Vancouver Visit

We spent two and a half weeks back in Vancouver, introducing Liam to my family and our friends there and of course seeing them again ourselves. Luckily, Ivo just switched jobs – he’s now working as an environmental consultant for a big Dutch firm – so he managed to take time between the two jobs to come with me. So that leaves his six and a bit weeks of vacation time this year free (actually, I think he only has about four left since he started in May).

Flying to Vancouver we get there pretty much the time that we leave, so it’s afternoon the whole way. On this flight the weather was clear, meaning we got lovely views of Iceland, Greenland, Baffin Island and Hudson Bay. I only took my camera out for Baffin Island. I think KLM would like this shot:

It was really cool seeing the work of glaciers and ice fields in such a clear form.

Then we arrived safe and sound at my parents place in a suburb of Vancouver. Here’s my step-father mowing the lawn.

And my parents’ house. For the non-North Americans, this is a pretty middle class house in a middle class neighbourhood.

And I do wonder how the neighbours are feeling about ever-increasing gas prices.

Introducing Liam to Grandma.

And cousin Grace, “reading” her new Nijntje book (or Miffy as she’s known in English).

My sister Miranda and my niece Grace, just a year old.

My nephew Jack sporting his new Holland t-shirt, which luckily I bought in the 5/6 year size. Jack is just over two and a half. Both he and Grace are big kids since their dad is 6’8″/203cm.

Here’s Dad, Luke.

And all of us. With 3 small kids it’s hard to get everyone looking at the camera at the same time. Heck, even the adults can’t quite manage.

And this is my friend Amea holding Liam with her son Oscar looking on. Amea and I actually met in Korea, both teaching English in the same town. Hard to believe that was over 10 years ago now.

Luckily her cat is used to kids since Liam has just discovered that they’re pretty interesting and fun to feel.

Liam’s also discovering cups and wondering about what’s inside them.

And would really like to drink beer. But he’s got almost 16 years to go here (in the Netherlands, the drinking age for wine, beer and coolers is 16 – it’s 18 for hard stuff).

Our friend Maarten and his son Aydin. Maarten is also Dutch, married to a lovely Australian woman (whose picture I neglected to take) – they live in Vancouver.

The view from their apartment. Vancouver really is a beautiful place.

The Dutch dads and their sons.

About the only touristy thing we did was finally go to the aquarium. When Ivo lived in Vancouver, we were really bad about doing these touristy things – we still have some catching up to do. But he really wanted to see the aquarium so we went with Miranda, Jack and Grace. Liam was still a little young to appreciate it, and he slept through the Dolphin show, which was a shame because we swear that’s what language he’s speaking half the time. He speaks with a lot of high pitched squeaky noises.

Jack, however, enjoyed the show.

And getting a hug from his mom.

Ivo watching the show.

Some of the acrobatics.

And more.

Then underneath to see the belugas.

Liam was awake by then and watched them.

And Grace thought it was interesting and wanted very much to touch them.

There was also a frog exhibit – I love me some cute frogs.

Then we quickly met up with my great-uncle Paul and his wife Bonnie who were in Vancouver for the afternoon in the midst of an Alaska cruise – Mum came into town for the afternoon to meet them too. Bonnie’s here with all of us.

And then with Uncle Paul and sans Mum.

A pensive Jack shot.

Liam back looking at the belugas from above.

And at a snake.

The sloth slothily moving around the tropical area.

Liam getting a ride from Papa – he loves the view from there, and holding onto Ivo’s curly hair.

Back with Bonnie and Mum in the Aquarium parking lot.

Mum, Liam, Paul and Bonnie (with Miranda in the background).

Me and Mum and Liam.

Then for dinner at the Bo Kong Vegetarian Chinese Restaurant – a must for us in Vancouver. I really do miss the variety, quality and cheapness of restaurants available in Vancouver – especially for vegetarian food.

Having coffee with Raul in Continental Coffee on Commercial Drive, close to where we used to live. Really good coffee is another thing I miss from Vancouver.

Raul with Liam. Raul and I met in grad school – he’s just now finishing his PhD.

On Saturday, April 19, we went up to SFU (Simon Fraser University) for the rugby alumni event. I never attended SFU but I did play rugby for them from the fall of 1992 until we went to Korea in February 1996 (well with the 1994-95 year off because we were in Central America). But when we got to the hill (SFU is on the top of a little mountain – that’s little by BC standards – at 370m (1214ft) it’s still 48 m higher than the highest point in the Netherlands), there was quite a bit of snow. The games were moved to a school at the bottom of the hill.

I had only planned on watching, but I told Pam I’d play if she could find gear, so of course she did and I played in the game. I do blame my overall walking pace to the lack of proper undergarments for a breastfeeding mother though, and certainly not on any lack of fitness on my part. Speaking of breastfeeding and Pam, both of us had to feed our kids at half time. Pam and I actually had the same due date and we both ended up being induced, but Maggie is older because they induce a lot sooner in Canada than in the Netherlands. Maggie is also about twice the size of Liam, despite Pam being about half my size (hard to tell by the photos because of the winter bundling).

Funnily enough, Pam’s and I are only a few months apart in age and are both married to guys quite a bit younger than us.

The whole group, men and women, alumni and current players.

Just the women – alumnae in red and current players in grey. The actual game was a lot of fun – the alumnae won by a large margin thanks to some speedy players. It was a nice way to end my playing career – I don’t think I’ll play again since there are not many teams here and they tend to be for university students. I think I may be getting to old for it too.

Julie and her kids, Pam and Maggie and me and Liam.

Liam attempting to pull Angus’ hair. We had a lovely impromptu dinner with Dani and Angus after the game. We had thought about going to the banquet that was part of the alumni festivities, but Liam’s not taking a bottle so we weren’t able to leave him with the grandparents.

Liam can be a little over enthusiastic about making contact with other kids. He just gets so excited. Angus is not so excited.

On Sunday night we drove down to Seattle to spend a couple days with my sister Jasmine. Here’s Jasmine contemplating motherhood.

And Liam contemplating who knows what.

And contemplating the mouth feel of plastic rings.

Liam and Jasmine.

Jasmine trying on pregnancy. I stopped at a maternity shop to pick up some breastfeeding shirts – so cheap in the US, not so cheap here.

We were back in Vancouver late Tuesday night in order to spend time with my Aunt Nancy, who flew up from California for a couple days. Liam was not so appreciative of loving attention from cousin Grace.

Aunt Nancy (now Great Aunt Nancy (though she’s always been great)) with Grace.

Funny Liam face.

And now with funny Ivo face too!

My brother Chris also came home for a few days after finishing final exams at the University of Victoria.

Grace helping Aunt Nancy with her camera.

More Ivo and Liam.

Liam and his Uncle Chris.

Exhausted parents (are there any other kind?).

Out for dinner with Raul and some other friends. Liam again goes for the beer.

Outside the restaurant with Hisham and Connie (which also began as a long distance European to Canadian relationship), Misty, Raul and us.

Waiting for pedicures at the spa Miranda works at, Liam spends time with Aunt Nancy and Mum.

With Maarten and Aydin again, as we return the plug adaptor they lent us so Ivo could shave.

With my ex-stepmother, Yodih.

And, saying goodbye to the grandparents.

It was nice to be back in Vancouver, but it was strange too. At this point I feel like I’m between two homes – Vancouver is no longer home, despite its familiarity, but I still refer to it that way a lot. And the Netherlands definitely is where I live and feel comfortable, but I don’t know if it’s home yet. I guess it’s a slow transition from one home to another. Although I’ve spent quite a it of time away from Vancouver, in university, travelling and while I was in Korea, this is the first time when I didn’t think it was a temporary period away with the intention to go back. This time I don’t know if we will end up back there – other than for food and coffee, I don’t know if I miss the city. However, I do know that I definitely miss my family and friends quite a bit, so I will definitely keep visiting.