I Am a Traveler - Visiting Vancouver, BC

We had a timeshare exchange that needed to be used before the end of April so here we are north of the lower 48 in one of our favorite cities...Vancouver, BC. Since this is our third trip to Vancouver, we approached our visit with a sense of familiarity. We are staying on the 29th floor of the Sheraton Wall Center hotel, where the top three floors are part of the Intrawest Timeshare organization.

View from our Room

It is not easy to find an urban timeshare that gives you access to all the delights a city has to offer so we are happy to be here. We are downtown, near Burrard and Robson, so can walk to most places...and walk we do.  We average about 4 miles a day...which helps to counter the meals and the brew we enjoy!

Maybe it is the economic times but we are much more aware of the high cost of living here than in times past.  First of all 12% sales tax puts a crimp on most expenditures. (Fortunately we are not shoppers when we travel!)  In addition to that, most items are priced much higher than in Los Angeles.  While at the Visitor Center we were approached by a local news team interviewing tourists from the states about how the exchange rate was impacting their vacation. Our comment was that it was not so much the exchange rate (though a stronger dollar would be helpful) but that everything was just priced so much higher.  And...Vancouver is not for wine lovers!  Most wines are 2 to 3 times higher in cost than in the US.

So we set out sights on simplier, less costly pleasures and enjoy what is free to us...like the beautiful surroundings.

Once settled in our room we walked across the street to the Relish Gastropub and enjoyed British Columbia Oysters, brew and the Canuck's hockey game.

Day 1 was drizzly so between intermittent showers, we walked the local neighborhood and the waterfront.

Jay discovered the Japadog!

Day 2 showed some blue sky so we walked to Gastown and Chinatown and watched the city deal with their hockey fever as they prepared for the evening final first round playoff game against the Chicago Blackhawks. They won and the horns went on until about 1 am!

Jay with Gassy Jack!

Patricia at Sun Yat Sen Garden

Local buses even shout..."Go Canucks Go!"

Day 3 promised more rain so we headed to one of our favorite places in this city...the Central Public Library.

We fell in love with this library on our first visit here and return whenever we can.  Seven floors of stacks all connected by a central escalator system and the entire building buzzing with energy of patrons using all its features. So user friendly that once you arrive at a floor the first thing you see is the info desk for that floor with helpful librarians smiling at you!

We both have research projects we are delving into and spent a good part of the day using their resources.  I received MUCH help from the reference librarian in my research on the changing role of Women in Emerging China.

Later we took the bus to the University of BC campus and spent some time at the extraordinary Museum of Anthropology. 

When we got out it was raining again, so we put up our hoods and set off to the University Book Store. Dinner later that night was at the wonderful Sala Thai restaurant near the hotel. In all, we walked almost 6 miles today.

Day 4 - Guess what! Sun broke thru... After spending time downtown we headed off for a treat...dinner at the renown Indian restaurant, Vij's. It did not disappoint!!  Others could learn from the friendly attentive service, appetizers passed out liberally to all diners. We ate lamb and goat and loved every morsel.

Dinner at Vij's Restaurant - Lamb Popsicles in Curry and Braised Goat!

Day 5 - there were clear skies and sun and we indulged in a Day's pass on the public transport. We went down to the waterfront and rode the seabus across to Vancouver North and Lonsdale Quay.  We walked the lovely waterside terrace park and the Native Trail of Wisdom.

 

Lonsdale Quay with Downtown Vancouver in the background

It was very peaceful and lovely here. We grabbed lunch in the Quay marketplace at the Soupmeister and then headed back to Downtown on the seabus.  The sun was out and we grabbed the #50 bus for Queen Elizabeth Park. The highest point of the city we walked up to the Conservatory and the views were spectacular.  It is spring in the park with daffodils and tulips abounding!

Daffodils at Queen Elizabeth Park

Jay joining a Seward Johnson sculpture

Even though we had the bus pass, we ended up putting 4.2 miles on the pedometer. Dinner was the Italian Kitchen on Alberni St. where we shared a Pasta Platter...what a great idea!

Pasta Platter at the Italian Kitchen

Day 6 - Last full day in town and we signed up for a free walking tour with Tour Guys of the West End and Granville Island. It was fantastic and our guide, Max, kept our interest high. 

We toured areas of the city we had not yet walked and ended on the False Creek Ferry to Granville Island. At English Bay we especially liked the wonderful sculptures of Yue Minyun, a Beijing artist entitled "A-Maze-in Laughter" and the glorious tulips!

A Maze-in Laughter at English Bay

Tulips at English Bay

After an early seafood dinner at The Sandbar on Granville Island, we headed back to the hotel.

Dinner at Sandbar Restaurant

Waiting for the False Creek Ferry...great bridges!

Pedometer logged almost 6 miles today.  We ended the day at the placed where we started the trip...the Relish Gastropub across the street for our last plate of $1 BC Oysters and some ale.

As always, it was a memorable trip. We enjoy time to get away, recharge batteries, see new things, think new ideas and remember how good we are together.  Happy....happy....

I Am a Reader - "Involuntary Witness" by Gianrico Carofiglio

I guess there actually is an Italian John Grisham...he name is Gianrico Carofiglio. 

Involuntary Witness is the first novel written by Carofiglio, an Italian anti-Mafia prosecutor who lives in Bari, a port town in the region of Puglia (picture the top of the heel of the Italian boot peninsula), the setting of his novels.

First of all, I love Italian names...with my limited Italian I figure this author's name, Gianrico Carofiglio means Rich John Dear Son.

His main character, Avvocato Giudo Guerrieri, is a 30ish criminal lawyer who agrees to take on the defense of Abdou Thiam, an African immigrant from Senegal, who has been accused of murdering a 9 year old boy.  Abdou is one of many immigrant peddlers who sells his wares along the beaches of Bari.

Guido, who takes on the case reluctantly, is caught in difficult times himself. Experiencing a midlife type of boredom, he finds himself questioning if he should continue with the law.  He is also adjusting to living alone after being "thrown to the curb" by his wife and experiences bouts of crying and panic attacks.  But take on the case, he does, and in a thorough and methodical way he defends his client to the best of his ability using logic to attempt to cast doubt on his client's guilt and in the process goes through a period of personal change.  I found the character quite likable.

I also found the storyline timely, considering the many immigrants from Tunisia who are flooding Italy's shores trying to leave the chaos in Africa for safety and a better life. 

I enjoyed the novel.  At the core of the story is the quest for truth. The courtroom scenes give insight into the Italian legal system and procedures.  Throughout the author touches on judicial routines, common prejudices, the racism of a small town or society confronted with rising immigration.  He challenges the social, cultural and political conditions of legal institutions and his points can easily apply globally.  It left me thinking about justice!

This book was read as part of the Italy in Books Challenge.

I Am an Animal Keeper - Spotting Urban Wildlife

For the past few days we have had a house guest. Adadot, a "old friend" from the time we attended Marymount High School together, comes 2 or 3 times a year to visit and we always enjoy catching up on our lives.

Our paths took different directions after high school.  She went into medicine, practiced in various places around the US and ended up in Tennessee where she currently lives on a lovely lake and regales us with stories about the wildlife that inhabits her neighborhood.  I have always thought that was something we missed out on living in urban Los Angeles.  However as the days of the visit passed some incidents occurred that made me realize that we, too, have wildlife...so much so that Adadot said, "You should write a blog post entitled I Am an Animal Keeper!"

Here is what we have spotted in recent days:

First of all, year-round we are entertained watching the antics of the numerous happy hummingbirds that visit the feeder suspended from the porch rafter.

Jay is the official host, making sure to keep the feeder filled with his homemade nectar. If the levels drop too low the hummingbirds will actually buzz the window as if calling..."Waiter!" With the terrace filled with glorious red and purple flowers the birds need is not so immediate but during the winter months, his caretaking truly keeps them going.

Then we have our personal "gourmet squirrel."  Not content to just gather nuts (are there any in LA other than those who walk some of our streets?), this guy ambles into my garden, rummages and selects the tastiest organically grown swiss chard leaf he can find and then has the nerve to sit up on the wall, in front of our window, and boldly chomp away as if to say, "Could you please pass the balsamic vinigarette?"

This morning we were awakened by sounds coming from the pool in the backyard.  There we found a migrating Mallard duck couple, checking out the pool as a possible stopping ground.

We are usually visited by a male and female each spring. We don't know if it is the same couple or various ones, but each year they make a stop.  As much as we would like to extend our hospitality, we usually have to chase them off by waving towels. One year they actually nested here and the mess created in the pool was something to behold.  And....a chlorine pool with threatening neighborhood cats is not the best environment for them anyway.  So we wished them well and sent them on their way.

It is easy to have your eyes glaze over as you look out over the concrete and asphalt of our urban landscape.  High rise buildings, 8 and 10 lane highways, neon lights can all distract you from nature's attempt to maintain a hold on the environment.  Fauna and flora do reside!  So I remind myself to stay awake and stay alert to observe the daily interaction between humans and the local biodiversity. We can happily co-exist!!

I Am a Hostess - Preparing Strawberry Tiramisu

A few years ago we were invited by some like-minded friends to participate in a monthly discussion group.  This gathering calls itself "Philologue" which is kind of a mix between philosophy and dialogue.  It is a safe place where we are able to discuss and share opinions and insights on any topic of our choice, knowing that we are all seeking a better understanding of issues and that our thoughts and opinions will be respected.  So tomorrow is our gathering for April and it is being held at our home.

The routine is to discuss the month's topic for 2 hours, then break for refreshments, then gather again to discuss the logistics for the next month...topic, date and location.  I enjoy hosting the event because it gives me an opportunity to try some new and interesting refreshments.  Summer has finally arrived in Southern California so I am think refreshing and cool.  This morning at the Farmers' market most stalls were hawking their STRAWBERRIES.  For the past year or so we have had strawberries available almost year round.  But most of the time they are hot house versions of berries that may be grown organically, but they are not really in season and they lack the sweet, ripe flavor of a naturally grown berry.  But it is April and what we are seeing now are berries picked yesterday in the fields around Oxnard.  I prefer the smaller berries that seem to pack more sweetness.

While googling for some fresh strawberry recipe ideas I stumbled across one for Strawberry Tiramisu made with ladyfingers, mascapone cheese, an orange liquore (I used Grand Marnier).  Recipe is here at "Kathleen's  Gonna Want Seconds Blog". I tried it last week as a trial run and we loved it...I can't believe we ate the whole thing!

So, tomorrow I will serve this Tiramisu, a new vegetable dip made with my fava beans, spring green garlic, lemon, olive oil and goat cheese, (recipe here...thank you, Simply Recipes) some crackers and cheeses....and of course, lemonade!

I think it will be a welcome treat after digesting the heavy topic of the "Current government situation and what it will take to make the government work better!"  Hum....I wonder if after that topic I need to also serve something stronger than lemonade???

I Am a Recipient - Gifts from Friends

Presents...goodie!  I think of all the times I have been the happy recipient of gifts.  Birthdays, of course... Christmas morning hoping the items picked out from the Sears catalog found their way to under the Christmas tree.  Wedding Showers and Baby Showers.  Every time I receive a gift I feel a little quickening of excitement inside as I unwrap the paper wondering what will be inside and a little edge of anxiety as I wonder if I will like it and be able to make the giver feel appreciated.

As my life has changed with retirement, my material needs are less.  It is difficult to give my children gift suggestions...there is little I need that I do not already have.  I remember my father saying when asked the question, "All I really want is the garage cleaned!"  All I really want is the presence of my children in my life and you can't put a ribbon around that.  However, with the advent of spring, I find myself the recipient of many little thoughtful gifts that I really get excited about.

For example, about two weeks ago my friend, John, gave me a box of worms.

John has a worm bin where he makes worm compost and worm tea for his garden and his worms happily reproduce at an alarming rate.  He spent quite some time separating out a large number of worms that I was able to add to my compost bin.  What a gift and what a guy!

Then last week, Marcia came to class with some little pots of transplanted garlic chives.  She had so many and had to thin them out, so she gave me two pots to bring home.  They are planted just outside the front door so I can easily clip some for a recipe when needed.  How wonderful!

Then a few days ago, I was discussing my summer garden planning in a class and a member I had just met overheard the conversation and said..."Would you like an Heirloom Black Cherry tomato plant?  I have too many that I started from seed and need to find homes for them."  Would I?  Would I?  YES!

Gardeners seem to have a generosity of spirit that makes them eager to not only share gardening experience or advice and the fruits of their labors, but also items to add to your garden.  My only anxiety now is to bite my tongue and remember NOT to say thank you.  According to my Italian immigrant grandmother, Frances, she was taught to never thank someone for a plant or it would not grow. In fact among her friends, they would actually place the gifted plant down and then turn their head so the recipient could "steal" it.  That ensured that it would thrive.  Often I would see her reach out when she thought no one was looking and pinch a leaf from a plant to bring home to propagate.  This is the same woman who said the rosary everyday!  I don't know where this superstition originated, but I am not going to tempt fate.  So I will say, "I am not going to thank you for this wonderful plant because superstition has it that the plant will die if I do." 

I Am an Explorer - Pushing Out Our Parameters

When you retire and move yourself out of the work environment it is not uncommon for your life to become smaller.  At first it is like a never-ending vacation...where to travel, where to go today, what would I like to see or do?  Then as routine settles in, it is not unusual to find your life's parameters getting smaller. We love our home, our garden, our kitchen, our living-room, our office.  Hours can pass quickly consumed by some housebound activity and night can arrive and I find myself asking, "Who did I speak to today in addition to Jay and the mail person?"  To keep our boundaries wide and to ensure exposure to new people and new ideas we try to walk through any new door that may present itself to us.

So, when we saw an all-day symposium (From LA to the Bay) being offered at our local Otis College of Art and Design (right in our neighborhood), free and open to the public (price is right!), sponsored by the Los Angeles Urban Affairs and addressing Community Collaborations and Creative Solutions to Urban Violence in LA (a serious topic!), including speakers from Homeboy Industries (an organization we believe in and support) and other organizations working with urban gang intervention....we sent in our RSVP...count us in!

What an interesting and informative day. Despite the seriousness of the subject matter, we actually left uplifted.  We discovered that Otis has an institutional value to have a positive impact of art on society and has developed a program called Integrated Learning where the objective is bring art and design into a public context and use their skills to bring change to society and humanity.  One class in this program is Homeboy Histories taught by Dr. Flores-Pena.  This class creates a dialogue between art students and Homeboy mentors and implements class projects to use art that supports some of the initiatives of Homeboy Industries.  They have participated in the design of poster for various Homeboy programs, designed apparel for sale by Homeboy Industries and this year are creating art sculptures and designs to memorialize Homeboys who have died.  The classroom is a laboratory where students with different perspective meet and share on a personal level and join in a common objective.  We have had a personal interest in Homeboys Industries for many years and applaud the efforts of Fr. Greg Boyle to provide an alternative way of life to those who wish to leave the gang life.  Two homeboys told their story: Fabian Debora, a former gang member,and an artist who discovered that art was his gift to a new life;

and Hector Verdugo, who left the gangs after growing up in the gang culture and spending time in prison, decided he wanted to do life differently.

Their stories were touching and real...no BS. Fabian is currently working to apply to Otis to obtain a BFA degree.  Here is some of his art:

Theresa Garland, a graduate of local Loyola Marymount University, is a staff of one for the non-profit Urban Compass that provides mentoring of students in grades K - 5 in Nickerson Gardens Projects in Watts, pairing them with mentors at Verbum Dei High School.

The Otis Graduate students have a Public Practice Project where they take their art into the community.  We saw the Mobile Mural Lab, the brain child of graduate student David Russell, where a large truck is set up in a community with paints and brushes and the community is invited to create art/graffiti around issues related to their lives.  It creates a mural public space.

After visiting the Mural Lab we walked across the street where there were three food trucks with unique offerings for lunch.  Another Public Practice Project has been to work with various food trucks regarding design and process to make their presence more meaningful in the community.  We opted to eat off the Hawaiian food truck and had a great lunch.

After lunch we heard speakers from the San Francisco Bay area: Luis Aroche, from the Peninsula Conflict Resolution Center,  and Diana Oliva-Aroche, a Manager for the Department of Children, Youth and Their Families in San Francisco, talk about their work to provide conflict resolution and prevent violence in the streets of San Francisco and San Mateo Counties.

We left the campus at the end of the day invigorated, optimistic and more knowledgeable about the issues on the streets of Los Angeles and the efforts made through collaboration of Otis and the community to bring art into the public space to influence lives.   There is so much going on in the world.  It is important to look for those doors and to walk through them...to stretch ourselves and open ourselves to others.  If we stay in our cocoon we are not exposed to it and cannot be part of the solution.

So Jay and I pushed out our parameters, spent a day at Otis, and all we brought home was this sweatshirt AND many ideas to contemplate over the next days.

I Am a Dancer - Stumbling Into a Line-Dance Class

Three times a week Jay either bribes me or drags me to go the YMCA for exercise.  I do not seem to get high on endorphins and I am a reluctant exerciser. I say I don't like to sweat (glow)!

Today we had to park in the back lot and I saw a huge group of people in the Annex Aerobic Room with lively, hip-hop type music vibrating out the door.  Someone nearby told me it was the Line-Dancing Class.

Now, I have a mental stereotype of line-dancers...elderly Seniors in a Senior Center, wearing cowboy hats, Western skirts and boots.  I didn't have a camera, but close your eyes and picture a room packed with about 60 people...all ages, all sizes, all shapes, all colors, all genders...swinging arms, jiggling butts, smiling, laughing...I went in!  Immediately a line made space for me and a man next to me started giving me "asides" of instructions...."grapevine left", "step right", "cha-cha-cha left", "you got it!"

Song after song, dance after dance, I could feel my heart rate increasing but I was having fun.  After a while, I was in the groove.  I made new friends...Elaine, Gail, Malcolm (my guardian angel).  Our instructor, Bubba, a large black man with tattoos on his arms and legs and a gold earring had limitless energy.  Before I knew it time had flown by and I was sure Jay was waiting in the car.  I whispered a thanks to my new friends when Malcolm reached out and gave me a happy high-five, saying...."Come back, Patricia....You Are a Dancer!"

No matter how old we are, how wrinkled our skin, our body still glows with a compliment!!

I Am a Sous-Chef - Jay Prepares a Recipe

One of the classes in which we are participating is entitled "The Cuisines of the Mediterranean." Twice a month we meet with enthusiastic teachers/learners and one of us gives a presentation on some aspect of our subject. If we are lucky, the person has some food samples to share!!

This week Jay is presenting on his chosen topic:  Cinghiale, Chestnuts and Ceci!  He has a wonderful presentation about these three food items and decided that he would share with the class a slice of pork salami, a cookie made with chickpea flour and a soup of chestnuts and lentils that he watched Lidia Bastianich prepare on a recent TV show.  So, Jay became a "Top Chef" and I became his Sous-Chef and official photographer..

Since fresh chestnuts are not in season, the preparation began with a run to A-1 Imports Market in San Pedro where we purchased some dehydrated chestnuts.

He reconstituted them by soaking them overnight.

The next day, being of a scientific mind and an educated engineer, he began by reading and studying the recipe.

Then he ventured out into the garden to gather his fresh herbs:  thyme, bay leaf and basil.

 He chopped his garlic

Once the basic broth was going, which included him crushing the tomatoes through his fingers, he added the chestnuts and let them simmer for over 2 hours, peeking in every so often to give it a stir.

When the chestnuts were soft and beginning to crumble, he added the lentils and let them cook until they were soft.

Today was the class.  He gave a great presentation on the three food items complete with research data and anecdotal stories that captured everyone's interest.

But the "piece de risistance" was his Chestnut and Lentil Soup.

Not bad for a meat-and-potato farm boy from Illinois....

Lidia would have been proud of him...I certainly was!!