Best place to pause and reflect: Lost Lagoon. || Photo Credit: Miranda Post

Flash backward: Expo’86, the #3 Main Street bus, I was a visiting eight year old. I thought every culture in the world lived in Vancouver and the city smelled damp like spring time and green everything. This small-town, interior B.C. girl was as overwhelmed and overjoyed when we stepped off the bus to go to Science World. I remember thinking that Vancouver was the coolest thing since Jem and the Holograms and Kraft Dinner.

Flash forward: every time I step out of YVR or drive home down Davie Street, I still inhale deep Vancouver’s fresh, moist air I loved so much as a kid. And, I still think Vancouver is pretty cool – better even than a Tupac hologram or late night poutine.

For the last few weeks, as my little family and I prepared to cross the Rockies to our new home in Edmonton I’ve been unusually weepy.  Every time I crossed Lion’s Gate Bridge, walked in Stanley Park or visited one of my favourite spots (there are so, so, so many) I became a bit weepy because it could be my last (for a while).

Exactly 10 years, seven months and 16 days ago I moved to Vancouver in search of a job, friends and a home after 15 months of international work and travel. I’ve lived in the WestEnd mostly with appearances in Kitsilano, East Van and Chinatown/Main Street.

It was such a privilege to share some of the places, people, activities and eateries/drinking holes that I admire with Inside Vancouver readers over the past year and a half. Thanks for reading, commenting and sharing your views. I’m a list maker, so as a farewell to you and to my favourite Canadian city, here’s my personal ‘Best of’ list.

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Farewell Vancouver: My Personal ‘Best Of’ the City