Long Weekend in Vancouver to Include Premier Janet Jackson Concert for 2015
I took my time getting my bags packed, and at the appointed, time I called a taxi for airport transport. I was very early for my flight, so I ate at Legal Seafood. Their fish and chips didn't disappoint. I’m tempted to go back even without a plane ticket in hand. Once onboard the flight, the snacks they offered were ratchet. I’m glad I ate. Eat well before boarding these airlines unless you like cardboard cheese and nuts that taste like they were left in the pantry too long. My sister, Sonie and niece, Lexi were at the Dallas-Fort Worth airport housed in a computer media lounge waiting some five hours for their connection to Vancouver. I came through my arrival gate and my sister gave me instructions on getting to the train, so I could get my connecting flight. When I buckled up, a guy sitting diagonally played a bunch of videos for what seemed like my enjoyment. He kept peeking to see if I was paying attention to the movies he chose for me. I watched Empire and some other gangster HBO specials.
I met up with my family an hour after I landed. They noticed the Richmond, British Columbia demographics immediately. The weather was low 60s and 70s; the exact opposite of our humid 100-degree weather on the east coast. A pleasant taxi driver got us to Hotel Blu in about 25 minutes. The walk to Rogers Arena to see the Janet Jackson concert was to the right of the hotel and at least four blocks down. We attempted to get a room with a better view than the alley below our window, but we were told the hotel had no views but a glimpse of Robson Street (with its storefronts). We were hungry so we freshened up and headed outside to the late night cool air. We settled for Subway and a Vietnamese noodle restaurant.
The morning was tourist time, so we headed two blocks away for the free shuttle to Capilano Suspension Bridge. Afterwards, we rode through Vancouver City on the Hop-On Hop-Off Trolley. Of the times I’ve visited Vancouver, I have never experienced the rain like what they say come 165 days a year. We dunned rain shoes and boots and carried umbrellas. It wasn’t so bad. We did get sun in one part of town and rain in the mountains. You will be subjected to at least the four seasons any which way you go in Vancouver. That’s for sure. To taste the local seafood from the Pacific waters, we stopped in at the Fish House. We had fish and chips, fish cakes, and mussels.
On concert-day Monday, we met up with Sonie’s ex-coworker, Lee for a Rouge lunch. I liked that Lee was engaging. I took a photo of the chicas posing with duck lips. Lee headed back to work, and we continued shopping for souvenirs. We caught a taxi to the hotel to get rest before the 8pm concert. Sleep was empowering. We were energized by the warm spa baths, the music videos pumping in the room, and just the vibe in general. On our journey to the Rogers Arena, a Middle Eastern guy greeted us with warm words…"it’s nice to see such beautiful brown ladies.” He was disappointed that we had to head back east the next day and didn’t reside in Vancouver.
A gallery of T-shirts awaited us near our seat entrance. With the purchase of a particular T-shirt, you got Janet’s new CD (featuring rappers J. Cole and Missy Elliott) which will be released around September 30th. The CD has 17 track songs. A DJ was blasting music on the Arena stage to get us hyped. Janet’s entrance on stage was to Hitchcock-like black birds flying all over. The first song was a taste of the new track with Missy Elliott. Janet looked great in her white and beaded gold outfit with lots of bangles. I will use a few bangles myself for my fall and winter wardrobe. Janet Jackson had the bohemian look going-on. Besides, her jewelry reminded me of Dubai’s rich gold bazaars. She does live around there with hubby. She sang at least 32 tamed songs from her repertoire. No raunchiness. I guess being respectful to hubby. All her dancers were female from tween to 20-something, but Janet moved better than any of them. She still can dance her butt off. Sonie and Lexi got up and danced to every song. When my favorite song "Together Again” got me out of my seat, I remained standing and danced the two hours away with the rest of the row of ladies. The show was fantastic. I think I’m going to see her again on the east coast for sure.
Unlike Ron I'm OK with describing food as "ratchet." You break your knuckles on it twice before throwing it away. Been there, done that. And by the way, you are one great story teller, Sharon. You make me want to be a stowaway with you.
An interesting review of your trip to Vancouver. As I read, it could have been any large coastal city with seafood. Hotels with no view, Subways, and Vietnamese noodles are everywhere, along with concert halls and tours.
I was only in Vancouver once, driving through from the ferry from Victoria to Canada 1, headed east. I picked up two young girls who had spent the summer working there going east to their homes in Ontario on Lake Superior. It was common for young people to hitchhike in those days during the summer.
I think you meant, "… The snacks they offered were rancid." ;-)
Kim Jong Eun è morto. L'esercito nordcoreano è ora al comando. Il loro nuovo dittatore militare, il maresciallo Ko, crede che con un'invasione totale possano raggiungere Seul, a sole 35 miglia di distanza.
Love, romance, innocence, intrigue, danger, and lust. Life is complicated, and love even more so. Life, and love, can be hazardous to a lady's health. Especially if she's fallen in love with a married pop star.
