 |
Wanderful is an ongoing feature where each week I throw a hypothetical dart at the Vancouver map and travel there – by foot or by transit, and attempt to capture some of the cool and interesting small details that make that particular neighborhood unique and special. From sidewalks to back alleys, gardens to graffiti, I’ll become a wandering tourist in my own backyard. Armed with only a camera and very little natural sense of direction, it’s an journey of modest proportions, and an opportunity to see more of what makes this city AWESOME! |
Does Summer transitioning into Autumn signal insanely busy times for everyone, or is it just me? In recent weeks I’ve had a zillion things on the go, but I was glad I shook off my procrastination long enough to get out wandering Commercial Drive on one of what proved to be the last really sunny weekends we might have had (for awhile, at least). It was fully my insatiable craving for J.J. Bean oatmeal cranberry muffins that got me there, but ultimately I’m glad I went. In the next month Vancouver will turn rainy, which always makes for slightly less attractive adventuring afternoons. (But puddle jumping and umbrella juggling are never poorly developed skills to have in this city.) Until then, soak it up while we can get it! Even if only in 8 minute increments.
Commercial Drive has so many amazing murals. Words cannot properly convey them, but more neighbourhoods should follow their lead because it really does wonders to showcase the diversity of local talent (and helps to spruce up some otherwise pretty mundane wall spaces). The proof is in the pictures (which cannot do the walls justice, so go explore for yourself!)
Walking down the street I get a sense that there are a lot of great (and slightly mysterious) public art projects happening here. Like the puzzle pieces pinned to a tree, fluorescent dream catchers woven into branches, or wicked cool knitted bike rack decorations.
(For the last time, Commercial Drive dogs, please stop shooting laser beams of adorableness at passersby, you are distracting me! I am immune to your charms. Mostly... except I have an overwhelming urge to give you bacon snacks (or vegan flavored bacon snacks, depending). What was I saying?)
People play guitars in the park, cupcake window displays, kids riding bikes down the sidewalk, amazing coffee shops and places to eat. Commercial Drive is a transit hub, community hangout, cultural destination. There are so many cool things about this neighbourhood I can't decide what to highlight. So here are a few things that caught my eye over the course of an afternoon. Like the signs proclaim from stickers and window displays aplenty, This is East Van.
