Illegitimate Sun

Today started off with Amy and I trudging in the pouring rain. Apparently, Vancouver is working its way through a small, but lingering cold front.

Thankfully, we had planned some indoor activities for the morning.

We started out in the Vancouver Art Gallery and their visiting exhibit on the works of Rodin.

We also saw the permanent exhibit on the works of Vancouver-native Emily Carr. In my view she has a style that combines the brush work and color sense of Picasso with the sweeping style of Georgia O’Keefe.

Following a brief visit to the mammouth Vancouver Public Library’s Central Branch, Amy headed home and I continued exploring.

My all-go no-stop method of touring is not for everyone as several people can attest. I’m just so intent on making everyday count during my visits.

As proof of this, I then hit Harbor Centre with its 360 view of Vancouver’s harbor, Gastown – the historic birth place of the city. It’s know for two highlights, a statue of its founder Gassy Jack and a steam-powered clock on the street. I was fortunate enough to walk up as the clock sounded the hour; it plays the same tune as the clock in my grandparents home. That tune always brings a smile to my face.

From there, I meandered into China Town. Tons of shops filled with exotic foods and imports surrounded. I walked by and found the Chinese Cultural Centre and its traditional garden. Bamboo, willow trees, and lilypads surround a traquil courtyard.

There I had my picture taken with some officers in the Mexican Navy.

I lead a weird life.

Hope your day was as strange,

Joshua

6:35 Canadian Time

Proof of my claims:

I’d like to start with a quick note about the London bombings. First, my sympathy and condolences to all of the families and individuals involved in this tragedy.

Second, how stupid are these terrorists? Sure the attack was staged in an effective manner. Massive damage and shock value. But, do they understand what a political gift they’re giving to the conservative bloc that is seeking to continue the very policies the terrorists detest.

It just drives this ‘war on terrorism’ onward.

Okay, enough ranting.

Today, Amy and I spent the day at Granville Island.

My first surprise was a poster I saw on the SkyTrain.

Apparently, a company in Canada is making a documentary about my life.

It’s not a bad representation of my life, but I think it had to be edited to get past the censors.

Granville Island was a industrial district turned toxic wasteland turned trendy shopping area.

Amy and I wandered from boutique to boutique – many locale artists and craftsmen had stores here.

At one shop, we dined on fish and chips – made with salmon. It gave the meal a richer flavor that I enjoyed.

There was also an extremely large covered market that sold all kinds of produce and meats and cheeses.

Eventually, we grabbed some coffee and sat on the docks – watching ferries and boats pass by.

I did manage to grab some potentially great photos. One shows the downtown of Vancouver, the mountains in the distance, and all of it framed by a bridge across the inlet.

Of course, I had to climb down onto the docks to get it. At one point, I balanced my way over a loose board that stretched between docks over the harbor.

It’ll surprise my family, but I didn’t fall into the water.

Couple of other highlights:

I was asked to carve the roast chicken at dinner last night. I quickly trimmed the bird down into separate sections and starting passing them out to the waiting crowd. It turns out, I should have shredded the bird; it would make for easier eating with chopsticks. A minor faux pas that my hosts tried to ignore.

Also, Tim Hortons makes a really good sour cream donut and potato chips come in ketchup flavor here.

Some pictures:

Joshua

Vancouver starts here.

I’m sitting in the kitchen of the Lee household, typing away, as Amy plays the piano behind me.

I’m in Canadaland. For those of you who wonder, yes it’s raining and chilly.

The trip up here was filled with the prerequisite annoyances. Air travel’s convenience is only matched by the petty hardships you have to endure to utilize it.

My flight was booked as a direct flight from St. Louis to Seattle. Of course, the airlines version of a direct flight left an hour and a half late, routed me through Dallas, had me changing planes, and dumped me in Seattle at 2:00 AM.

The Lee family had generously offered to pick me up at the airport and drive me up to Vancouver. Through the rain and darkness we drove, only to be harassed by customs officers at the Canadian border.

It turns out that crossing the border once at 9PM and returning at 4AM with a random American makes a mountie little suspicious. Luckily, I had my passport (Amy reminded me to bring it) and we were able scoot on through after they ran my record.

My record still stands, these countries keep letting me in unmolested. That’s Joshua – 9, unsuspecting border guards – 0.

Coincidentally, my passport expires the day after I return to the states. Eerily, when I was 20, I knew I’d need some extra time in the summer of ’05 and filed accordingly.

Also, the border crossing was called the Peace Arch, but all the guards wore bulletproof vests. The irony did not escape us.

At 5 AM I was able to crash at the lovely Lee household and rose at noon to a brunch with the family.

Already little differences are standing out. The roofs on all the houses here have small eaves. It’s not a big change, but it makes all the houses look a little smaller when driving by. I’m reminded of driving in Ireland and realizing that all the houses had no eaves. They’re houses; they shouldn’t look different or odd, but they are.

Also, everything’s in metric. Finally a sane country that uses a base-10 system. (Take that Erik!)

We’re taking it easy today. Already we’ve watched a movie and I helped Amy’s dad set up a new wireless controller that I bought for his xbox.

Tomorrow, after catching up on more sleep, we begin touring in full.

Signing off, eh.

Joshua

PS. Amy wants me to mention that there is some blue sky over head now. Take that, naysayers!