travel

Travel Scenes: Vancouver by Christina Varvis

I went to Vancity for the first time in 2015 and took some ~snaps~ that I haven't shared until today. enjoy! 

Although it isn't the first Canadian city I have visited, Vancouver is the first one I took time to explore. During the ten days I was there with my sister, we covered a decent amount of ground, with walks from Yaletown to Gastown, and drives around Kitsilano and Granville. We even drove out to White Rock one afternoon, where we took in all the retirement vibes. This is also where I surprisingly happened to take most of my photos. Once I saw the quaint town overlooking the quiet ocean, it reminded me of my mom's village in Greece and how much I had missed it. I couldn't help but click away at my camera, especially as we walked down the pier, surrounded by people relaxing and enjoying themselves. Although White Rock is classified as a city and houses one of the largest populations in BC, it certainly doesn't feel like it. Granted, I only saw a very small stretch of it, so I'm sure other parts better reflect those facts.

About the neighborhoods within Vancouver, I absolutely loved exploring their distinct style and flavor, and observing the lifestyle of the residents. I don't think I could pick a favorite, but I know that if I could choose one to explore further, it would have to be the Downtown Eastside. It is one of Vancouver's historic neighborhoods that has been battling issues of crime, drugs, and poverty for years, while experiencing intense gentrification. I think it would be so valuable to document the stories found within its physical and human environment.

Back to the highlights of our activities, my sister and I decided to try out our outdoorsy side by treading across the Capilano Suspension Bridge and venturing to the top of Grouse Mountain, where we sat suspended over some seriously stunning views. Both sites were awesome to see and worth experiencing for any Vancouver newcomer. Naturally, the Vancouver Aquarium was on our itinerary as well, which was easily one of our favourite activities. As for the rest of our time, we spent it eating food, coffee shop hunting, doggo petting, and eating more food. Basically, we did all our usual habits, but in a much better climate and with an ocean view.

I have been to Vancouver twice more since, but the photos from this specific trip bring back more memories, especially because it was the first trip I spent with my sister where it was just the two of us, making it one for the books or blog in this case!

10/10 WOULD RECOMMEND
 

  • Earnest Ice Cream for ice cream! Check out their regular and rotating flavours on their website. You will want them all, trust me. They have classic flavours and unique ones like Peach Bourbon, Turkish Coffee, and Rhubarb Oat Crumble! They even have a vegan selection. My order: Lemon Poppy Seed and London Fog.
     
  • Yolks for Eggs Benedict sandwiches! These may seem really simple, but their value and taste comes from the quality of their ingredients, right down to the toasted English muffin. My order: Single Egg Double Smoked Bacon with Fresh Arugula.
     
  • Tacofino for tacos! I love this place so much, I even have their t-shirt, which I now only wear during special casual occasions, so it doesn't get too worn from the wash. My order: Fish Taco.
     
  • JJ Bean Coffee Roasters for lattes and muffins! This was a tough pick, because Vancouver has a strong coffee scene, but the one that always gives me withdrawals is JJ. My order: Vanilla Latte and Blueberry Lemon Muffin.

TECHNICALLY SPEAKING
 

Super long story short: my laptop crashed that same year, and I actually lost these photos, along with thousands and thousands of others. (Don't ask for the details, please! I'm still recovering; no pun intended. Thank goodness for my terrible memory, because I'm starting to remember less and less of it all.) The photos that I shared here are all that I have now from this trip. I luckily retrieved them from a past blog of mine that I never published, and they are now backed up on - not just one drive - but three. Yay for learning from really stupid mistakes, with thanks to my Digital Asset Management class for teaching me how to be and do better!

Travel Scenes: NYC by Christina Varvis

I really should have started this site sooner, but better late than never as they say! (For those who know me well, there is no saying that better applies to me than this one.)

To be honest, I don't always enjoy writing. Sometimes I take an hour just to write one sentence! Take this paragraph, for instance; I've been writing it on and off for almost three weeks now, and here I am on this snowy, Sunday night, still typing and backspacing away. (I blame the twenty open tabs in my brain that are constantly asking for attention. Oh, and YouTube.) What does this mean for the blog? Well, expect to see more photos than words, which will hopefully make everyone happy! Less writing for me, less waiting for you, and more images that you will hopefully dig.

Even though I have a growing library of recent photos, I'm throwing this gallery back to ones from my last trip with my family to New York City. It was actually our first trip ever with just the four of us, which made it that much more memorable and entertaining. Anyway, about New York, I love it. (Surprise, surprise!) I could go there every month, every week, and never get tired of it. It is like a never-ending playground for photographers. When I'm there, I know that even when I simply step out of the hotel every day, I will see something different that will make my fingers reach for my camera, which is exactly where I caught some of the moments seen above - right outside my hotel in the Flower District.

I also decided to share photos from this city specifically, because I think traveling to New York was ultimately what made me want to explore and photograph Edmonton. I think it's because I missed that feeling of adventure and curiosity that I had buzzing within me while traveling, and I am so grateful for it, because I realized that Edmonton has as much to offer as New York. Even though Edmonton is a much smaller city, I find that if I really pay attention when I'm looking out the window on my bus ride home or I make a left on 103 instead of 104, I always see something new to appreciate.