Christmas Shopping, Part 1: Gastown, Vancouver
I went on the first of what will probably be several shopping trips, this weekend. I decided that I’d use touristy souvenirs from Vancouver as the theme of my gifts, so I traveled to the best spot I know in order to get some.
Downtown Vancouver, in the Gastown area, was just as captivating as the last time I was there. Seeing (and hearing!) the Steam Clock, while walking the cobblestone streets and seeing the antiquated buildings all around, is such a fantastic novelty!
Luckily, there were quite a few souvenir shops in the area. I had a lot of options to choose from, and I took my time in deciding what to get for each of my relatives back home. I also came up with the idea to use postcards instead of ordinary Christmas card, which I think was much more fresh and interesting.
It wasn’t all fun, though. I became more and more exhausted as I walked around. My feet were getting tired, and I was hungry. As I desperately scanned the streets for the nearest restaurant where I could have a late lunch, I caught a glimpse of a small wooden sign on the sidewalk. “Cottage Deli”, it read. I looked around. I couldn’t see the restaurant; there was only a path leading into a crescent-shaped arcade filled with tiny shops and boutiques. I followed it.
Me, sitting down to eat inside Cottage Deli
It didn’t take too long for me to locate the restaurant among the little stores in the arcade. Oh boy, what a pleasant surprise the Cottage Deli turned out to be! I stumbled into the tiny restaurant, tired and hungry, and ordered a delicious spinach and feta omelet. As I sat down to eat, I noticed the incredible atmosphere in the eatery. And the view! Incredible!
The view from the windows along the dining area in the Cottage Deli! Canada Place, the bay, and the mountains are all visible!
All in all, it was a great experience and a productive one, too! I look forward to where my Christmas shopping journeys will take me next.
A clearer view of the brick-walled dining area inside Cottage Deli!