Ernesta:
While Nat and Kym had started volunteering at the pre-conference, I had some free time to look around Vancouver downtown. Myself and fellow volunteer Ateen started our trip at around 11 a.m. from the convention centre and finished at the same place at 6 p.m. We walked all around Downtown Vancouver and Stanley park which is huge. Vancouver is an absolutely stunning city which is clean and full of sporty, smiley people. Enough of my talking, have a look for yourself! (:
Figure 01. Map of Vancouver
Above is a map of my Thursday trip. The Yellow point indicates the start and finish of my journey, and the numbers correspond to the images and places I visited in order below.
Figure 02.
Map Point 1. Gasstown - The oldest area in Vancouver Downtown which is full of amazing Victoran buildings and loft appartments. This become our local night out area later in the week. (:
Figure 03.
Figure 04.
Figure 05.
Map Point 2. China Town! Very different from the one we all know in London. Vancouver's is full of amazing markets and restaurants. This place was shockingly different from the rest of Vancouver... It actually felt like I was visiting China! (:
Figure 06.
Figure 07.
Map Point 3. The Science Museum and an absolutely amazing view of the Southern part of Vancouver Downtown! We thought of visiting the Museum but was revealed to be rather pricey so we decided to save some money for other attractions (:
Figure 08.
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Figure 10.
Map Point 4. The stunning Granville Island! To get there we had to take a water taxi for about a $45.50 return which isn't as bad as it seems seeing as the trip is absolutely worth it. The Island is full of markets and restaurants and reminded me of a mixture of Camden Town and Covent Garden in London. That's were I also had my delicious lunch: home baked Ham and Cheese Croissant with White Tea Lemonade! (:
Figure 11.
Figure 12.
Map Point 5. This one place I visited is one of the poshest areas in Vancouver, full of eye catching modern architecture, elegant gardens, and beautfiul picnic areas.
Figure 13.
Map Point 6. English Bay! Probably my favourite part of Vancouver. Where else can you find the ocean, the beach, palm trees and a view of the mountains all in the same place?
Figure 14.
Map Point 7. The begining of the massive Stanley Park which reminded me of the one Yogi Bear inhabits (:
Figure 15.
Map Point 8. The San Fransico Bridge? That's the first thing that went through my mind the first minute I saw it! It's very similar just smaller and green!
Figure 16.
Map Point 9. And finally, back to where we started, the Convention centre, where we met a tired Nat and Kym for a much deserved dinner! (:
Nat:
Whilst Ernesta was out exploring Vancouver, I had my first of this year's pre-conference shifts. This was 'Studio Set-up' which is basically what it says. The volunteers on this shift set up Siggraph's Studio Space.
Figure 17. Wooden Wall Close-up
Figure 18. Morning shot from the convention centre balcony.
Sea plane heading to the take-off strip
Figure 19. Another Balcony in the convention centre
Figure 20. Cruise ship
Figure 21. Inside the studio for pre-conference.
The orange boxes contain the pc monitors and the cardboard boxes contain the pc donations from Intel. We all had to wear those fabulous high-vis jackets in there too.
Figure 22. Trying some Tim Hortons for lunch, I was told by a local that it's very popular with the students as a cheaper meal. Oh, and everything seems to have bacon in it….
Figure 23. This medium coke from McDonalds costs 1 Canadian Dollar (About 54p) with as many refills as you would like…. the price comparison is worthy of a mention in this blog.
Figure 24. The cable guy's mound of wires ready to network all of the computers us SVs installed.
Figure 25. The emptiness of the studio before the exhibitors fall in with their cool projects.
We decided to go and find somewhere for dinner and a nice chilled out evening.
Figure 26. We walked to Gas Town where Ernesta and Ateen had passed through earlier in the day, only this time it was full of beautiful colourful lights with the mountains gently fading into darkness in the background.
Figure 27. Ernesta manikin pose
Figure 28. Manikins
Figure 29. Souvenir shops
Figure 30. Colourful
Figure 31. Ernesta LOVES Gas Town
Figure 32. The Gas Town Steaming Clock
Steam comes out of the top in a tune on the hour.
Figure 33. More Colourful up-lighting
Figure 34. Even the back alleys are clean in this place
Figure 35. Gas Town
Figure 36.
We all eventually settled into a place called The Cambie where there was a bar and pub food, here Ateen is getting ready to set his alarm off to wake Ernesta from her public slumber.
Figure 37. After a day of busy fun, it was time to grab some more kip. This is how Granville street looked from the apartment balcony.
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