Around the World: Stanley Park

December 12, 1991

Map courtesy of MapQuest

Stanley Park was so cool! Walked there from the hostel and it was pretty cold at times. It seemed to warm up a little once I made it to the park. Even the squirrels here are friendly. I've seen a few people come with a book and their pockets loaded with peanuts.  Once the person settles in somewhere comfortable, the squirrels just reach into their pockets and help themselves.

Photo by Elio Salvatore from Wikipedia Commons

Stopped for a coffee and a snack in Gastown.  I found a used bookstore and went looking for something to entertain me on the long flight to Hawaii tomorrow.  I think "The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy" should do quite nicely.

At the airport now (7:20pm) waiting for the flight tomorrow at 9:15am. Ok, I'm a little early, but I'm sure I can find someway to amuse myself until check-in begins. I think I'll start with a beer and possibly a bowl of clam chowder.

Went wandering around the airport looking for a bathroom and finally found one tucked away in a poorly marked indent of a wall that could easily be mistaken for a janitor's closet. As I'm in there, I notice there's someone in the stall next to me. They are wearing the strangest shoes. They look quite comfortable, but not what I would describe as feminine, but then neither are mine. I'm thinking, "This guy would be so embarrassed to realize he's in the ladies loo. I'll just wait until he leaves."

When he does, I finish up and as I'm leaving, I notice the stick figure with the dress is on the door opposite the one I'm exiting. At least I was helpful to the mom who was rushing her young daughter to the restroom from making the same mistake I did.

What was in that clam chowder?!?

• ¤ •

"If logic tells you that life is a meaningless accident, don't give up on life.
Give up on logic."

~Shira Millgrom

Around the World: Vancouver

December 11, 1991

On my way to Vancouver. It's a beautiful day for flying and I have a clear view of the mountains below.

Back on home soil for two more days before putting some of the Pacific Ocean behind me. There's a sense of excitement mixed with trepidation and anticipation. In 36 hours, I'll be the stranger in a strange land. I can't even picture what the places I'm soon to visit are like. For now, it's already been a long day. The bus ride from the airport to the hostel was over two hours and my tummy is grumbling for a nosh.

Jericho Beach, Vancouver, BC.
Photo by Flying Penguin from Wikipedia Commons

Dinner is cheese, milk, bread, salad and an orange, all for $6. That, plus the bun and peanut butter package I saved from the meal on the plane will be dinner tonight. The hostel is close to Jericho Beach, but it's only 6 degrees, a bit too brisk for swimming. I'm in a dorm with 15 other people, but my area is sectioned off to include only 2 bunk beds. Going to Stanley Park tomorrow and then I'll head back to the airport. The flight for Waikiki leaves really early in the morning so I'll save myself the two hour bus trip very early in the morning and just sleep at the airport.

People in Vancouver are very friendly.

• ¤ •

"If you just look at all that already exists in your life, all that you already have: unlimited air to breathe, ample lighting to see, music to hear, books to read, stars to dream by, trees to gaze at, floors to dance on, friends to cavort with, enemies to befriend, strangers to meet, woods to walk through, beaches to comb, rocks to scale, rains to cleanse you, rivers to float you, animals to comfort you, you do have to admit, there's more of it than you could ever, ever, ever spend.

But try anyway."

~Mike Dooley

Around the World: Haight Ashbury

December 10, 1991

Map courtesy of MapQuest

Went window shopping in Haight-Ashbury and had no problem finding record stores and vintage clothing shops. Walking along the streets is like being transported back in time to the 60's with a peppering of modern alternative splashed in black and silver to remind me that it is actually 1991.

Corner of Haight & Ashbury Streets.

Photo by Goodralph, Creative Commons Atribution

Today is election day in the United States.  People are friendly, and politically conscious enough to ensure I have voted, which of course, I haven't.  I quickly learned that saying, "No," to the repetitive inquiries of "Did ya vote, man?" only invites a lecture about not exercising my 'American rights, man', and being chastised for not performing my 'civic duty, man'. Then I have to stop and explain to each person, "I'm only visiting from Canada, man." It's just easier to just say, "Yea, man!" and go on my way.

Made sure to head in the right direction for the restaurant tonight. Met another hostel-mate from Tokyo. He has a rented car and we went for a drive to the beach and through Japantown. I bought some sake on his recommendation and we shared it when we got back to the hostel.

Read an interesting story in "The San Francisco Guardian". The city dumped a couple truck loads of snow in one the city's parks and only parents and their children were allowed to play in it. Kind of cool for a place that rarely sees the white stuff and fun on a day that had temps in the mid 20's. Well done, San Francisco!

• ¤ •

"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful committed citizens can change the world
- indeed it is the only thing that ever does"
-Margaret Meade