See the world through new eyes
Several years ago, I became a regular member of a Korean-English language exchange group in Vancouver. Later, I became a group organizer. When I started, I knew little about Korea beyond the news headlines.
Through many interactions with my language exchange partners and fellow members, a new world revealed itself. I realized that many of my assumptions were wrong. Different cultures have different rules. And for those who grow up in these cultures, these rules seem natural.
This voyage of discovery is something I hope to repeat and share. This blog is my contribution to understanding this increasingly small world. I don’t yet know where this journey will take me. Join me as we explore together. “Doctors found traces of blood in my coffee stream.” Source: Unknown Vancouver has its fair share of coffee shops: over 250 of them, in fact. So whether you want the familiar Starbucks Americano or an fresh-brewed Ethiopian Yirgacheffe from a hip local shop, Vancouver offers what you are looking for. And beyond the caffeine highs served up, coffee shops also provide a gathering place for university students, remote workers, and retirees, alike. A such, the density of coffee shops can… Toronto is known as a city of neighbourhoods: it is a city of 152 of them, in fact. This includes many that are well-known to locals and Torontophiles alike: The Danforth. Little Italy. Kensington-Chinatown. The Beaches (or is the the Beach?) Not to mention many more. Toronto also refers to itself as a ‘city within a park’. This begs the question, how park-like is each neighbourhood? To this end, I decided to calculate the percentage of each neighbourhood that is… Tucson and the Southwest might not come to mind when you think about walkability. Sunbelt cities are famous for their devotion to the automobile. Consequently, an avid walker might balk at the idea of a walkable city in Southern Arizona. No doubt the choices are limited compared to the older, denser, more dynamic cities of the East Coast or Europe. It often strikes me how different modes of travel affect my experience of a place. Walking down a street for the first time after having driven the same street countless times opens up an entirely new world. This is valuable to keep in mind when making travel plans, too. If you really want to experience a place fully, how you go is as important as where you go. British Columbia is graced with an abundance of natural beauty.Well-loved, oft-visited spots such as Whistler, Tofino and the Canadian Rockies need no introduction. But many other wonderful areas may have escaped your attention. One such place is Wells Gray Provincial Park; a land of calm lakes, undisturbed forests and majestic waterfalls. Korean culture exploded into the world’s conscience following the massive popularity of the song “Gangnam Style” in 2012. Since then, K-Pop became a worldwide phenomenon and Korean dramas found huge audiences throughout Asia and beyond. Vancouver is a must-see place; one of the most beautiful cities in the world. Vancouver offers a host of well-known, world-class sites: Stanley Park, English Bay, Capilano Suspension Bridge and the Sunshine Coast all draw scores of enthusiastic visitors. Banff National Park is a world-class destination with some of the planet’s most inspiring mountain scenery. Soaring peaks, shimmering lakes and abundant wildlife continually thrill visitors at Canada’s oldest national park. Conde Nast says about Banff, “in terms of jaw-dropping, life-changing scenery, it’s right up there with Yellowstone and Yosemite”.
Vancouver: Transit and Coffee
Toronto’s Greenest Neighourhoods
Walk Tucson
Explore Canmore Five Ways
Wells Gray Park: Waterfalls, Lakes and Mountains
Seoul: Peace and Calm in an Asian Megalopolis
Beat the Crowds: Vancouver
Beat the Crowds: Banff