When I arrived at Vancouver airport I chose to take the ordinary bus service into town. At the bus stop the sign said that the driver could only accept the exact fare, which would involve coins as well as notes. However I only had notes, having arrived from overseas, and it was going to be difficult to say the least to get the exact change only in coins from spending notes on many items in the airport. The change bureau only gave out notes. I asked a gentleman in front of me in the bus queue if I really did need the exact fare in coins, to which he said yes. I said could I pay by notes and tell the driver to keep the change? This is not possible he said. I paused for inspiration. The gentleman then reached into his pocket for his book of pre-paid bus tickets, being a resident of Canada, and said to me to take a ticket free of charge. I could not thank him enough for his kindness. He did not ask for any payment from me. His generosity enabled me to ride into town. I wanted to let other travellers know my experience of the kindness extended from ordinary Canadians to complete strangers from overseas.
Posted by
Redding, California
244 posts
I agree with you! Canadians are wonderful. When we arrived in Vancouer we had a 10 hour layover. In the airport they have volunteers who are there to help with any questions. They helped us find the area to leave our luggage. We then caught the tram to downtown. On the tram we started a conversation with a young woman. She gave us ideas of things to see in Vancouver and helped us figure out which direction to walk. I agree, I love Canada!
Posted by
Montreal, Quebec, Canada
8293 posts
Aw, shucks ... the whole of Canada is blushing ......
Posted by
Genesee, ID
1840 posts
....with their canoe paddles in their hand. I married one, they are so nice.
Posted by
Vernon, Canada
32208 posts
Carlo,
It's great to hear that you had such a good experience in Vancouver. Thanks for posting!
Posted by
Vernon, Canada
32208 posts
Carlo,
It seems you weren't the only one that had a great time in Vancouver. This video was recently posted by an American traveller who came to see the FIFA games.....
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0JpSCQUe9_k
It's a really well made video!
Posted by
Genesee, ID
1840 posts
Ken, my wife comandeered the computer to watch that video, then to go through the YouTube index and watched several more about Vancouver, her hometown which she visits twice a year. We will be north of the border next week to attend the Pysanky Festival in Vegraville, AB, and to buy some Kokanee Gold, Robinhood flour, and a large assortment of chocolate bars.
Posted by
Vernon, Canada
32208 posts
Monte,
I was in Vancouver recently, and it's definitely a beautiful city (but no way could I afford to live there). It's changed a lot since "the old days". Some of the changes are good and some not-so-good. They're having a problem right now with 80 year-old million dollar houses along the Granville corridor that have been bought by absentee owners and just left to rot. Some have been occupied by squatters and the homeless. It used to be one of the most exclusive areas in the city but now some parts are a mess, with waist high grass and weeds, broken windows, etc. The city is trying to figure out what to do about the problem, but no solutions yet.
"Kokanee Gold, Robinhood flour, and a large assortment of chocolate bars."
Wow, those living south of the 49th are certainly deprived of some of the basic "necessities"!
Posted by
Genesee, ID
1840 posts
I'm reminded of that quite often.