Being a Tourist in My Own City - A Vancouver Walk-About

A unique set of circumstances led me to be able to spend 8 hours a day for 7 days in Vancouver this month.  Living in Chilliwack that's no mean feat - since commuting via transit is next to impossible.  However, I'm here to say its not totally impossible.  I just discovered the West Coast Express - and although its a 40 minute drive from Chilliwack to Mission, for $11.25 you can take the 65 minute to trip to the Waterfront Station in Vancouver and the pass will allow you to enjoy transit, (Sky Train, Sea Bus, City Buses etc) all day for free.  So, I decided to play 'tourist' for 7 days, and what an adventure it was!  I thought I'd write several posts about this marvellous city and hopefully encourage those of us from Chilliwack to venture out that way and rediscover what city life is all about.  What will follow is 7 days of delightful day trips - and some wonderful photos that will hopefully encourage you to take on the challenge.

                                        View from the Stanley Park Sea Wall Walk

GPS - Having a Woman Tell You Where to Go

Man oh Man - where oh where is that GPS taking Us? Ever thought that? Ever thought that while you were in the BACKSEAT of a car? Its good to sit in the back seat. You don't have to listen to the GPS - you can just reflect...and wonder...

Its a good thing no one gets lost anymore. Not that men ever get lost. I'm pretty clear that they always know where they're going ~ they may not end up where they're supposed to be - but they always know where they're going, right?
Not too many of us that don't have GPS anymore. What between cars, phones and watches.....And I'm not sure that that's a good thing. After all 'knowing where they're going' is in the male DNA right?
So what happens when they depend on GPS?
Ok I know that men don't really consider GPS as a guide....'she's' really more of a consultant.....but the confusing part for me - is that GPS is a woman...I think her name is 'Dom'....short for ummm Dominatrix.......kinda bossy if you ask me.
So when 'she' says "get prepared to turn left" ~ what do you think she means? And when you don't 'get prepared' and aren't in the right lane when you're supposed to be? Well then its more like - 'you worthless
sack of motoring s&^% - TURN - or I'll whip your Arse with the radio antenna!

I dunno - but when I think of all the years I used to try to give my 'driver' guy directions.........or tell him where to Go....(ok well now i'm talking about driving directions) he didn't seem to like being order around so much. Hmmm maybe its the British accent?
I don't know about you girls, but I'm going to miss folding the maps in all the right cracks..

....or smiling at that cute gas station attendant...What do we use for an excuse when we're late for a function now...or god forbid a date? Or what about those cosy late night discussions with your partner as your circle a strange neighbour at night in the Hood?
"I know exactly where I am"...........hmm 'Dom is from 2006' she's a little dated'.......or 'she doesn't work when I take the 'commuter lane'..........or this must be an 'undigitalized area'....'it should be right around the corner'..........and then I hear..."Turn Around Immediately You Naughty Boy"...and I think........I want an Antonio Banderas Voiceover for my GPS!