It all began with Vancouver
Before I had a passport, I never thought much about traveling internationally. San Francisco, the place that I called home, had everything I could possibly ever need. It had foggy beaches, and sky scrapers; art museums and the most non-chain restaurants per capita in all of the US. It had indie book stores, and historic movie theaters; off-the-grid food trucks on Fridays, and scenic parks for picnics. It had parades and festivals, popups, and co-ops.
But when that little blue book emblazoned with a golden crest of an eagle came in the mail, something changed. Those empty pages begged to be filled with evidence of future memories made.
It was as if an invisible door opened, awakening a small curiosity that gingerly tiptoed toward the threshold. All I had to do was cross over into the unknown.
As curiosity pulled, another force, anxiety, anchored me to the ground and filled my head with doubt.
What if I get lost?
Courage spoke up next, freeing me from paralysis and said everything would be alright as long as you have a plan…So, I planned.
Jeremy and I chose Vancouver as a test, a dipping of toes into the metaphorical waters of international travel. We wanted a place that wasn’t too far away, a place that was walkable, and a place that spoke English. Check, check, and check.
Off we went!
Yaletown
The first thing you notice about Yaletown district is the fortress of endless windowed towers reflecting blues and greens, like a modern day emerald city.
Gastown
You don’t have to go very far to find oldtown, lovingly coined Gastown for it’s famed steam powered clock. Dappled light hits the dusty brick buildings in a sunny afteroon. The green leaves glow on trees that line the streets. Ornate looking orb crowd tall lanterns that wait patiently for night to shine and spread their charm.
Crowds gather around the steam clock in Gastown, waiting for the sudden erruption of steam at every half hour.
The unexpected finds
Chinatown
Stanley Park
Granville Island
Oh but the food!
When someone hands you a plate full of fries covered in gravy and cheese curds, or a hotdog bun full of rice and katsu, you eat it.
Poutine is one of Canada’s gifts to the world
The mad science of japanese hot dogs from Japadog
