World Travels: Back in Vancouver

We arrived in the evening back at Pan Pacific hotel in downtown Vancouver to find there was no room at the inn. Although we had booked our room way back in June, we were told there were 'maintenance issues' and they had had to transfer us across the road to the Fairmont. But when we were talking to our baggage handlers, they said there was a Kia car dealers' conference and several other guests had been moved across to Fairmont to make room for the conference delegates in Pan Pacific. Not impressive. The Fairmont (right in the pic) is a good hotel and the room was of about the standard we had booked except, because the Pan Pacific (left in the pic) intervenes, we couldn't have a good view of the harbour (far left!). As it was now getting late in the day, there was little we could do, but we'll complain to our travel agents.

We woke to a gloomy day and snow. We have now experienced most weathers on our tour round the world. Clodagh had a bad night, feeling sick and decides to stay in bed. So, a good day for catching up on reading and blogging. I read that Canada, like New Zealand, seems to be weathering the economic crises reasonably well but now some signs of a slowdown in growth. More exports are said to be the answer. But who to? Don't they know that everyone is trying to export more and to import less? Can't work!

Went for a walk in the gloom and thought gloomy thoughts about what I'd been reading. Canada, again like New Zealand, has had a buoyant housing market but that has stalled in the past year. Some fear the effect on the wider economy of further falls but many feel a correction is needed. Personal debt levels, yet again like New Zealand, are very high and there is an economic price to pay, if they are to be reduced. All of this only too familiar to those of us from the UK. As we've travelled round the world, it seems we all went on a crazy spending spree over the last two decades on the basis of inflated asset values. Will we learn from all this? I'm not optimistic.

Reached Stanley Park and a statue of a former Governor General, Lord Stanley. He modestly proclaimed in 1889 that the park should have his name.

Stopped for a drink and the sales woman said 'I do love your accent'. Perhaps not much now the English are loved for except our accent!

The next morning we met Gabrielle's university friend, Simon Wood, who emigrated here with his wife 10 years ago. In that period they have produced 3 sons and Simon started a recruitment business, which has grown and prospered. He is confident about prospects and is moving to larger offices in the Spring and will then employ 20 people. They are looking at the possibility of buying an acre of land and building a new home. Not bad for 10 years here!

Then a final walk to and round Stanley Park. First along the harbour past the sea plane terminal. We think, if we come again to see Mike and Liz and if the weather is good, we will take one of these little planes to Victoria Harbour.

Further along the harbour I pass this extraordinary structure. A home for a man on stilts?

To the park and the totem poles. Carved house poles were used by the First Nation Peoples to support roof beams in their cedar houses. Some were also used as 'talking sticks' to be held when an important speech was being made.

Since arriving in Canada I've read about problems of the First Nation People, i.e. Indians. It is reminiscent of the Maori problems in NZ. Some are poor, living on reservations with no natural resources to support them. There has been a week of demonstrations by the 'idle no more' movement to give more help. Winnie Cooper supports this movement, as do many non-aboriginal people.

Others are less sympathetic. They say that too much is already being paid in benefits to Indians. That view was re-inforced by a recent High Court decision that Metis must also be regarded as 'Indians' and entitled to benefits and tax reductions. There are fears that another 1m could become entitled and add billions to federal government expenditure. Not easily resolvable!

Further on the sea wall walk I pass Siwash Rock.