Despite the stigma that surrounds East Vancouver, the alleys are often adorned with amazingly colourful offerings. I find it very inspiring to take a stroll through a select few and pick out literary scrawling, graffiti, and the layers of vibrant history that cover the walls.

This quaint, cottage-cozy cafe is the perfect place to go with your bestie for a cup of coffee and tasty treats. I highly recommend their fresh baguette sandwiches-the pear one (with blue brie, prosciutto & roasted walnuts) is my favourite!

Catalog Gallery consistently exhibits amazing art spanning genre and style. It’s one of my favourite galleries in the city, and always has a surprise in store. You can’t find the kind of work it presents anywhere else in Vancouver.

Vancouver houses are strange. Walk the streets, and you will go from amusement to jealousy to nausea with each house. Here are some categories: ‘Vancouver Specials’ cheap 70s houses built with a 50 year lifespan, generally they have lion statues outside. ‘Condos’ condos more condos, they suck! ‘Heritage Cottages’ they were in the woods probably 50 years ago, now they are surrounded by condos.

I struggle with eating out in Vancouver, generally I prefer the burrito style places like Bandidas Taqueria on Commercial drive or Budgies Burritos on Kingsway, because they can keep it mellow and hassle free. Pronto is a new one, it has a great Italian coffee bar from the 60’s vibe.