It must have been back in 2009 during an art-walk in downtown Jacksonville when I first heard about how beautiful the city is. When I got home I did some research online about Vancouver...it was true, the city looked amazing from the pictures and videos I saw. It's a great city with nice buildings surrounded by nature, it has mountains, ocean, parks, etc...I told myself "I have to go there one day!"
Never thought the date would come so soon! =)
American Society for Engineering Education (ASEE) gave me the perfect excuse to fly all across North America and visit beautiful Vancouver.
There I was in the Engineering atrium at UCF studying when I overheard one of my brothers talking about the ASEE conference in Vancouver, it immediately caught my attention. I began the quest to find out more about how to be part of this adventure (I mean conferenceJ). There were so many things that I had to take into account, for example: possible funding from the university to pay expenses, hotel, flight, whom was I traveling with (I didn’t want to go to unknown place by myself without knowing anyone!).As time passed I couldn’t find anyone that could afford the expenses the trip entailed, I was not about to let the opportunity pass by just because there was a possibility I might have to travel on my own K.
After all, this was my dream and the opportunity presented itself during a time in my life when I was stronger than ever. A series of events that had just happened around that time, made me realized that out of all the people that are in my life, only a few of those are true friends. I am not sure if the disappointment that I was going through at that time gave me the courage to escape to new lands in search for an adventure, or was it the obsession I always had for visiting the city. Either way, I had the courage to go on my own to a place where I have never been and knew no one. After all, this is what made the trip and incredible adventure!There I was flying across North America to Vancouver J
The first thing I saw as soon as I exited the subway station.
The next day I woke up really early to take the most out of my trip. After all, I had a full conference Schedule, plus all the tours I signed up for, and on top of that I wanted to enjoy the city! I barely slept the entire week I was there.
View from my room. Yes, I woke up to this amazing view! :)
After registering for the conference, I boarded the bus that would take me to North Vancouver where Grouse Mountain is located. I learned a few days before the trip that the “Eye of the Wind” is the only wind turbine in the world which allows people to stand in a clear glass viewPOD at the top of the tower; this wind turbine is located in Grouse Mountain, Vancouver! How lucky J!
"Eye of the Wind"
Going up to Grouse Mountain
This was the first time I saw snow
View from "The Eye of the Wind" The University of British
Columbia can be seen from here (the peninsula)
Columbia can be seen from here (the peninsula)
I continued my quest and boarded a different bus that stopped at “Capilano Suspension Bridge” It was incredible to cross this bridge, a little scary too, It moved so much from side to side but It was nice to be in touch with the nature in such an amazing place. The pines were so high, the smell of the forest was invaluable, and the sound of the water made everything so calm.
Capilano Suspension Bridge
It's amazing the variety of landscapes that Vancouver offers,
On the same day, the landscape was covered in snow in Grouse Mountain
and a few miles down the road, Capilano Bridge is surrounded by tall Green pines.
On the same day, the landscape was covered in snow in Grouse Mountain
and a few miles down the road, Capilano Bridge is surrounded by tall Green pines.
I just thought it will be amazing to have a balcony
with such a great view (maybe a summer house J)
with such a great view (maybe a summer house J)
