I was a little apprehensive about going into a new country, with a different monetary system, different unit of measure, meters, kilometers, celcuis, and who knows what else. Managing the details of finding one’s way, keeping the campervan full with litres of gas, propane, water and the potty emptied (it is called a sani station), buying groceries, making phone calls without my cell phone were all going to be different experiences.

A Dollar is a coin called a Looney, and two dollars is a coin called a Tooney, there are no paper one or two dollar bills. When you are in Vancouver, It costs a Tooney and a Canadian quarter in zone 1 bus travel, and a Tooney and a Looney and Canadian quarter in zone 2 of bus travel. Of course, unless it is rush hour, then it is free downtown. The monetary system and all else turned out to be totally manageable with practice and I quickly acclimated to the new systems. Figuring mileage and speed continues to improve.

Vancouver is a mix of congestion and serenity. The traffic was fierce most times and places, the streets teemed with people. But then, there were the most amazingly serene, uncrowded places, parts of stanley park, the west end, a neighborhood. It was tantalizing. The city was beautiful, wth lots of bridges, and beautiful water everywhere. Just don’t try to drive.

Paul and Osa

My first day in Vancouver, I visited a high school neighbor of mine who had imigrated to Canada in the 60’s. Paul and his wife and child, Lara live in the Kootenay Rockies, far from crowded Vancouver. However, Paul’s recent car accident put him temporarily at the GF Strong Spine Rehabilitation Center in Vancouver where I was able to renew acquaintence with him and get to know his lovely family. I liked them all immediately, and it felt very good to have met some special new friends so far from home.

W5 dinner. That’s me 3rd from the front

The second day in Vancouver, was a W5 ((Women Welcome Women Worldwide), http://www.womenwelcomewomen.org.uk/ dinner. It happened that on this evening we had women from Switzerland, California, Australia, and local members, over twenty in all. The group also included friends and husbands. The W5 membership list includes women of all ages, all over the world. Where ever you travel, there is someone who will welcome you to their part of the world, meet you for tea, or a tour of their area. Some provide a few nights lodging as well. I joined this group last year in preparation for a trip to England that never panned out, and now, I am exploring it’s membership in Canada and hope to host members who visit Oakland.

Laurie, the master photograper

Hari Krishna parade we just happened on while walking to the water taxi

A day later, daughter Laurie flew up from San Mateo, CA to tour with me in Vancouver for 5 days. We stayed in a great little hotel, The Buchan, http://www.buchan.com in the West End, right near downtown.

drumming performance

Granville Island water taxies

what are these berries? the sign was in Chinese. Are they gooseberries?

Small white whale that lives in the Arctic

Highlights of our time together was an African drumming and dance performance on Granville Island where we loved the water taxies and the public market and the Stanley Park Aquarium’s Beluga Whales.

Extension Bridge West Vancouver

Tourists thronging the woods West Vancouver

Hikes in West Van, as it is called where the extension bridges were so popular that we were able to listen to French, German, Japanese and Chinese conversations.

Kleenex box holders. Vancouver

We also discovered some great restaurants on Denman St. A Japanese one that was all about decor and presentation.
the presentation was beautiful as was the front door.

Legondary Noodles was also a favorite