Boxing Day Mahem!

So don’t often frequent boxing day sales, even in Australia, as I don’t like the crowds and the blind sighted need to buy because of another few percent off. Maybe deals for some larger items it pays off to venture out, though for smaller things not sure it really makes a big difference considering what you have to go through to obtain the item. So today, out of interest and possible insanity, I went out to one of Vancouver’s largest Malls, Metropolis; 900 stores and lost count of how many thousand people.
Many stores had queues of at least half an hour, some I’m sure an hour long, waiting to get into the store due to how many people already on the inside. To ensure flow and cooperation from excited patrons many stores also had their shutters closed with an employee giving access as appropriate. Heard later that for the big name stores where some of the queues were the largest the discounts were minimal.

Yes, I did actually venture into a few stores, though often short lived as so many people that couldn’t move and/or service was slow. I guess that is why some stores had hired DJs for the day to entertain their guests, and perhaps keep them instore for that little longer. Think I saw every possible ‘special’, ‘sale’, ‘discount’ sign available. And perhaps a few nearly worked on me … some of the jackets and boots here are amazing, though not really travel able, or heavy to post home. So it is an interesting experience to have a small wardrobe and know that buying anything just isn’t necessary, even if desired.

So if walking around an unfamiliar three level 900 store mall/shopping centre doesn’t take time in itself. Walking the corridors, stairs and escalators took time with thousands of people going from store to store for bargains. The minimal seating long ago claimed, often by men waiting for companions to return! I soon became tired of the crowds, then battled to get back to the skytrain.

So in the afternoon I took a much more relaxed approach and headed to Stanley Park to see the lights. Ok this is for smaller kids and family, though I wasn’t going to miss out on the quaint fun! There is a miniature train that operates near the Aquarium and over the holiday season they light and decorate the area.  The area also has a animal farm with a range of farm animals, slithery and scaly friends. The ticket for the train gave entry to the farm so decided to have a look. So realised it has been a long time since I have experienced the aromas associated with an enclosed shed housing animals. It was interesting to know that for so many children coming through here, it is possibly the first time they have experienced, in real life, many of these common farm animals.

Anyway back to the lights! Snowmen, Reindeer, Polar bears, gingerbread people, Whosville, Book characters, wooden soldiers, candy canes all lit up along winding walkways, or even more magical is to take the train around the rest of the park with the music timed to each section you pass through. I was there around sunset which I think is one of the best times as you can still make out the colours and figures that you are seeing, though also get the glow of the multicoloured lights. Though with train movement and dim light photography is not the best.