9:45 AM — Apple Store Opening
We got to Pacific Centre Mall at about 9:30. There were about 50 people ahead of us in line. I found out later from John Biehler that the first guy in line had gotten there at 5:45 AM. After about 20 minutes, the line grew behind us to the end of the corner of Granville and West Georgia. After another few minutes, we moved in to the vestibule (before you get into the Mall, and waited another half our or so. Periodically, the Apple Store Staff, most of the young and about 75% of them guys, would come out and take pictures of the crowd, video them, (interview them in a few cases), and high-five them as they ran out. Finally, at right about 10:05, we were let in:
The staff were now in the store, and a line of them screamed and high-fived us as walked in the store, which was already packed. We each were given T‑Shirts (very attractive black ones with Pacific Centre and the Apple Logo in small letters on the front). By comparison, the at the Apple Store opening in Boston years ago, the far more restrained East Coast New England staff merely applauded as we entered; there was no screaming or high-fiving.
We looked around and saw a lot of nice merchandise (nothing particularly extraordinary, though), talked to a few people in the crowds, and then headed out. It was fun to be part of the opening, but really, it was another Apple Store, and would certainly be a place that I visit many times in the future, so there was no need to purchase something in the throngs of people there. Sometimes the best part of an event is being able to say you were there. Besides, we had our next event to go to!
11:00 AM — Eat! Vancouver at BC Place
These photos are of the Barbecue Teams outside BC Place. Inside, we walked the aisles of the biggest food show in Canada. Your entrance fee is more than made up for in free samples to eat and take home, coupons, recipe books, bags and other goodies. Suffice it to say that we didn’t need to get lunch, and probably will have a light dinner as well. We also got lots of other free stuff, including razors, toothpaste, and tote bags. I always have fun at this show, and this year was no exception. Last year, the big product-type that everyone was pushing were all sorts of beverages. While there was still a lot of that this year, I’d have to say the big new addition was a lot more curries. Coconut curry was all the rage, and we must have tasted it at 3 or 4 different booths. Given the rising population of Asian immigrants in this town, it’s not all that surprising, but it’s making a good show even better, with more travel booths, more small family booths selling sauces and spice collections, and quite a few new vendors from Alberta and Manitoba. Canada’s ‘Queen of Maple’, Tracy Moore from Ontario was there, providing samples of some of the 77 products that she had created. (check out everythingmaple.com to see some of them).
We’re home now (and pooped!) Rather than hear Dame Evelyn Glennie (the famous deaf percussionist — yes, you read that right) play with the VSO tonight, I think we’ll try and go on Monday night.
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