I used to joke that, in Des Moines, mass transit meant moving one really large body across town (m'ass transit, if you will). Not so here, where the mix of trains, buses, and water taxis provides a genuine alternative to the automobile. Vancouver is the only city in the world where automobile traffic has actually been reduced over the last decade (I suppose that figure doesn't include places like Detroit).
Last week we decided to venture out on a little excursion downtown using the SkyTrain, a modern version of the L-trains of Chicago and New York (though lacking those systems' grotty charm). After an eight-minute walk to the Nainamo Station (a hint for out-of-towners, but I'm sure we'll meet you at the airport), we were exiting the downtown station at Granville. Our destination for the day was a
Pinche Taco redux, and a hair appointment for Patty at
Bang Town.
Please note a couple of new additions to the blog. There are some tick boxes below each blog one can check to rate the blog. I used the generic first three Blogspot provided, and added a couple of my own. Please weigh in if you have alternatives to these rather boring ratings. Also, there is now a place to enter your email address if you prefer to get the blog that way.
 |
| We missed this train, but not to worry as they were running five minutes apart. |
 |
| Another good sign: bikes are allowed on the trains. There were three in our car alone. |
 |
| No, the mountains never lose their snowcaps here. Give it five years. |
 |
| Home of the B.C. Lions CFL team. The Canucks also have an arena downtown. Their games are a riot. |
 |
| I had to get a shot of my actual veggie tacos as last time I wolfed them down before I had a chance. From top left: refried beans and cheese, creamed corn, and sautéed mushrooms and peppers. Six bucks. |
 |
More beer shots for Judy, these from the Steamworks. Alas, Patty's favorite seasonal, the Raspberry Frambozën, was off tap, replaced by the tasty but not-as-good Hefeweizen. I was happy though as they had the Heroica Oatmeal Stout, which alternates monthly with the Coal Porter.
|
 |
| Got Beer? |
Coal Porter! I get it! The EL looks lurvly.
ReplyDeleteActually, the Porter is named after the nearby Coal Harbour. I love the label for the Heroica Oatmeal Stout. Very socialist.
ReplyDeleteThe blog is great, R. Keep up the food and beer porn. We loves it. I should have taken a picture of the grilled eggplant with caprese on top that we made for supper. It ate. I'm already missing my garden and it's still here. The temp is dipping into the 30's Wednesday night (It was 90-something today), so my basil's life is limited. Alas. Hugs to Patwa for me.
ReplyDeleteSad to see my wily Chinese teacher left these fine United States for the land of bagged milk and socialized medicine (i.e. Canada: America's hat!). Nonetheless, I'm glad you guys are having a great time. We're all placing bets on how long before you start saying "a boat" for "about" and "sorey" for "sorry." Anyway, the food looks great and the beer looks better! Have fun!
ReplyDeleteHi Glen. Well, maybe Canada likes it on top: http://bang-on.com/t-shirts/humour-canadian/canada-likes-it-top
ReplyDeleteGot wine? That beer looks yummy.
ReplyDeleteIfnonly I could get mark to try all those beers.... He is now hooked on esb.
If we didn't have tickets to Italy we'd be doing that 8min walk wiithbopur rolling luggage
Ps. Is bang town like bean town?
ReplyDeleteNo. Bean Town is a coffee shop.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.yelp.ca/biz/bean-town-coffee-house-vancouver
Nice foam.
ReplyDeleteWhen I moved away to college, I got tired of getting teased for being from Iowa. So I told people I was Canadian. Boy, I thought people from Iowa would get an earful.