Oct 28: Yesterday we had a lovely screening at Langara College in Vancouver. It was organized by Indira Prahst, department of Sociology and Anthropology at Langara College, and Imtiaz Popat. Today, I started the day off by meeting the lovely Ajay Bhardwaj and discussing our work and films. I felt like I had known him forever. In the afternoon, I got on the Hop on Hop off bus and went around the city. Vancouver is caught between the North Shore Mountains and the Salish Sea. The views from Canada Place and Stanley Park are to die for. The weather was overcast all day. It was magical to see mist rising up from the sea, the smooth glassy water, and the variegated canvas of the sky where light kept painting an ever shifting seascape. I don’t like doing touristy things but I decided to try the FlyOver Canada flight simulation simply because I’ve flown so many times in my dreams. It was surprising. Not only can one feel the rush of fresh air as one flies over mountains and prairies but one can also smell pines and get soaked by the spray from Niagara Falls. I couldn’t help but think of the First Nations people of Canada whose lives and destinies have always been so intricately intertwined with this majestic land. As we drove thru Stanley Park marveling at 700 year old trees and gorgeous views of the Lions Gate bridge, the sun had just begun to set. It created glittering skyscrapers and a warm glow on the surface of the water, which seemed to hold ships and barges alike in its luminous fold. I took a million pictures. It was another day well spent.
