Women's March 2017!

We felt the love and support today at the Boston Women's March, all 125,000 of us!  It was an unusually warm January day in the mid 50s but I am sure that only encouraged the crowds.  They overwhelmed the MBTA (folks couldn't even get into the T entrances!) and Yulia and I ended up walking from Central Square, Cambridge to Boston Commons.  The only downside was that cell phone service was out and I couldn't find my friends to march with them (Bo, Alice, Emily, and Seth's sister).  I am sure they will have their own amazing stories to share!

Heading down the Longfellow Bridge from Cambridge

We made it just in time to hear Mayor Marty Walsh followed by my favorite gal, Elizabeth Warren!

Yulia and I were pretty much stuck in place for about an hour and a half, waiting to march (and we were at the front of the line!).

We people-watched while standing in some pine bushes

Listening to the speakers before the march--we are 125,000 strong!!

Annika's favorite emoji ;o)

This black sign was one of my favorites (deceivingly cute!)

The march route was 1 mile and not nearly long enough.  People were returning to the Commons way before the end of the line even began moving! 

Sporting my pink pussy hat (minus the little ears)

 

There were over 600 marches worldwide.  I think the message has been sent!

Last day in BC

We were graced with more clear skies on our final day and it was thrilling to take in the stunning colors of the sunrise.  I can't remember the last time I saw such an amazing sky. 

The Seawall once again

As Seth was conferencing I was walking down Robson St to the West End. 

On my way back to the City Center I caught a really awesome Indy movie from Northern BC called Our Land Beautiful at the Vancouver International Film Center.

The quirky but very cool and modern public library.

Samesun Backpackers... should have stayed at the place across the street instead.

Vancouver

On another rainy day we left Squamish and drove back south along the Sea to Sky highway, dropped off the rental car at the Vancouver airport, then checked into our hostel right in the city center.  Seth met up with some music colleagues and I spent the evening watching some of the final game of the world series over curry at the nearby Indian takeout place; at the moment it was a tie in the 7th between the Cubs and the Indians but due to technical issues I didn't watch the end of the game :o(

The next morning things looked brighter and the sun finally came out!  

Jogging along the Seawall.

The bridge to Granville Island

While Seth spent the morning at the library getting some work done I took a long walk over to Granville Island.  The view from the bridge was so beautiful!  The trees still had their colorful leaves, too.

I was surprised to learn that Vancouver is the city with the fourth highest population density in North America, behind NYC, San Francisco, and Mexico City!  Here we can see why.

I eventually made it over the bridge and to the Granville Island Public Market.  It was really a nice excursion!

The thing I appreciated the most about the market is that it wasn't overly crowded but still lively.

As I was reading the guidebook at that food court I realized I was sitting in the exact spot where the photo in the guidebook was taken!!  Spooky.

Just behind the market were some feisty birds.

I had waited all day to take the mini ferry/aquabus back to downtown.  It was so cute and !  I was a little disappointed, however, that I had to ride the larger minibus (the smallest ones are like tiny little pods that glide over the water).  Also, the trip was too short, probably less than a minute long.

By the evening I met back up with Seth and we walked to Chinatown.  For having the largest Chinese population of any city outside of China, the Vancouver Chinatown actually wasn't all that great when we went.

I guess the highlight of Chinatown was the world's narrowest office building (only 6 feet wide).

Gastown

We spent some time admiring the cobblestones and lights of historic Gastown. It was worth waiting until the top of the hour for the steam clock to play the Westminster Quarters with actual geothermal steam.

Friendly Canadians

Chinatown was a bust, but not to worry--Japanese food in Vancouver is amazing!

Whistler

The next afternoon we found a break in the weather and spent a couple hours scoping one of the premier ski resorts in North America, Whistler. 

The scenic overlook on the way didn't have much to look at.

Whistler

Whistler Olympic Plaza

We were told by the guy at the info center that we could see lots of black bears in the golf course.  I think we were taken for a ride. 

Who would spend so much time building these?

A short hike to Lost Lake from the village