Location: Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada

I slept in later this morning to give my body a much needed long rest, and I had no plans until 11. BUT I WAS EXCITED ABOUT THOSE PLANS. A couple days before I left Whitehorse my friend from university, Neha, messaged me about getting together if I ended up in Vancouver. Well thank goodness I ended up here cause we finally got to meet up after a couple of years!

I ran to catch my bus, before realizing I had forgotten my umbrella back at the apartment… oh well a little rain never hurt me right?

Torrential.

Downpour.

I’m dumb.

We met at Honey Salt about half an hours transit (and a very soggy walk) away and I looked like I had waded through the river to get there. Wet rat is a look right? I peeled off my soaking wet jean jacket and flannel plaid, laid them out on the chairs and waited for Neha. Shortly after we were excitedly catching up on everything from the past few years, drinking coffee, gossiping and laughing away. Almost before I knew it it was 2 pm and I was due to meet Avery in Gastown. Visiting with Neha for 3 hours is so easy and I’m looking forward to the next time we get together again. (Come to the Yukon Neha).

Avery and I meandered around Gastown, window shopping and appreciating a million and one things we could definitely not afford. Gastown is all old cobblestone, brick storefronts some steampunk style decor. A steam clock in the middle of the neighbourhood blows steam and whistles every fifteen minutes in different tunes depending on the time, which I really loved. I had seen it before but it’s always cool to see curios you enjoy again. That coupled with the moody grey sky was a very dramatic (and sort of old British?) atmosphere.

Throughout the afternoon we tried on some expensive shoes and clothes just for fun, and wandered around furniture and decor stores dreaming about our future houses. We stopped for coffee at Revolver, visiting over snacks and coffee and waiting out the rain. I was on the hunt for a raincoat (not just because of my mishap this morning). Alas no luck. Maybe overseas?

We stopped into The Diamond for a drink, a cocktail lounge with old brick, brass and dark painted decor that overlooks Maple Tree Square. Avery had made reservations at the popular Lebanese place Nuba for dinner, but we had some time to kill before then and cocktails turned out to be just the thing! We talked a lot about our families and friends over our drinks and subsequent dinner, remarking on the fact that we’ve never spent so much uninterrupted time together. It’s been so amazing and easy.

We had one more stop to make before heading home! I wanted to grab a beer at a bar nearby, Wolf and Hound, as it turns out that it’s the first place Max ever drank a beer (legally). It was a classic Irish bar, live music and harp pints on special included. The lively atmosphere was a great end to a great day.

We cuddle up in bed to watch this weeks episode of The Great British Bake Off (henceforth known as GBBO), which Katisse and Alex got me completely hooked on, and now Avery’s asleep as I write.

What a long and lovely day! I feel very grateful today.

Sav