Pace of Life

On Saturday night, we walked around and drove through Kitsilano, downtown Vancouver and Granville Island (for dinner). Many businesses closed by 6pm, and almost all of them closed by 9pm. At the Railspur Alley Cafe and Bistro, we had some great food, even better company, and noted that they started closing before the posted closing time. There was nothing pushy or rude about this; it was simply acknowledgement that business was a little slow on this particular evening (we speculated that the "Eat Vancouver" food festival might have drawn off some customers). I'm sure they would have remained open if someone had come in, but they also realized there are better things to do than "maximize profit" on a Saturday evening.

During the day, we walked around the beaches near UBC and the Pacific Spirit Regional Park. Perhaps being near the mountains, ocean and forests just makes one more pensive and reflective, but it's worth noting that the beachfront was free of condos, or hotels, or anything that else might increase the GDP--and ruin the peace and tranquility. More than anything, I noted the silence in the lush, green forest.

There's a harmony about this place, which probably reflects a sense of community and sharing. There are common spaces where various people gather--and not just to spend money; there is a major urban center amongst the trees, water and mountains. There is free firewood and free parking on Granville Island. There is a sense that life is about more than squeezing just a little more productivity out of the moment. That perhaps life is about living in the moment.