With Victor Thomas Caleb and I trying to get the attention of a large Koi in the university reflection pondin Vancouver

Caleb and I trying to get the attention of a large Koi in the university reflecing pond

Part of the historic Gastown District in Vnacouver. All they need now is to develop the Waterfront of this district.

The steam powered Gastown Clock.

Plaque on the Gastown Steam powered Clock. It works too!

Victor and my selfie at the Clock.

One of the retro buildings in the centre of downtown with very interesting steel 'earthquake' and concrete structures as a part of the construction. The steel plates have interesting patterns which are like Victorian 'broekielace', but a modern version.

A First Nation Pan Flautist playing seriously beautiful and haunting music at the Waterfront Market.

Just another view and a few more hairs gone due to Canadian driving!

Farmers Market with some truly magnificent organic vegetables and for once, real Shoulder Bacon and thickly cut. Yummy! I had a wonderful scrambles egg and bacon wrap.

Just another view of the market. A lot of amazing food stalls with delicious options, not Fast Food!

Another selfie with the Canadian flag in the background for Victor. Part of downtown behind us.

The famous old bridge behind me. A smaller version of a cross between the Sydney Bridge and Ponte Vecchio with very Italinate architectural details. Now you can see my SACS OB jersey and Blue shirt!

The steel bridge again with the requisite flag of Canada, the famous Maple Leaf. For me, Maple leaves signifies Maple Syrup on my breakfast!

A different view of downtown Vancouver with Seagulls and Pigeons vying for food scraps include a packet of 'slapchips' and Hot Dog and Roll that were dropped by a child. Manna for the birds

At the Cement Fcatory at the Water Front. A mechanical device That drops steel balls onto a series of variously shaped spirals and runnels that eventualy delivers it to another device that lifts them back up to follow a second course and then repeats the process. Ingenious.

My eye was caught by the canoe at the top. Tunnel Hull with a window. I would love this. R9000!

View of the inside with the glass window to see what you are catching or how close the rocks are!

We visit the University of British Columbia Museum of Anthropology. A recent copy of a First Nation sculpture. Beautiful design.

On the left, a new version of First Nation hand weaving using modern dyes. Next to it a family pole which indicates their story. Each firgure represents an episode that is personal to them. Using the term 'Totem' pole is incorrect. The lady was amazing in her telling of the history of the First Nation People who are still legislated against in some respects. There was a protest while I was there against forced educational systems. Not unlike SA in 1976! Just not violent.

These boxes which held personal items or food or became funral boxes, are made with a single piece of wood which is steamed and folded. There are no joins in the box section. The lid is seperate. Ingenious and beautifully carved.

A number of gifts from the Potchuck (sp) (pot luck) where gifts are made and food is prepared for the time of the choosing of the new chief. The food is whatever is available in the pot as are the gifts. This was banned by the British authorities from 1921 to 1953 as it did not fit in with the so-called 'assimilation' policy to force First Nation people to 'become like' the British! Yeah right! They still suffer from this today through 'forced' education!
So much for allowing people their cultural rights.

A fairly large canoe made by cutting and carving, then filling it with water heated by putting steaming hot rocks inside and stretching the wood as it softens to get a wider bowl and smoother hull. again, very ingenious.

A part of the over 4000 items from Canada First People as well as Africa, the Middle East and a number of South East Asian and Far Eastern cultural items. The African-Cuban exhibition was especially interesting.

A modern sculpting of a typical Haita people sculpture by Brian Reid, a Fisrt Nation Haita person. He has revived thei traditional way of sculpting with each sculpture having a cultural message, The wood is Cedar and is laminated to get the size.

A part of the African-Cuban exhibit. Very recognizable by the Cuban Artists use of Invictus in creating this story on canvas.

One more Victor and Geoff selfie with downtown in the background. I had a wonderful stay with Victor and Candice and he and I had a magic morning together in town and Stanley Park as well as the afternoon visit to the Museum of Anthropology at the University of British Colimbia.
Thank you Victor for being such an amazing, selfless and generous host. You have become a great example of a kind, generous and compassionate SACS man. I commend you for all you are doing for the troubled youth and the forgotten and neglected men and women of Vancouver as well as for the students that you love so much.