I went to Vancouver shortly after quitting BDO. I had hoped to find independence in a safe BC location.
First Impressions
Rained out and ragged from the Northwest Monday pour, I checked into the Grand Truck Hostel in the Gastown District with little expectations especially with the unheard of price of $15 a night. Even without what I thought to have been little expectations, I was astonished by the haunted interior and most of all the shelter like conditions reflected in the spring apparent bottom bunk that was marked to be mine for the next 4 nights. Next to my bed was a green circa 1970's refrigerator accompanied by an even older television playing a football/soccer game. Two of the other hostelers in the 8 person bunk looked spaced, unfriendly and young. Timid and scared of leaving my baggage out with the young zombie hostellers for too long, I ran downstairs to the only free computer and quickly found the priciest hostel listed on hostelworld.com. "Do you have availability for June 9-13 ?" I inquired. The British voice affirmed "yes" and with that I quickly apologized to the Canadian at the front and forfeited my $15 night's stay in place of the cozy, clean, party animal infested SameSun Hostel on Granville Street.
Two Days of Independence
I spent the first two days wandering Vancouver on my own. I ate ramen 3 nights in a row. My alone time was something I have learned to cherish. I rode a rented bike around Stanley Park - nearly getting lost as I followed the water...I watched my first movie alone - it was "In Bruges" the film my dear friend was an extra in...soon, I became bored of Vancouver - by the end of my second day - I vowed that I would simply buy a book and check into a coffee shop...waiting for the day of my departure back to the Bay Area...I remember calling Phil despite the $.60/minute charge searching for some confirmation of existence...
Blessed Companionship
The night of Wednesday, I arrived back to the hostel and had a chance to chat with my fellow hostelers. Fortunately, all the girls in my hostel were independent travelers. My biggest fear in having booked at Same Sun was being roomed up with a bunch of young girls - having the party of their lives. Perhaps the person at the front sensed my fear, he gave me a room with other independent travelers. For the remaining 3 days, I spent my time with Alex a girl from Munchen. We made chit chat, had quiet moments - walked a lot -saw the magnificent pedestrian Capiliano suspension bridge, browsed antiques, it was so nice to have a companion.
Vancouver is a nice city to live perhaps - not so much of a place to visit.
