Well, I'm back from Vancouver Canada, too (see Bartcop #883 and *you* do the math -- ha ha).
I already want to go back. We stayed at the Hyatt in the heart of downtown ($77 US per nite
thank you Priceline!) and it was beautiful. Downtown Vancouver is vibrant and full of all kinds
of people at all hours. It's clean, the buildings seem better-built, and the people were friendly,
helpful and smiling. You could tell by their attitudes that they don't have Shrub for pResident there.
And *OH* the restaurants! I think I gained 5 pounds in the 5 days we were there.

I was struck by the number of 'Help Wanted' signs I saw, which is my personal most basic meter
of an area's economic situation. In spite of the fact that 80% of Canada's exports are to the US,
their economy is rolling along quite nicely. I agree with all the reasons stated yesterday, but I
wanted to point out a couple more subtle things that I think are helping.

One thing is that the legal drinking age in Canada is 19. Now, don't write and say, 'but Michele,
19 year olds aren't old enough to be drinking,' because all I'm saying is that 19 and 20 year olds
frequently have plenty of beer money and plenty of time, and if they are allowed to spend it legally,
that's good for the economy. Also, I suspect the drinking-and-driving laws there are more strict.
I hope so, because Vancouverites drive like they have been shot out of a cannon. Note for  travellers:
*ALWAYS* get the extra insurance on the rental car. You never know when you will need it.

The second thing you notice is that Vancouver has decriminalized the possession and personal use
of Marijuana. This seems to be good for the economy in a small way so far, but it's even better for
law enforcement there. The cops seem to feel that they have more time to enforce serious laws,
and to fight real crime. The court systems are less crammed with casual (read otherwise not a criminal)
smokers, and it seems to be good for tourism. We ran into a lot of American tourists, and many of them
seemed to have chosen Vancouver at least partially for this reason. We found two cafes where you can
smoke it openly, and a host of places to smoke it on the sly without worrying much. As it comes out
further into the open, the cannibis culture seems to be contributing even more to the economy, and it
will continue to do so. The rest of Canada is now considering decriminalization, and barring intereference
from Ashcroft et al, they will probably do it next year.

Vancouver, BC has it 'going on.'
We here down south of the border better take notes or some of 'us' may end up moving north.
This concludes my trip report!

Michele K