Big city flair

Last weekend we went to Vancouver and so of course there was an agenda, to ensure we managed to fit in all the important activities in our visit to the great metropolis. Here in the Okanagan we are blessed with many things, but that cacophony of sights, smells and sounds that constitutes a big city is not one of them.

I am all too glad I don’t live in Vancouver anymore, but a dose now and then is still a welcome thing. Here was our list of “must do’s” for the weekend:

1. Visit family and friends

This was the main reason for the visit – Chloae was part of a school dance performance and since Martin wasn’t working on a Saturday (a rare occurrence) we jumped at the chance to see our budding star! I only took 376 pictures! Then of course there needed to be time for a hug from my Mom and a chance to catch up on her news over some sushi, and a wee moment to drop off some culinary goodies for a dear foodie friend. (He was someone who would appreciate venison goulash with gusto!) Doesn’t all that speak about taking in the culture?

2. Visit Granville Island Market

This continues to be one of my favourite places in the city. Martin and I used to meet at Granville Island on Saturday mornings and go for donuts when we first started dating, so it holds sentimental value, but practically speaking it has clout as well. There is certainly no place in Kelowna where you can buy great coffee, spectacular flowers, freshly made pasta, Thai ginger and fresh turmeric, and fancy pastries – at least not this time of year! I felt truly spoiled as I headed out with all my loot!

3. Smell the sea air

Of course, being on the coast you have to take in the ocean. A chance to see the sunset at Granville Island was a lovely dose of cosmopolitan coastal life, and seeing the lights for the Olympics at Canada Place was certainly splashy. I sent good thoughts of my Dad out over the waves at English Bay, and I counted the ships in the harbour. It’s the kind of stuff that does your soul good.


With only one day to spend, the list had to be short to avoid disappointment. As it was, the traffic caused headaches literally and figuratively and the constant crush of people and cars everywhere was noticeably above our usual comfort level at quaint little Rabbit Hollow. It made me think of how as we get older we seem to get more comfortable in old habits, like a cozy pair of threadbare old jeans that we just don’t want to give away. It was good to give the cobwebs a bit of a shake and remember the fun of that hustle and bustle.

And as always when I am away from home, I find that the thrill of being outside the everyday box can make you appreciate everything that much more. Simple things like a smile from a stranger can make your day, because you aren’t as likely to be thinking of how you are late for some appointment or you have some pressing project at work. Someone once told me too that we are “more ourselves” when we are away from our regular surroundings, and I think that can be fun too. It’s a great chance to see what a great person you can be!

The best thing about travels, even if they may not be far, is the unexpected delights that can occur. We missed the Sunday breakfast we had hoped for at a little pub we found, but we followed our instincts (and the big trucks) and had the best truck-stop breakfast I have had in years. You know, the kind with the endless cups of coffee, the newspapers to enjoy, the friendly waitresses, the fluffy pancakes and crispy bacon and real maple syrup and perfectly poached eggs and toasty hash browns… (I didn’t eat all of that, just in case you were wondering.)

We got home to the peace and quiet we know only too well, and we settled in nicely for a cozy Sunday dinner. It sure was fun to cook with exotic ingredients this week, though, and have more memories to share of another adventure in the big city.

Kristin

This article is written by or on behalf of an outsourced columnist and does not necessarily reflect the views of Castanet.