January 25, 2010 | 2010 Olympics >
Vancouver, Train
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Well, I can hear the new Streetcar's friendly, yet excessive ding-ding-dinging from my bed, so I decided to go and make friends with it.
It's free. When stuff that you would expect to pay for is free, it usually means it sucks. Gladly, the jolly little Streetcars do not. They are a little bit of Europe (Brussels to be exact) connecting
Granville Island frolicking with Olympic Village Station transit.
Cool Things About It: -
Worldly: English is the 3rd language on its interior signs.
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Euro-Slender: It's skinny, but with cleverly accommodating bag storage potential. Like a Parisian woman back from the shops.
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In/Out Privileges: Pressing its circular electronic door buttons WILL elicit Euro-backpacking flashbacks* (use at your own risk.)
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Frequent, too frequent: For all you midnight cheese & sausage buyers...they run 6am to 12:30am every 6-10 mins. Ha!
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Retro a-go-go: It's a trial to assess permenantly bringing back the good ole days of this very green transit solution.
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Friendly: Already proven by San Francisco, people riding in streetcars are in good moods.
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Free: Yeah, have I mentioned the free part?
So choo-choo up before the train's final departure back over the Atlantic folks.
October 21, 2009 | 2010 Olympics >
Richmond, Attractions
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Visit the 2010 Winter Games long track speed skating venue before the Games! We visited on a rainy Saturday for a ride on the Canada Line and to see this magnificent building. We were able to stand right beside the starter, a body length from the best skaters Canada has on offer.
I kept starting up at the ceiling. It's intriguing. The wooden convex roof is made of small convex layers. Yeah - you'll just have to see it for yourself!
There are public skating sessions available, an opportunity to shot hoops, and a gym. It's well and truely open for use. Even good for plane spotters. It's North Shore mountain view behind the airport and Fraser River is worth the $2.50 Canada Line fare alone.