First stop: Vancouver

I would be lying if I said that yesterday morning I didn't wake up with a slight sense of panic and dread. The day had finally arrived, the one I had waited so long for, had dreamed about and imagined...and my heart and mind were in a state of turmoil. I mean, 8 months! What was I thinking?

So I walked around Montreal not really believing that this was the last time I would see it in quite a while, trying to imprint it in my mind. Waiting in line to get through security at the airport, however, it hit me. This was it, I was taking that first step and it felt good! The way I am coping with it at the moment is to take it day by day, or destination by destination: if I think of the whole 8 months ahead of me then I start to freak out but taking it a chunk at a time is far more manageable - something I've never been that good at achieving with other challenges but it across the Lions Gate Bridge before arriving at the attraction.

It was beautiful. The weather really helped, but then so did all the trees and the stunning views. We wandered in the tree tops and took lots of photos (coming up and is the only way I can handle this one!

I was really lucky that Helen, a lovely lady sitting next to me on the plane, offered to give me a lift to the youth hostel, saving me a lot of time, hassle and probably money. The hostel is comfortable, the rooms are surprisingly warm and I have already met more British people in the last 12 hours or so than I have in the past 8 years I lived in Montreal. All I am wishing was that it wasn't quite so damp and that I had had the foresight to pack a few teabags....


Nov. 22 - Exploring Vancouver

Vancouver is known for its rain. Yesterday was no exception. The day started off a bit overcast, and after a late start I decided to go with some other people from the hostel to Granville Market and wandered around the produce, clothing and toy markets. I was very tempted to buy lots of tasty things, not to mention stop off at the brewery for a pint (or 2) but one of the people I was with didn't drink and I kept thinking about the rest of the trip ahead of me, so took things easy. The colours here seem so saturated after the early winter greyness of Montreal. The grass is particularly jewel-like - I felt like Dorothy in technicolour Wizard of Oz splendor. Then the drizzle started and I understood the 'sacrifice' to pay for all that lush greenery. Needless to say, the bus was a far more tempting prospect to return to the hostel than walking over the bridge again.

Despite not sleeping well at night (the bunks are quite uncomfortable, but the rooms blissfully warm), I awoke this morning around 8 - again! My intention was to go back to bed for some shut eye - damn the free breakfast - but I realised it was sunny outside and I had no choice but to get up and take advantage of it. I am lucky that there is only one other girl in the 4-bunk dorm I am in, and even luckier that she knew of a free shuttle bus to the Capilano Suspension Bridge. Kelli & I headed off after brekkie and the bus ride took us through some of Stanley Park and probably to be on Facebook) before getting the next shuttle back into town. What I am still left wondering is why anyone built a bridge there in the first place - nothing I read there could shed light on the matter (I am resisting the urge to Google it as I type). Upon our return to the city I decided to wander through Gastown to China Town, where I intended to eat some cheap yet tasty food. Gastown was quite picturesque but I was pretty cold by this point so didn't dawdle (although I did find a shop selling British sweets and bought some Ginger Bonbons...they melt in your mouth and are very gingery - yum!).


While walking to China Town I met Samantha, a 'high class' escort, who after commencing conversation by proclaiming "Someone smells bad" continued to tell me about a terrible date she'd been on a few nights previously where the guy (who was apparently very well off), had her loading two crack pipes while he drove, still a little drunk from his previous partying, towards a police road check. It dawned on me, yet again, how lucky I am. Not only to be on this trip but to be able to get paid for my time in a more complex manner than selling my body. Nevertheless, Samantha had a smile on her face and did seem genuinely happy - however that may have been because she was on her way to the Compassion Centre for some discount pot. I wished her luck as we parted ways. I was surprised by the amount of really poorly looking people in this area of town - many of them seemed to have mental issues combined with drug addictions, terribly painful looking sores and scabs on their faces, and hundreds of shopping trolleys.






Today was one of those days when I could really understand why someone would want to live in Vancouver. The city feels friendly (the people here are generally very helpful and nice), there is a lot of different stuff to see and do and, overall, it is beautiful. The mountains in the distance, the city hugging the water, and the lure of the Pacific just a bit further out. The air was fresh, the sky clear and I had a smile on my face. Thank God it isn't forecast to rain again until Tuesday! (My fingers are still crossed.)