First days..

It is often said that getting there is half the fun. I call this photo Cloud 9 - which is how I feel right now. It is truly wonderful to be back in Vancouver.







If you think I am trying to make you jealous with this picture of the view from my dorm room, you would be absolutely correct. The UBC campus is just a huge lush garden.

But I am here to learn and connect with people and that is also happening. Yesterday I met a professor from York University who co-authors papers with one of my key academic sources, Dr. Bonita Lawrence. She graciously offered to put me in touch with her.

After that I wandered off into the city and went shopping on Granville Island. Photos of that next post.

The left coast...

I am back in Vancouver and it is wonderful to be here on the UBC campus surrounded by such lush trees and flowers, mere steps from the ocean with the mountains nearby. It is also quite fascinating to be at the Congress - one of the largest academic gatherings in North America with some 10,000 attendees. Last night my friend Sophie and I wandered about the campus swinging between exulting in the sheer beauty of the place and railing at the bleakness of our campus back in Calgary.

I will add some photos later so you understand what I mean. But for now I will simply reflect on what it is like to be here, present with so many other people who are part of the academe. It is an interesting experience - one that I approach partly with curiosity, partly with amusement and a smattering of the surreal.

I am looking forward to seeing how this week unfolds...