This week was mostly about Christmas lights, with the Stanley Park display back for another year, together with the train ride through the gaudily decorated woods. Hannah, who's been desperate to go on the train since last year, judged that Pete was old enough to provide her with the excuse. I waited for them in the warm and pleasant theatre tent, watching Frozen.
On Friday the Vancouver Christmas lights were switched on! I was expecting something slightly bigger, with a few C-list celebrities, but the "lights" turned out to be four Christmas trees next to the Olympic torch. There was a performance by a boy band, and free hot chocolate.
Today it was the parade, or the "Rogers Santa Claus Parade" to give it its fully-commercialised title. The whole of the centre of the city is blocked off for marching bands, dance troupes, and a long queue of floats sponsored by various city businesses. I'm still waiting for Chevron to put a float together so I can throw out sweets to the masses, but I've been told that we might have more things thrown back at us. They're not as oil friendly up here as in California. Strange!
The one true light of hope in all this madness was the Christingle service at church. Even this was not without its shock revelation, as Canadians don't know what Christingles are! It turns out that this tradition involving oranges, ribbons and sweets is entirely British and, now I think about it, it does have a bit of a Stonehenge pagan vibe. Luckily the cathedral's children's worker, Rosie, is English, and so she was able to educate our colonial cousins in the ways of true religion.
And it's still three weeks until Christmas! I'm sure the madness can't continue at this pace...
Stanley Park - an oasis of untouched natural beauty in the heart of Vancouver.
Gingerbread, maple leaf.
This guy was here last year too. Although I didn't see baby Jesus this time, possibly a victim of needing space to show Frozen.
The Olympic torch, glowing nicely, whatever the season.
Free!
Pete's height, and my back, mean the days of baby backpacking are numbered.
Who gets to turn on the lights? Santa, and a beluga, and sundry others.
Before.
After.
Where d'you want this reindeer?
Christingle paraphernalia.
Rosie instructs young Canadians about their first ever Christingle.
Construction.
Complete! Guess how long Olivia's sweets lasted (even though her dad told her she had to eat the candle first).
On the way home through the parade we were reminded what it's really all about.
