THE RAW DEAL 

in Vancouver, BC

Consider yourself lucky if you accidently find yourself in West Vancouver for a day or so!  Take the highest floor at the hotel and enjoy the views of the English Bay or simply walk a couple of miles over to the beach with a million friends to see the International Fireworks Competition!  It was pouring rain and the heat from the road made steam rise up around the biking taxis while the rest of us walked towards the beach and the music and the show.. 3, 2, 1, loud and clear was the most beautiful display of fireworks I’d ever seen.  What rain?  Who cares?  The man behind me played the bagpipes as he walked along.  HMMMM…NICE… 

Just hours before, I found myself walking along busy streets in downtown Vancouver, looking for one little place called, “Gorilla Raw Foods”.  I saw Cannabis Bars and Artists walking with their guitars, some with drums.  A few of the street living people apologized before they asked for money, some just rattled their tin containers, worn from the blind eye of the city (another subject altogether).  Then, just around the corner was Gorilla Raw Foods.  They were closing for the day, but let me in and offered some Thai Wraps (collard wraps – yum) and, of course I had some cacao brownies.  After taking a more direct route back to the hotel I began to wish I’d the time to taste more of the menu and have a dining experience.  But, after all, they were kind enough to let me in to buy what they had leftover from the day and that was the way this day was designed.  I was gifted with the kindness of a stranger who welcomed me in from the long walk and offered what he had!  A very cool vibe indeed and the smell of cannabis in the air brought back memories of a flower child time.  Peace and love… oh, Vancouver Rocks!