Canada Day

Departed Brazil on the evening of May 18 and arrived in Vancouver the next day, cleared customs, hit the cash machine for some shiny new Canadian money, then proceeded to the brand new Skytrain (completed for the 2010 Winter Olympics) which leaves the platform, an easy stroll from VYR airport, every 10 minutes. I rode in the front of the front car, with the kids, so I could marvel at the new metro rail train line, which is part elevated above ground, hence the name Skytrain, but the new train goes underground after it crosses the Frazer River and becomes a subway, transporting the passengers under the bust city streets and get you to your destination in half the time and a fraction of the price of a taxi. From the terminus station of Waterfront you walk about 3 blocks to reach the BC Marijuana Party (BCMP) Headquarters, or as one staff put it: Welcome to the Palace of the Prince of Pot (Marc Emery).

The mood around Cannabis Culture Head Shop and BCMP (upstairs) was a little somber, since Marc had just been extradited to the USA just the day before but the people were still very nice as they made me feel totally comfortable by explaining the rules, number one of which is that you must bring your own weed in order to use the Volcano Vaporizor placed in the center of each of low coffee tables placed between ulta-comfy leather couches or low rider style bean-bag chairs. The spacious second floor facility is super-cool, with excellent views, out huge windows, of the tree-lined West Hastings Street and across to the park where most of the BC Bud merchants tend to hang out.

On my first visit to BCMP the weather was cool and rainy but inside the Cannabis Culture café everything was cozy and chillaxed, so I reacquainted myself with BC Bud, and since it's been such a long time without smoking Kryp, after 15 minutes I found myself laying flat on my back on one of the leather sofas, staring straight up through the wonderful huge skylight built into the room's ceiling and captivated by the rain coming down on a cool old gothic style heritage building down the block, probably the most unusual view in all of Vancouver because you're looking straight-up through the roof of the building and if you tilt your head you can look straight out the big windows and down Hastings Street. Meanwhile , there's all great chill music on a great sound system and the main room has a huge flat screen TV playing a loop of the documentary "The Prince of Pot" and everywhere on the walls there's interesting art and information.

You can almost feel the presence of Marc and Jody, even when they're not there and being in that great establishment of marijuana legalization, you get a real sense of the passion that these two people have for the movement, but also the enduring love that they have for each other. These two Canadians make a powerful team and it's hard to not feel sad for Jody since Marc will be gone for another 5 years or so, that's a really long time apart for partners who spent nearly every minute together.

Now I've been back more than a month and visited Vancouver and BCMP again, this time it was full-blown summer, bright, warm and sunny. This trip included a visit to a small island and some excellent trail hiking, over a suspension bridge and around Lynn Canyon. Even after a month the smell and taste of the air never ceases to amaze me and the views and vibes of the city seem to re-energize the soul and spark the spirit, everywhere the Pacific paints her touch on the landscape and sometimes the panorama of it all just makes you stop what you're doing a say; "Oh Canada!"