Two new murals I found in Vancouver. One at the west end, along Davie Street. The other along Main Street.

A long stroll around the creek, from Yaletown to Stamp’s Landing. Or, Olympic Village, as most people know the area as. I was using the Aqua bus stops as reference points.

After what seemed like a never-ending winter, the sluggishness is wearing off. Sunbeams brighten the place and urges me to venture out. It is early still, and I am still cold. Fear and discomfort holds me back at first. Bright colours beckon, so I take tentative steps forward. The winds bring chills. A flower peeks out from the brush. Clouds form, threatening to rain. Should I hurry home? I don’t have an umbrella, and am not wearing a hood. But it does not rain. There is a break in the cloud, and the sun come out again. Warmth radiates from it.

This is spring. A season that gives us weather as muddled as our lives can be sometimes. Spring makes us wonder if we should bring out those bright loafers from the cupboards, or keep the rain boots on. It toys with us, making us look foolish for wearing a coat and carrying an umbrella around when it is clearly sunny. And when we take our chances with the weather, we get served a good dose of Murphy’s Law – when it rains, it pours. This is life.

Spring is as serious as winter was, and as lively as summer will be. It all depends on how you choose to acknowledge it. Will there be icy stares, or warm embraces?

It was a beautiful weekend. On Friday, I went to Granville Street. Took the train to Broadway, and then the bus down to Granville. I took a nice long stroll from one end to the other, and then crossed the bridge. As I was crossing, I took a quick snap of Granville Island below. Then I looked across and took a picture of the other side. I got lucky with the timing, being able to avoid traffic, capture the scenery in the background and catching the lone pedestrian walking on the other side. I really love that picture. Life put on pause. That’s what it means to me. 

Waiting on the other side of the bridge was a mural. Maybe it was created just before the winter olympics. I don’t know; care. It stood out. A bright splash of colour in an otherwise, almost pale background. It made me realise how colourful Vancouver can be, literally. If only the sun came out more often.

There was a wall along Beatty Street, near the Stadium-Chinatown Skytrain station filled with murals. I assume the people depicted on it lived in Vancouver at some point of their lives.

I took these images about a month ago, maybe longer, when I was exploring downtown Vancouver. Then I went on a hunt for more.

Spring is officially here. It is finally getting warmer, nearing double digit temperatures here. There are frequent showers, alternating with bouts of unadulterated sunshine. Trees and shrub are budding, and flowers are slowly blossoming. The atmosphere is filled with the smell of rain and the sounds of sniffles. There’s more colour not just in nature, but also in the city. People are losing the thick jackets and coats and opting for bright cardigans, sweaters and scarves. Soon, it will be possible to enjoy that cup of coffee on the terrace of the cafe. Or even a juice blend. It’s a beautiful season. Coming soon, summer!

The walk from Olympic Village station to Granville Island makes for several good photo opportunities. And needless to say, at the latter venue as well.

There are beautifully sunny days even in the dead of winter.

An experiment I decided to undertake on a night when I could not fall asleep.