We got lost trying to leave Kamloops (gmaps doesn’t work well if you’re driving in anywhere that has highways and ramps, and you leave it on walking mode), then had lunch in the small town of Hope, before finding a place called Chilliwhack, where we examined a museum. Vancouver surprised us by being warm when we arrived, like 15 degrees, and a little bit sunny. has rained since then though. It likes to rain a lot in Vancouver.
We spent Friday sorting out the car, which we sold and sorted that day. We also sorted our New York accommodation, and my flights back to NZ. A very productive day.
Saturday was time to see some more sights of Van, and we took a walking tour of Granville Street and Gastown. It was very interesting, and the tour guide was interesting and seemed to enjoy what he was doing. The main thing I took away from the tour was that Canadians like to drink, they like hockey, and they occasionally like to riot. Once, they rioted after they lost a hockey game (a very important one), but it is ok, because the next day they all helped clean up the mess. The town as a whole seems to like neon signs (they show up well in the rain).
It was a bit chilly, and it rained a lot on the tour, but it was still good. We went out for good poutine with our roomate Emma, who was having her last poutine before heading back to Australia.
Sunday was just gonna be relaxy, but we heard bagpipes outside, and remembered that there was some sort of parade on, so we threw on some clothes and ran off down the street, where we watched the St Patricks Day Parade, (which had 6 different pipe bands playing!) and then wandered through the food stands and irish stands.. They had bands playing during the day, and people dancing in the streets (which were closed especially). The guy who was introducing the bands amused me greatly, by exclaiming that the weather was good! It was actually overcast, and the ground was wet.. but it wasn’t too cold, and most importantly, it wasn’t raining! The only sad thing about parades, as an adult, no one gives you candy or balloons. Even if you are wearing a fox hat :<
After lunch was stocking up on maple syrup, sorting photos for blog posts (boo), and discussing packing. I finally gave in and bought one of those bean filled travel pillows. The silly one you wrap around your neck. I’ve always thought they were a bit silly, and annoying. But in light of the last long flight I did, and knowing how much plane travel I’m doing in the next couple of months, I totally gave in and bought one. It has black plush on one side, and red and black smiley face Canada Maple leafs on the other. We have to pack tomorrow. Boo.
Dale and Becca 