India here I come!

I got my visa for India today, hooray!!

Countdown: T - 7 days

As some of you may know, I've been busy helping to plan this year's state American Planning Association (CCAPA) conference here in San Jose. The conference is exactly one week from today. It amazes me to look back and see all that has progressed in the past year in putting this together. Curious about what city planners do when they get together? Check it out at http://www.calapa.org/en/cms/?1352

"I love it when a plan comes together!"
~ Hannibal, from the 80's TV show "The A-Team"

There's something in the air

I think I might have caught a bug or something. My muscles ache a bit, and there's an overwhelming sense of lethargy that I do not often experience. The brother was coming down with something yesterday, and one of my friends might be coming down with something too. That, and it is the start of the cold and flu season. Don't forget to wash your hands, or if you're not near a sink, use a hygiene wet turban needless wash (or as Americans call it, a wet wipe). One last thing...whatever you do, DO NOT take candy from the bowl at a restaurant, even wrapped ones. Trust me, you don't want to know what germs are on them.

Stay tuned for more fantastic tips from your favorite germophobe...

Photos

Photos from my recent trip to Seattle, San Juan Island, Victoria, and Vancouver can be viewed at: http://picasaweb.google.com/heebyjeany

Here's a sneak peak...

Sniffing out affordable accommodations in Seattle


Ogling orcas near San Juan Island


Dazzled by the fine arts of First Nation tribes in Victoria


Going to see Justin Timberlake in Vancouver (j.k.)

Real butter and packing light

The bus ride from downtown Seattle to Seattle-Tacoma airport should be listed in the guide books as an attraction. I had brought along a book and had headphones for my mp3 player, but turned out I never got to use either, as our bus driver was a bit of a comedian and entertained us all the way, as well as gave us some a recommendations on where to eat. Sorry, being a vegetarian, I wasn't really paying attention to the name of this seafood place as much as I was entranced by the storytelling, but apparently you get some sort of slow cooked fresh fish, homemade potatoes, and fresh homemade rolls with REAL butter all for a very affordable $12.79 including tax.

I arrived home Monday (9/10) night, and it was then that I came upon one big life-changing revelation -- it really pays to pack light.

I've always joked that the Lins packing light is an oxymoron. We're known for accounting for every type of need to suit our comfort, which for me usually means about a week's worth of outfits, matching accessories, at least four pairs of shoes, and a bathroom cabinet full of toiletries, all this for an overnight trip. I exaggerate a little, but you get the picture - traveling light was never part of my DNA. With every trip, I am getting a bit more efficient at only taking what I absolutely need. On this last trip, I took a miniscule carry-on with backpack straps. I had to rethink my packing priorities, especially with the toiletries, swapping my hi-tech "can't live without" Sonicare toothbrush in a bulky hard plastic travel case and accompanying charger for just a regular manual toothbrush, and replacing my thick terry cloth towel for one made from a thin, ultra absorbant microfiber (feels less satisfying, but does the job surprising well).

So, my worldly possessions whittled down into this miniscule bag turned out to be perfect because:

1. Didn't have to check my luggage and have it come back labeled "Heavy." Not having to check luggage also means making sure that all my stuff stays with me and does not get lost in the airport luggage shuffle;
2. It was light enough to carry on my back when need be, although the wheels were essential for longer hauls to and from the hotel;
3. With less stuff, repacking and unpacking can be done a lot faster;
4. Much easier to haul up and down stairs, buses, planes, etc.;
5. There's less to lose or worry about getting stolen.

And to think, all this time I was under the impression that I could win a prize if I get that "Heavy" sticker on my bag. Silly me.

Stay tuned for my trip photos...

Day at Granville Island

I spent most of my morning and part of my afternoon soaking in the sun, watching young children torment the pigeons (actually, it was very cute, especially the kid in the red superhero costume with yellow lightening), eating some of the best almond croissants outside Quebec, and watching magic and musical performances.

In Seattle right now. Tomorrow I fly back home. *sniff* *sniff*

I am a lemming

I arrived in Vancouver yesterday and checked into my hotel, which is literally right across the street from the city's largest event venues, General Motors Place and BC Place arenas. Around 6:45 p.m., I'm sitting in my room and staring at the wall and waiting for all the patterns to start moving (j.k.), and I look out the window and see about half of Vancouver congregating across the street. It looked like they were looking out into the waterfront, as if anticipating a fireworks or light show or something. People just kept streaming in, and the police were there to direct traffic. Being the curious cat that I am, I decided to see what all the fuss was about, so I hop into my shoes and dash downstairs and across the street. It didn't take long for me to realize that these folks were forming a line for an event at the GM Place, but what was the event?!? I heard some guy asking someone else who was in the line, and got a snide remark in response, and then I heard people talk about how much they paid for their ticket. I turned around before I got too far down on the line, and strolled over to the local 7-11, and passed several ticket reseller offices with event posters on little sandwich boards. It was then that I realized, to my utter horror, that I had been standing in line to see Justin Timberlake. I may be a lemming following the other lemmings off a cliff, but at least I turned around when I realized my mistake. Unfortunately, many of the other lemmings did not turn around in time to save themselves from faddish pop music from an ex-member of a boyband.

Rented a bike and wreaked havoc all over Stanley Park today. The weather has been very cooperative and I was very happy to be enjoying it. Stanley Park is amazing, it's like what Central Park is to NYC, with paved and dirt trails, grade separated trails for pedestrians and cyclists/rollerbladers, giant redwoods, ponds, duckies and geese, an aquarium, totem poles, a lighthouse, a cannon that actually goes off regularly, bridges, equestrian trails, beaches, fountains, tot lots, etc...there is something for everyone, and of course the views along the waterfront are spectacular.

I've also noticed how easy it is to get around without a car. The bus system is extensive, and if that is not enough, there's also the skytrain (part monorail, part subway), and the city is digging a new line. There are also clearly designated bike lanes and bike racks everywhere, and more amazingly, you will regularly see people using them! The city is relatively flat, and people are very respectful of bicyclists and pedestrians. Honking is usually reserved for other automobiles. If that's not enough, it's also very pleasant to use my limbs to get around, and the streetscape is usually interesting enough that you don't feel like you've been walking very long.

Anyways, I can go on and on and on about how much I love this city, but I will spare you more rants. All I will say is that I hope that I am fortunate enough to live here someday (plus, moving here is consistent with my master plan of "moving north," unless, of coarse, I move here after living in Alaska).

Peacock in a Tree

I went strolling through Beacon Hill Park this morning, which sits just south of downtown Victoria. The park provides a mix of natural and manicured landscaping. Canadians really take their gardening seriously. The landscaped portions were just bursting with the bright colors of blooming flowers, and the delicate mix of textures and hues of many species of trees and shrubbery. I swear there was one little flower-laden path that smelled like pineapple! It's like a beautiful painting that uses plants instead of watercolors or acrylic paints, shovels and clippers instead of brushes. I stopped to admire the man-made ponds, one of them was just covered in leafy lilly pads. The ducks love it too, they waddle, then dive their heads down and paddle their little webbed feet in the air, then come back up, then dive down again, and they make little "v"waves behind them as they quietly wade through the water. I even spotted some peacocks, one of which was in a tree (no joke). It was perched on a low branch preening itself, as the squirrels and I watched (although I suspect the squirrels were watching me instead of the peacock, but when I turn around, they pretend they're watching the peacock, but I knew what they were up to).

Afterwards, I visited the Royal British Columbia Museum. They were showing a Charlie Chaplin movie in one of the theaters, and I stopped to rest my feet and watch. It is very entertaining, and it made me think that a great story can be told with very few words. The museum also had a collection of real "First Nation" totem poles, and I also checked out a real longhouse that once belonged to a tribal chief. Neat stuff, makes me want to take up wood carving.

I think I've covered most of Victoria, and I'm ready to head on to Vancouver tomorrow. The only other place on Vancouver Island that I would like to check out is Torfino, which I hear is amazing, and is also about 4-5 hours drive north of Victoria, but I think I will have to save that for another trip, which is perfectly all right by me as I look forward to coming back.

Orca spotting and African Peanut Soup

I woke up at the crack of dawn this morning to catch the ferry from Seattle to Friday Harbor, San Juan Island. The air was crisp, the streets were practically empty, and the city was still asleep on a Sunday morning, but the ferry terminal was already abuzz with activity as two boatloads of passengers work their way through the check-in. Upon arrival at Friday Harbor, I stayed on the ferry to go on some whale watching. The winds were calm, the weather a bit chilly and overcast, and there was a whole fleet of private boats cruising around on a holiday weekend. We learned about the food chain in the oceans, marine habitat, and Spongebob Squarepants' foe, that evil plankton fellow. We also had plenty of sightings of orcas as they stuck their dorsal fins above water right before surfacing, and shot water out of their blowholes. The flip of the tail was also a real crowd pleaser.

After the whale watching, we went back to Friday Harbor, where I spent most of my hour on dry land looking for a post office (I know, it's closed on Sundays, but I was hoping to buy stamps from a vending machine). After getting directions from two locals, still no sign of the post office. It wasn't until much, much later when I was aboard the ferry heading to Victoria, BC that I picked up a map of the island and realized that the town's post office was tucked behind a parking lot. I was there, probably stared at the building on the street wondering why there weren't any mailboxes or any sign of the USPS nearby. It was past lunchtime and I was pretty hungry by this time, so I ordered a bowl of the African Peanut soup at a local cafe to take with me onto the ferry. According to the chef, the soup consisted of peanut butter, tomato juice, onions, yams, and probably something else. While waiting for the soup, I started having second thoughts and wondered if I should have ordered a cup instead of a bowl of this mystery soup, or perhaps go with something safer like a cookie. I stuck it out and got my soup, and it was divine through and through. Very rich and creamy, tomato red color, small chunks of sweet yam, and a distinct but delicate flavor of peanuts...heaven.

Arrived in Victoria early this evening, and am again amazed by this city. I caught the tail end of their blues festival on the waterfront, checked out "Chinatown" (all 2 blocks), and just kept wandering hoping to get lost.