There are dozens of neighbourhoods around the world known as
the West End. It’s a really useful
name: “the western edge of … somewhere-or-other!” For the people (and other
critters) who live in each of the world’s West End communities, their
neighbourhood is home, and a very special place.
Vancouver’s West End is just such a special place. My chum
Flora here has it right: wherever you
happen to call home, it’s where your heart is.
Vancouver’s West End borders the city’s downtown core. Home
to about 45,000 people (other critters aren’t included in that figure), it has
lots of apartment buildings, historic homes, shopping, restaurants, and neat
stuff to see. Residents have settled here from all over the world. These lucky folks have only a short walk from
their front doors to another wonderful stretch of Vancouver’s seawall.
Strolling the seawall out of False Creek, we pass by a
pretty fountain that looks like a waterfall …
and under the Burrard Street Bridge …
toward a great view of English Bay. The seawall follows the
edge of Sunset Beach, where dogs are
allowed to run off-leash.
In late July, people can watch fantastic fireworks over
English Bay.
Al here works at one of the Vancouver Board of Parks &
Recreation’s many good concession stands. You can buy snacks and drinks from
her if your tummy’s rumbling.
This sculpture is by a French artist named Bernar Venet. It’s part of a whole
series of outdoor sculptures he’s created of arcs: parts of circles.
I think it looks like the ribs of a sea monster,
or maybe a wrecked ship! What do you think it could be?
This is an Inuit inukshuk
from northern Canada that was created by an artist named Alvin Kanak for Expo 86. Mr. Kanak comes from Rankin Inlet in the
Northwest Territories.
“Inukshuk” means “in the likeness of a human” in the Inuktitut language. Inuksuit (that’s the plural of inukshuk) are erected in the Arctic
as memorials, or to help people find their way to important places.
Mr. Kanak’s sculpture also stands for friendship and
welcome. It inspired the symbol of the 2010 Olympic Winter Games.
Vancouver boasts about 18 kilometres of beaches. North of
Sunset Beach, we come next to First (or
English Bay) Beach. I took in a bit of sun …
admired the freighters anchored in English Bay …
and enjoyed the view north toward Vancouver’s famous Stanley
Park.
Coast Salish people called this beach Ayyulshun, which means “soft under feet.” Mmm, it sure is.
The English Bay
Bathhouse was built in 1931. It was renovated for Vancouver’s centennial in
1986, and again in 2002. It has change-rooms for folks using the beach.
Vancouver’s first public aquarium was here, in 1939.
I was excited to learn that it’s also the home of the Polar Bear Club. Mind you, the club’s
members aren’t bears, but humans, who go for a chilly swim in English Bay every
New Year’s Day.
This is a funny old sign … “Immodest attire” … Does that
mean I’m in trouble? Oh, right, I’m a bear, I’m not bare …
In the Morton Park Triangle next to First Beach, artist Yue
Minjun made 14 sculptures that together are called A-maze-ing Laughter. You can’t help but laugh along with them.
Say, am I giving you the impression that it’s always sunny
in Vancouver? Hee hee – you won’t hear otherwise from me!
Now, see the forested peninsula behind me in this shot from First
Beach? You’ll remember that that’s Stanley
Park. We’ll head there for the next leg of our seawall stroll.
Story © S. Clouthier
Photo of 2010 Olympic logo courtesy Michael F. McCarthy
Photo of English Bay fireworks courtesy Jon DeJong
Other photos © S. Clouthier
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