By foot, by car, by bike, by plane....getting around Vancouver is interesting!

So one of my first experiences traveling around Vancouver was when Dwight and I moved out to BC. Driving from Ottawa across the country in January may our arrival in Vancouver feel like we were arriving in Hawaii. That being said the travel through the valley was uninspiring and rather busy.....lines and lines of traffic as far as the eye could see! And this was not even downtown....out thought was the one that usually crosses your mind...must be an accident? Maybe there is construction? Nope.....just the millions of people that live in and around Vancouver.This single fact, coupled with watching the news every morning and seeing the hours it took to get into town, has driven us to make the decision NOT to commute while we live in Vancouver.

Over the past three weeks I have settled into a travel routine....my total commute takes me about 10 mins, the interesting part....5 mins of it is spent in the parking garage! Really.....take a look at this video...the first week I actually took a wrong turn three times....! Our parking is deep underground at the Sheraton Wall Center....

www.youtube.com/watch?v=VpxIeFsJlfs

The walk down is even interesting....seem you have to have a pretty fancy car to be here! But I am happy with my little mini!

We recently took a little "get to know Vancouver" bike ride and I must admit as much as it was a beautiful ride it was one of the most dangerous I have ever done! And not because of what you think.....nope it was not the cars that were problem....it was the other cyclists....! Ok, Ok so we were on the scenic seawall....and it was a sunny Saturday....but OMG....these people just don't know how to ride a bike...from the tourists that have not been on a bike for 20 years so the this wobbles every time they move their head, to the families with the kids in pull wagons that decide to stop in the middle of the path, and the best.....the ones that when you say "on your left" they actually MOVE to the left! The best description we could come up with was...."it's more dangerous that riding with a pack of triathletes in their areobars! Needless to say it was not a training ride....but the views were spectacular and we did get to know the city.

Walking the city is wonderful.....on the weekend we park the car and walk ever where....as a matter of fact Dwight has not been in the car since he has come over.......everything is so close and even when you do walk a little further its ok because there is so much going on.....on Canada we had a fantastic time walking the city and taking in all of the events, music food.....fun....even the relight of the Olympic flame! But this time with no fences!
Another walking experience I had was a couple of weeks ago....it is really nice to be close to so much...and one of the things we are close to is Robson street. So it seems that when I need a little bit of a break from working and working out this is where I tend to go for a walk.....which inevitably ends up with me shopping! This night however I was headed to a specific store, Guess by Marciano...but when I approached the store I found two rather large men in black suites guarding the entrance and a cute little girl in a little clack dress. Odd I thought....is there someone famous in there and we are not allowed in? So I asked....the answer from my little black dress was ...well its a invitation only fund raising event...so I mentioned....well I am a Marciano member (signed up in Las Vegas!) so she immediately said...of course please go in!

Too fun....I had two glasses of Champagne, appy's, shopped in one of my favorite stores, mingled with beautiful people....and even got 20% off my purchase......and an amazing goodies bag! Inside; a $20 gift card, a full size MAC eye shadow and lipstick, a note book and an invitation to come back again!

Another recent travel that took place for me was my trip back to Victoria last week...I hopped on the Harbor air float plane and was treated to a wonderful flight.....I hope to take it again very soon...........

I have been enjoying Vancouver, the sights, sounds and the experiences. Its a big city and very different than being in Victoria. We are beginning our search for a condo...I think we have decided on Yaletown/Coal Harbour.....each spot has its beauty....and the best part is that there will be no commuting!


Talk soon................