s h ! n d ! d

Well, after three long nights and four days on a train (non-stop) from Toronto to Vancouver; I arrived in Vancouver yesterday morning. And incredibly, so much of what people have told me turns out to be true.

1. “It’s a lot like Sydney.”
The city’s architecture and multicultural mini cities/burbs are so much like Sydney.
During down times when I lose sight and faith in finidng a place to live and work (I know it’s only been two days, but it feels like an eternity!), I wonder why I’m bothering to move to a city that’s almost exactly like home, without the comforts of home. But then that’s the point innit? Make the most it.

2. “There’s lots of Asians.”
Have to say, Asian is EVERYWHERE! I’m staying at the West End downtown atm, not only is it the gay man’s Vancouver Mecca (complete with hot pink bus shelters and bins), it’s also the unofficial Koreatown! Even further downtown there are lots of pan-asian eateries. I dare say Canadians have a fetish for sushi!
I think they have more Asians than we do in Sydney!

3. “Canada’s cold, and Vancouver rains a lot.”
Yup. I thought I was getting frostbite in my THIGHS last night! The cold itself wouldn’t be so bad if only it weren’t for the icy rain too. Vancouverites have had practice with this though, cos they get to wear big waterproof coats, remarkably dry shoes AND everybody’s pants are at the perfect hem length! True! Nobody but me has wet dragging bits on the bottom of their jeans.

4. “Watch out for all the homeless people.”
Downtown’s pretty bad. I’ve been told by almost every local not to go to certain parts (and there are a lot of them). West Hastings near Chinatown’s pretty scary. I was there catching a bus today, and unfortunately felt very precious. Drugs ruin, kids!
There’s just so many of them in the West!
Toronto is pretty bad too, many are young. I saw a young guy in the morning sleeping above the subway’s ventilation to keep warm. Ingenious.

5. “The city is incredible”
Built near so many bays, parks, wilflife and at the foot of MOUNTAINS! Crazy to look up midcity and there above you are massive rocky mountains with the peaks behind mist and clouds! Surreal.

I checked out many neighbourhoods in the last couple days. Lots of walking.
I really like the South Main area. Mt. Pleasant… cafes and vintage stores! So many! I did some retail therapy today. Spent about $70CAN on a whole new wardrobe – including weatherproof shoes! I would have spent that much JUST on the shoes normally. I want to move there.
Commercial Drive is a bit like SoMa, but little more lefty and green. Yes, hippies. I’d like to take up some African drumming classes there at some point tho.
Kitsiliano – just saw it tonight. Kinda like the nice part of Paddo.

Ok, net place closing. G’nite.