Monday, September 18, 2006

Our neighbors to the North.

We love Vancouver. The key to a good city visit is having friends to show you around. Amber, Carl, and Co. enthusiasticly offered up all the fun we desired.

Andrea and I spent our afternoons roaming around the city.



Like our native Chicago, Vancouver has a public waterfront. Going for a walk on the seawall was a great way to spend the afternoon and see people. There are stylishly dressed Asians everywhere. The rest of the population(and most of the poor people) are White, Native, or Arabic, almost no one is Black or Latin.




The ethnic markets looked great but we had no time to shop.

After work we met up with our friends and went out for food and drinks.
While we were eating, the sky exploded with rain.



Luckily we were in a car! Everyone told us that the rain offically marked the end of summer.

Sushi is the pizza of Vancouver, by which I mean it is cheap and on every street corner.



We went to a place where it was served deep-fried, in mass quantities, a phenomonon credited to the near-legality of weed in the city.

We spent hours at the Vancouver Art Gallery, veiwing the exhibition of Haida(Pacific native) painting and carving. They are amazing craftsmen and their culture was totally screwed by European invaders.

We have been away from cities and our peer group for so long that we are out of practice! It took us a few days to recover from the partying.

Thanks Amber, Carl, Rich, Steve, Andrea, Jeff, Pete, Joel, and of course Pat! You guys are welcome in Chicago any time (with the notable exception of Pat who is already there)!

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

Ira and Andrea, congratulations. Cal called up and told me about your blog. What beautiful pictures and fantastic riding and writing.

Tom McManus

Anonymous said...

Hi Guys,

You didn't mention us. Just kidding. I am glad you guys had a great time in Vanoucver, it is too bad I wasn't able to spend more time with you. Next time you are here I guess. It was wonderful meeting you and I am glad we have made this connection. Keep in touch and I will continue to follow your trip.

Anonymous said...

"It takes courage to push yourself to places that you have never been before. To test your limits. To break through barriers. And the day came when the risk it took to remain tight inside the bud was more painful than the risk it took to blossom."
- Anaïs Nin, 1903 - 1977

Thought of you two immediately when I saw the above quote.

You probably didn't know it, but I've been reading all of these and getting a whole lot of vicarious pleasure from them. I'm in awe of your courage as you continue this amazing adventure. Andrea's description of climbing mt. passes was especially moving (no pun intended).
Keep on trekkin' good people. I'm watching you!
Love you both,
Katherine's mom, Sue

Ira said...

Kefa- I didn't get any pictures either! We had a lot of fun hanging out with you guys and the hospitality was the best.