Creampuff Enjoys Matters Historical

I'm a sucker for things historical. Slap an historical-sounding word front of it and I will be there. Historic Fort York? That's me with a musket. Lady Whosits Antique Spittoon and Nail Clipper exhibit? I'm first in line. Ye Olde Deepe Fried Mars Barre? Don't mind if I do!

I am locked in an eternal romance with the past; the romance part means that I can choose not to think about how people had a disturbing and constant level of b.o. and crapped in pots they kept under their beds. Actual history interests me too but sometimes I prefer to make shit up rather than rely on "facts". Facts are for the weak.

So when Katr and I were on our jaunt to the yarn store last weekend and zipped past Vancouver's historic Gastown on the bus, I knew I would have to visit. So yesterday I borrowed Katr's camera and walked down there to suss things out.

The first thing I noticed as I wandered towards the edge of Gastown is that historic Gastown is nuzzled right up against historic Cracktown. As Katr and I happened to spend some quality time at the epicentre of Cracktown waiting for a bus last Sunday, I wasn't worried. In fact, I was contemplating how extremely stoned people are probably the only people I can outrun when an older lady walking in front of me clutched her map, stopped cold in the middle of the sidewalk, loudly exclaimed "Judy - this is the BAD AREA!" to her quilted jacket companion and then looked around fearfully. I heard Judy's sharp intake of breath as her friend pointed out a single drug addict quietly loping along on the other side of the street. "Get over it," I thought, "it's not like he's licking you."

And still savouring that smug feeling of touristic superiority, I took this picture:

I know, I know - even with a great camera, I'm still kind of a crappy photographer. This is one of those cool wedge-shaped buildings that invite you to poke your head into the alley behind them and discover magic shops and musty bookstores. I poked my head around and found a guy whizzing against a dumpster. I did not photograph the event.

But I did take a picture of the shop front on the first floor of the wedge-shaped building:

That's right - an ANTIQUE store. I hung out in there like a bad smell. Just trying to evoke the period.

My second stop was at the historic Gastown Steam Clock. The clock is supposed to run off steam from the city's underground pipes, which is cool and it was designed in 1875, which is also cool but it was actually built in 1977 and now runs on an electric motor, emitting steam just for show. 1977?? ELECTRIC MOTOR?? We're lining up to take pictures of something that's the same age as my BROTHER and doesn't even run on STEAM?? Naturally, I took a photo:

You can see the steam coming out of the clock. Jealous? While I was there, I took a photo of the historic Starbucks across the street:

My Olde Tyme Pumpkin Spice Latte was just like Great-great Grandma used to make. Also, it perked me up before the inevitable trip to:

That's what Canada is all about, people - hockey, maple syrup and salmon. I think the Starbucks may also have had a gift shop but my batteries were low. But not too low to get a shot of this:

Turns out Gastown is not an ideal place to take photos of the ocean or mountains, so this fish fountain is as close as I got. I'm hoping Katr and I can get one for our foyer!

I thoroughly enjoyed my stroll through Gastown's touristy cobblestone streets, reading historical plaques and even saw some non-tourist looking places. No yarn stores though. FOILED. Next time I promise ocean and mountains. In the meantime, I'd better get started on this Ye Olde Deepe Fried Mars Barre. 'Cause gang, it's not gonna eat itself.

Comments

[Heather]

Oh and aren't the deep fried mars bars just the best? I had one at THE chip shop that started the trend in Montrose, Scotland when I was 16 and can still taste it. Well, it was allegedly the shop that invented them (it may be one of those fiction being more fun than the truth parts of history).

[kristen]

I have spent some time in that particular antique store. They are rather overpriced, but that is Vancouver for you. Did you find Venus and Mars? www.venusandmars.biz Some very interesting stuff comes out of there.

[wenders]

Quilted jacket companion. PERFECT. :)

[Ron Hudson]

If I come visit, will you take me to see ye olde whizzer in ye olde alley?

How the heck are you? By the way, I have a cool friend who lives out in Nelson, BC if you are ever heading that way again. I can introduce the three of you. He is one of my 1 Giant Leap buddies. I found out this week that I will be featured in the "Shadow" chapter of 1 Giant Leap's next film! How cool is that? I wonder what I said after they said "Rolling"....

[Maggie]

A fish fountain is the one thing that can really pull a room together!

[roro]

Heather - the deep fried mars bars are pretty enticing. And you're such a lawyer, with your "allegedly invented". Believe that shop in Scotland! It's not like THEY'RE trying to pass an electric clock as old as my brother as "history".

Kristen - overpriced indeed! And I did see Venus and Mars but my touristy sneakers and ponytail made me shy to go in. All those yummy corsets; they would have had to issue a restraining order. HA ha! Get it? 'Cause . . . okay, I can see from your face that you got it.

Wenders - you know it.

Ron - I will totally take you to see ye olde guy in the alley. And then I'll take you for fish and chips. And that's totally cool about the film! When will it be out so that we can all witness your in-person erudition??

Maggie - good one, good one. Let me see if I can sell that to my girlfriend . ..

[Ron Hudson]

Hey Roro!

I am not really sure of release date, only that it will be in the Spring of 2007. I can tell you that kd lang, susan sarandon and many others will be featured in addition to ye lil ole mee. If you want to watch a preview (I am not in it, dang!) go to www.1giantleap.tv and you will see a link for a sneak peek there.

Good to hear from you!

Ron

[greymatters]

I love the photos, Roro. Gorgeous -- even Ye Olde Starbucks passes muster (kinda, sorta).

I love the fountain. Salmon? I can see it as a defining, establishing piece in any room. Truly, a statement. Hypothetically, upon entering said room, I'd be thinking, "Is that a salmon in your dining room, or are you just glad to see me?".

[HB]

That salmon fountain reminds me that a Canada-trip is high on my list! ;-) No seriously, at some point I must visit Canada. It would be cool to travel around the areas where my father used to live and work in the 1950s and -60s: Vancouver, Hamilton (which I don't know anything about - is it a small place?) and Toronto. He actually planned to settle in Canada, he really liked it there. I'm glad he didn't though, because if he'd stayed there: no HB.

[Drew]

I was so going to get you a fountain like that as a Happy Solsti-Kwanza-Hanu-Xmas present. Guess that's shot to hell, now isn't it?

[roro]

Ron - Thanks for the info! I couldn't view the clip but the website looks great. Can't wait to see it!

GM - Ha ha ha - you're so right. The salmon humour could be ENDLESS.

HB - Yes, yes, come to Canada! Much salmon here. Hamilton is actually a fairly big city and I don't know it - but if you need a tour guide for Toronto or Vancouver, you let me know!

Drew - it's true. You've been FOILED!

[vesper]

i love gastown. i get my hair cut somewhere there...