The flight was great, premium economy, so I had proper cutlery and crockery! And a little girl called Briar introduced herself to me! She sat in same row with her parents.
On arrival I sailed through immigration and my case came quickly, I was out of the airport within half an hour of arriving.
Vancouver is a beautiful city surrounded by water and mountains. It's very bike friendly and there are bicycle stations everywhere, and I found somewhere where electronic plates count the bikes on one of the cycle ways.
Generally environmental issues seem to be high on the agenda, and new buildings are required to have art works installed, so there are many of these around the city. So there is evidence of wealth in the high rise commercial buildings and the marinas full of boats, but I have been surprised at the number of down and outs begging and living on the streets. I understand there is a park where many have bern permitted to live in makeshift dwellings.
There are wonderful walks, and sitting on the bus yesterday I was treated to the pros and cons of living in the UK, by a couple of university students. Apparently London and Edinburgh are ok, but Manchester is doubtful and there is very little outdoor life! But I suppose when both water and snowy mountains are so near, UK compares less favourably. I didn't let on my nationality and other students were most helpful in guiding me to the correct bus stop. Both my outwards and return journeys were challenging, but successful. The museum of Anthropology is situated on the edge of the campus, but the bus turns round in the middle, where I arrived. Unfortunately the driver hadn't ssid I should get off at an earlier stop. But a very helpful young student directed me and it was only 15 mins walk. The shuttle described by the person at the desk of the museum couldn't be found so I got the students' bus, then eventually got a bus to the city centre on my return.
The museums have been an interesting introduction to the culture and history, once again I have learnt about indigenous people who have lived with and cared for their environment for centuries, only to be taken over by our empire and forced into our religious practices in an attempt to eradicate their culture. Fortunately this has now been redressed, lands returned and cultures celebrated. Old traditions and skills are being rekindled. Yesterday at the museum of Vancouver I also learn about some enlightened teachers in some of the schools the indigenous people were sent to, who captured their traditions, worked with art and drama and celebrated this, trying to build bridges. But sadly many were abused and damaged by their experiences.
Also at the museum, was a record of more recent history, which in comparison showed greed, commercialism, and extravagance in the development of modern cities. The guide at the anthropological museum described how these people's had no concept of ownership or wealth to keep. They shared everything they had, and wealth collected in whatever form was given away in their celebrations. This was how people's success was displayed and valued. In Canada all original people's are now called the First Nations.
My visit to the art museum in the city was interesting but slightly disappointing, I had hoped to see works of Emily Carr,but despite having the largest collection, only four were on display. There was a large exhibition on Giocometti, which I saw but I was most interested in the Canadian painters. More of that to come later I think.
On Thursday I went on the hop on hop off bus. I think I hopped off more than most and I must have walked about 8k round Stanley park along the sea wall with lovely views of the mountains, the coastline and the Lion Gate Bridge. I then caught the bus again and got off for the ferry to the museum, just me on the little ferry and I got a free ride with my bus ticket too!
After the museum I walked along the sea wall again to Granville island, a buzzing area of artisan shops and markets. I spent a pleasant break eating a freshly made tart from the bakers and listening to a local museum, before returning to the hotel for a soak in the spa pool.
Spot the Pride cakes!
I bought a two month phone card when I arrived, very expensive here, and had trouble trying to set up a hotspot. When I went back to the shop I was told their prepaid packages are only 3g and won't sustain a hotspot. I told them I did better in Nicaragua! Very surprising, but at least I can use Google maps, look things up and make calls locally when I'm out. And there's a fair bit of that to do. I have to reconfirm transfers and trips and get details, as I go, and local transfers I arrange with the hotel. So next trip is 6.30am taxi to get the ferry to Vancouver island, then staying in a Victoria a couple of nights. My luggage will stay here til I return.
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