Tuesday, 23 August 2011

Stanley Park two days in a row


How's it going everyone? Anyone missing me yet? 

Today was the first day it's rained since I've been here. It was kind of good in a way though, it should stop it being so muggy. Yesterday was forebodingly humid and overcast. I didn't have any plans and got up a bit later than usual, so my uncle took me cycling round Stanley Park.

What a view. It's even better when it's sunny.



Replicas of original totem poles made by various native peoples. They represent family members and legends, not particularly religious beliefs.

This guy/girl (not sure) stacked some good rocks. We think they must have been stuck together somehow though, becuse there was a breeze and they weren't even moving.

I hadn't been cycling in years, and I did struggle with some of the tighter corners. I think it was the handlebars that threw me. Despite that, cycling is one of the most fun ways of exercising, especially if you have a landscape like this to look out on. I recommend it.

Yesterday was also the day Robert Gaston (who was a year above me at OHS) flew in. Even though we were at school together, we didn't actually meet until a mutual friend's 21st a couple months ago. It was loud and hard to hear each other, so today was the first real opportunity for conversation we've ever had. We met up downtown, where he is staying at a youth hostel and where I was sorting out a couple of things (including actually making it inside the consulate, where I was told they couldn't help me and given another phone number to try) and got some smoothies. Then we walked to Stanley Park, which was further than I thought, and hopped on one of the shuttles, which I thought were free. They're actually $10,  but it was probably close to worth it. Maybe if I hadn't already been there a couple of times. The tour guide was sweet though. She kept saying things like 'everything on the island is made of recycle' and making us laugh.

Tomorrow we might check out a suspension bridge in Lynn Valley, weather permitting. Otherwise I kind of feel like seeing a movie.

This is the dog, Sascha, who's not supposed to be in my room. She wouldn't move and I couldn't lift her if I tried, so I gave up in the end.


She did eventually move. I think she just wanted it to be on her own terms.

5 comments:

  1. hey I went to primary school with Robert, always remember him as a nice guy. Its good you've got someone over there from back home :).

    I want to cycle! Seriously running is awful but cycling seems so much better. I'm petrified of cycling on the road here though and I dont have a bike...well I do but I got it when i was 4 and I haven't ridden it since I was about 8. Come to think about it I don't even know if I have the ability to ride a bike :S.

    Its cool to see you getting into the indigneous culture I think that would be fascinating to learn about. The scenery again looks pretty stunning.

    Also the consulate doesn't seem like much help. Sometimes I wonder if these roles are merely symbolic. Anyway I hope that you'll be able to figure things out.

    I MISS YOU!! I MISS EVERYONE. (Symptom of a particularly crappy day I suppose). I think when its holidays I'll really miss you because thats when I usually see people. :)

    Hope your still having fun :)

    Tegz

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  2. YES, I MISS YOU! Sorry that I haven't been commenting recently (I have three excuses: I got sick, I got busy, and I'm just a lazy person).

    I hope you don't mind if I comment on your other blog posts here but... OMG I LOVE YOUR NEW BAG SO FREAKING MUCH!! + your haircut :D Though it's not much of a haircut to be honest, lol.

    Your time in Canada seems so relaxed... so envious because it's starting to get hectic for me >.< Oh well, I'll just try to imagine that I'm there with you when I read your posts :)

    -Debz

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  3. @Tegan - yeah everyone seems to say something along that line. It's weird that we never ran into each other at OHS. The Consulate says it's a Canadian issue, so it's the Canadian authorities who have to deal with it. I'll try the phone number soon I guess...

    @Debs - Thanks! I'm very happy with the bag, it's actually bigger than it looks and the strap is super comfortable. Regarding the hair, I think you would notice if you saw me in person, it was just hard to photograph. Plus it was still a bit flat then because of all the stuff she put in it. The rain has actually made it huge.

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  4. :O THERE'S A DOG?? She looks lovely :) Can we get more pictures of the dog? And you? You and the dog?

    Geez, the Consulate seems pretty useless. They must be channeling Murray Hewitt...

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  5. @ Nic - she is quite lovely, except she sleeps outside my room and she does sleeptalk quite loudly. I'll try and get some photos tomorrow. There's also a cat!

    Haha I was thinking about Murray as soon as I walked in there. It's more the Canadian side I've been disappointed with though - I tried the phone number she gave me and first I couldn't get through the automation to an actual person, then when I did I got put on hold and after a couple of minutes they said all the lines were busy and disconnected me :P

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