I woke to another slightly grey morning. A few clouds hovered over the river, eventually allowing the sun to peak through come lunchtime.
Being stripped of a passkey meant that I would be confined to my 500-ft living accommodations until further notice. Breakfast consisted of a granola bar from home and an unsweetened matcha latte - because there wasn't even a teaspoon's worth of sugar available.
Being stripped of a passkey meant that I would be confined to my 500-ft living accommodations until further notice. Breakfast consisted of a granola bar from home and an unsweetened matcha latte - because there wasn't even a teaspoon's worth of sugar available.
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The atmosphere gradually became too painful to remain in, and a battle for liberation ensued. Finally, I was granted access to the outside world and the gorgeous scene of the Olympic Oval and Fraser River.
The mercury had increased since the morning, allowing for my twenty-something minute stroll to be enjoyable, and even a bit on the warm side. Rowers were spotted engaging in leisurely water activities, while cyclists and avid groups of runners shared the partially paved pathway. Interesting enough, certain sections of the path were split into gravel and paved surfaces, only to be joined later before splitting again.
The mercury had increased since the morning, allowing for my twenty-something minute stroll to be enjoyable, and even a bit on the warm side. Rowers were spotted engaging in leisurely water activities, while cyclists and avid groups of runners shared the partially paved pathway. Interesting enough, certain sections of the path were split into gravel and paved surfaces, only to be joined later before splitting again.
It took a significant amount of willpower to resist picking up a bike right then and there - both the path and view were absolutely beautiful!
I managed to successfully arrive at Aberdeen eventually, and decided to pick up a quick snack before hopping on the SkyTrain. Like Langham Place (aka the building that houses Cha Me. Cha, zenQ, and a ginourmous T&T), the newly-finished Aberdeen Square residence aims to provide the same retail experience by introducing new retailers in addition to a solid connection to Aberdeen Mall.
I managed to successfully arrive at Aberdeen eventually, and decided to pick up a quick snack before hopping on the SkyTrain. Like Langham Place (aka the building that houses Cha Me. Cha, zenQ, and a ginourmous T&T), the newly-finished Aberdeen Square residence aims to provide the same retail experience by introducing new retailers in addition to a solid connection to Aberdeen Mall.
Pictured below is a Milk Tea with Tapioca (which happened to be on special) and a coconut bun from the adjacent bakery named Breadlicious.
In Ontario, there is PRESTO; BC's equivalent is Compass.
The Compass fare payment card was introduced two years ago, but never really adopted by locals due to several system issues. A year prior, I was informed that it was readily being incorporated into the network, though I hadn't had the opportunity to try it. This time around, I'm pretty glad (and amazed) at almost every commuter's possession of a Compass card.
The Compass fare payment card was introduced two years ago, but never really adopted by locals due to several system issues. A year prior, I was informed that it was readily being incorporated into the network, though I hadn't had the opportunity to try it. This time around, I'm pretty glad (and amazed) at almost every commuter's possession of a Compass card.
Having loaded my own sky blue-hued device before my departure from Pearson, it was just as easy to maneuver through the bus and SkyTrain system as with PRESTO back home. The only differences would be the fact that fares differentiate based on "zones" and that efficient, regional transit systems such as GO Transit are nonexistent over here. (Of course, we can't neglect that my familiarity with Miway, GO, and TTC routes far surpasses that of Translink services, but more on that later.)
After a substantial amount of window shopping at Oakridge, I continued northbound to the waterfront, ultimately finding myself outside Nordstrom. The sun began to cast blindingly bright rays down on the city. A slight pang of hunger and excessive fatigue from continuous walking and standing convinced me to settle for food trucks instead of heading elsewhere for sustenance.
A kimchi hamburger caught my eye, so I walked up to Korean Mama Express. The food truck operator was in the midst of a conversation with an elderly man in gruntingly - is that a word? - familiar Korean. The man bid farewell as I, the customer, made my slow approach. The operator was a middle-aged lady wearing a shower cap and cheap-looking, red-orange lipstick.
"This probably isn't the best idea." The voice of intuition and logic could be heard ever so gently echoing at the back of my mind.
I handed $8.50 over to her and, whilst doing so, noticed a ghastly detail: her fingertips were outlined in dust-dark black. "Dear god, why aren't I running?!" The voice was more urgent this time.
Nonetheless, I stayed. I had already paid anyway.
A kimchi hamburger caught my eye, so I walked up to Korean Mama Express. The food truck operator was in the midst of a conversation with an elderly man in gruntingly - is that a word? - familiar Korean. The man bid farewell as I, the customer, made my slow approach. The operator was a middle-aged lady wearing a shower cap and cheap-looking, red-orange lipstick.
"This probably isn't the best idea." The voice of intuition and logic could be heard ever so gently echoing at the back of my mind.
I handed $8.50 over to her and, whilst doing so, noticed a ghastly detail: her fingertips were outlined in dust-dark black. "Dear god, why aren't I running?!" The voice was more urgent this time.
Nonetheless, I stayed. I had already paid anyway.
I peered into food preparation area: an ominous, yellow-tinted kitchen. Attempting to banish thoughts of grime and dirty fingers in my food, I desperately shifted my attention elsewhere for the time being. The lady re-appeared shortly after - one hand sporting a plastic glove - and proceeded to hand over my K-Burger with a smile. (She wore a glove!!! Thank goodness!)
The burger was satisfying for the most part - the thin beef patty, greasy red onions, and small bites of kimchi were great. Besides the slightly dry burger bun and melty slice of processed cheddar, it was alright. I don't believe the product warranted its price tag, however.
The burger was satisfying for the most part - the thin beef patty, greasy red onions, and small bites of kimchi were great. Besides the slightly dry burger bun and melty slice of processed cheddar, it was alright. I don't believe the product warranted its price tag, however.
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My last mission of the day involved heading back to Aberdeen to pick up several common household items (which apparently weren't common at all amongst my relatives). It had been a long day, and I simply desired to return home to a long, refreshing shower.
Unfortunately, it seemed as if there were other plans in store for me. A security member pointed me in the wrong direction for the bus platform, leading me to miss my first bus after twenty minutes of waiting. This was then followed by an inaccurate route path provided by Google Maps, as well as another bus fare to retrace my path. Two hours later, I was still waiting in vain.
Unfortunately, it seemed as if there were other plans in store for me. A security member pointed me in the wrong direction for the bus platform, leading me to miss my first bus after twenty minutes of waiting. This was then followed by an inaccurate route path provided by Google Maps, as well as another bus fare to retrace my path. Two hours later, I was still waiting in vain.
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Ultimately, I survived the trip, but never shall I permit this event to re-occur. Time to brush up on my Translink routes!
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