Vancouver April 2005 - The #20 bus, tan M&Ms and the Canadian Rockies

Hey guys, I’ve decided that when I finish this job here (supposed to be around the end of June), I am going to spend a week before heading home and take a train trip through the Canadian Rockies. Anybody want to join me?

(Mom, Dad – I still want to do the Detroit trip, too).

Bo, I was checking out Lake Louise like you suggested – discovered that’s where it is (the Rockies) which is about a 10 hour drive from here so not something that I can do on a weekend.

Y’all remember me telling you about taking the bus back to the office Saturday after going to the theatre and the part of town I was in? Well, I was telling someone at the office about it and he asked me if it was the #20 bus? I told him it was and he said “Yep – that is quite an experience – you have a lot of guts going through that part of town.”

Just a few little cultural tidbits thought you might find interesting:

Bought a package of peanut M&Ms the other day – opened them up and first few that fell out were…..TAN!!!!! It was weird – was afraid they were old or something so looked at the rest of the bag and they looked OK. Still – I decided NOT to eat the tan ones.

The money is somewhat frustrating – they do not have dollar bills. They DO have one dollar and two dollar coins – so you end up with a heavy pocket or coin purse - doesn’t feel like you have any REAL money – just a pocketful of change. And there is not as big a difference between the sizes of the coins as there is with our money, so I find myself having to look closely when I’m counting it out. But, hey – the exchange rate is good (87 cents American buys one dollar Canadian) so I’m not complaining.

They don’t use a lot of ice here – in restaurants you have to ASK for it – and then they are real skimpy with it. In fact, several people have acted like it is very strange of me to ask.

The sun has been out all this week – beautiful days – around 45-50 degrees – NO RAIN. Of course, I’ve been chained to my desk in the office, but I do have a beautiful view of the mountains and without the rain and fog, it’s an awesome sight. There is still a little snow in the mountains. Have enjoyed walking out at lunch time and have walked a couple of extra blocks when catching the bus going home at night. Oh – and I nearly got hit by one tonight!!!! I wanted to go to bookstore across the street from the stop – I have been very diligent about crossing streets ONLY at the light and ONLY on the walk signal - , but I have seen several others cross in the middle and this street in particular is primarily buses and taxis – I looked to my left – no traffic – looked to my right – no traffic – stepped off the curb – and all of a sudden there is a bus on my LEFT practically on TOP of me – came out of NOWHERE. A close call, I am telling you.

You know, I don’t mind the subways in NY, Boston, DC – wasn’t too crazy about the EL in Chicago – , but except for the 5th Avenue bus in NY – I really am not that crazy about public buses (possibly has to do with a childhood story - some of you know it) and don’t ride them that much or that frequently. Have probably done more here than anywhere. Anyway, learned a little bus etiquette this week. Not being that familiar with the buses and routes here yet, I have sat close to the driver and gotten off at the front door. Couple of days ago, it was crowded so I walked further back – and saw a sign that said to exit the REAR door. So, I started doing that. Then yesterday, I stood at the rear door – was going to get off one stop earlier than my regular stop, but when he stopped the door didn’t open. I turned to a guy close by and asked him why and found out that you have to STEP DOWN one step in order to trigger the door. Good thing I learned that before getting to my regular stop as it is the last one before the bay – I would have ended up across the water at UBC (University of British Columbia).

(Denise – ask Mary Ann about the “park” subway stop in Boston.) Does she have e-mail now?

I’m sitting here at my desk in the hotel looking out the window at the city lights – a few cars still out – a guy walking through the parking garage (about the 14th floor I think) of the hotel across the street, down the stairs and out onto the street – paper bag in his hand – now he’s out of sight. Wonder what he’s up to?

Across the other way, I think it is an apartment building, I see a guy lying on the couch staring at something on other wall I can’t see – I guess a TV. All the other windows are either dark or have curtains drawn – no frolicking that I can see tonight.

Oops – there’s my guy with the brown bag again…..went around the corner…came out on the other side – met someone under the Travelodge sign and disappeared from view again.

Oh, well, didn’t mean to make this so long. I have got to get to bed early tonight (it’s just midnight here) – a few hours work in the a.m. and then have to head to the airport around 11:00. (One thing I like about the airport here is that you actually go through US Customs HERE instead of DFW – that’s very convenient).

(Mike, tell Julie that Mrs. B had a seizure – fell out of chair – broke hip – I’ll tell her more when I see her).