The Country Mice

This househunting business take courage and stamina.

Should I go for space?

Should I get a view?

Should I live in a trailer and have both?

One must slog through forest primeval, pushing aside pine, cedar and arbutus trees, locking eyes with the white-tail deer that will share one’s property and one’s un-fenced vegetable garden (move over, coyotes — I have a new Enemy No. One). Rocks must be climbed, streams must be forged, vistas must be scanned…

Oh, the vistas.

One stands on a deck and looks out at this. That’s right, it’s not an unfettered view of the ocean and there are certainly better ones to be had.

But if this were the view from a breakfast table —

Wouldn’t you be thinking about where to put the guests?

After a busy morning of spelling, math and c-skills, we headed out “across town,” as the locals say.

So easy to drive around here — I don’t get lost, don’t need to pull over with a map or GPS, don’t need to make U-turns. I still remember the short-cuts!

We take a quick detour to Long and McQuade to pick up some music theory books because we ran out of time before we left home. We’re working on music theory every day because we’ve left the instruments behind for an unprecedented period of time. Paperwork has a bizarre appeal to these children.

After a quick stop at the altar of all things Gore-Tex (Mountain Equipment Co-Op) we wander down a few doors for some pho. Vietnamese noodle soup. I was informed by my beloved Mary that I should know whether it’s Ba or Ga.

Clearly some research required.

I still remember the holes in the wall — lunch for three at $7. Including tea.

Goofy pic but I like the light.

And the lunch.

Much of Vancouver’s beauty lies in its contrasts — the sea, the sky and the mountains, the green, the blue and the grey.

To cross from one part of the city to another one can either take a bridge or take a pedestrian ferry — the Seabus.

You can use the sea bus as part of your daily commute — the city’s various modes of public transit meld together rather seamlessly.

And some streets are at times completely closed to vehicular traffic. Easy to have a pedestrian corridor when the temperate weather means nothing heavier than a fleece hoodie.

Smile.

Some public art courtesy of the Olympics.

And these remind me of the slips of prayer-inscribed paper tied to trees outside temples in Japan, particularly at exam time.

I could have used a few of those.

***

Today off to explore some music lesson options and the best year-round market in the world — Granville Island.

So good to be here.

We arrive to a city awash in red and white.

Smiles greet strangers, good cheer fills the air.

People flock to the city centre, anticipating the finale, the Big Game, that most mighty of winter Olympic events.

Lots of ways to demonstrate one’s national pride.

Fortunately, the mild weather provides no constraints on self-expresson.

Or self-abnegation.

“With glowing hearts” encompasses the city’s spirit, initially one of some cynicism, now one of unabashed pride.

The game begins and the faithful gather.

Many gruelling and nail-biting moments later — gold for Canada!

And the Other Team leaves the building.

The streets erupt with cheers, honking, dancing and overall good will.

It’s good to be back.