Eric (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
giftederic) wrote2008-03-26 02:59 pm
giftederic) wrote2008-03-26 02:59 pm
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?
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?
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Elk?
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No... but Canada's such a conglomeration of cultures that I imagine they have very little in the way of unique and native food. I'd agree with seafood, though. Perhaps?
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(Anonymous) 2008-03-30 10:17 pm (UTC)(link)http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Poutine
I think you need to travel to Quebec to experience it at it's best.