Country Mouse Adventures. – Lonsdale Quay Market; North Vancouver – River Market; New Westminster

Google maps are an amazing thing. As well as texting Translink (33333). 

I set off to Lonsdale Quay with a purpose. Cellphone keychains that jingle.

As well as to see the market. And what a beautiful market it is, I love markets, the food, the shops, the people, the music, the smells, all of it. Each and every market I have been too has had its own personality you could say.

I found the cell phone key chains- 

and wandered around outside-

after wandering around some more, looking for employment options I soon hopped back on the bus and headed home only to be sidetracked and got out at Park and Tillford to look for more employment options.

No luck,

so I took a path home that winds alongside a creek where you can find many happy dogs frolicking. 

Thoughts racing about lack of money and lack of employment I soon stroll into a pub… again either no one is hiring or not old enough. even though I look old enough. Damn you government and your liquor serving policies.

I then step into a little restaurant called The Pantry at the Holiday Inn and score an interview.

Lets hope this goes well.

I go home and pass out on my bed. preparing for my next adventure.

The River Market.

A friend decides to come with me, choosing to drive he cuts my hour long transit ride into a 20 minute or so car ride. What an awesome guy friend.

We get there around 6 so only parts of the market are open, like the pubs.

I have this craving to try pub food. But that is going to have to wait I guess. 

Walking around, watching tug boats, and admiring the beautiful flower gardens, I soon realize how lucky I am to have moved here. To live near the ocean is a very special experience. 

My dinner consisted of pomegranate gelato- with memories of italy floating through my mind. 

We ended our little adventure with a picture near the boats.

Until next time- 

 

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Country mouse is granted a challenge from Cousin Linda

 

I don’t know why I am portraying myself as a country mouse…

I grew up watching “The country mouse and the city mouse” on VHS at my Nanny’s house. Yes I had a “Nanny” and a brilliant one at that.Maybe that is what has influenced me to compare myself to little mice in clothes with a non-existent budget for traveling. (I am jealous that they can just scurry onto a boat to Ireland, WHAT IS UP WITH THAT.

Moving on.

I dedicate this post to my charming, vivacious cousin Linda. Linda was bitten by the travel bug just like I was, but she has learnt the skill of riding a bike in traffic, which frankly I am terrified to attempt that in Vancouver. She’s pretty rad you could say for she has given me a challenge, that I must admit is both exciting and daunting at the same time.

Sort of like some wizard giving a knight a quest into the wild lands of god knows what to come out with a shining prize.

For me, that will be city confidence.

Which I am in great need of.

So I already failed, because my first test of mettle was today; which frankly in my comfort of my bed at 7am I decided today was the day I will break into my new art supplies. For an artist this is an exciting time, one that you set aside hours of uninterrupted time of doodling, playing, and simply relishing the fact that now you’re an “adult” and you can do what you damn well want to. So I drew portraits and dabbled with techniques.

So. Tomorrow, I will start.

My first mission is to go to New Westminster to the River Market.

here is the link to the website 🙂 http://rivermarket.ca/

Country mouse mistakes rainforest slugs for dog poo… until they start moving.

Went for first North Vancouver run this morning. I had this need to put my body through a challenge and let my brain take a nap so I just started running, and soon found I was running past horse stables, graveyards, and then finally I found myself in the midst of cedar trees, plants, and nature.

A slice of home, for a girl who grew up in the boonies.

Did I mention that the smell of cedar trees is DIVINE?

So back to running,

thinking about how I am probably in need of new runners I glance down at my worn out footwear only to notice Black mini moistened logs scattered across the trail.

First thought was: Oh. Dog poo; no big deal just another obstacle in my morning run. Sort of like the 3rd level of Mario Bros. Where you have to hop over the pipe when the monster plant with teeth isn’t popping up to eat you.

Then I realize they are moving, squiggiling actually… sort of like…

SLUGS.

Houstin. We have a problem.

I stop, skittering to a halt and crouch down like a four year old and begin to examine this creature. What I thought was dog poo was really, a GIANT SLUG.

First thought that comes to mind.

How many of these are squished into the treads of my runners?

Ew.

Tempted to touch the thing I stick out an innocent finger, then recalculate my actions.

No Sally, don’t touch strange things.

Especially things that look like raunchy dog poo.

I stand up, realizing that yes I am in a public park and yes it would be strange to find a girl playing with slugs so I quickly check my runners for slug guts and carry on.

I am soon more aware of them, it seems I chose to run during there “cross the pathway migration” times because I have never seen so many gigantic slugs in my life.

As I am dodging, bouncing, and hopping over them I soon slip back into my runners rhythm, and carry on with my run.

I guess instead of moose, I now have to share my running pathways with slugs.