What a delightful city. Philipp (another former student) and I got out of his apartment rather late, some people like to sleep in. But we had our bacon and avocado omelettes breakfast at that all-Canadian establishment... Denny's. May, our server, made it memorable with all her rushing around to be sure we had what we needed. Due to our late start, Margaret, a Vancouver friend's suggestions for the day quickly evaporated...maybe tomorrow.
After breakfast we were going to take in the main shopping district. We couldn't find the Pacific Centre shopping mall so I asked a gent sweeping a public square. He began to tell us where it was but then said, "oh never mind, come on, I'll show you." He took us through this large building to the far side, about a block in length, and stood on the sidewalk to show us exactly where to turn up the street. I was dazzled by this guy...stopped his work, walked us 75 yards to show us were to shop. When did that ever happen to me before? Never.
Our time downtown revolved mostly around Philipp (who just moved here) obtaining job applications for weekend jobs. We stopped for a snack. It was tasty but clearing was nerve racking; they recycle everything here. Four different containers with signs saying what to and what not to put in them gave me a challenge.
Across the street was the Vancouver Art Gallery. Not one to pass up a good gallery, we went in. A former court house, the gallery was in between exhibits and didn't have a full display going on. But they did have a show of Martin Honet's work. His "English Teacher" reminded me of a lot of the English teachers I know.
We also wandered to the Canada Place on the waterfront. In 1986, I fell in love with Vancouver there. I had brought Matt and Trev to Expo '86 here. Canada Place had been built for the exhibition. But it was the view across the harbor to the mountains that were dusted with snow that sold me on the place. When a year later, I had to make a decision where we would go after our time in Michigan, it was difficult to not move here instead of New England. It hasn't lost any charm for me.
We decided to go to Granville Island Market for dinner. To get there on takes the Aquabus from David Lam wharf. These Aquabuses are nothing short of "cute." Operated by a skipper they hold 12 passengers and putt their way around False Creek which separates downtown from Granville Island. Our skipper was, Max. A twenty-three year old world wise traveler. His dad is an Italian diplomat and Max led the life of a diplomat's son.
Conceived in Vancouver, where Max's dad met his mom, he was born in Edinburgh, Scotland. Soon after they moved to Atlanta, then DC, followed by a stint in Rome. Dad was then assigned to Mexico City and then Santiago, Chile. Finally he was back in Vancouver where Max has been a Aquabus boat captain for the past five years. His dad is back in Rome with his next assignment either Amsterdam or Cairo...Max is pulling for Amsterdam. So prior to 18, Max had lived all over the world but found the simple life of a harbor captain to his liking.
Granville Island was mostly closed by the time we got there at 7pm. But we are going back in the morning for breakfast and probably on to the Maritime Museum. The Vancouver skyline from the island is nothing short of spectacular. Reflected in the gentle ripples of the harbor's boats, the towers glisten. Our boat docked next to The Erickson.
Named after its architect, Arthur Erickson, this building was the last one he designed and has the second most pricey apartments in Canada. The penthouse sells for $20,000,000 Canadian. Even to make an appointment to see a unit you need to cough up $10,000. It's a pretty sweet place if you run in those circles. I prefer the Aquabus.
I want to stay a lot longer but tomorrow I head for the border...what will US Customs have to say to me this time? Will there even be customs officials on the border?
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