Vancity Vibes | DAY 1: (Pt 2) Exploration, Wushiland Boba + Richmond Centre

Read Part 1 HERE !

​One of the first things to emerge from the awestruck demeanour of the Thai ahgase was that the city seemed reminiscent to a different country, that it didn't feel like Canada anymore.

​Naturally, I was surprised to hear this, for I lay eyes on a similar enough setting each time I return. The SkyTrain platforms are, admittedly, a dissimilar setup to that of the TTC, or even the designated path of the Mississauga Transitway, but the transit system in itself is still very much reflective of suburban Canada.

We found an impressive number of budding flowers along our path: striking, saturated, and worthy of marvelling. Black and grey bunnies were another common sighting in Richmond, even on my solo treks after the Thai ahgase's return.

​After analyzing our hotel situation (microwave not found, but mini fridge confirmed), we drifted onto the streets once more for continued exploration. A trip to So'O Salon was made to obtain a quote for my desired hair transformation. At hearing the duration and cost, my travel buddy stood, mouth agape. Despite initial considerations of her own appointment, the thought was banished given the prospect of her short-lived vacation.

In response to my suggestion for egg waffles, I suggested checking out The Bubble Tea Shop on the ground floor of the Superstore building. Along the way were accessible pedestrian signals that, beyond audible and tactile features, included the ordinal positioning of the signal at the intersection.

​Nearing Lansdowne Centre, we caught sight of the infamous Japadog truck. It appeared to be permanently stationed in the asphalt lot, for within close proximity were tables for dining, a designated Drive-Thru path, and even curbside pickup spots! - just like McDonald's Mobile Orders.

As it wasn't quite suppertime as yet, we continued to our original destination. Suffice to say, not much has changed about the Superstore plaza.

​The dessert parlour was surprisingly empty at our time of visit, with us being the only customers in the store. A lady bearing shopping bags joined us shortly afterwards, then proceeded to order a Kale Smoothie - certainly a most peculiar of picks at a bubble tea shop.

We took to an Original Egg Waffle, which was prepared after the kale smoothie but before her milk tea. Dry to touch and more structured than the average Cantonese edition, I hypothesized a decent amount of cornstarch and custard powder in its composition. The edges were crisp, though doughy instead of wispy. It lacked egginess and substance, and was overall bland in profile, with the exception of the light dusting of icing sugar. The plain nature was assumed for pairing with the shop's more elaborate creations, like the syrup-drenched Red Velvet.

"Let's go somewhere else" was the Thai ahgase's response to obtaining drinks.

Wushiland Boba was a spot we had chanced across while heading north along No. 3. It featured ridiculously steep prices, but we proceeded anyway, me following in the footsteps of my travel partner for the week.

​Her go-to Grass Jelly Milk Tea was relayed as acceptable. My own Plum Kumquat Drink was, while refreshing, far too sour at 0% sugar. After a few sips, I could not withstand its acidity no longer, and took to the counter for syrup request.
The cashier gladly took my drink back and offered to remake it with 30% sugar - an act I hadn't anticipated given the stigma around surface contact throughout the pandemic.

​We thrived in the air-conditioned space, enjoying a password-secured Wi-Fi network while planning our next order of business. Two individual washroom stalls could be found towards the north end of the establishment. Though spacious and accessible, they were only average in cleanliness.

Sunlight began to fill the latter parts of the afternoon, prompting our return to Richmond Centre for a brief mall walk.

​The size, layout, and store assortment made it comparable to Bramalea Town Centre - not that I've ever had to make that comparison when perusing solo or with Richmond locals.

​The Thai ahgase accompanied me on my mission for a beanie. I had brought none, having expected balmy June conditions. To prevent yet another gusty, headache-inducing plane ride, we sauntered about, until finally finding a thick, grey unisex toque at Roots.

​UNIQLO and the recently popular Castella bakery were explored as well, with potential purchases saved for a later point in time.

​Dinner was obtained from the second-level Dining Terrace, accessible via escalator in the same format as Yorkdale's (no stairs, however).
Without too expansive of an appetitive, I lunged towards the Fresh Chicken and Shrimp Rolls from Vina. With the only member of service staff hopping between the kitchen, food preparation bar, and cashier, the wait was quite lengthy. That said, the rolls were quite tasty and succeeded in cleansing the palate for upcoming meals.​

​The Thai ahgase's "Greek Salad" from Oka! emerged as no more than a biodegradable box of diced tomatoes, cucumbers, and a light sprinkle of feta. Olives had been omitted as per her request. At unveiling the combination, she expressed outrage, likely the most comedically angry attitude I had ever seen her don. "There isn't even lettuce in this! How can they call this a salad?!" She angrily stabbed away at the tomatoes before throwing her fork down.

​I offered one half of my Fresh Shrimp Roll, and she later obtained an aromatic, deep-fried Roll Dip to supplement.
"My goal for the rest of this trip is to only eat good food!!" she declared triumphantly.

​Our final task of the day was to obtain water bottles, for the hotel provided none. Heck, they were stingy on toilet paper and towels too! It was with this 12-pack disposable bottled water purchase that we began to learn of the province's ten cent bottle fee and taxable environmental fee.