Vancouver the place that no one is from

Back by popular demand. Tales from British Columbia. Actually, whilst there will be some anecdotes, this is really a series of opinion pieces and random observations from here on in :)

It is hard to find anyone over 30 who is from Vancouver. In fact, though I am sure they exist and in some numbers, I have found no one so far.

I have now played games with a Serbian, a Bosnian (both called Bojan, and best of friends), an Israeli, an Argentinian, a few Chinese guys and Canadians from Toronto, Edmonton & Calgary. And some kids. The local fine chocolate shop is owned by an American man and his french wife. My one taxi driver was an Indian Sikh. The hotel receptionist is middle eastern.  There has been a huge influx of people in recent years, mainly from asia, in particular Hong Kong in the mid nineties, and from eastern Canada. House prices here are relatively astronomical (though we would consider the place cheap enough). Can$1650 to rent a 27th floor 1 bed apartment, about €1100, and Can$300,000 for a new 1 bed apartment, about €200,000, both in downtown Vancouver (where the view is worth paying for).

In another oddity, there are very few blacks here. I'd say I have seen maybe 4, and 2 of those were obviously tourists from the states (and boy did they look the part). Apparently Canada has very few african blacks, and that Toronto is where all the caribbean folk go. 

As a result, I have yet to determine what a true Vancouver meal would be? Apparently there are West Coast Restaraunts but I haven't found them. There are alot more Afghan, Persian, Mongolian, Vietnamese, Taiwanese, Thai, Italian, Greek and of course zillions of Chinese restaraunts just about everywhere. And then of course there are Irish and English pubs, and American diners. But nothing recognisably Canadian apart from Tim Hortons and Blenz, both coffee shops. Is Canada renowned for any food in particular, bar Bacon and Maple syrup?

What is west coast cuisine? Anyone? 

Gav the Felon

So, I was trying to get to the bus stop before the bus (actually Transit) got there. So I got there and stuck my hand out to wave it down, when a twenty/thirtysomething guy alongside me cried out "First J walking, and now hitch hiking!!" Apparently you don't have to wave down transits, and yes, the more I think of it the more I realise that whilst I am flagrantly crossing streets everywhere and anywhere I choose, no one else is. At all. I wonder if I should stop? Its so hard to do though, alot of the streets are one way so you can see that there is nothing coming. I suppose I'll stop if I get pulled up for it by an RCMP... :)

Hotels

 I'll be moving into a travel apartment next tuesday, April 1st for 29 days. For the last while I have been staying in hotels in the Granville/False Creek area.  Overall they have been pretty good. They seem alot cheaper for alot more than you get back home. (though no breakfast). I am spending between €49 and €70 per night on hotels (the €70 was poor planning on my part that led to having to stay in a slightly more expensive hotel). I am much happier away from hostel land. I really appreciate my creature comforts, and I like the 'holiday' feel of hotels. And wireless internet access at my desk in my room is far better than having to trundle half way across the building to a room with 1 table and 15 people trying to use it. If I end up staying in a hostel ever again, it will be in desperation.

Staying in hotels has given me the opportunity to watch Canadian TV. And as it is mostly imported US fare like back home, more importantly canadian advertising. Unfortunately there is not much to say yet. Alot less drug ads than I was expecting, no drink or tobacco ads that I've noticed, the usual high production car, cosmetic (Pantene is pronounced pan-teen here it seems) and cleaning ads, and some really cool ads for some internet sites. Actually, now that I think of it, alot of advertising is directed at driving you to an internet site of some sort.

For those of you who are interested in the weather....

Its been overcast and showery for most of my time here. A bit cool in the evenings, and never warm.

However...

I have just heard the loudest thunder ever, and the lightning was red.  This could be the best thunderstorm ever... :) (and I have to be somewhere reasonably far away in 70minutes...)