyed more beverages along the inlet between the island and the city. Beautiful views.
My full day off (Friday) saw me visiting the Capilano Suspension Bridge, which provides breathtaking views of the mountains as you precariously meander along the long bouncy bridge taking you over whooshing water. Once safely amongst the trees, trekkers climb up some stairs and along smaller rickety bridges for treetop views. It was a great hike and provided soooo much beauty.
After the Suspension Bridge, I hopped a bus to Grouse Mountain, hoping I could actually see the bears this time. Struck out again, but more hiking at the peak of Vancouver was still fun.
The weather was gorgeous. The leaves are starting to turn up there, and Autumn was in the air. It was wonderful to see nature up close and personal under those spectacular conditions.
The Pacific Northwest is really something else. I am not normally a big hiker. Give me a beach any day of the week. But there's something about breathing in that air and taking in that scenery that makes me say, "Get me up there/in there! I want to experience every little last thing about it."
It was sad to leave -- not just the beauty, but the people. Vancouverites are so, so sweet. They are helpful. They are pleasant. And they are so, so proud. I can easily see why.
The one thing that was alarming was the homeless problem. I know this is a bigger issue in the Pacific Northwest. Oregon- most specifically Portland- has a horrible homeless problem, especially for teenagers and young adults. Seattle, too. But Vancouver puts them (plus Chicago's own problem, which is likely similar to just about anywhere else) to shame. They are young and old. Some dirtier than others. All looking for a buck. Or a smoke. Or the greediest ones want both and then some. I've been told by Vancouverites that there's a plan to rid the city of this problem before the Olympics land there. They have four years to figure it out, and I have no idea how they can do it in a humane way. It's a people problem. It's a social issue. It's more than just moving a homeless person into a closet for a couple weeks or putting them on a train bound for another city. If they do figure it out, the World needs to take note.
Despite the sadness of the homeless issue, I *heart* the city in a big way.
But I was gone just long enough. I have a few weeks at home before my next journey, and I need time to truly focus, both at work and at home. That day and a half break was just what I needed to rejuvenate the body, mind, and soul.
Vancouver is more fantastic every time I visit. There's something about rainforest and sea and city all commingling around you that makes you breathe in the freshest air you've ever inhaled, look around mouth agape, and say, "This is awesome."
Business was good. Really good. No one can make me feel even the teensiest bit bad about it. Fantastic stuff.
I spent a day and a half for myself -- a mini-break I treated myself to before heading back into the office and diving in eyeballs first into stacks and stacks of work.
You can pack in a lot in a day and a half and still not feel as though you're rushing in the least. Thursday afternoon I went to Granville Island. Skipped the tour of the brewery and went straight for the tasting room. Then did some browsing in some of the cutest little boutiques. Enjoyed more beverages along the inlet between the island and the city. Beautiful views.
My full day off (Friday) saw me visiting the Capilano Suspension Bridge, which provides breathtaking views of the mountains as you precariously meander along the long bouncy bridge taking you over whooshing water. Once safely amongst the trees, trekkers climb up some stairs and along smaller rickety bridges for treetop views. It was a great hike and provided soooo much beauty.
After the Suspension Bridge, I hopped a bus to Grouse Mountain, hoping I could actually see the bears this time. Struck out again, but more hiking at the peak of Vancouver was still fun.
The weather was gorgeous. The leaves are starting to turn up there, and Autumn was in the air. It was wonderful to see nature up close and personal under those spectacular conditions.
The Pacific Northwest is really something else. I am not normally a big hiker. Give me a beach any day of the week. But there's something about breathing in that air and taking in that scenery that makes me say, "Get me up there/in there! I want to experience every little last thing about it."
It was sad to leave -- not just the beauty, but the people. Vancouverites are so, so sweet. They are helpful. They are pleasant. And they are so, so proud. I can easily see why.
The one thing that was alarming was the homeless problem. I know this is a bigger issue in the Pacific Northwest. Oregon- most specifically Portland- has a horrible homeless problem, especially for teenagers and young adults. Seattle, too. But Vancouver puts them (plus Chicago's own problem, which is likely similar to just about anywhere else) to shame. They are young and old. Some dirtier than others. All looking for a buck. Or a smoke. Or the greediest ones want both and then some. I've been told by Vancouverites that there's a plan to rid the city of this problem before the Olympics land there. They have four years to figure it out, and I have no idea how they can do it in a humane way. It's a people problem. It's a social issue. It's more than just moving a homeless person into a closet for a couple weeks or putting them on a train bound for another city. If they do figure it out, the World needs to take note.
Despite the sadness of the homeless issue, I *heart* the city in a big way.
But I was gone just long enough. I have a few weeks at home before my next journey, and I need time to truly focus, both at work and at home. That day and a half break was just what I needed to rejuvenate the body, mind, and soul.
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