#YVR 20 Years Later

Under the Cambie Street bridge.

Birthdays come and go. Seasons change.

Can’t believe it’s been 20 years since I last called Vancouver home.

Thought about what has changed since 1991. In no particular order I’m pretty sure I can come up with 20:

1. Way more people ride bikes.
2. There are many official bicycle lanes (convenient).
3. There’s a Canada Line.
4. Bikes are allowed on the Canada Line (way cool).
5. Buses have bike racks (downside there’s only two).
6. Cyclists share pathways and sidewalks with pedestrians and runners - very well.
7. Design is hip and seen all around.
8. Lots of cool public art (where you’d least expect it).
9. Car co-ops are everywhere.
10. Transit and bikes is the easiest way to get around.
11. Lululemon is idolized.
12. It’s nearly impossible to find live aboard moorage for a boat.
13. Sophie’s Cosmic Café in Kitsilano has outdoor seating.
14. Naam makes better coffee.
15. Vegan choices are widely available.
16. Capers is now Whole Foods.
17. Video stores are hard to find.
18. 604 isn’t the only area code.
19. Bridge Studios (I worked on MacGyver) has doubled in size.
20. Being fit is so in!

 

Tuned in on Transit

It was a full house on the Skytrain to Surrey today. Two hours from Bowen Island to the King George Skytrain Station. Then a pick-up from a distant relative to the family celebration.

Wondered how long the drive would of taken given the slowdowns amongst the city centre.

As I pulled out of the Burrard Station the envelope of the city line slowly disappeared. Soon the ocean faded in the background.

As we continued the mountain ranges changed.

Again I thought about driving.

No people watching there. More stress. Stopping at lights. Waiting in line-ups.

I didn’t have to worry about any of that. All I had to heed was a place to sit and watch.

The paper had already been flipped on the bus. I tucked it under my backpack on the seat beside me for the next person.

Some people talked. A pair kissed. The senior behind them expressed his views. Eyes stern. He clearly didn’t approve.

There was the woman beside me with the broken wrist. Casted up. A bag full of art supplies. A rolled up piece of paper.

Lots of folks on their iPhones with their earphones.

I thought about listening to music. But mused instead on the ambiance of the Saturday.

Can’t imagine what it’d be like at peak times Monday to Friday. Squished in like sardines. Nowhere to sit.

A humble take on the commuter life.

I’m all tuned in on transit now!