Cinematic Street

Saunter is a coffee shop that I’ve had my eye on, all winter long.  I’d walk by it and say to myself that I’ve got to check this one out because it looks so cool.  The entire street is cool.  Saunter has been here almost a year and today I finally made it inside.  Unfortunately it closes at 4PM on a Sunday and I got there at 3:30, so I didn’t have much time to hang out.

Saunter is a cool name for a coffee shop and the space is equally cool.  Vibe is crucial and saunter passes this test with ease.   The space is small and intimate but it has a minimalist design so it doesn’t feel cramped.  Also, it has lots of south facing windows, so it’s always bright and that makes it feel bigger.

There's also a hidden alley space in the back, which I didn't check out, but will have to next time. Apparently it's also very unique.

During my visit, two girls were taking pictures of each other.  I can see why because the space is naturally photogenic.  Lots of light and the backgrounds aren’t too busy.  It’s also right beside a bus stop, so if you like sipping a coffee and watching people…this is the place to be.

I had an Americano, which was good, but it was so hot outside that I couldn’t finish the coffee.  We’re having an unusual warm spell in Vancouver.  El Nino has arrived.  I’m trying to break my Croissant addiction so I had the Onion & Cheese Roule, instead.  It was actually pretty good, I was impressed.

There is no in-house wifi, so you have to sign in to the Telus network.  Which I think is free, although I’ve never tried it.

The staff seem very chill and helpful, and the whole place has a kind of homey feel that you will never find at a chain store coffee shop.  It’s a unique place and I hope it prospers because unique independent coffee shops like this are what really add character to a city.

Robson Square is right in the heart of downtown Vancouver, which is metaphoricaly exactly where it belongs. Robson Square sits between the Provincial Court House and the Vancouver Art Gallery.  The space has multiple levels, mulitiple water falls, and a surprising amount of greenery in the overall design.  Basically it’s an urban park with stunning architecture.

The biggest feature of Robson Square is it’s reputation as the go-to place for every protest or public demonstration in Vancouver.  Everyone in Vancouver gathers here, or on the North Plaza in front of the Art Gallery, and vents their frustrations with the world.  Which is a very important aspect of a healthy democracy.  I didn’t include any pictures of the protests, but the fact that Robson Square plays this role in Vancouver makes it one of the most important spaces in Vancouver.  People need a public place to express themselves and for Vancouver it’s Robson Square and the North Plaza of the Vancouver Art Gallery.

I’ve actually never been inside the Vancouver Art Gallery but the building is quite beautiful and what it represents is very important.  Culture is built with creativity and the Vancouver Art Gallery is a great metaphor for this fact.  If you want your city to have culture, you need to have a vibrant art scene.

Lots of artists and entrepreneurs come to Robson Square to sell their wares, play their music, take pictures, make videos, etc.  Having this free public location for artists to practice their craft is very important because real estate in Vancouver is very expensive.  There’s also a skating rink on the lower floor that doubles as a multi-functional space in the summer months for things like dancing.  There’s lots of dancing and music in Robson Square.

On the quieter days Robson Square is also a good place to go just to sit and have your lunch or read a book.  There are many nooks and crannies to be found in Robson Square that you can find to just get away from it all.  Especially if you’re willing to climb the stairs that lead up to the Court House.  The view from up there is quite nice.  Especially at night, when all the lights of the city come on.

I’ve taken about a million pictures of Robson Square and the ones I included here are just a few I took lately.  It’s an amazing space to be in if you’re a street photographer.  Ultimately, Robson Square is about people.  This is what makes the space come alive.  It was built for people, not trees or water or architecture.  If you want to celebrate people, come and visist Robson Square.  They are the biggest attraction that it has to offer.

Crickmay Park is a hidden gem on Lonsdale Avenue.  It’s small and humble but still worthy because it doesn’t take much green space to create a calm environment to sit down and relax.  You can’t have enough green spaces like this and it looks like this one is maintained quite well.  Smaller parks are often safer than bigger ones, because the latter are so big that they isolate you too much.

This park is perfect for kids because they can't go too far and it has little trails through the bush for kids to play in, and it also has a play-set for kids to play on.  Plus a basketball court. And of course there’s the Harry Jerome Community Recreation Centre next door.

There’s lots of picnic tables and benches to sit on, and also a place to lock up your bike, but I think that would require at membership at the Rec Centre.  There’s a tent canopy situation that they must use for special occasions.  But also good if you needed to get out of the rain, should there be a sudden downpour.

Oddly, there was no one in the park the day I wandered through it.  Probably because it was Easter Friday and it’s a holiday for most families/children.

Choices Markets at 1202 Richards Street is my favourite grocery store.  I like it because it’s a one stop shop.  It’s in my neighbourhood so I can walk there, it sells the products I need, and the staff are good.  What more can you ask for.

I especially like the health food section (Wellness section) because it’s hard to find a good health food store in downtown Vancouver.  They also have a good deli with lots of healthy food choices and hot food too.

Choices also has a lot of green products, like for cleaning your house, etc.  The store also stays open late, and seven days a week, which is good.  I highly recommend this grocery store.

I like Trees (a little too much) and I go to the one on Granville street a lot because it’s close to where I live.  Trees on Davie Street is another one of those coffee shops that I "usually" walk by all the time but rarely stop.  However, when I do stop here it’s a good experience.

Trees Organic on Davie Street has a very Davie Street vibe.  I can’t really describe it exactly, but it’s kind of a vintage vibe.  Like I was having coffee in someone’s kitchen.  The focus seems to be on people, rather than interior design.  Which is a bold marketing decision.  My pictures don't really do it justice. But if you come here you'll feel what I mean.

The staff are super friendly, so that really helps to set the tone.  I like coming here because I know what to expect.  In a world that is getting weirder by the day, it’s nice to have a place to go where you can feel safe and relaxed.

Wifi is good.  It’s not a big coffee shop but the seating is comfy, practical, and solid.  There are big bright windows up front that afford a good view of Davie Street, if you like to people watch.  Wifi is good, coffee is good, and like all Trees Organic Coffee Shops the chocolate croissants and the ham & cheese croissants, are also good.  I’ve never tried the wide selection of cheese cakes which they are well known for.  But they seem quite popular.