Right after the hockey game we jumped on the skytrain downtown and what a sight! The crowds, the singing, the cheering, the high fives – it’s a massive street party. I’ve gotta go party some more, but here is a few snaps of what it’s looking like downtown right now!
February 28 2010 | Vancouver | 1 Comment »
To show my support for Canada in the gold medal hockey today, I made my dog a sweater out of a red Olympic mitten. He gets the other one as a toy. He’s happier than he looks in the photos. Go Canada Go!
February 28 2010 | Vancouver | 4 Comments »
Canada won 3 gold medals today tying for the most number of gold medals won by any country during the Olympics. If we win gold in hockey tomorrow, we will set a new record. Our friends to the South also broke records today winning the most medals by any country in any Olympics, with 37 medals (including hockey) for the US. Way to go North America! The beautiful Vancouver skyline as seen from Stanley Park shows the Olympic rings in gold to celebrate our success today.
Also, on a much less cheery note, the rocky waves in the ocean tonight were a result of the earthquake in Chile. We are thinking about everyone affected by natural disasters lately and are hoping for safety to those in tumultuous areas as we watch the restless sea.
February 27 2010 | Photography and Vancouver | 3 Comments »
My radishes are growing so well under the umbrella greenhouses that I started thinning them this morning. Not one to throw away fresh greens, I topped my breakfast with the culled radishlings. With all the pepper in me now, I think I’ll go do some gardening!
February 25 2010 | Growing Food and Photography | 7 Comments »
This picture is for you, my sweet.
February 24 2010 | Flowers and Photography and Vancouver | 3 Comments »
Downtown Vancouver is something to see right now. On Day 11 of the Olympics, I went downtown to do some Olympic sightseeing. I went to visit Robson Square, the Olympic Cauldron, Olympic Village, some Pavilions, and just generally be outside in the bedlam. And bedlam it was. A sea of people everywhere you turned (in many places, especially the Skytrain, turning was impossible) all enjoying the city and air of sport.
At Robson Square the skating rink has enough room for a good skate but the lines are very long. You can pass the time by watching a busker (who were chosen through VANOCs own version of a talent competition: Busker Idol), or watch the people fly above you on the zip line. The line up for the zip trek on a Monday morning was 6 hours long.
The Olympic Cauldron is a beautiful sight and now that I have seen it I’m glad that it is fenced off (with a photo / viewing hole) because the crowds in the area were so massive that you’d be hard pressed to see it at all through the hubbub. Of course, you could wait in line for an hour to see it from the viewing platform above if you want to.
Olympic Village is blocked off to pedestrian traffic so the best place to see it is from the seawall across from Canada Hockey Place & BC Place. It was a beautiful walk from the Skytrain at Terminal past Russia House (nee Science World), Quebec House, Saskatchewan House, Molson Canadian Hockey House, and Ontario House. We went into a few of the provincial houses, but really, if you aren’t at one of the houses to see a band or watch events, it’s just a large room promoting a province and serving expensive draft beer and greasy fried foods.
It’s not just crowds of people you’ll see during the Olympics. Along the seawall people have decided to uproot every rock on the bank to create their own inukshuks. I found a little spot and built my own; I’m still trying to come up with a name.
With all the people, you would think it would be pushy and noisy and impossible to get around. But so far, I haven’t found it that way. With the exception the night street parties on Granville street and Yaletown, people are very polite and respectful and generally here to have a good time. Being a local I’ve been able to navigate away from the busiest skytrain stops, find parking almost everywhere, and get into restaurants without waiting in line. All in all, it’s been an amazing experience, free of hassles as long as you arrive with a good attitude and couple of insider secrets in your back pocket.
February 23 2010 | Photography and Vancouver | 3 Comments »
Granville Island is always a fun place. The market showcases wonderful culinary ingredients for both the pros and the home chef. The artists’ studios produce handmade originals from jewelry to apparel and invite you in to see the process. The buskers in the centre court are top notch entertainers. And Granville Island is also the home of Emily Carr University of Art and Design so it’s no wonder there are so many creative types around.
It’s a treat to walk along the boardwalk to see the houseboats or the parade of mini water ferries marching to take tourists downtown. And when you are ready to settle in for the evening, a wide range of great restaurants and entertainment abound.
The additional events that are scheduled for the Olympics, plus the warm sun and happy buzzing of tourists from around the world, made for a perfect Day 8 (last Friday) at Granville Island. The Island is the Official French Quarter, and the Place de Francophone (French House) served French food and music while broadcasting all of the events in French. The Cultural Olympiad has brought in many forms of art to Granville Island, including works from the Portrait Gallery of Canada, a wide range of concerts and a very cool parade of characters from Big Nazo. CODE Live 2 at Emily Carr University of Art and Design showcased all sorts of interesting projects as well. I particularly liked Electromode and Company Keeper and Emotional Ties which showcased apparel with all sorts of mechanical functions resulting from interaction with the wearer or others. While one outfit barked, another flashed LED messages and yet another molded to the wearer’s body shape when they put it on.
With all of these cultural events and performances going on, one could still not forget why everyone is here in Vancouver. The sea of red Canada hoodies from HBC and Roots were on about a third of every person, and the rest wore Canadian, US, German, Russian, Dutch, Australian, or one of the many other countries’ emblems in support. There were smiles on faces despite the crowds, and delight from many to just bask in the sun by the ocean and mountains while enjoying the “Winter” Olympics.
February 22 2010 | Photography and Vancouver | 1 Comment »
I think Bergenia is a great border or edging plant on the West Coast because this fast growing perennial’s elephant ear-shaped leaves often turn a dark burgundy colour over winter and send out these lovely pink blooms in the late winter / early spring. Bergenia is quick to fill in a forgotten corner of the garden or adds low maintenance beauty under trees. I use it as edging for my flower beds, under my dogwood, and to reduce soil erosion on a stepped bank near the neighbours.
February 19 2010 | Gardening and Photography | 2 Comments »
I think I’ll have a great crop of radishes in a few weeks with this warm sunny weather we have been having and my wonderful umbrella greenhouses. I planted these just a few weeks ago and I already have to thin my seedlings.
The lettuce and peas I’m growing under the other greenhouses are also doing really well. I can’t wait for spring salad season!
February 18 2010 | Gardening and Growing Food | 1 Comment »
