Category: Vancouver

Posted in Vancouver

Lonsdale Quay

Posted on by Wilt

I love this market, located in North Vancouver – it is accessible by Sea Bus (our aquatic rapid transit that has been in operation since the late 1970s), or by two bridges, Lions Gate or Ironworker’s Memorial.

Normally a bustling tourist mecca, it is definitely champing at the bit to get back to its regular hectic pace. A few shops and vendors have toughed it out and are selling their wares.

There is a maritime feel to the locale, as it is the former site of a ship repair dock. There are still many related businesses in the area, where ships go to get repairs, improvements – like a garage or beauty parlor, I suppose.

Do pop in if you are in the area – located at the bottom of Lonsdale Street, you can go for a bracing jog up the hill, as I do, from time to time. A bus can take you up, as well, all the way to the foot of Grouse Mountain. One thing about North Vancouver, there are hills and slopes, as is the common topography of Vancouver.

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Some of the artfully displayed seafood.
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It is very reassuring to these vendors back to work – they have a long uphill battle to come. The tourist trade is right out of the equaition.
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Like a grand dame, seated at the entrance – she is a Labradoodle.

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Very happy that they have opened, after such a lengthy closure.
Posted in Vancouver

Inukshuk

Posted on by Wilt

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Inukshuk are a human-made stone landmark or cairn used by the Inuit and other Arctic peoples. Their popularity reached a crescendo during our 2010 Olympics here, where the Inukshuk symbol was ubiquitous across Canada. People started building them everywhere, especially along False Creek (pictured here), where there are a lot of rocks to balance with. Even now, almost a decade later, people still like to build them! That is Science World in the background, originally built for Expo 86. I had a season pass and I never forgot the experience. My hair was dyed blonde then, so I fit in nicely with the multicultural feel. Don’t ask. It’s an Asian thing.

Posted in uncategorized, Vancouver

Granville Island

Posted on by Wilt

One of my favourite hangouts in the world, due to its picturesque location in Vancouver, and its arts community vibe, Granville Island. It is actually a peninsula, and is located across False Creek from downtown Vancouver. I have worked here and taken some arts courses here, so it holds a special place in my heart.

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Looking very quiet these days, but the market is still open, but most of the galleries and maritime-related businesses are closed. Granville Island is a tourist mecca and is usually crawling with tourists and traffic. I like the peace.

 

 

Why I dig Granville Island so much, is the art-y sensibility. As you can see, there are some cartoon-y decorations on some otherwise pretty mundane objects. I approve of this. There was a Harris’s hawk at Granville Island, which I took some pictures of – he didn’t mind, but I wasn’t allowed to let him perch on my shoulder. (he doesn’t take kindly to strangers, but he is quite vain, and enjoyed my picture taking.)

 

 

Barnacles encrusted on the docks and some canine denizens of Granville Island. For some reason, this boat is on display beneath the bridge. That yellow building is the best art supply store in Canada, bar none. I am not just saying that because I used to work there. Not much, anyway. They are doing a mostly online trade right now – I’d highly recommend them, if you are of an artistic bent, their mail order service is second to none. Hope you enjoyed this pandemic post of Granville Island – don’t miss it if you ever visit our city!

 

Copyright 2020 All pictures by Wilt Sugiyama, and they look pretty decent at that, despite not having much of an eye for composition and a tendency to snap at anything that moves. Today’s technology is very forgiving. 😃

Posted in uncategorized, Vancouver

National Indigenous Peoples Day 2019

Posted on by Wilt

This is a very important day IMO, in Canada. As in many other countries, Canada treated its indigenous peoples very poorly and disrespectfully. A slow movement towards reconciliation is taking place, but the scars run very deep. Especially, with the history of residential schooling, that, arguably, attempted to erase their culture and history. I have a strong affinity with native peoples – my father worked in what was called ‘Indian Affairs’ in the federal government. Not to mention, I had a lot of friends in school, from various bands, including the Musqueam Nation. Sadly, they were all sidelined and on the periphery in the schools, and, unfairly, deemed as threats.

 

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These beautiful native women put on a most haunting and mesmerizing performance.

 

 

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Wiki: Bannock, skaan (or scone), or Indian bread,[12] is found throughout North American Native cuisine, including that of the Inuit of Canada and Alaska, other Alaska Natives, the First Nations of the rest of Canada, the Native Americans in the United States, and the Métis.

It did not take me long to find the food truck, it’s a special skill I have.  😀  My wife works in after-school care at a special school where the student body is 90% indigenous, unique in Canada.

Posted in Vancouver

Pirate Ship

Posted on by Wilt

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One of the joys of living on the (West, though some wags refer to it as ‘Wet’) coast, are the variety of watercraft that one comes across. Here is what appears to be a pirate ship, no doubt docked here to traffic its plunder, but not a pirate to be found. Likely they are enjoying a pleasant shore leave at a Motel 6.

I imagine, armed with their cutlasses, and selfie sticks, they were hitting all the local tourist spots. I am confident that while there is likely a ‘talk like a pirate’ policy on board, actual piratical activities are restricted. Keel hauling and plank walking would be real crowd pleasers, in this writer’s opinion.

Posted in humor, Vancouver

High Pool Confidential

Posted on by Wilt

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Here is a nice little luxury at one of the apartments in downtown Vancouver.  This is an area of real estate for anyone who has their own personal shower in a plane. It is a pool that extends into thin air, giving the public at large a sight of your ballooning swim trunks and un-Phelps-like doggy paddle.

I imagine, of course, a strict dress code would be in place so as not to offend looky-loos (with their telephoto lenses) – bathing attire from the 1890s, or those full body sunscreen suits that make you look like you just fell in the pool, would be acceptable.

A better idea would be to make it into an aquarium. I don’t mean with a shark and periodic kitten feedings but a genuine world class tropical fish tank where they are fed with a t-shirt gun.

Hey, just running stuff up a flagpole, seeing who salutes. One thing for sure, there will not be any cetaceans. Our local aquarium has been banned from having any in captivity. Thx for reading! Hope you are enjoying your summer!

Posted in dogs, life, Vancouver

The Dead Dog

Posted on by Wilt

In my travels, I came upon a dead dog. (Great first line for an epic world-building fantasy) He was lying in the middle of a parking space in Granville Island, an artsy/touristy area of Vancouver that I love to visit and soak up the creative vibes.

I knelt down, trying to remember my first responder abc’s. You know, Airway, Breathing, and the

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third one. Might I need to perform mouth to muzzle? Was a defibrillator nearby? I thought how, upon revival, a dog would be forever in my debt.

However, before being caught inflagrante, the owner, an artist in a nearby studio, appeared. Oh, he does that
all the time, I was told, lies down in random spots. He’s a bit elderly so he is happy to saunter aimlessly. (Like the elderly do on cruise ships!) Then, when he has had enough,  collapses like a puppet whose strings have been cut. (Again, like the elderly) Hence, and you might be able to see it in the photo, the tag around his neck: I AM NOT LOST.

Made my day! I was very happy not to have to spatula a dead dog from the ground. (I think there is an emoji for that) Thanks for reading!