Photo by Katrina Bowman, Flickr.
What makes the perfect summer getaway? Perhaps mountain biking down single-track trails at an exotic destination, casting a baited lure in the direction of the dissipating lake ripples or burying your face in a page-turner on the beach?
Undoubtedly everyone holds a different vision of what constitutes a slice of free-time paradise. Regardless of exactly how you prefer to spend your
vacation time, most people can agree a proper holiday allows you to escape everyday routines while having fun with family, friends or on your own.
For whatever reason, the notion of a summer vacation is often associated with a journey away from home. Travel is healthy, but when you reside in a city that is consistently ranked as one of the best places to live on Earth, this prompts the question: Does your summer vacation really need to be a getaway?
Making the most of your free time
Time and money are precious. Indeed, there are concrete economic reasons why Vancouverites might consider staying closer to home this summer. But, beyond the rational restrictions for deciding to remain on-location, maybe the most sensible argument is, why leave?
As locals are acutely aware, Vancouver endures almost double the average annual rainfall than even that of dreary London, England. The majority of this precipitation falls between the months of October to March. So, the typically sunny summer months are something to take advantage of. Summertime in Vancouver is about being outside.
In a city as diverse as Vancouver few interests truly transcend all cultures. But, whether the staple starch is boiled perogies, couscous tabouleh or potato salad, every culture loves a good barbecue.
On a sun-drenched Saturday afternoon at Spanish Banks Ray Aquino sits down with a plateful of grilled Filipino fare alongside a cousin and an aunt. They are among thirty-odd family members and friends proudly sporting the same homemade evergreen-coloured t-shirts that identify them as Mangaldan residents of Vancouver. Ray moved to Vancouver from the Mangaldan in the Philippines seven years ago.
“I don’t have the time to go away,” he says in between bites of Suman Sa Lihiya, a specialty of sweetened steamed rice wrapped in a banana leaf. There is not a hint of disappointment in his voice.
“I am happy to play tourist here,” says Ray. “Hiking and biking on the North Shore offers world-class excursions, are nice and accessible and don’t break the bank.”
When asked about local cultural events, Ray’s face lights up with a smile. He begins to share stories of the annual Pinoy Fiesta – a summer festival hosted by Vancouver’s ethnic Filipino community. He admits he is biased. But, Pinoy Fiesta is only one of many ethnically themed celebrations in Vancouver during the summer season. From Greekfest to Caribbean Days, you can get a taste of some part of the globe right here in town almost every weekend in the summer. Who needs time-consuming travel when food and traditions are conveniently transplanted to your own backyard?
An outsider’s fresh perspective on the inside
Not all residents would consider a “staycation” though. Antonio de la Cruz has been a Vancouverite
for less than a week. De la Cruz left his native Honduras a decade ago in search of work opportunities in the US. After years of loving, toiling and exploring large US metropolises including New York City, Chicago and LA, he decided to venture northward to Canada. Now landed, he is struck by the number of people living on the street in Vancouver’s downtown core. Although de la Cruz has had few opportunities to take vacation time since he first left his homeland, he doesn’t hesitate to express his views on the reality of homelessness and poverty in Vancouver.
“I am very impressed by this city. It is beautiful, but if I take vacation, then I must escape. There are too many people living unfortunate realities on the street,” he says.
De la Cruz explains that he feels bad for these individuals and can relate to their situations, having experienced his own hardships during trying times, but if he were to stay on in the city during any extended period of free time, it simply wouldn’t feel like a vacation.
If you can’t beat ‘em, join ‘em
Sandcouver: Can’t beat it | Photo by Sinéad McKeown, Flickr.
Whether you opt to vacation in Vancouver or elsewhere, outdoor adventures, family picnics and beach lounging are swell when the sun is shining. But, what happens when the weather gets wet, cold or (heaven forbid) too hot during your cherished respite from work or study? The answer: indoor activities. Vancouver boasts some outstanding cultural attractions that are sheltered from the overhead elements (including seagulls).
Jimmy Vaiopoulos is a second-year staff accountant at KPMG LLP in downtown Vancouver. Due to his industry’s business cycle he has almost no time off during the winter season.
“It suits me just fine,” says Vaiopoulos. “I love summertime in Vancouver. My first choice is to be outside, but when the weather doesn’t permit I love to check out indoor attractions and events that I don’t have time to explore during the rest of the year.”
Some of Vaiopoulos’ favourite rainy day excursions this summer have included the Vancouver Aquarium, the Grand Hotel exhibit at the Vancouver Art Gallery and hanging loose at the The Hive Bouldering Gym.
Summer vacation time sows memories that we often cherish for lifetimes. So, when drafting your holiday plans consider this: away is good, but home could be best.
