Gastown

Since it was closest, Aurelie decided to walk the few blocks to Gastown. She finished her snack and headed up the street, enjoying the briskness of the spring air, and taking in the sights and sounds of the city.

Gastown turned out to be a single street, about five blocks long, lined with buildings that dated from the late 1800's and early 20th century. There were far too many tacky tourist joints for her liking, but there were also more than a few interesting looking cafes and restaurants, and a few quirky boutiques that enticed her to window shop as she explored.

The pedestrians included many evident tourists, many with identification tags from the cruise ship she had seen docked in the harbour. Mingling with them were hurried people she assumed worked in the area, and more than a few homeless beggars sitting quietly against walls.

The street ended at a square where three other streets intersected. Aurelie stood in front of a bronze statue of someone who looked like one of the homeless people she has passed, but turned out to be a saloon keeper who had set up the first business in the area at the time of the city's birth. She consulted her map and guidebook trying to decide what to do next.