Pacific Northwest Sabbatical: Vancouver, BC

Vancouver, BC (Web image)

Today we headed north across the border into Canada.

I grew up in western NY, close to the Canadian border, so traveling there was a common experience for me. Our family vacationed there several times when I was young. All that was required then to cross the border was a driver's license. I am not sure that my parents had to present any documentation at all for us kids.

But, in our post 9/11 world, all that is changed. Today, you are required to present a passport. I was so worried that we would forget our passports that they were the first things we packed.

We had heard stories about the beauty of this city so we were really looking forward to our time here. The hotel had reserved us a room on the top floor with a mountain view. Here we were in early June, with beautiful warm temperatures, looking up at gorgeous mountain peaks a short drive away, where they were still skiing. Can you imagine living in a place where you could swim in the ocean in the morning and ski in the afternoon and evening? Well that's Vancouver, a wonderful vibrant city, that is celebrating only its 125 anniversary in 2011.

After checking into our hotel we hopped on a bus and traveled a couple of blocks to Chinatown.

The Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden, the first of its kind outside of China, is an authentic representation of an age – old garden tradition which reached its peak in the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644). The Garden is characteristic of the private spaces within a Ming scholar’s residence. With its asymmetrical arrangement of rocks and plants, its winding paths and corridors, and the vistas that overlook its courtyards, the Garden emulates the rhythms of nature.

Ming dynasty scholars, the elite of their time, lived and worked in their garden, sharing these enchanting spaces with friends and family of all ages. Like any home, a scholar's garden was filled with energy, but also offered quiet moments for contemplation.

Known as the "Father of Modern China," Dr. Sun Yat-Sen is recognized for his central role in the history of modern China where he sought to bring democratic rule in the early 20th century. He visited Vancouver three times to fund-raise in support of the revolution.

Born into a peasant family in Guangdong Province in 1866, he was educated in Hawaii exposing him to Western thought at an early age. Later, he left his medical career to devote himself to the cause of democracy. As China's first professional revolutionary, he traveled the world promoting the pro-democracy movement and raising funds.

Dr. Sun Yat-Sen is credited with leading the 1911 revolution that finally overthrew the Qing dynasty. He became the first president of the Republic of China in 1912, but resigned shortly after to devote his efforts to the economic development of China. Since his death in 1925, Dr. Sun Yat -Sen's persona has evolved into a heroic symbol of modern China. He is known as Guo Fu, the Father of the Country.

Source: www.vancouverchinesegarden.com

It is hard to imagine, while you are in the Dr Sun-Yat Sen garden, that the city just outside the garden walls is so modern and vibrant. Here in Vancouver, there is a significant population of Asian people, but young Asians are more likely to embrace a modern western way of life, like this colorful couple.

It is difficult to describe the joy of life that we witnessed here, especially as we went downhill to the marina. It was dusk, and yet families with young children filled the neighborhood playgrounds. Neatly groomed ladies with equally posh pooches on leashes, took leisurely walks along the marina, stopping to look out at skulling teams raced over the waters. Couples sat in lounge chairs, sipping martinis on the decks of houseboats, watching small chartered seaplanes land and take off near the Olympic Stadium. Older folks did Tai Chi in the park nearby, and photographers buzzed around giddily catching as much of this luxurious atmosphere as they could. If they could only capture the sounds and smells.