Nurturing Life: In Praise of Gardeners, Keepers of the Earth

Quirky ceramic sign for garden says it all. 2012 Photo by HJEH Becker. Note: Butterfly was a battery operated garden bling.

 As a non-gardener, I couldn’t help giggling at a tiny stand of flower pots for sale when we stopped by the University of British Columbia’s Botanical Garden Shop, during a bike ride last month. One of the pots had a garden ceramic sign emblazoned:  Grow, damn it!  Do expert gardeners lose their patience too?
 
Respect for Gardeners’ Sweat Equity
I admire gardeners who risk hours of sweat equity to seed  with great hopes of bountiful gardens with bright flowers, greenery or edible veggies and fruits.  Previously, I have written several blog posts on community gardens.  It’s a fantastic use of local vacant land.

Magnolia tree blossom spotted along a bike ride. Pacific Spirit Regional Park. Vancouver BC 2012. Photo by J. Chong

I couldn’t garden happily:  I need do-it-yourself hobbies that produce long lasting results –a tailored garment or a little oil painting.  Even a calligraphic poster.  Yes, even a blog.

Recycled bike serves as garden seat in Cypress St. community garden. By Arbutus bike-pedestrian rail path. Vancouver BC 2012. Photo by J. Chong

My gardening efforts were often absent-minded failures. My only plant, a sturdy basil died last month simply because I forgot to water it generously before going on vacation.

Gardening: No Longer For Just the Elderly, It’s Chic Dirt Digging
If it weren’t for the local food movement, or cycling while surrounded by Mother Nature, I would have blasted by cleverly crafted gardens and the disheveled wilderness.

Probably like many people, I used to associate gardening with doddering,  elderly people pruning, watering or talking to their plants while they had their cup of tea and scones.

Now, gardening or digging your hands in dirt and compost, is becoming chic –a refreshing attitude for gardeners and farmers.  After all, what person wouldn’t want fresh fruits, veggies and grains?

Wild alpine meadow flowers on mountain hike. Mount Revelstoke National Park, BC 2002. Photo by HJEH Becker

 Appreciating Plant Life from Ontario to British Columbia
My appreciation of gardens, particularily botanical and artistic in design,  was a slow osmosis of feeding my need for visual play of colours, shapes and textures in well-tended gardens during some of our cycling trips and vacation spots.  As a kid, I only casually noticed the tulips, crocuses, hyacinths,  snowdrops and forget-me-not flowers, growing around the house.  After all, most of these plants were already planted before my non-gardening parents bought the house.

Nature’s own garden among old growth Douglas fir trees and ferns. Lighthouse Park, West Vancouver BC 2005. Photo by J. Chong. A temperate rainforest in the city.

 Spring time to me in southern Ontario, was while cycling,  marked by these annual flowers as well as the purple  bunches and smell of lilacs and yellow brilliance of forsythia bushes.  Once we cycled a 120 km. trip between Toronto and Hamilton’s Royal Botanical Gardens, where there was a large demonstration area of a wide variety of lilacs.

Rich Year-Round Plant Diversity on West Coast
Then when I  moved out to Vancouver, I became far more aware of plant species unique to the northwest Pacific coast, as well as up in the alpine mountain areas and in  year round moist green temperate rainforests.  Here was an area in Canada, where there was greater diversity of thriving floral species, bigger and brighter flower heads, thicker leaf  undergrowth, plus the bonus of sea life thriving by the shoreline and in the Pacific tidal pools. It really is a Canadian gardener’s paradise.

Wonderous succulent tropical flower with buds. Botanical garden, Big Hawai’i Island 2002. Photo by HJEH Becker

In Hawaii, I was blown over by astonishing brilliance and fecundity of tropical flowers both cultivated and wild – wild ginger, birds-of-paradise and orchids, just to name a few.  I returned to Vancouver’s florist shops and noticed the same cut, sometimes potted flowers, but at a price.

Painting by Cypress Community Gardens entrance. Vancouver BC 2012. Photo by J.Chong

 Cycling Awakens Respect for Mother Nature
As a long time cyclist, one must bow to the power and occasional weather fickleness of Mother Nature.  I am not a mountain biker, spin jumping among forests and hills. But inevitably, there is a noticeable difference between cycling surrounded  by only cars and buildings versus on paths with nearby  forest, mountains, fields and bush in sight.  Even cultivated garden plots here and there along the way, count for visual relief.

The hardest part during our casual, Nature fandom bike rides, is stopping too often to snap photos of a flowering tree or a cunning bunch of bleeding heart flowers. Spring comes every year for a short spell. So, we revel in  budding gardens, quirky art work and wake-up blossoms of bushes and trees.

*This  post is in faithful memory of a sister who passed away in fall 2010.

Azaela flowering bush. Queen Elizabeth Park, Vancouver BC 2012. Photo by J. Chong

More Interesting Reading and Photos:
Chong, Jean. City Hall’s Community Gardens and Citizen Outdoor Mandala Art. In Inside Vancouver Blog, Jun. 11, 2011.

Chong, Jean. People’s Oases: Community Gardens. In Cycle Write Blog, Apr. 9, 2010.

Cherry Blossom Ballet in Vancouver: Nature and New Mural Art

I had been wanting to highlight this new outdoor public mural that featured cherry blossoms against the backdrop of West Coast Japanese-Canadian and aboriginal history. 

St. James Community Services Society mural reflects Japanese-Canadian and aboriginal history, culture along with west coast sea life. By Joey Mallet & Rita Buchwitz 2011. Commissioned for Vancouver's 125th anniversary. Photo by J. Chong.

The St. James Community Service Society mural was commissioned in 2011 by the City of Vancouver, as part of their new public art works in celebration of the city’s 125th anniversary. The mural is also a dedication to the work of the Society for 50 years in the downtown Eastside for providing emergency shelter services, hospice care, support to seniors and those with mental illness.

Cherry blossoms. Vancouver BC 2012. Photo by J. Chong

This new mural is located at the corner of Powell and Gore Streets, in the area that was Japantown, adjacent to Chinatown. The mural includes a watery image of herring, cedar tree fronds, other sea life and a totem pole.

In this neighbourhood, there are several outdoor art installations within 1 block in all directions, that are touchstones to also aboriginal culture and Chinese- Canadian history.

Former Japanese-Canadian internment camp during WW II in mountainous interior region of British Columbia. New Denver, BC 2005. Photo by HJEH Becker

 Fragile Blossoms Frame Grey Shadows in Japanese-Canadian History
Delicate arching branches of pale pink blossoms contrast against the grey flotilla of Japanese-Canadian fishing boats in the mural. During the latter part of the 19th century and up to World War II, the Japanese immigrants were formative in sustaining the fishing and canning industries along the southern coast of British Columbia. However, the dark spot in history was the confiscation of their fishing boats and their possessions by the Canadian government in 1939 and thereafter, with the Japanese Allied bombing of Pearl Harbour in Hawaii.

All Japanese-Canadians during World War II, were deemed suspect by the Canadian government as a threat to Canada, even though many of these Canadians had never been to Japan or their family were already settled in Canada for several generations. There was 

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 corralling of Japanese-Canadians and relocation of them by train, into camps located in the mountain interior areas of British Columbia. It was a clear racist target against a group of Canadians who were innocent and not responsible for Pearl Harbour attack. Parallel action was also taken by the U.S. against the Japanese-Americans.

The businesses in Japantown never fully recovered after WWII. Many of the families lost their possessions, businesses and were nominally compensated by the Canadian government 50 years later in the 1980’s,  for a token amount of money.

Cherry blossoms. Stanley Park, Vancouver BC 2012. Photo by J. Chong

 The mural is also an ethereal bow to the profusion of cherry trees bursting forth every spring, all over Vancouver. Previously I had written a blog post on this wonderful pink herald of spring which began as a gift of cherry trees from the Japanese government.

Cherry Trees Inspire Landscape Design for New Developments
Nowadays, it’s refreshing to see that both the City of Vancouver and some private developers have incorporated new cherry tree plantings into the landscaping and streetscape designs. You can see young trees blooming around the perimeter of a playing field in David Lam Park, by new condominium developments while bicycling from Stanley Park and along streets in Kitsalano and Shaugnessey neighbourhoods, where there are more mature cherry trees.

Queen Elizabeth Park in spring time. Vancouver BC 2012. Photo by J. Chong

Pink Blossoms Dance Like Ballet Tutus
Unlike the famed cherry blossoms in Washington DC, or even in Japan, on the northwest British Columbia coast,  sometimes delicate cherry trees are thriving beside soaring old growth trees that have stood for several hundred years. Boughs of tissue-thin, cherry blossom branches dance ballet-like in the wind, against rough, mossy wide girth of Douglas firs.

The cherry blossom sprays are like a profusion of many pink ballet tutus shifting, jumping and floating in the spring breeze. It is a happy dance of memory and hope for us when we face the rain showers and sun in the months ahead.

More Interesting Reading (and Photos)
Chong, Jean. Cycling Under Cherry Pink Flowering Bowers. In Cycle Write Blog, Apr. 18, 2010.

Asia in My Dreams: Romanticizing the East

After half a century, I still haven’t been to Asia yet.  Being Canadian-born and resident in Canada all my life ( Huron-Iroquois native Indian for “Kanata“, meaning village), I have only impressions and tenuous connections to ancestral land of China.

Statuary on top of temple. Hsinchu City, Tawain 2011. Photo by HJEH Becker. An Asian interpretation of baroque-like detail.

As Asia hurtles along in the 21st century to remake itself, I have had to rejiggle my perceptions about this diverse area and simultaneously, my hopes of ever visiting there.  By now, I’m wondering if I will ever be motivated to visit at all. Let me explain.

Mother and I at home in southern Ontario, Canada. Beginnings of my reality, dreams and identity.

 Dreams Start in German-Mennonite Ontario County Area
While growing up in a small southern Ontario city, I had visions of a land with ancient pagodas dwarfed by sheer rocky mountain spires,  blue Mao-suited residents shuffling in black cloth Chinese slippers who were eating food that was more deeply layered and diverse in taste, compared to the fare served up in diner woks across North America.

These images were reinforced by my parents’ collection of older Chinese pictorial magazines that I later plundered photos to illustrate my school projects and ace some high marks. (I think the marks were for the amount of  information I enthusiastically shared in the project.) 

Cycling in an enclosed village area, Changzhi, China 2011. Photo by HJEH Becker.

 Also my half-baked impressions, were fed by letters with Mao and Communist peasant inspired stamps on letters from relatives in mainland China, during the 1970’s.

Dispatches from Other Canadian-born Chinese
Later, in the 1980’s when other Canadian-born Chinese friends went overseas to live and travel, there were stories of being tracked occasionally by Chinese authorities, some travel restrictions, difficulties of learning Mandarin as adults while savouring both, delicious and lousy cheap food, sights of  rural poverty, crowded cities, some magnificent scenery and architecture.

It was mostly foreign to me.  But still, wonderful to hear tales both great and not so great.

In a mountain park. Seoul, South Korea. 2011. Photo by HJEH Becker. Ideal, tranquil image of Asia.

Finally a sister and I had vaguely entertained the idea of a trip to China. But that same year later,  the 1989 Tianamen Square massacre of several hundred student protestors in Beijing and terror,  forced us early to switch our sights to Europe.  We spent three weeks bopping around in 10 European countries.
 
She however did embark a few years later, on a memorable trip with her husband for several weeks in China and Thailand.

Expanding Asian Dreams-  Moving to Toronto
Meanwhile my childhood romantic thoughts were crystallizing with greater clarity when I moved to Toronto to find work after university. Here was one of Canada’ highest proportion of Asian-Canadians where suddenly, I wasn’t noticed as much by racial ethnicity.

Spicy Korean seafood noodle soup with condiments 2012. Calgary, AB. Began exploring other Asian cuisines, outside of Chinese Cantonese food starting in my mid 20's.

  For the first time in my mid-20’s, I started to taste the fiery kimchee soaked condiments and egg smothered bim bap in Korean restaurants, as well as barbecued eel,  sushi and sashimi from Japanese restaurants  and curries from Malayasian eateries.  Yup, that was how “narrow” my experience of  just Asian cuisine.  What do you expect from a kid who  grew up in a German-Mennonite city and then, spent a few years buried in her studies in the conservative, Caucasian dominant city of London, Ontario?

My Asian dreams got wider geographically  –through food as a touchstone.  Thai food stoked the golden visions of the Royal Palace in Bangkok and skinny market boats floating down canals, loaded with fresh produce. 

Cambodia 2007. Photo by S. Chong-Purvis

Too Lazy to Learn, Globalization of Asia: Other Excuses Not to Visit
Yet, increasingly I was focusing more on the history of the Chinese and Japanese in North America.  Not only was it more relevant, but it was simply easier and less to read.

Laden cyclists and motorbikes compete for road space. Vietnam 2007. Photo by S. Chong-Purkiss.

 As a hobby, it was too much effort for me to figure out  over  3,000 years of Chinese dynastic history prior to the Opium Wars in the 1800’s.

Over time, the lure of a different place untouched by Western consumerism and individualism, was losing its exotic veneer : family members told stories of occasional breathing problems in polluted, humid Bangkok or Beijing, nearly blind consumer worship of McDonald’s, Louis  Vitton and cars sweeping across at least, urban Asia, or news reports on gross occupational hazards where locals died or were injured while labouring under dangerous conditions.

Commuter train crowds in Taipei, Tawain 2011. Photo by HJEH Becker. Similar scene at rush hour in Vancouver, however with approx. up to 60% Asian faces.

 Need Asia Anymore?
Now the latest, is that some streets in Shanghai core areas are just like any North American yuppified area.  Do I need to experience that when I can get a similar experience just by wandering down Robson St. in Vancouver, BC with over 30% Asian-Canadians in the city?  Or in the suburb of Richmond where the population is now 60% Asian-Canadian.

I probably have it all wrong –again.

Canadian Living a Fragmented Mosaic of Asian Influences  

Halong Bay, Vietnam 2007. Photo by S. Chong-Purvis. Another tranquil Asian image.

Yet, I know my romanticizing of the East, is not the same as those who don’t have any family members from Asia.  The photos of my mother, still young and pretty in  her cheong-sam and striking a pose with her babies in Canada, is the beginning of why my dreams aren’t out to lunch.
 
The fact is  that I can see English script and often, can guess the original writer, began life by learning Chinese ideograms.  A tell-tale sign:  there is a certain consistent neatness in English handwriting. Or the fact, like a lot of Asians raised on home-Chinese cooking, we enjoy steamed fish in a bit of soy sauce, ginger root slices, green onions and oil.  To us, that’s highlighting quality fresh whole fish.  However a lot of non-Asians just see thjs steamed fish dish, as a boring, less dynamic  dish.

Steamed savoury egg custard with slices of beef flavoured with soy sauce, ginger root & onion. Dish seldom served in North American Chinese restaurants. But known & enjoyed by those born / raised on home Chinese cooking world-wide. 2012 Calgary.

  Or that I enjoy savoury, steamed egg custard as comfort food for supper.  It has bits of sliced meat marinated with soy sauce cooked in a tasty, slightly watery custard.  Lovely with rice on the side and simple stir fried veggies.  But this custard dish rarely makes it to restaurant menus in North America.  Probably because it’s puzzling and not  as colourful as a heap of artfully stir-fried seafood with veggies.  Eating a wide range of Asian cuisines means appreciating a diverse range of food textures, contrasting flavours and colours in one meal.  My father’s favourite dish was steamed, lean pork slices with abit of salted fish to flavor the pork. We enjoyed it also –several times per month for dinner.
 
Like ordinary life, not dreams, I learned to cook rice in the pot over stove as a teenager. Electric rice pots only entered my life in my early 30’s.

Burning incense swirls around in temple. Changzhi, China 2011. Photo by HJEH Becker

No wonder why my Asian dreams confuse me. These life memories are like colourful glass fragments in my shattered mosaic of understanding that I have had to piece together thoughtfully, over a long time.  These  experiences fused with dreams, probably only makes sense to me and others who bumble along in life. 

But as time marches on and our world shrinks with personal blogs popping up from all over the globe, Asia looks less and less romantically exotic.  Globalization is making gelatos, sorbets and coffees popular in the big Asian cities. Even the Chinese and East Indians who have money are jumping on the European wine kick  –their romanticization of the West.

Or am I wrong?  Maybe it’s just me. I should just hop onto a plane and get to the truth of my arms-length, or ocean-length view of Asia. My parents have never wanted to return to China. For them, they probably rather keep the dreams of how it was before the Chinese-Japanese war and Communist takeover.

For now, I’m just content to explore Canada where I can still get lost in its vastness.

Further Reading:
Chong, Jean. Romanticizing the West:  Asian Craze for European Gourmet Desserts. In Cycle Write Blog, Feb. 2, 2012.

Seoul, South Korea 2011. Photo by HJEH Becker

Buffy Sainte-Marie: A Life of Song and Social Justice Activism

Buffy Saint Marie performs for one evening concert. Grace Presbyterian Church, Calgary AB. Mar. 10, 2012. Photo by J. Chong

Several weeks ago, Buffy Sainte-Marie, the Canadian Cree Indian folk, country and rockabilly singer fired up a Calgary audience with songs of unabashed activism on social justice, as well as love and aboriginal identity. She plastered the song charts in the 1960’s and throughout her career, with song themes which included: pacificism (her famed song Universal Soldier) during the Vietnam War, environmental protection activism intertwined with aboriginal rights (Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee), corporate greed (No, No Keshagesh), and celebratory aboriginal identity (He’s an Indian Cowboy).

Swaggering, Robust Performance of a  71-Year Old Singer
The evening show was all more astounding from a 71-year old songstress. Buffy dance-swaggered in her curvy tight black jeans and tall black leather boots while her resplendent bead and silver jewellery swayed against a dark jacket. That evening, her

Buffy Saint Marie. Calgary AB. Mar. 10, 2012. Photo by J. Chong

foot stomping, hip swaying and powerful ululating aboriginal cries of rage, suffering and joy that infused her lyrics, were a shout for action by this international singer-teacher-activist.

Songs of Activism Coinciding with Current Albertan Controversies
Buffy was inspiration that night, to her own generation and to upcoming generations. Right now, Alberta is tussling with national, if not also international players in polarizing limelight and condemnation, for controversial expansion of its northern oil tar sands at Fort McMurray.  There are proposed major gas pipelines, with one running south into the U.S. to the Gulf of Mexico and another pipeline cutting west through virgin forests in northern British Columbia.  President Obama administration has, as believed by observers, only temporarily stopped the Keystone pipeline proposal after enormous, alarmed protest from Americans. At this time, there is a Canadian commission that is holding public hearings for Canadian groups and individuals during the remainder of this year to express their concerns. 

The boomer generation, born in the 1950’s to early 1960’s, may have dim memory of an iconic song or two of hers. The majority of the audience seemed to fall in the same age category if one can judge grey hair without hair colouring. I remembered her song, Universal Soldier that was released after Bob Dylan’s Blowin’ in the Wind, another 1960’s anti-war protest song that defined that era.

Final relay torchbearer at destination Four First Nations Host Pavilion at 2010 Winter Olympics. Singer Buffy Sainte-Marie is on the left. Vancouver, BC. Feb. 12, 2010. Photo by J. Becker

Blacklisted by FBI and CIA for Her Songs
I dimly recalled Buffy on the ever-popular children’s show, Sesame Street in the 1970’s.  However I didn’t learn until recently, that she gladly took upon regular show appearances for five years because she was blacklisted by the FBI and CIA by the U.S. Johnson and Nixon administrations for Universal Soldier and for the latter, Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee, a strong aboriginal protest song against uranium pollution in the water. None of her songs were broadcasted in the U.S. during that time.

Turning Teaching Lessons of Life and Fun: Sesame Street
But she was more than happy to play a role familiar to her, as a fun teacher for children, in an educational TV show.  Later, she won the Academy Award for best film song, Up From Where We Belong which has been recorded by other artists, Roberta Flack, Neil Young, Glen Campbell, etc.

Ululating Fusion in Song: Rage, Joy and Memories of Aboriginal Canadian
During the Calgary evening concert, she belted out a short, but anguished solo of Relocation Blues that encapsulated the isolation and fear experienced by some Canadian aboriginal children, who were ordered to attend residential boarding schools

Below, is a March 2010 national TV broadcast interview by George Strombolopolous with Buffy, on a popular CBC current events show, The Hour.  With Buffy Sainte-Marie.  Part I.

far from home. Some children were subjected to abuse, as well as forbidden to express their aboriginal language and culture. She sang this song in 1996 for the first time at the University of Regina in Saskatchewan during the university’s convocation address.  It is on her latest CD recording, Running for the Drum.

Although now she lives in Hawaii with a herd of goats on her farm, her identity, artistry and soul is still deeply rooted as a Canadian Cree woman. She expressed warmly her eagerness to perform on “home turf” of Canada, particularily in the prairies since she was born in Saskatchewan.  Her heart and allegiance to her aboriginal identity, shone through her song with pow-wow dance imagery, Love Still Goes On and On:

In every dream, I can smell the Sweetgrass* burning
And in my heart I can hear the drum
and hear the singers soaring
and se-e the jin-gle dancers and
Still this love goes on and on
Still this love goes on.

It was a fine evening graced by Buffy Sainte-Marie, a woman who lived a long rich life of learning, artistry, community giving and uncompromising courage.

*Sweetgrass is a wild grass that grows 40 degrees north in North America, Asia and Europe. It is used by native North American Indians (or in Canada, more correctly termed as “aboriginal” or “First Nations people) in prayer and purification ceremonies. Hence it may be referred colloquially as “prayer grass”.

Interesting Reading
In-depth Biography of Buffy Sainte-Marie.
Roe, Jon.  Q & A with Buffy Sainte-Marie. In Swerve Magazine, Mar. 9, 2012.

Cesky Krumlov: Czech Interpretations of Medieval and Renaissance Architecture

Cesky Krumlov, a UNESCO heritage site. View from its castle promenade. Czech Republic 2010. Photo by J. Chong

 For another architecturally rich visit in a quieter, smaller town beyond the hustle and bustle of Prague, is the town of Cesky Krumlov.    It is 180 km. southwest of Prague  –a pleasant train ride in old, but clean Czech trains.  We stowed our bikes into the bike train car and settled into our seats to watch the green countryside roll by, dotted with red roofed farmhouses.

As soon as one leaves the train station and rides into town, the preserved walls of the town begin to appear shortly and then you’re pedaling along cobblestone. The town was established in 1302 and ascended in its development to 1602.  During this time period, Cesky Krumlov lay near the juncture of Czech, Austrian, Bavarian (German) and Italian lands.

Looking up at Castle Watchtower from lower town of Cesky Krumlov. Tower has some triumph d'oeil painted on its facade to mimic brickwork and windows. Czech Republic 2010. Photo by J. Chong

Our overnight stay was in a historic guesthouse, Castle Stairs which was tucked under the spire-shadow of the Cesky Krumlov’s Castle Tower.  This was the same place where U.S. television travelogue broadcaster, Rick Steeves stayed.  The owner also ran a souvenier gift shop downstairs.  He generously allowed us to gingerly store our bikes inside the shop among some breakable knickknacks and glass display cases.  If there was an alternate bike parking spot in this historic medieval section of town, we certainly would have used it!

The castle promenade bridge was built later on top of the town's Roman aqueduct. Cesky Krumlov, Czech Republic 2010. Photo by J. Chong

To explore  Cesky Krumlov, we spent the rest of the first day, walking. With the town split between an upper plateau level where the castle was located overlooking the lower level where the the townsfolk lived for centuries, it was just easier.  Otherwise, we would be grinding up and shaloming down slippery, cobblestone streets.

Trompe l’Oeil Without Being Cheesy
What was striking in the castle compound, was the use of trompe l’oeil on the building fascia and on the Castle Watchtower, or painted images to masquerade as bricks and stone. Now, to some visitors, this is cheesy but for a country like the Czech Republic, which already has numerous historic heritage buildings in Prague and elsewhere, it’s just abit more economical and practical.  After all, when I wandered about Prague, I kept wondering how could the city sustain the long-term cost of architectural restoration even with support from other external funding bodies. The Czech Republic has only recently embarked enthusiastically on the road to free-enterprise.

Castle's gardens were located at the bottom of the hill. Cesky Krumlov, Czech Republic 2010. Photo by J. Chong

 Within half a block of our guesthouse, there was a centuries-old, walled royal bear compound where yes, two bears roamed around.  It was for the narcissistic pleasure of the royalty where ‘bear’  in part of the family name, Rozmburk  (or Rosenburg, depending how you transliterate it) and featured in the town’s crest. After touring the castle, I couldn’t help but wonder it was a luxurious, but lonely life in this rural part of the country for the Rozmburks.

Marionette peasant couple. Puppet Museum. Cesky Krumlov, Czech Republic 2010. Photo by J. Chong

 An amble along the covered stone bridge down into the lower Cesky Krumlov, offered splendid panoramic views of Cesky Krumlov’s churches,  neatly kept homes below, the Vtalov River, undulating  green pastures and forests.  Here, the bridge is on top of a Roman acqueduct.

At the bottom of the castle, there were gardens and small fountains that mirrored very humbly to the more fabulous French Palace of Versailles-style gardens and topiary. 

Our meals were punctuated with gargantuous Czech dumplings that I wrote earlier in a blog post and the ubiquitous apple strudel. On the second day, we did some simple cycling around the edges of town before hauling ourselves and the bikes with panniers back onto the train.

Strolling and exploring Cesky Krumlov.Czech Republic 2010. Photo by J. Chong. The town has 300 buildings as part of the UNESCO heritage designation.

Cesky Krumlov offered us a relaxing, UNESCO designated historic ambiance of Czech expression for medieval and Renaissance architecture and art, in both high style as well as  burgher style where shopkeepers, tradesmen and workers lived.  It was seeing the best perserved slice of these architectural eras, outside of Prague.

Further Reading and Photos:
Cesky Krumlov’s official web site.

Chong, Jean. Come and Get Your Dumpling: West-East Comparisons. In Cycle Write Blog, Jul. 25, 2010.

Spa Pampering in a Dog’s Life: Bakeries, Bike Trailers and More

Happy dog in its bike trailer at a cycling event. Vancouver BC 2010.

 In the past few decades, a mini boom of small businesses has sprung up to serve dogs and their dog lover-owners.  At least in some major cities.

Bakeries for Dogs
I got whiff of the dog bakery business over 15 years ago, when I cycled past a new shop in Toronto’s Beaches area, a gentrified laid back small commercial and residential area with lovely trees and older homes, along Toronto’s East waterfront.  Upon closer inspection, I realized all the goodies were for dogs. And no mixing with delectables for their owners.

There must be a bakery that offers side-by-side doggie dessert snacks alongside with cookies and cakes for people. 

Bakery for dogs. Calgary Farmers' Market 2012.

Growing Up in a Non-Pet Household
I grew up in a non-pet household in a poor family with 6 children crowded in a 3  bedroom old house that stretched for 8 people.  Apparently my father had a dog for short time when he grew up in China. Thereafter it was survival during the Chinese-Japanese war and the Communist takeover that changed everyone lives.

In fact, at the height of the Cultural Revolution during Mao’s time, owning a dog was seen as bourgeois –in face of massive starvation (and it really was) at different times in Communist political fervor and history. This was long after my parents came to Canada.  Disapproval of dogs in China during that time, must be viewed against a backdrop of anti-imperialist campaigns, torture and unlawful arrest of innocent people.  Dog lives seemed quite pale when family members disappeared or were brainwashed against their will.  However now, with China’s growing middle class, the number of dogs as pets, in China is on the rise again.

Faithfully waiting 2012. Photo by J. Chong

  My mother was remotely uncomfortable with dogs and most likely that fear transferred to some of us.  I used to have mini nightmares as a child, involving a dog. Those sweat induced dreams, must have been partially fuelled by a neighbour’s dog.  Corky was a fierce, untrained German shepherd that was kept chained in their fenced backyard.  We never saw Corky walked around by his owners in the neighbourhood.  Same for his house companion, a caramel-coloured, dozy cocker spaniel that got fat since it seemed to lie around on the porch all the time.  We would snicker about fat Taffy dragging its butt, but really again, a result of owner neglect. 

Biscotti and cookies for dogs 2012.

  Admittedly I’m not totally comfortable as an oncoming cyclist to see another cyclist on their bike with a dog running along on leash.  It must be a well-trained dog to trot along side for the cyclist to toodle along.  Or a better idea for long distances that might tire a dog and if the cyclist is a strong distance rider, to plop the dog in a basket or bike trailer for a bike ride.

Guarding Baby from Danger 
As the home guardian, I have  heard of two stories  from people I personally know, whose dog was a convenient deterrent to home invader and thief.  Jack also remembers when his crawling baby brother was protected by the family dog from a snake.  By standing directly over the baby, the dog instinctively nudged the baby gently with its four legs and body to stop and redirect the crawling baby away from the snake. 

Out for spin with running dog along Seawall bike path. Stanley Park, Vancouver BC 2012. Photo by HJEH Becker

   After such heart-stopping incidents, the family protector needs royal treatment –more than just a baked doggie cookie.

I am not sure about other municipalities, especially outside of North America, but Vancouver does have its contingent of vocal dog owners who make sure there are dog leash-free park areas  –a  great idea to deal with higher density neighbourhoods with many resident dog owners and busy bike-pedestrian paths.
 
As a cyclist, occasionally I do see the regular dog walker here and there –that is, paid dog walkers.  Usually the obvious sign is the dog walker has 4-8 dogs of different breeds and sizes,  linked by a master triaging dog leash.  One finds them 

Dog leash-free park sign just under signs for bike-pedestrian route. Dog leash-free park is by the multi-use path. Park is designated to allow dogs to run around without iconflicting with bike-walking traffic nearby.

 more often on car-free paths or several times, sharing the elevator going down for some fresh air.   It’s a mad, dog tail -scramble to spring outdoors by then!

Romanticizing the Best: Asian Craze for Gourmet European Desserts

Popular European style bakery chain in South Korea, Paris Baguette Cafe. Changwon, South Korea 2011. Photo by HJEH Becker. Changwon has population of over 1 million.

  Romanticizing either one’s own culture or another culture, can be as simple as introducing a foreign food dish, which becomes wildly popular over time.  Popular, because not only the dish tastes great, but the consumer purchases and enjoys the dish as partaking in a refined, higher class or more worldly expression of their personal taste.

Before you jump on me for being critical or elitist, especially for preparing your treasured family heirloom recipes, sit down and have a café with me. Hear me out.

Fine chocolate ganache cake at local bakery cafe. Seoul, South Korea 2011. Photo by HJEH Becker

 Asian Crazes:  European Gourmet Desserts
Traditional Asian cuisine is not known for baked elegant desserts at all.  Whatever desserts offered now in Asian bakeries, are an influence of a country’s European colonial past (ie. egg tarts in Macau are a Portuguese legacy; Filipino pastries, a Spanish adaptation) or simply a local baker, restauranteur who loved European desserts and understood their patrons’ need to end a meal with a sweet, elegant flourish.

More upscale local bakery cafe with European pastries and ambience. Seoul, South Korea 2011. Photo by HJEH Becker

 Last autumn, Jack sampled both  Asian street food and some gourmet European cake slices when he was in Taipei, Tawain and in South Korea on business trips.  On both occasions, he found the bakery cafes when he wandered around in the cities’  core shopping areas.

Petite four desserts with a coffee or tea. Strasbourg, France 2010. Photo by J. Chong. Little tartlets and squares with some made from marzipan (almond paste).

 The cakes were quite good which is a compliment from someone raised by a German mother.  His mother loved preparing elegant multi-layered cake tortes, linzertorte (hazelnut tart with raspberry almond filling), plum kuchens and wonderful cookies by using traditional techniques.  Not surprisingly his maternal line, has pastry chefs and restauranteurs back to the 1700’s.

Former Chinatown Desserts: Chiffon and Sponge Cake-like Creations
Over 25 years ago, the few Asian bakeries that I knew in Canadian Chinatowns, offered very limited desserts that were primarily egg or coconut tarts, buns filled with whipping crème, and savoury fillings such was ham, barbecued pork or even (gasp), wieners. The cake and bun crumb tended to be primarily sponge or chiffon cake-like textures –safe, bland, simple ingredients and not too sweet for Asian palates.   Strangely, I never saw muffins nor pies in those bakeries at that time.

German pastries at local outdoor farmers' market. Freiburg, Germany 2010. Photo by J. Chong. Not all are commonly found in North American bakeries but for local Germans are low-cost, but freshly baked dessert snacks.

Now, in bigger Canadian cities, Vancouver and Toronto, there are more Asian bakeries and large Asian supermarkets that will offer a bit more  –such as mousse cakes and fruit tartlets along side the egg custard tarts and savoury buns. I’m not sure how many have jumped onto the phyllo pastry bandwagon but it’s just a matter of time:  phyllo pastry is so easy to work with and bakes quickly.

Elegant cake choices at Ganache Patisserie in chic Yaletown. Vancouver BC 2010. Photo by J. Chong

  The greatest compliment for adopting a foreign dish, occurs when a  chef or baker embraces traditional techniques, transforms the dish into several different unique variations and creates a business that garners fans.

 Ganache Patisserie, a gourmet cake bakery café in the hip Yaletown, Vancouver BC offers walk-in  customers a fabulous range of different elegant cake slices and if needed, customized wedding cakes. The pastry chef is Henry Hwang who picked up his skills in France.

Mango creme puff, one of several flavours at Cruffs. Calgary AB 2011. Photo by J. Chong. Bakery was started up by 2 brothers from Indonesia where the pastry chef previously ran a bakery for 4 yrs.

 Meanwhile in prairie city of Calgary, brothers Mario and Ignas Adiwibawa from Indonesia,  launched their crème puff bakery , Cruffs two years ago  in the trendy Mission area.  Mario, the baker added more baking skills to his culinary arsenal after attending a culinary school in Vancouver. 

Previously he ran a bakery for 4 years in Indonesia.  They offer their crème puffs with choice fillings which include:  Irish Crème Baileys, pistachio, hazelnut chocolate, mango, lemon and green tea.   Recently they offered a blueberry creme puff.

In 2012 they are venturing into a version of an Indonesian pastry, roti, a Dutch colonial by product.  Their Indonesian coffee based roti, will be rebranded with a different name to avoid confusion with Caribbean and South Asian spicy curry savoury rotis stuffed with sauce, veggies or meat.

Edible dragon pastry decorates a bed of creme puffs. For Year of the Dragon, Chinese New Year 2012 celebrations. Cruffs Bakery, Calgary AB 2012

For those whose cultural heritage includes these fine dessert inspirations, it is simply a wonderful memory and casual touchstone to enjoy a dessert well executed even if the chef came from a  country located far from the dessert’s origins.

Stay tuned for romanticizing a culture feature of the East by the West.

Lake Louise Snowshoeing: Snow Glazed Mountains, Ice Castles and Bison Reuben Sandwiches

Like every mountain snow-starved urbanite, we head to our choice mountain area for some snowshoeing.  This time after an overnight stay in Banff, Alberta, we went to Lake Louise to explore both some familiar and other new trails.

Snowshoeing on the Tramline trail between village of Lake Louise and Chateau Lake Louise. Alberta 2012. Photo by J.Chong

I last visited Lake Louise twelve years ago in the fall, when we were travelling across Canada from Toronto in a small moving van when Jack first relocated to Vancouver.  On earlier trips, I had seen Lake Louise, dazzling in her turquoise bejewelled summer waters when 2 years prior to my move, we cycled on the Continental Divide route to the town of Field.

Area becomes a mecca for hiking, mountaineering and winter sports --as promised by vintage poster. Archival display at Lake Louise Visitors' Centre 2012. Photo by J. Chong

Along the way, we spied a baby bear playing by a stream.  That meant mama bear was near by. We scrambled onto our bikes and spun as fast as we could up a hill along with an overly ripe banana inside my pannier.  Another time, when we cross-country skied the Continental Divide for 18 km., I recalled a nagging fear as the wind blew slanted with snow falling steadily:  we saw no one for over an hour while we crossed the snowy foothills under towering mountain shadows.  I wondered if I would finish the route before nightfall.  I was not a good cross-country skier.

Cradled Among Snow-Draped Evergreen Forests
Between the village of Lake Louise and the world-famous iconic hotel, Chateau Lake Louise by the lake, it was a perfect 11 km. snowshoeing round trip with some gradual hills, groomed trails flanked by snow-draped thick evergreen forests and rising mountains ahead at each bend.  Every winter, I always forget how much snowshoeing energy is burned up, especially when I suck in dry, fresh and pure air.

On High Line snowshoe trail. Lake Louise, Banff National Park, Alberta 2012. Photo by HJEH Becker

  While traversing through these soaring forests topped with snowy creaminess, you are cradled along Nature’s protective snow forest canals, away from harsh winds.

To avoid the avalanche of tourists and higher accommodation prices, we were there a week after New Year’s Day.  Perfect, since we had the trails to ourselves, and attentive restaurant servers.
  
This time the Chateau Lake Louise had its first  ice castle sculpture of the year, planted at the lake edge where skaters swirled around it.  In a few weeks, there will be more ice sculptures to draw more visitors until the icy creations melt down.

Lovely lady figurine chandeliers in different areas of Chateau Lake Louise, Banff National Park. Alberta 2012. Photo by J. Chong

  Though I had been in the famous hotel, Chateau Lake Louise, I had not seen it since its last major retrofit.   The hotel is a historic evocation of Canadian Pacific Rail’s few deluxe, luxury  hotels along its main railroad across Canada. It was first built in 1890.
 
To keep visitors entertained and satisfy their adventurous spirit, both Lake Louise and Banff  became a mecca for hikers and mountain climbers.  In the late 19th century, Canadian Pacific Railway hired Swiss guides to develop its network of trails. In the Chateau, at Parks Canada visitors’ centre and at the Whyte Museum in Banff, the mountaineering , backcountry skiing and hiking legacy is highlighted.

Bison reuben sandwiches with red cabbage slaw and handmade aioli -- elegant fireside culinary grubb at the Chateau. Lake Louise, Alberta 2012. Photo by J. Chong

 Evocation of Refined Adventure Travel And Grub
Chateau Lake Louise has some lovely figurehead chandeliers, wild animal taxidermy pieces (or simulations) and occasional curious wall tapestries to emulate baronial furnishings. By the third floor entrance stairway landing, is a wall hanging that is a tongue-in-cheek Canadian  parody of the renaissance pastoral vision:  a caribou or deer  seems to be swimming through the lake.

Curious tapestry with mock renaissance pastoral visions with deer (or elk) swimming in lake. Chateau Lake Louise, Alberta 2012. Photo by J. Chong

  In the Lakeview Lounge, we munched happily through the restaurant’s signature bison reuben sandwiches with delicately grated red cabbage and their house aioli. Surely, the  

Mountain ice climber spotted while snowshoeing around Lake Louise. 2012. Photo by J. Becker

  finest interpretation of the local fireside grub.  A memorable lunch with a lakeside view of Temple Mountain, its glacier, ice castle and horse drawn sleigh before we hit the downhill Tramline snowshoe trail back to the village.

Further Reading and More Adventures:
History of Chateau Lake Louise.

Chong, Jean.  Canadian Reindeer Look-alikes:  Caribou, Elk and Mule Deer.  In Cycle Write Blog. Dec. 26, 2011.

Chong, Jean. More Snowshoeing for Snow Mountain Addicts and the Vertigo Inclined. In Cycle Write Blog. Feb. 12, 2011.

Ice castle at edge of Lake Louise in front of the Chateau. Lake Louise, Banff National Park 2012. Photo by J. Chong

   Chong, Jean.  Rocky Mountain Cycling Interlude:  Bighorn Sheep, Ragged Peaks and Turquoise Waters.  In Cycle Write Blog.  Aug. 4, 2011.

Chong, Jean.  Roaming Around for Bison:  Distinctly North American, Lean and Maybe Gourmet. In Cycle Write Blog. Dec. 17, 2010.

Zen Proverb on Bicycling

Scene while cycling on edge of town, Lahaini. Island of Maui, Hawaii 2009. Photo by J. Chong

 A Zen teacher saw five of his students returning from the market, riding their bicycles. When they arrived at the monastery and had dismounted, the teacher asked the students, “Why are you riding your bicycles?”

The first student replied, “The bicycle is carrying this sack of potatoes. I am glad that I do not have to carry them on my back!” The teacher praised the first student. “You are a smart boy! When you grow old, you will not walk hunched over like I do.”

The second student replied, “I love to watch the trees and fields pass by as I roll down the path!” The teacher commended the second student, “Your eyes are open, and you see the world.”

The third student replied, “When I ride my bicycle, I am content to chant nam myoho renge kyo.” The teacher gave his praise to the third student, “Your mind will roll with the ease of a newly trued wheel.”

Toronto, ON 2008. Accompanying Jack to train station for one of his solo trips in Quebec.

 The fourth student replied, “Riding my bicycle, I live in harmony with all sentient beings.” The teacher was pleased and said to the fourth student, “You are riding on the golden path of non-harming.”

The fifth student replied, “I ride my bicycle to ride my bicycle.” The teacher sat at the feet of the fifth student and said, “I am your student.”

Cycling on new CP rail converted bike path by Edwards Gardens. Toronto, ON 2011.

  N.B.: My thanks to Barb, another cycling ethusiast in Washington state, where I first saw this proverb. Her blog offers a wonderful list of blogs written by women cyclists worldwide.

Canadian Reindeer Look-Alikes: Elk, Caribou and Mule Deer

A few weeks ago, Ava, a Filipino blog reader wondered what elk was after I mentioned we were going to have elk for our Christmas meal.

So after plumbing into our well of digital photo archives, I resurfaced with some wonderful photos:  I just could not write a blog post that featured a dish of meat against these magnificent animals. 

Male mule deer as distinguished by its rack of antlers which they shed every February. Banff National Park, by Vermillion Lake. Alberta 2002. Photo by HJEH Becker

It is not a contradiction for me since I do eat meat several times per month – very lean meat and seafood. We buy directly from farmers who raise elk and deer for meat.  They are there at the Calgary Farmers’ Market, along with the bison ranchers.  We only have this meat several times annually since it is not cheap but in Alberta, the quality is excellent and it is locally raised.

These blog photos were taken in the Canadian national parks where these animals are protected wildlife. Our  photos were taken in the national parks of Banff and Jasper.  Hunting is illegal and for a good reason.  As more tourists pile into the parks, roads and trails built for human travel, the wildlife are increasingly pushed  further away from their natural feeding and grazing areas.  Several million visitors visit these parks annually year round.  These parks are rock-stars that give Canada the world-wide fame for its many million hectares of remote, awe-inspiring mountain wilderness and wildlife.

Woodland Caribou Herds –Recovery of  Endangered Species
Most recently the Canadian federal government authority, Parks Canada that is responsible for federal, protected wildlife and national park areas across Canada, have  

Male elk, probaby a teenager. Along Bow Valley Parkway, Banff National Park. Alberta March 2001. Photo by HJEH Becker. Elk are also wapiti in the Shawnee First Nations language.

 raised the numbers of the endangered species, the woodland caribou in the Albertan Rocky Mountains.  Some caribou will be returned to their natural habitat starting this year.  (Sorry, we don’t have any personal photos.)

Secondly, starting in 2013, Parks Canada will shut down the Bow Valley Parkway highway annually  from Banff to Lake Louise,  at night during March to July to prevent car traffic. This quieter highway is parallel to the busy Trans-Canada Highway.   This effort will be enforced and allow the wildlife to move down from the mountains to graze freely  in their natural feeding areas and migrate about undistributed.  

Hungry After Every Snowy Mountain Winter
In March 2001, we saw a lot of deer and some elk when we drove along the Parkway. The snow along the road had melted off and the naked mountain sides had not fully bloomed with their tender spring green tree buds.  Many of these animals looked thin after long, snowy mountain winter and were scrounging around for food near the roadside in the forested areas.

Small crowd of hungry elk feeding by Bow Valley Parkway. Banff National Park, Alberta March 2001. Photo by HJEH Becker. That is an elk with 1 antler. Stags (male elk) have antlers.

  This is Nature’s typical cycle of animals either re-emerging after winter hibernation or subsisting on their fat during long cold winters in the northern hemispheres when temperatures drop well below freezing and there is less plant life for food.

These animals might be deemed as reindeer by romantics, but they are not. The First Nations people in this part of Canada, didn’t domesticate them for pulling loads.  They are wildlife and if encountered as a cyclist or hiker, is to learn not to startle them and distance yourself quickly.  In the 1990′s, wild elk ventured often into Banff town site which caused problems in some attacks on humans, feeding on gardens and damaging trees.  Regular elk visitors were referred by locals as “townies”.  Now the elk tend to stay away from the urban areas which is a good thing for both the animals and humans.  They are never to be fed by humans.

Pair of young wild mule deer checking out a local Swiss-Italian restaurant. Banff, Alberta Jan. 2011. Photo by HJEH Becker

  I have some more photos which have not been digitized.  There is another personal photo treasure: another magnificent brown elk munching on a pink flower bud in its mouth.  One day later and soon!

More Reading:
Parks Canada.  Elk in Banff National Park.

Parks Canada. Species At Risk: Woodland Caribou.  Nov. 2011. Photos of caribou for you to see the differences from elk and mule deer.

Christmas Song Parodies: Cycling and Blogging

Sample Christmas "card" photo. Photo taken by Momentum Magazine for any cyclist riding by. Part of Vancouver Area Cycling Coalition's Fall Bike to Work Week 2009

 I’m pretty certain we will get snowflakes drifting down in our part of Canada –again. Already we’ve had over four different snowfalls and temperatures plunging to -20 degrees C.  So far, the snow has melted off each time.

I did brave the frigid cold on bike several weekends ago, only because the pavement was dry, weekend car traffic was light and drivers were relaxed. I needed to get groceries.  Over half of the bike ride was on a bike-pedestrian path. Thank goodness.

In the festive spirit of Christmas and holiday good cheer, I bring you some trumped up parodies of old Christmas song favourites laced with favourite things and images associated with some of my obsessions:  cycling and blogging.

These Christmas song parodies were started off by yours truly (yes, it was me) through some Internet forums.

From Team Estrogen forums, an international Internet forum where women cyclists hang out to chat up about anything remotely related to cycling or not. Here we go for the singing ride! 

 12 Days of Cycling
(Based 12 Days of Christmas)
 

A town decked out in German regalia year round. Leavenworth, Washington state 2010. Photo by J. Chong

 On the first day of cycling, my true love said to me:
12 shiny new bikes,
11 more big hills,
10 suitcases of courage,
9 espresso hammer gels,
8 epic elevations!
7 hardcore commuters,
6 dancing roadies,
5 mountain bikers!
4 drafting cyclists,
3 broken spokes,
2 tandem riders and
“I’m just about to pass out“
                                  

Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells

Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells,

Nutcracker Museum. Leavenworth, Washington 2010. Closed at the time we were there in early January

Jingle all the way,
Oh what fun, it is to ride
On a racing green Raleigh – hey!

Dashing through the snow,
On Nokian Extremes,
O’er the curb I go…

Shrieking all the way,
Lights on helmet sway,
Making bike lanes bright,
What fun it is to slide,
A cycling song tonight!

Santa Claus cycles with his goodies. Vancouver, BC 2009. Photo by J. Chong

 A day or two ago,
I thought I’d take a ride,
But much to my surprise,
I nearly took a slide.
The roads were slick and wet,
My hands were getting numb,
But n’ver would you hear me fret,
With mud covering my bum!

Oh, riding bikes, riding bikes
Riding all the way
Oh what fun it is to ride
On a racing green Raleigh – hey!

Blogging theme below, was hammered out amongst bloggers internationally in WordPress Internet forums.  For blogger geeks, this language is really ours to hold and to keep like cryptic cuneiform. Slightly modified from original thread, just preserve the geekiness.

12 Days of Blogging

Decked out in lights 2010. Photo by J.Chong

 On my first day of blogging, my true love gave to me:
Twelve trolls a trolling, 
Eleven links uh Linking,
Ten likes a-Liking,
Nine bloggers drinking,
Eight Widgets flashing,
Seven Word Press themes,
Six Brand New Threadssss,
FIVE FRESHLY PRESSED,
Four browsers crashing,
Three Frantic Tweeters,
Two tacky Tumblrs,
And a bloated blogospherrrrre!

900 Years of Architectural Legacy: Why Prague is a Royal Empress

Some art work on building facades. New Town, Prague 2010. Photo by J. Chong

I had heard of Prague’s splendid old World charm.  But I was unprepared for the city’s dizzying variety and historical compression of architectural centuries at each street corner and with each turn of my head.  Good thing we could explore its astonishing richness of Romanesque, medieval, baroque, renaissance, gothic and art nouveau building wonders, by bike and on foot.   Of course, we could not miss out on some of its stunning cathedrals and museum collections.

During Peak Tourist Season and IFA Soccer Craze
We were there last year for 4 days with an interlude of another 2 days at the UNESCO Heritage site, the medieval town of Cesky Krumlov.  Not only were we in Prague during peak tourist season in June, but also in the midst of IFA soccer fan crowds glued to  jumbo tv screens mounted in old public square, to watch championship playoffs.

St. Wenceslas Square with some manicured gardens in its central boulevard. Prague, 2010. Photo by J. Chong

  Though we stayed in staid sounding Best Western Pave, the hotel was also plunked in a historic neighbourhood. Just next door was a pub with gold filigreed sign, where we heard at night, the raucous cheering and conversation. There must have been also an IFA tv screen tucked somewhere at the bar.  Clean and modern with a curving iron wrought and wood rail and pseudo-marble steps, this chain hotel suggested a previous independent hotel of some vintage.

Panoramic view of Old Town Prague, from Prague Castle 2010. Photo by J. Chong

Lost in Wonder –Literally
It’s amusing to see Prague’s official tourism web site which emblazons one of its information sections:  “How Not to Get Lost”.  Obviously we weren’t the only ones.  Normally, Jack has good wayfinding  geo-spatial sense in strange cities and places where we’ve travelled far and wide.  However in parts of Prague’s Old Town and New Town, we did get slightly lost since neither of us could even guess at Czech letter script to  memorize old street names properly.  But getting occasionally lost for fifteen minutes or so nearly daily, was negligible time lost for seeing along our cobblestoned way, fantastic decorated building facia, gargoyles, stained glass, mounted sculptures, murals –it’s an architect’s, art lover’s and historian’s dream.  If not that, 

Abbey section of St. George's Basilica. Old Town, Prague 2010. Photo by J. Chong. Romanesque paintings. Rare to see paintings depicting abbesses, nuns or any female church order in many well-known European churches that I visited during my trip. However a greater likelihood sometimes in very early medieval liturgical art.

 Prague is a beguiling teacher on over 900 years of European architectural history, just by wandering around slack –jawed in area of less than 10  square kilometers.

How could any ex-Prague citizen find any of our North American cities as artfully intriguing?  There was the Astronomical Clock at the Old Town Square Tower where upon the strike of clock tower bell, the painted and gold figurines of 12 apostles moved.  The Tower dates back to 1338.  We would pass by it  several times, to walk from one pedestrianized street,  old square to another.  Cycling in an enjoyable way, was abit useless among these crowds. Besides, you would miss out on seeing the city’s building splendor up  close. 

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When we had one of our first dinners outside in a public square, St. Nicholas Cathedral  loomed above us, less than 10 feet away. Unfortunately it was closed and somehow I forgot to revisit the place when it was open since I got distracted by the magnificence of St. Vitus’s Cathedral (which I described earlier in another blog post with photos of  its  dazzling stained glass art).  Or another nearby  church-convent, St. George’s Basilica where to the one side was St. George’s abbey dating from 972 with preserved Romanesque mural paintings of several abbesses, a rare thing to see a female church order painted on a large scale inside churches.

Cubistic contemporary building complex amongst heritage buildings. New Town, Prague 2010. Photo by J. Chong

Another time, as we strolled yet another narrow, clean street, we passed by suddenly some Cubistic-like buildings.  Prague was like that:  frequent, unexpected delight of structures from different eras intermixed along the same street, as well as sculptures, carvings and fanciful metalwork adorning building entrances, windows or roof eaves.

I wondered how on earth the city secured the funds to restore its national heritage buildings. It must be an ongoing process of grant applications and lobbying funding bodies and philanthropists.

Silver liturgical art work. St. Vitus Cathedral, Prague 2010. Photo by J. Chong

 Evening with Baroque Music
To lure tourists with its cultural arts, nearly every day there were a few classical music concerts. How could we as baroque music fans, resist?  So we treated ourselves with tickets, to a live chamber concert of Vivaldi’s Four Seasons and Pachabel’s Canon at Municipal Hall.  The Hall was a stodgy shaped building but was wonderfully embellished with art nouveau art pieces both inside and outside its walls. That evening  less than 100 people attended the concert in a cavernous musical hall that could seat well over 800 people.  But no matter, the soaring music lifted us along with also distractions of the building’s interior.

Fierce protectors guarding at Prague Castle's gates. 2010. Photo by J. Chong

 In tune with the spirit of cultural arts, we winded through the Museum of Musical Instruments, Prague’s City Museum, National Museum and a building near St. Wenceslas Square which I cannot remember its name, that featured soaring ceiling and wall art nouveau murals in expansive public meeting rooms.

We did the slow typical stroll across Charles Bridge, first built in the 14th century with over 12 statutes which are now replaced with copies. After drinking in the panoramic sight of terra cotta roofed buildings and winding narrow cobblestone streets, we spent time at the Prague Castle, Sternberg Palace and the cathedrals mentioned earlier.

Stroll along in Prague 2010. Photo by J.Chong. Notice on halfway on right, a deer sculpture ready to leap out of a window.

Cuisine More Heartiness than Gastronomic
No doubt we were in heavy tourist areas which most likely obscured whatever better Czech cuisine we could have had beyond dumplings, meat, strudel and  heavier cakes than what we had in southern Germany.  Or just mediocre Italian or even Asian cuisine. Only pure pragmatism of cycling with double pannier weight, prevented me from buying tempting Czech wine since we still had over a week in Copenhagen ahead of us.  After all, Czech wines are not often found in Canada.

Stained glass art. St. Vitus Cathedral, Prague 2010. Photo by J. Chong

 Jewel that Survived War and Revolution
It’s even more astounding that Prague’s architectural and artistic magnificence has survived several waves of political revolution. Most  recently after World War II, the Czech Republic was part the Soviet Communist bloc before its final dissolution in the early 1980’s.   Not surprisingly, in 1992 the whole historic city core of over 800 hectares, was designated a UNESCO World Heritage site. 

Contemporary sun dial art installation in the midst of medieval and Rennaissance era buildiings. Old Town, Prague 2010. Photo by J. Chong

 Prague overwhelms you with her magnitude of visual history, time layers of artistic inspiration and craftsmanship, all  jammed side by side, along its narrow cobblestone twisting streets.  Even after 5 days there, we knew we had not seen all of this wonderful empress of European cities.

Further Reading (and Photos):
Becker, Jack. Cycling in Prague.  In Third Wave Cycling Blog, Jun. 26, 2010.

Chong, Jean. Come and Get Your Dumplings: Some West-East Comparisons.  In Cycle Write Blog, Jul. 25, 2010

Chong, Jean.  Stained Glass Art: A European Sampler of Refracted Light and Colour. In Cycle Write Blog, Jul. 17, 2010.  More photos of this artwork in St. Vitus Cathedral and in Municipal Hall.

Official Prague Tourism site.

Cycling For Favourite Foods To Devour at Farmers’ Markets

Peameal bacon sandwich slathered with Dijon mustard. St. Lawrence Market, Toronto 2011. Photo by I. Yee. No comparable sandwich at markets in Vancouver nor Calgary --yet.

I tend to be a goal-oriented cyclist –I have a destination in mind. Sometimes that turnaround point involves food.
 
Now any diet-conscious cyclist would admonish my attitude:  to maintain a healthy weight, do not reward yourself by eating calorie laden food.  True.  The reality is at least a snack at the market, is a fabulous carrot stick motivator for me.  I food shop at markets and often slug along back home with my 10-20 lbs. of food in my bulging bike panniers.

So here are my favourite local ”snacks”  for 3 Canadian cities where I have lived:  Toronto, Vancouver and Calgary.

Toronto: Peameal Bacon Sandwich
When I lived in Toronto, at least once a week I had my peameal bacon sandwich fix with a 

Peak hour morning line-up for Toronto's famed peameal bacon sandwich. St. Lawrence Market, Toronto 2011. Photo by J.Chong. A favourite with some firefighters and cops (see handcuffs).

coffee, from Carousel Bakery at the St. Lawrence Market. This sandwich has put them on the map for local food fare as witnessed by the newspaper and magazine testimonials that are plastered on their signage. Notably, sometimes there are firefighters and cops who also line up for this hearty sandwich (instead of doughnuts).  At least one can justify, it’s low-fat pork.

I have introduced friends and visitors to this food gem, which by the way, is difficult to find in an accessible way, in  Vancouver and Calgary where I lived later on.  For Calgary, a veritable carnivore capital and producer for quality beef, bison and pork, it’s hard to understand this omission.

Granville Island Market, Vancouver BC 2011. Photo by J. Chong.

 Now I have to settle for having this peameal bacon sandwich only whenever I visit Toronto, which is rare now. 

Vancouver, BC:  Apple Focaccia or for Thrifty Foodie, Almond Anise Biscotti
My first exposure to Terra Breads. was at  Vancouver’s Granville Market before I increasingly switched to their bakery outlet on 5th St.—only a 15 min. bike ride away. My favourite item is their apple focaccia.  A mini round focaccia embedded with slices of apple  baked with a very thin caramel-like glaze. Or their red grape bread with pine nuts, which both desserts have inspired me enough to make my own plain dough for a homespun dessert focaccia with raspberries, blueberries, blackberries or grapes.

Apple focaccia. Granville Island Market, Vancouver BC 2011. Photo by J. Chong

 However if I wanted to save money, then it was their handmade almond anise biscotti or chocolate almond biscotti.  Artisanal baking at its best, with no use of shortening and a much lighter hand with sugar.

Calgary: Chocolate Sourdough Bun
At Calgary’s Farmers’ Market on Heritage Drive, I gravitate towards at YUM’s Bakery for their chocolate sourdough bun.  Again, maybe it’s a bit delusional, but the bun genuinely tastes not sweet, very little fat if any and no use of eggs.  This delusion can morph quickly into an addiction for the 

Chocolate sourdough bun --addictive delusion of eating healthier dessert / snack. Calgary Farmers' Market on Heritage Dr. 2011. Photo by J. Chong

next two days if we buy half a dozen or if there are no buns left, we buy a loaf.  Good thing the Market is a good 15 km. bike ride away.

Ah, what would a good bike ride to the market be without a favourite local food delight.

What’s your one favourite food in the city where you live or have lived? 

More Delicious Reading:

Violin-player buskers at St. Lawrence Market, Toronto 2011. Photo by J. Chong

 Chong, J. Growing Up and Cycling Through the Years to Farmers’ Markets.  In Third Wave Cycling Blog.  Dec. 3, 2010. Covers also farmers’ markets in Kitchener-Waterloo, Hawaii, France, Germany and Saltspring Island, BC.

Chong, J.  Kicking up Foccacia (Fruit Focaccia): My Way with Ginger Root and Spices.  In Cycle Write Blog.  Jun. 20, 2011.

Lotus Flower- From Root to Flower to Seed, It Feeds Our Senses

Freshly cut and peeled lotus root should be used within the hr. Otherwise it will discolour. Photo by J. Chong

 To me, eating lotus root, is akin to eating water chestnuts.  Either cooked or raw, they add a slight sweetness and abit of fresh, crunchy fibre to a dish.  If eaten cooked, lotus root must be sautéed or cooked not too long, or else you’ve lost that crunch.

One wonders who took the gamble to discover that beneath a beautiful lotus flower and its leafy pads, was an edible root firmly embedded in the lake bed.  It must have been a moment of plain hunger. Again, it must have been human ingenuity to use the lotus leaf as a natural food wrapper to steam packets of sticky rice with dried sausage or meat, some beans, a boiled egg or other steamed goodies. Its seeds are also used to make a sweet light brown paste filling for Asian pastries.

Freshly prepared for supper: stir fried noodles with snow peas, peppers, lotus root, onion and tofu.

 Stir Fried, Steamed or Boiled –Savory,  Dessert or Medicinal Dishes
Once you understand the right vegetable combinations and some meat, sliced lotus root completes a stir fry,  a steamed dish or a consommé noodle soup, without adding much bulk and adds aesthetic interest to a dish. 

Once sliced open, you must use within an hour or so since it discolours. Any cut edge for a leftover root, must be protected with a little plastic Saran wrap  and stored in the refrigerator. Use within a few days.

Steamed beef marinated with a bit of soy sauce, oil and onion. Lotus root mixed in with marinated meat just before steaming this dish to cook. Steaming meat is more common as a homestyle Asian cooking technique --a healthy approach.

 I usually find the easiest and quickest way to enjoy fresh lotus root at its best, is to throw in a couple of thin slices into a stir-fry –about mid-way through the cooking dish.  I have yet to see and eat an entire dish of lotus root:  I’m not so sure that is really recommended from the standpoint of traditional Chinese medicine or healthy eating.  It is not a starch.

A baton of fresh lotus root. One just breaks off each piece to use.

 Fresh lotus root from the store must be dry and firm in touch. If you have a choice, buy the rhizome as two connected pieces, instead of broken or half sliced. As long as the uncut ends look fresh, not mouldy, buy it. Canned lotus root is tasteless and should be a last resort. (Same thing can be said of canned water chestnuts.)

Because of its neutral taste and low calories, a few slices might be simmered in an Asian dessert soup –more as an aesthetic garnish with some minor nutritional benefit.  Frankly I’ve never made such dessert soups.

Kohl rabi consomme, noodle soup simmered with fuzzy melon slices (an Asian veggie), lotus root. Photo by J. Chong. Consomme was naturally sweet from slowly cooking kohl rabi.

  And yes, once upon a time, I did have a few slices in a Chinese medicinal soup that my mother prepared.  But I can’t recall much of the ingredient mixes and would not be comfortable giving it here on the ‘Net without understanding the soup’s real effect.  She only prepared 1-2 types of medicinal soups –a real amateur in this area.

I’m not a gardener but  after combing the Internet, it appears the sacred lotus, nelumbo nucifera, can become a pest  in its prolific spread and growth unless it is carefully cultivated in confined areas.

Lotus Leaf and Flower– A Pillar Watercolour Brush Stroke
The lotus flower as an aesthetic inspiration is not only noticeable in traditional Asian artwork and crafts, but also as a foundational brush stroke in Chinese watercolour 

Lotus flower --even the seeds in the stamen area are used. Or the stamen is dried for decorative purposes.

 painting technique.  

Years ago, I tried my awkward hand at classical Chinese watercolour painting in an evening art course.  There are several paint brush strokes that must be mastered over and over until you can impart the right hand pressure, brush stroke flair to execute perfect shading for: a  bamboo stalk, lotus leaf and flower, as well as a branch of  plum blossoms.

I never finished the course.  I felt perhaps I didn’t  know Chinese paintbrush calligraphy to help me.  But now, at least I can appreciate the mastery of single stroke painting style for Chinese watercolour painting when I look at such art work.  Execution of lovely lotus flower paintings within an hour is a serious feat, with only black ink, watery pink-red paint strokes and light touch of stamen yellow.

It’s a wonder that the lotus as the sacred flower in Buddhism, the national flower for India, Vietnam and Egypt, gives us a great deal beyond its shimmering floral brilliance floating on the  calm waters of a summer lake or pond.

Saskatoon Berries— Wild Little Berry with Potential

Fresh saskatoon berries. Not as juicy as blueberries but just as healthy and sustaining as they have been for North American aboriginal diet for centuries.

 Until I came to Alberta, I never saw containers of many fresh Saskatoon berries in either British Columbia nor Ontario.  Only occasionally, I saw saskatoons already processed in jams, jellies, salad dressings or pies at a  farmers’ market or at a gourmet food shop. I might have had a Saskatoon berry pie slice once upon a time.

Power Berry for North American Aboriginals
This tiny dark purple-blue berry does grow in both of those provinces also. But the  

Bison ready to serve, cooked in onions with saskatoon berry and wine sauce. Photo by J. Chong. Dish creation by HJEH Becker.

cultural lore of Saskatoon berries seem to reside most with the prairie aboriginals, the Cree and Blackfoot First Nations with some use by the Salish along the west coast who seem to have far greater access to different types of berries.

The berry’s name is derived from the Blackfoot, “misaskatomina”  or from the Cree, “misaskquahtoomina”.   Other common names are: serviceberry, juneberry or amelanchier (French).
 
Saskatoon berry bushes can grow in slightly dry or open forest areas, preferably with some soil drainage, sun, and can even withstand a bit colder temperatures in sub-alpine regions.

Unlike blueberries, saskatoon berries have a drier, slightly more earthy, yet still fruity taste. Perhaps one of the reasons why people aren’t scooping up handfuls of saskatoons to eat, 

Saskatoon jam and syrup -- first 2 products on the left. Calgary Farmers' Market 2011.

 is that they are abit more expensive.  However, they cost no more than raspberries during peak harvest  –at least, in Alberta.   Only within the past decade or so, some provinces now realize its market fresh value and have started to lay cultivated trees systematically for the berry hungry food locavores.  Most notably, Manitoba and Saskatchewan’s agriculture and agritourism divisions have paid attention by deploying more technical information for potential farmers and general public marketing campaigns.

Saskatoon berry scone at Wild Grainz Bakery, Calgary AB --just a short bike ride away from downtown. 2011. Photo by J. Chong

 One wonder about the gaps in knowledge transfer on a wide scale  where this berry and its shrub parts, were used for centuries in many different ways by the aboriginals –food, medicine and accoutrements, such as pipes. But such knowledge is becoming increasingly lost on how to even distinguish this berry, as well as other edible berries from poison in the woods.

We bought our first ever, overflowing box of fresh berries from Saskatoon Farms’ stand at the Calgary Farmers’ Market. 

Fresh salad at home with yogurt fig balsamic, saskatoon berry and Dijon mustard dressing.

 The saskatoons proved to be elegant when cooked into a dark wine sauce with our bison and sautéed kohl rabi on the side.  Also the berries complemented a balsamic fig vinegar and Dijon mustard salad dressing that Jack invented on the fly.   Then our remaining berries were frozen to lengthen our summer memories of sun-bright prairies and these twinkling wee berries of potential.

Interesting Reading:
Article by the British Columbia Ministry of Forests for details on ethnobotany of Saskatoon berries  and its different uses by the aboriginals. More extensive scientific information from the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Rocky Mountain Cycling Interlude: Bighorn Sheep, Ragged Peaks and Turquoise Waters

One of several wild bighorn sheep at Lake Minnewanka. Banff National Park, Alberta Aug. 2011. Photo by HJEH Becker. Lake Minnewanka 16 km. road circuit is just a short detour from Banff Legacy Bike Path between Canmore and Banff.

You don’t need to be a mountain biker to see mountain ranges up close, orange paintbrush mountain flowers or herds of wild bighorn sheep with their babies. We just returned from several great days of cycle-touring in the Canmore-Banff area, which is over 120 km. north of Calgary. 

Banff Legacy Bike Path between Canmore and Banff. Alberta August 2011. Photo by J. Chong

 In  the past, we have toured the area by bike between Banff and Lake Louise, as well as on the Canadian Continental Divide near Field, British Columbia.  Within Lake Louise and Continental Divide, we have also cross-country skied and hiked at different times.  (Winter avalanche warnings are real.)  The first time was by car before we switched to self-propelled means.

Each trip has been a different experience with unexpected surprises.

This time, we wondered if we had encountered the next generation of bighorn sheep on bike, since we saw these same creatures over a decade ago in the same vicinity, Lake Minnewanka.  Except last time it was in the quiet winter stillness when we were safely protected in our car. There were no other tourists around us at that time.

Mature male bighorn sheep. Lake Minnewanka, Banff National Park. Alberta Aug. 2011. Photo by HJEH Becker

 Bighorn sheep sighting is just a 10 km. detour off of the new 26-km.  Banff Legacy Bike Path between Canmore and Banff.  You must cycle over an electrified pavement section less than a few metres wide, without stopping as instructed by the sign, to make the turn-off.  The bike path just has a few electrified sections to keep the wildlife from tromping into the path.  Elk and deer are common in this area –even occasionally near the major highway which we did see last winter. Bears and bighorn sheep are also frequent this area but in abit more remote areas. 

15 km. south of Canmore, Old Banff Coach Rd. (Highway 1A), Alberta. Aug. 2010. Photo by HJEH Becker

In the Banff area and nearby, the Trans Canada highway cuts across major wildlife migration crossings. There are both built overpasses and underpasses for these wildlife migration paths and to protect humans.

Valleyview Park stopover halfway along Legacy Path. Banff National Park, Alberta Aug. 2011. Photo by J. Chong

 During this past weekend, there was a cougar attack on a child at Barrier Lake over 40 kms. away from our area. Certain wooded areas in Lake Minnewanka are off-limits to hikers during these summer months because of bear attacks which have occurred several times in recent years. 

Several Local Mountains Loom From Different Angles
Along the Legacy Path, there were several well-known mountains and rock formations  in view at a cyclist’s pace:  Castle Mountain, Sulphur Mountain, the Hoodoos, Mount Rundle (made of several mountains totalling 17 kms. across) and so on. Too bad we didn’t time our trips to see these mountains at sunset. But at least on bike, there’s time to position oneself for the best shots. 

Lake Minnewanka, Banff National Park. Alberta Aug. 2011. Photo by J.Chong

 In Canmore, the Three Sisters Mountains were often in view, from different angles. 

I’m sure I saw Ha Ling Peak since we did go cycling on various routes locally from different points in town. Ha Ling was named after a Chinese cook for the Canadian Pacific Railway who climbed the mountain twice in 1896, just to prove that he actually could do it. On the second time, he planted a larger flag at the summit for the townspeople of Canmore to see. It was named Chinaman’s Peak but renamed in 1997 to Ha Ling to remove the historic derogatory term of Chinaman.

Cycling on a bike path along an active rail line at sunset. Canmore, Alberta Aug. 2011. Photo by J. Chong

 Canmore now has become more established and upscale than we knew it over a decade ago.  For tourists it is less frenetic, less costly and more relaxed to stay here in the summer compared to Banff.  This year our trip coincided with their annual Folk Music Festival.

Bike ride on trail section shared with horseback riding group. Below Banff Springs Hotel. Aug. 2011. Photo by HJEH Becker

 While cycling to our hotel at the northern edge of Canmore, a sharp high whistle pierced through the air above the buzz of moderate car traffic beside me. Suddenly I saw  a row of 6 tiny brown-grey pikas shoot out of their burrows from the road bank in a high-speed scamper to safety 3 metres on the other side of the embankment.  It was wild rodent action, all in perfect sychronicity within the blink of an eye.

With some headwinds and tailwinds to challenge and delight us on our bike trips, we look forward to more adventures ahead to the Canadian Rocky Mountain area.

Note:  The Canadian National Rocky Mountain Parks of: Banff, Jasper, Kootenay and Yoho are together as a continguous set of peaks, a  UNESCO designated World Heritage Site.   More photos of this trip and areas near by are here.

Calgary Stampede Week: Cycle-Ridin’ Through Cowboy Hats and Pancakes

This gallery contains 9 photos.

  As a cyclist, you know the annual Calgary Stampede festivities have begun when cycling early morning on the popular Bow River bike-pedestrian path, suddenly there’s horse poop every 30 metres or so.   It’s just one time, when the horses, their … Continue reading →

An Idyllic Summer Escape to Vancouver Island for Maidei

Hanging out by vineyards at Muse Winery, Vancouver Island 2011

  After feeling the city vibe of downtown Vancouver, Maidei sailed off the next morning, on a B.C. Ferry across the Georgia Strait to Saanich, Vancouver Island. During this 1.5 hrs. long voyage, she was delighted by ever-changing panoramic views of rock outcroppings and lumpy green Canadian Gulf Islands while they plied the ocean waters.

These small islands are known for laid-back lifestyle where some people have their cottages and where artists have drawn inspiration. Some islands have a few hilly bike routes on narrower roads.

The ferry dock at Saanich is about 30 km. north of Victoria.  

Tiny Anna's Hummingbird variety, sits quietly above near our bistro winery table. Saanich, Vancouver Island 2011. Photo by HJEH Becker

“Saanich”, is a Coastal Salish aboriginal word that means “emerging”.This peninsula area is quieter than Victoria, with small farms, parks, some bike routes and a handful of wineries. She found it lovely to cycle along the quieter roads with the smell of the saltwater ocean.   She cycled over to Muse Winery where she lolled around the bistro outside by the vineyards and a few glass art sculptures. Lunch included a glorious seafood salad with jumbo shrimp, lots of fresh 

Hummingbird's tongue pokes out in anticipation of an insect meal. Saanich, Vancouver Island 2011. Photo by HJEH Becker

crabmeat, salmon with avocado and sprouts over lettuce.

One of the lunch highlights, were the birds flitting around which included  hummingbird breed, Anna’s Hummingbird and  a bald eagle which had its nest up in a tree less than 500 feet away.

Later in the evening, she ambled over to the pier in the small town of Sidney where she was staying overnight. That evening the town was buzzing with a street festival in celebration of Canada Day weekend, July lst the next day which marks the creation of Canada as an independent country in 1867.  Unfortunately she didn’t buy any lovely cheeses from     

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  Saltspring Island but she had a good look at the displays and joined the sampling along with many other shoppers.

On the second day on Vancouver Island, Maidei peeked into the Sea Cidery place, where hard cider was pressed from different local apples which netted a range of mild alcoholic cider varieties for sale.

The whole trip was sparkling, sunshine trip treat for Maidei –her island getaway on Canada’s Pacific west coast.

Maidei Touches Down in Vancouver, B.C.

Near one of the community outdoor mosaics at Norquay Park, Vancouver, BC. Part of the mosaic art series, "Clean Water Mosaics". Over 200 volunteers for 20 different mosaic designs, led by artists Yoko Tomita and YarOn Stern 2011.

 Maidei continued her world-wind adventures during her TeamEstrogen global cycling relay,  but now in western Canada.  She  boarded on an Air Canada flight from Calgary to Vancouver. She wanted to escape the shenanigans of the annual Calgary Stampede in early July which features bronco horses, chuckwagon races, deep fried foods and nightly drunken partying for 

Cyclist heading towards pedestrian steel bridge in a shape of canoe. Olympic and ParaOlympic Village, Vancouver BC 2011

  nearly 10 days. Apparently last year there was a steer (a castrated male bull) that broke loose and ran around in the downtown streets before it was caught.

During her first morning in Vancouver, she was led by a local community art team group leader, who talked about the brand-new, pavement art mosaics that were embedded in one of the local parks in East Vancouver, Norquay Park. The series of art mosaics, thematically called, “Clean Water 

Hanging at Olympic and ParaOlympic Village, Vancouver BC.

  Mosaics”, were funded by 4 local groups,   including the Parks Board for City of Vancouver.  There are over 20 different mosaic installations in this area– at the park entrance, by the wading and spray pool, park benches and by children’s sandbox area.

Afterwards she whipped over on a folding bike, to see the Olympic and ParaOlympic Athletes’ Village, a legacy of the 2010 Winter Olympics, where she saw  

Granville Market, with Burrard Bridge in background, English Bay and North Vancouver mountains. Vancouver, BC 2011

 more outdoor art. She saw its pedestrian bridge built like a curved canoe. However, she disagrees with the artist: it looked more closer to a kayak. There was enough cyclists whirling around in this area, even though she was vacationing on a weekday afternoon.

Later a few hours before sunset, she hung out by the waterfront at Granville Market. From there, she could see the Burrard Bridge, an art deco 

At a gate shaped like a giant abacus, entrance to some yuppie condos. Chinatown, Vancouver BC

 bridge with separated bike lanes; Burrard Inlet flowing into English Bay with the North Shore mountains rising above. Goodness, she even noticed a plume of smoke –hopefully not a forest fire there.

All in all, it was an active day. She awaits for the wonders of Vancouver Island the next 2 days.

 

See Maidei’s earlier adventures in Calgary, Alberta.

Kicking up Focaccia con frutta (Fruit Focaccia): My Way with Ginger Root and Spices

This gallery contains 5 photos.

 Ever since I discovered that Italians traditionally  studded their focaccia dough with red or green grapes instead of just  sundried tomatoes, I’ve been on the occasional focaccia con frutta-making streak. However the variations I’ve concocted, have morphed into flatbread closer … Continue reading →