On Friday I was traveling to Vancouver BC. and Friday night was a party at Darrin and Elaina's house. On Saturday I walked around the city some, rode the water-taxi (so cool!), went to a maritime museum, and such. Saturday night was the wedding celebration. There was 50 people or so and we had an elegant dinner at a huge U-shaped dinner table. I saw the McGirr's who I haven't seen in a long time, which was great. Other Portland friends were there, and I met a couple new people. Everybody looked fantastic, especially the women, and there was dancing after dinner. It rained hard all day. On Sunday I returned to Portland in the same mode I left portland - half of the trip on a train, the other half on a Bus. It was a relaxing and inexpensive way to travel.

My first experience with the general public in Vancouver was at the lightrail station where the ticket dispenser didn't like my debit card. I let the next guy try and when he heard of my predicament, without hardly thinking he handed me cash for a ticket. also when asking for directions i got cordial, helpful answers. i was amazed, really. a couple things I learned about the city is that for all its highrises, they're almost all livingspaces rather than offices. $1 is cash is a coin, called a Looney, and $2 in cash is also a coin, called a Toonie. A person asking for money on the street said 'Can you spare a Looney?', which sounded funny the one time i heard it. What we call 'native americans', Canadians call the 'first nation'. On the trip back to portland, at the border, is the only "Eh?" that I heard on the entire trip.

I feel fortunate to have been part of Darrin and Elaina's special weekend, just like I feel fortunate to be friends with them.