Animals around the world

I have lived in a few places in my 27 years, and wherever I go there is a recurring theme; I fall in love with animals! Of course I have pets at home who are always in my thoughts, and living overseas has allowed me to meet even more. In the Philippines, my first friend was a cat called Tracey Sue. She lived in the apartment block where I lived for the first 3 months by myself. It seemed like she didn’t have one home but just got by on occasional scraps and attention from the inhabitants. Filipinos have a different attitude to pets, so when she came by my door one day I think she got a pleasant surprise. I was pretty lonely having just arrived so I was very pleased to see her. She was a bit shy to begin with but it didn’t take long until she was making herself at home in my apartment  (see picture!) Unfortunately I had to leave her when I moved house, but low and behold, 2 new creatures with big brown eyes, were waiting at the new place to be loved! Two dogs were abandoned by the last owners and were semi-domesticated. They waited outside asking for food and attention, and me and my housemate Ella couldn’t leave them. We let them on the drive and fed them what we could. Pretty quickly they worked their way into our hearts and our home, sneaking in and hiding at first; we couldn’t throw them out! We named them Hazel and Honey. Sadly Honey died of a horrible cough, pretty sudden, so we were left with just Hazel. She was a little timid, especially of men and brooms L Hazel was such a good girl and pretty popular with the boys in the neighbourhood which we realised one evening… we were relaxing outside and Ella went to her room to find Hazel under the bed with what looked like a rat. Ella panicked and I took a closer look, only to discover one small beautiful puppy. We had no idea she was pregnant! Immediately we knew he was called Horace. He was very naughty and spoilt! We all loved him and he was notorious for stealing slippers and bras. I wanted to take good care of them (vets bills were hard on a volunteer allowance) and bring them home but it wasn’t possible so I found them new homes…. heartbreaking L They really helped me through some hard times and were good companions. I hope they are happy now.

So fast forward 3 years, and I have fallen in love with a new set of animals, feline and canine. My niece and nephew Archie and Maggie are just delightfully soft. They are indoor cats, as ragdoll breed, they are very submissive to anything and wouldn’t last long with racoons, and other cats and dogs! They make their own entertainment in the house; Archie by playing ball like a dog, literally bringing you the ball and chasing it, although unlike a dog he decides exactly when he is in the mood or if he has other busy to attend to! Archie the meerkat giraffe cat is timid with new people, but is very loving. He also likes to eat plastic and ribbons. He likes to clean Maggie but it can end in him getting carried away and a confrontation starts. They love each other though, and Archie looks for Maggie if he hasn’t seen her for a while. Maggie aka Maggalulu-doodle-day is more sociable and likes to be part of things. She has ‘love attacks’, when she just cannot get enough strokes and scratches. If she was in a cartoon, love hearts would be popping out of her eyes and in circles around her head. She is so irresistible she even makes a grown Scottish man go high pitched and soft! She also has different tone miaows, eye blinks and positions she tilts her head depending on what she wants, so clever. I will miss the furballs and their insane beauty.

The others I will miss are the infamous dogs, Suki and Jones. They are well known in the ‘hood and are best buddies. Suki comes to the happy house I have been living in during the day. She has pointy ears and is a bit like a bear. She welcomes everyone and keeps an eye on the situation. Jones is from next door. He is 7 months and is incredibly cute, and mental! He was found in a pack of wild dogs that were going hungry and eating the pups, so he was saved. He has a glint of the wild in his eyes, especially when he is running round the garden at 100mph. Suki and Jones are good friends, Suki being very patient and teaching Jones a thing or two. He adores her and she doesn’t mind when out for a walk and he walks in front of her, looking at her every 2 seconds with his overly long tongue falling out of his mouth! Suki is 7 but still plays and has a spring in her step when playing with Jones, fighting over bones and biting each other’s legs! It is a very cute friendship. They are such a positive influence on the house, always pleased to see people and entertain.

They have made my day, every day I have seen them, and seeing them be so happy, enthusiastic, fun and hopeful brightens up the world. I’ll miss both the fleabags but know they are an amazing pair and will keep on making every person they come into contact with happy J See this for more of an introduction to the terrible 2.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dmo4KvJZ-uk 

Disclaimer: The anthropomorphism of animals in this video is recognised and projection of feelings is purley speculative ;)

 

Tracey Sue making herself at home



The new arrival, Horace

Hazel and Horace



Experiencing Livability

This blog has been severely neglected, due in part to being busy doing everything I possibly can in this amazing city and province, and also sometimes doing nothing!

I have fallen in love with the place and really enjoy the lifestyle here. Last year Vancouver was given the title of the most liveable city in the world by the annual Economist Quality of Living  Survey. Dropping to 3^rd place behind this year, to Melbourne(1^st) and  Vienna (2^nd), the survey of living conditions was designed primarily for companies to decide how much to pay employees and where to open businesses. The surveys have also drawn the attention of media around the world and have become topics for discussion. The Economist use some data from Mercer who also carry out the survey, taking into account  factors such as the widespread availability of goods and services, low personal risk and an effective infrastructure. Whilst living in Vancouver, I have been thinking about what liveability means, and how the combination of living conditions affects people’s wellbeing. It is made clear by Mercer that there is a difference between quality of living and quality of life, the first being basic individual needs that are met in a certain situation and the second being a more subjective and about someone’s personal and emotional wellbeing. Someone could be living in a place with high livability ratings but personal circumstances could lead them to a poor quality of life. Mercer claims to have designed an objective way to measure quality of living, based on factors that people say are representative of quality of living, and assessing 10 key categories. The survey has been criticized for being too western-centric, and also doesn’t take into account cost of living when looking at livability.

Whilst thinking about the people who live in Vancouver, I wondered if everyone’s representations of quality of living are the same; one man’s punch may be another man’s poison. Would all agree that this is the top 3 most livable cities in the world and experience the livability factors? For example, for a homeless woman in downtown eastside Vancouver, the poorest postcode in Canada with high crime, drug and violence rates, her safety being jeopardized daily and her choices being extremely limited, would she agree with the high livability ratings? Or a recent immigrant from rural Mexico, coming from a tight community and now trying to find a community and employment opportunities in the city, would he agree? Having said this, the surveys do make it clear they are only using objective measures to determine livability, relating to a broad population rather than to individual quality of life.

I will be learning more about these livability surveys and their uses in my MSc in Wellbeing and Human Development starting soon, so hopefully some of these ramblings can be advanced! I think it is about a combination of many factors including basic survival needs, to choices, freedom, health care, community and more. Whether Vancouver can be rightfully be given a shiny badge for being a very livable place through these surveys or not, I am going to give it my own shiny badge for being such a damn fine place which I feel so grateful to have experienced. My reasons are below (in no particular order), and if you are thinking of where you could go for your next holiday, consider this……..

§  Connection with nature; the city is very green and leafy, with massive old trees lining the streets, supplying fresh oxygen and a feast for the eyes.  Green spaces are used very well. People take good care of their gardens and areas in front of their houses, and there are community allotments even in center of the city

§  The vista; from almost anywhere in the city you can see the crisp snowcapped mountains, or the horizon out to sea, making you feel more connected to the earth!

§  Proximity to mountains/ beach/ forests/ lakes, all within reasonable distance and all of incredible beauty and colour

§  Aesthetically pleasing houses and other architecture and so varied, from Hong Kong style high rises downtown, to wooden, colourful 2 tone houses on wide streets

§  Cleanliness and people taking responsibility for the city, including good recycling awareness and systems (Greenpeace was formed here, no wonder)

§  The openness…People talk to each other in the street; generally that is only done in the countryside at home! Also people chat on public transport; I actually had to adjust to this when first arriving, with an initial feeling of English awkwardness when people first talk but it didn't take me long to get well into chatting to strangers- you learn allsorts! Some people don’t want to talk, but if eyes meet there is generally an exchange of smiles

§  Liberally minded people and no fear of people expressing themselves; anything goes and differences are celebrated. The positive, quirky attitude of Vancouverites is uplifting

§  Loads going on but without the feel of too much and not rushed

§  Efficient public transport with pleasant bus drivers who go out of their way to help you enjoy your trip and find your way… refreshing!

§  A multi-cultural city that is reflected in the huge variety of music, theatre, and food (mmm the food, so delicious, generous helpings and veggie friendly)

§  The love of animals….. dogs seem to be involved with everything and people love cats too. Kids are also part of everything with lots of young families, so there is just endless cuteness!

§  People are active in Vancouver with sports and outdoor activities. It would be possible to ski in the morning and sail in the afternoon- although people may not go this far, they get stuff done!

Happy International Bog Day!

Yesterday I became part of the Lower Mainland Green Team, a group of people from all over the Lower Mainland BC who get together once a month to help an environmental group, non-profit organization, charity or city tackle an environmental issue that needs co-operation and teamwork to get done. A common task is to remove invasive plant species. Over time many species have been brought to Canada that dominate areas and cause native plants to die. Ecosystems can change because of the plants and they can really adversely affect habitats.

A glorious day yesterday took us to Delta Nature Reserve, helping a local group tackle an English Ivy problem. The reserve sits beside Burns Bog, the largest peat bog on the west coast of North America, abundant with unique flora and fauna. Most of it is closed to public as it is a treasured area, and is thought to be a major regulator of the regions climate. The Delta nature reserve is to the east of the bog. Ivy was brought here by Europeans as an ornamental plant. I’m sure our ancestors didn’t realise the impact it would have on some habitats, but it can grow in dense patches, form a thick ground cover that suppresses native tree seedlings, and engulfs and kills lower branches of trees due to heavy shade. The extra weight of the vines and evergreen leaves causes the host tree to be much more susceptible to blow down from winds or heavy rain, snow, or ice. It may also harbour a plant disease called Bacterial Leaf Scorch, which harms elms, oaks, and maples. Without its natural predators to keep it at bay, ivy has gone for it! So how could we help with this? To pull out as much as we could! After short instruction from the local conservation group, we collected clippers, gloves and saws, and got to it. It was actually very physical, pulling at ivy with all your might. It was hard to get to the roots of the ivy, being a creeper and entwined itself with everything in sight, but very satisfying and therapeutic to get it out. I did feel a bit sorry for the ivy; I’m sure it didn’t intend to cause such trouble as it elegantly glided its way through the forest.  It is a beautiful species, and at the end of the day survival of the fittest has led it to it’s tyranny of the other plants. But it really is necessary in this area, taking over everything. Some people worked on the trees, cutting the ivy at the bottom of the tree which would cause the ivy higher up to die. Those of us working on the ground pulled, wrestled, tripped over and rolled up big piles of ivy for 3 hours, by which time we were shattered! The pile of ivy at the end was impressive, but really, we just scratched the surface. However at least it gives plants and trees in that small area we covered a bit of breathing space and some freedom. Meanwhile the massive ball of ivy we collectively pulled out will be picked up by the city and disposed of, and after being compressed will measure about 16 cubic yards.

Actual removal of invasive plants is very important, but so is preventing their spread. Many invasive plants including ivy are still sold at garden centres, and even if just in people’s gardens the berries can be eaten by birds and passed through without damage, to far away places not expecting an ivy invasion! Thankfully there are groups including the Invasive Plant Council of BC who encourage people to get involved in tackling the problem, and work closely with the Lower Mainland Green Team.

Unfortunately there are no more removals in August but we will be back in September at the Pacific Spirit National Park for more! Until then I might have a look around my garden and see if there is any ivy or other contrary collections not quite where they should be, and maybe you should too :)

                                            Ivy pile at end :)

                                               Before

                                            After

                                                     A walk in Burns Bog afterwards

The Canadians know how to do food.

Falafel wrap with houmos, tzatziki, and tablueh; Macaroni cheese with crispy breadcrumbs; Cherry Dr Pepper slurpy; Yam fries with chipotle mayonnaise; Gooey cinnamon rolls; Granola with vanilla soy milk; Key lime sorbet; Hashbrowns with hot sauce; Crispy BC gala apples; Fresh salad with honey mustard dressing; Fizzy sour cherry chews; Saag paneer dopa; Blueberry jam; Mediterraen pizza with extra feta; Custard pie topped with strawberries; Chipotle mushroom fajitas with coriander hot sauce, guacamole and soured cream; Jalapeno and cheese scone; Pecan caramel shortbread; Honey wheat bagles, Pretzels covered with berry yogurt; Cheddar and feta omlette topped with fresh tomatoes and parsley; Berry flavoured popcorn; Veggie dog with fried onions and bbq sauce in a wholewheat roll; Mint chocolate fudge; Pear, gorgonzola and blue cheese gelato; Sweet potato sushi; BBQ'd aubergine marinaded in olive oil and garlic; Red potato salad with spring onions; Quinoa and vegetable warm salad; Orzo and sundried tomaro salad; Veggie burger with red onion chutney and goats cheese; Apple, blueberry and pecan muffin; Jamaican patties; Peanut butter cups.

Happy Canada Day :)

Friday July 1^st marked Canada’s 144^th birthday, celebrating the formation of the country in 1867. Of course let’s not forget that Canada was inhabited by First Nations people for thousands of years, until the Europeans showed up bringing disease and claims of rights to the land. Spain, Portugal, France and Great Britain got stuck in, trading, taking resources, marrying, hunting bison to the point of extinction, causing starvation, and tussling over who had more right to be there. Both France and Britain made alliances with First Nations people in the hope of winning more, but Britain generally did pretty well out of it. It was a relatively peaceful takeover, but it really couldn’t have been that nice being told to assimilate to European culture and being classed as culturally, religiously, politically and technologically inferior, as well as being shoved off their land. With the country progressing in a way the Europeans wanted, sometime in the late 19^th century, General Governor someone or other decided it was about time to call on her majesty’s loving subjects throughout Canada to join and celebrate the formation of a country called Canada.

People didn’t start celebrating the day until the first half of the 20^th century, and only then sporadically. It wasn’t until 1958 that it became an annual do, and it seems to have grown ever since. So what do people do on Canada Day? Some went to mass pancake breakfasts, watched street parades, and fireworks. Others watched outdoor concerts and ate at salmon bbqs. Some people decided to gather in the middle of the city and openly celebrate marijuana together. I chose to see what that was all about.

Outside Vancouver Art Gallery, a downtown square had turned into an open cannabis farmers market, an event to celebrate the plant, and a public call for the end of prohibition. Stalls sold marijuana cookies and brownies, seeds and seedling plants, and smoking paraphernalia. Organisations had stalls with petitions for the legalisation of the plant, and some organisations fighting for marijuana for medical uses. As well as the official stalls there were guys and gals openly selling weed and joints, prepared with huge quantities, dressed in Canadian flags and merry outfits. There was a stage set up with bands and marijuana advocates making speeches. It was pretty surreal, relating to the UK where police arrest stats would be sky high at such an event. Curious about this, I talked to a cop who was standing nearby, observing the crowds. Asking why this is allowed, he explained that people were protesting, and they have the right to protest. He said there were 6 of them on duty; no more were needed as trouble is unlikely. The only time they would intervene is if things got out of hand. ‘What would getting out of hand mean?’ I asked. He replied ‘You know if people took over the streets, like at the riots. But people are unlikely to do that here. These people aren’t drinking alcohol, these people aren’t aggressive’. With this positive attitude, the acceptance for this event was clear, and it was reciprocated, with organisers thanking police for allowing their freedom of speech and also their presence at the event.

It was an insightful Canada Day celebration to be at, very different, great for people watching, and generally entertaining. It is very much part of the culture here; France have their wine, Belgium have their beers, Newcastle has it’s broon, and BC has it’s bud. Vancouver is a city that takes a progressive stance on marijuana as well as other things. I’m not sure the Governor who called on this celebration in 18-something, sitting with his glass of legal high, would approve of ever have imagined such an event, and would certainly not have partaken….would he?!

                                                                       

                                                                      

Birthday in BC

I had my 27th birthday in Vancouver on Wednesday. Apart from being slightly alarmed at being 27, I had a pretty good day. The following are some great things about it.....

1. I rode my sister in law Cheryl's Reebok Cruiser bike with high handle bars and a basket, negotiating the traffic on the right hand (wrong) side of the road. Felt like I was riding a Harley Davidson.

2. I spent a significant amount of the afternoon trying on rollerblades, but didn't quite find the right pair.

3. I went to a 2 level massive outdoor shop with everything bit of equipment you could imagine.

4. I ate a burger on the beach with my bro, sis and our Golden Canadian friend Neil.

5. There was a whole dark cherry at the bottom of my vanilla milkshake.

6. We watched the sun set over mountains, city and sea.

7. I played with Archie the ragdoll cat who like a dog, can fetch and retrieve a ball and play catch, and very proudly too.

Vancouver Gets a Beating

I am hoping it is not because I arrived on Wednesday that the city suddenly blew up into mayhem! Watching the live reporting from the riots on my first night in Vancouver, drifting in and out of jetlag induced semi- consciousness was pretty surreal. Luckily I was not the cause of, or part of the riots, and whilst some pathetic idiots were causing trouble, I was chilling in the company of my lovely brother and sister-in-law, and their 2 ragdoll pussycats Archie and Maggie.

The journey was smooth and no problems at all. I did have to run to the gate for the final call as lost track of time in WH Smith; some things will never change! I was also dressed in a few layers to lessen the weight of my luggage, so was pretty hot by the time I had sprinted and got on the plane. Despite being a bit cramped, having a man next to me with serious nasal issues, and having arm rest wars with men both sides of me, the journey went quickly. I got my visa easily, served by a very bored immigration worker who didn’t seem to care what I was doing in his country; I didn’t need most of the documents they demand that you bring. Greeted by my darling bro, I was finally in Canada. Months of thinking about it and building up to it was actually reality! The good thing about going away is getting to spend so much time with my favourite people and loved ones beforehand, although it seems a bit extreme to go to the other side of the world to be able to do that! I reflected lots on the plane about how lovely everyone is, well, most of you!!

The city was buzzing with hockey fever, blue and white Canucks colours splashed everywhere. It was the Stanley Cup Final, THE ice hockey Championship of North America. The Vancouver Canucks were up against the Boston Bruins, huge for Canucks fans. Everywhere you looked there was the Canucks logo and ‘Go Canucks Go’ signs, including on the front of buses and on a banner pulled by a plane! I watched the game on TV, enjoying it but struggling to keep up with its fast pace, as well as wincing at some of the violent challenges! Unfortunately the buzz lessened and the high became lower than low when the Canucks lost 0-4 to the Bruins. As with any place inhabited by the human race, there will always be a bunch of radgies who spoil it for everyone, and a minority of the 100,000 people gathered downtown went mental. Cars were overturned and burned, shops were smashed, burned and looted, innocent fans and people trying to stop the chaos were beaten, and general angry mob behaviour went on for a few hours. Similar riots had kicked off when the Canucks lost to the New York Rangers in 1994, but people were shocked and upset it had happened again. Having a reputation and pride for being a peace loving, chilled out city, hockey fans and residents are sad and embarrassed that a few people, who went there with intention of destruction, have turned what should have been a fun event into debauchery and violence. The clean-up started straight away, as volunteers with shovels and brooms cleared up the debris left by the selfish criminals. The perpetrators have been described today as threatening fools, vulgarians , vandals and hooligans, and hours of video footage and photos will be sifted through to identify them.  The contrast is extreme between these people who have been given the privilege to celebrate a sporting event with their community, and people in the Middle East rioting to overthrow oppressive governments and fight for their lives!

Walking in Vancouver today, it seems like riots would be a million miles away, the truth of the city shining through. The West side is very pleasant indeed, colourful flowers and houses, beaches, boats, birds and smiling people. The waterfront walk was vibrant with joggers, cyclists, families, old people wearing visors, and dogs of all shapes and sizes. The city is easily navigable because it is built on a grid system. I am hoping my short term future in terms of what to do and where to live will be as equally easy to move through and navigate…...