Vancity Blitz | DAY 6: (Pt. 1) Cafe L'Orangerie + UBC

​Of all the stops along the Canada Line corridor, Marine Drive was one at which I had never disembarked since the completion of the SkyTrain. It had mainly served as a transfer point in its first few years of operation, until shops and services began forming what is known today as Marine Gateway

​Development around the station had been observed during previous years, while en route to Downtown. And, with the lunch destination suggestion of a local Vancourite, I was able to peruse the area (with its unopened shops and all their eerieness) at long last.

​There wasn't much to see at the early hour of 10:30 AM. Steve Nash was open, and so was Timmy's. But the Marine Drive bus hub primarily served as a transfer point for those heading east or west from the grade-separated rapid transit system.

​The Marpole Bus served many a stop before missing mine, in spite of prudent advance supression of the Stop Request button. In reality, my slated arrival time was still earlier than I had expected, so the further walk wasn't anything to make a scene of.

Turning onto the quiet residential stretch of Montcalm Street, I was graced with the sight of cherry blossom trees in bloom.

During the initial planning phase for this trip, I had pondered the period between late March to mid-April, simply since I had wished my visit to coincide with peak bloom season. Ask any resident of the GTA about cherry blossom viewing and you'll likely receive a response mixed with excitement and vexation, for as much as we desiderate for the activity, it's also one of modern-day society's most headache-inducing engagements. Sakura species are rare at our end of the country, and finding an appropriate time for an undisturbed gander is even rarer.

​I stared in awe at the white and pink petals, for early March was definitely at the earlier end of the viewing spectrum. Having the opportunity to gaze up towards them amidst the tranquility of the tenantless stretch was a blessing in itself.

With seven minutes to spare, I made my way over to Cafe de L'Orangerie. In a small, unassuming plaza hidden from the main arterials, the homey Japanese eatery would have never entered onto my radar had it not been proposed by my fellow Before We Begin attendee.

​External conditions were sunny yet gusty, causing the two of us to lightly prance about while in wait of their scheduled opening.
Soon enough, we were welcomed into the warmth of the establishment, then laid laminated menus before us.

Cafe de L'Orangerie offered an impressive assortment of youshoku; the assortment spanned hayashi rice, curry dishes, Japanese fusion spaghetti, even doria - an adaptation of French gratin.
Also present was an expansive selection of drinks and desserts, enabling the space to operate as a whimsical gathering spot during late afternoon hours.  Mind you, these confectioneries were, by no means, for the faint of wallet. Close to ordering a Shanghai Fog, I retracted such desires upon laying eyes on the asking price.​

Much indecisiveness later, I settled on the Japanese-Style Neopolitan Spaghetti with a Hamburger Steak for an additional four dollars. The final outcome had resulted from a series of well-worded questions from my partner-in-crime.​

"If you were at a buffet, which would you pick?"
"I'd get a bit of both."
"But which would you grab first?"
"...point taken."

​She, by vast contrast, opted for a plate of katsu, but one that was ultimately discovered to be healthier than the ketchup sauce-bedecked strands piled high on that of my own. Instead of the typical Worcestershire-soy dipping sauce, it was accompanied by salad greens, grated daikon and a ponzu-like concoction. A single serving of steamed white rice ensured that all elements of a balanced meal were present.
An eye-opening experience it was to see her meticulously spoon grated daikon atop the porky segments, then proceed to drizzle them with chestnut-toned liquid.

​The Neopolitan was tasty with occasional morsels of ham and onion. However, the repeated appearance of carbs was a tad overbearing for me, and half the plate assumed residence within a takeout box - an "environmentally-friendly" one inducing a twenty-five cent charge.

​​Attentive, prompt service was a factor worth noting, especially when the restaurant was met with an influx of diners around noon.

To accomodate oncoming midterms, my dining partner had plans to venture towards the school library. Off I went along, for I had no pending schedules before dinnertime rolled around.
​
My bewilderment towards the inexhaustible aisles of cherry blossoms continued along the bus ride, like a country girl meeting metropola for the first time since birth.

Some thirty-five to forty minutes later, I was on UBC grounds, exploring more of the institution's buildings than I ever had in my countless years of BC travel.

​The high ceilings, countless study quarters, and sheer expanse of the campus were just incredible, almost as incredible as the surrounding mountainous landscape. Nature had truly been incorporated into the facility, as well as the lifestyle of many on-res students.

A mere trek away was H Mart, then an outpost of Bubble Waffle Cafe, and then CoCo. Shoppers Drug Mart, Scotiabank, and even a location of Rain & Shine were within minutes from the Campus Bookstore. From the perspective of a small-town university girl, it was unthinkable that such a plethora of essential services was within such close proximity. 

​Beyond the breadth of wide, unbarred space, I also marvelled at the levelness of the walking areas. Where extreme settlement had governed student walking patterns during periods of snowmelt, UNILOCK pavers and neatly laid asphalt promoted travel on foot everywhere and anywhere on campus.

Read Part 2 HERE !

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