My Electronic Scrapbook: Exploring Vancouver, British Columbia - Spring 2001

Annual Vancouver Cherry Blossom Festival

And then spring was officially springing up in my neighbourhood. I had spent most of the winter either exploring these streets in my neighbourhood or going downtown looking for a doctor.


Downtown Vancouver skyline from Jericho Beach

Then spring came. The bus and garbage strikes were over long ago and it was time to go on my healing journey. I was able to get downtown and meet with potential doctors. Many of which I rejected, either not patient enough, too busy and one accused me of being on the influence of narcotics!

One of the harsh realities about Vancouver is the drug culture is everywhere. Still, this accusation nearly knocked me to the floor. No one is more anti-drugs than I am and I was incensed but nothing I said convinced her otherwise. It was mortifying.


This giant log that washed up onto Jericho Beach apparently eating downtown Vancouver was taller than me!

I finally found the best doctor I have ever had. She was intrigued by my situation. She knew all the best alternative health doctors and got me on my health odyssey. I tried everything, from special diets, supplements, acupuncture, massage therapy... you name it, I tried it and she supported me the whole way.



As a result I would be downtown quite a bit for my appointments carrying my camera with me, discovering Vancouver with my feet since we still did not have a car. Here you can see Stanley Park across the water from North Vancouver. I had never seen mountain suburbs before. I thought it was wild and I have no place greener than North Vancouver.



While we were downtown one day we decided to walk over to Stanley Park but it rained so hard there was no point in going for a walk. Here is a classic photo Reg took of me standing there unknowingly having a tree come out of my head. That is my husband, always joking around!



There is no more beautiful spring in this world than Vancouver's. The entire world turns to pink and soon the roads would be covered in petals.



And the sun finally returns! When that happens in Vancouver you still get the occasional daily sprinkle of rain at some point but most of the time you will have the most amazing sunshine for months and months.



We soon discovered that it would rain overnight but for the most part, the sun would shine for most of the day and nature would sing!



And so would the birds. Which I soon discovered are almost impossible subject to photograph but here is one that is kind of OK.

Every day I was outside exploring, exercising, seeking out healers and gurus. I put my heart in soul into healing my body but it was my heart and soul that were freed.

How quickly we adapt to freedom and take it for granted.

Today is the first day of the cherry blossom festival in Vancouver and I woke up to snow in Nova Scotia. We are getting our snow tires removed today too. Sigh...