Friday, September 18, 2009

Van-Envy



It's difficult not to be jealous of Vancouver. And, by the way, I'm not one of those Toronto haters, who bitch and moan about the TTC and compare our poor metropolis to far larger cities, like NYC and London. If you know me, you'll know that I defend my hometown at its most guilty. So, this make it hard to admit that Vancouver has us beat on a lot of fronts.

First, there's all the natural endowments that are physically impossible to compete with: the mountain backdrop, the Pacific ocean, the mild weather. But then there's the city itself, which manages to make condos, overpasses and dockyards pretty. The other night I was walking over the Georgia Viaduct, an intercity overpass that easily could have been the Gardiner Expressway, and it was...pleasant. I don't think any Torontonian would dream of walking on the Gardiner (ahem, excluding the Tamil incident of a few months past). Then there's the bike paths that snake all over the city, some of which are clearly labelled for pedestrian or cyclist use. (That means no ugly showdowns like on the Beaches boardwalk.) There's real fruit and veg here! You know, stuff that saw the sun not too long ago. The only downsides I've seen so far (not including the obvious blights like the Downtown Eastside) are the high cost of living and the timid concert crowds. I think I heard one "woop" at the Vanderslice show. Don't worry, I'm not about to become a Toronto transplant here who spends the rest of her years slagging Hogtown. I just wish Toronto could have one of Van's perks. Give us Stanley Park and we'll call it even.

8 comments:

  1. Great to read about your trip to Van-groovy Laura. Happy Birthday to you too... DHM

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  2. Ahh thanks for remembering my bday. I'll be spending it at the comedy night at Hennesey Lounge tomorrow night. Hope all is well with you and Betsy (the truck).

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  3. Laura! Love the bighorn sheep you got me. He looks so robust & his horns are magnificent. I look forward to reading more about your travels. So far seems like your having a awesome time & the Vanderslice show...yes!

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  4. Did I say I would get you a sheep postcard or what? Glad you liked it! Plus, you like Vanderslice? I would not have pegged you, because you kept downplaying your arts knowledge.... you sly!

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  5. No, I have never heard of John Vanderslice. I meant “yes” too you Laura & that you got see him. So whatever mystical powers are out there have come to play for you on your travels. Now I am a fan of John Vanderslice, because after reading your blog I looked up “Too Much Time” & liked it. Thanks for the postcard!

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  6. Ohhhhhhhhhh I see! I know you're never planning on coming to T.O., but if you do...you know the drill.

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  7. i'd still say that the don valley pkwy cycling path rocks pretty hard. not in the ted nugent way, but in the way that i really like it and that it challenges the preconceptions of loads of folks who see toronto as this bleak, grey, urban nightmare. significantly greener than i might have thought.

    though, the pacific vs. lake ont is really not a fair comparison. the lack might be pretty great, but sure is no ocean.

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