Vancouver

                                                           

                                                                                If you haven't heard yet, I'm out of the USA. I have travelled to our northern neighbor Canada. I am in what may be the most amazing city I have been to so far in my short life. Imagine a city like San Francisco or Chicago except where kilometers are used, some funky money with the queen of England(I think!) on it, 2 and 1 dollar coins, and dimes and quarters that are cleaner and shinier yet a little smaller than ours in the US. Next, replace every scowl and unpleasantness with a smile and helping hand. Finally, the part that I least expected, about 40% of the population is Asian, mostly Chinese and Japanese, it is astonishing. I actually don't believe this figure as I have seen more asian people than white, but that's what wikipedia said. You also have to just see the other cultures that are also considered part of this wonderful city. Even the airport workers/security were in good and helpful moods, I swear it's true. Anyone who has traveled within the US is sure to think I am telling lies, thinking I've become to soft and gone pro-Canadian, but honestly I can see why people love it here. I actually was waiting to speak to the traffic/security lady at the airport and she didn't ignore me, she approached me and asked what she could do. Then as I asked where I could find my bus, she smiled and showed me where to go.  It was almost too scary.

 I didn't get any pictures of it, but along the main road from the airport there are thousands of trees that are literally walled together providing privacy for the houses behind. There were your normal evergreen-like trees you would expect to see in Canada, but then I kid you not there were palm trees!  Could Vancouver be the paradise of cultural togetherness and love?  I almost forgot, even the homeless on the street do not even ask you one thing, is it that maybe people give to them from the kindness of their hearts? I don't know what's going on here, but I will do my best to find out and Americanize Vancouver before it gets to crazy.  I have 6 days.