I came to Vancouver having never spent more than a day in the city itself. In my mind Vancouver was a new landscape, a new adventure that I was eager to take on. Before my trip began, I often daydreamed about all the things I would see walking in the streets or sitting in coffee shops. There were so many unknowns, but it was this aspect of the unknown that excited me so much. My journey began by flying to Seattle and taking the train. Being on the train was possibly one of the most beautiful moments I have ever experienced in complete solitude. As I found my way to the station in Seattle, I boarded and began to try and read for a few moments. It became nearly impossible to keep reading as I noticed the beauty along the coastline of Washington.
When I arrived in Vancouver, I was reunited with my Aunt Alexandra and Uncle Howard. Known to me for their kindness, liveliness, and wonderful sense of humor, I was thrilled to be given the opportunity to live with them in the neighborhood of “East Van” as I would later refer to it. My Internship would start the next day. Traveling into the city, my Uncle Howard pointed at a large “W” in the sky and said, “Makenna if you ever get lost — that is Woodward’s, you’ll be working there.” I was slightly intimidated in that moment about what could be, what it would be like to take public transit and find my way to the big “W” everyday on my own.
The first day I was acquainted with the staff and given a run through of how Woodward’s operates along with my responsibilities as an intern. I finished in the early afternoon so I decided to roam along Cambie Street, all the way up past the Vancouver Art Gallery and around Robson Street. It was daunting but exhilarating walking around an area that was completely unfamiliar to me. After an extended period of walking, I strolled into a cafe and realized it might be smart to look at a map for once. Once I figured my way around, I wandered to test my own knowledge of the streets and how they connected. I always grinned at the big “W” from wherever I found myself.
To give you an idea of what any of this truly means, Woodward’s is located in the Downtown Eastside, serving as a hub for the exhibition of local art, supporting over 200 events per year, and over 35 community and cultural partnerships. Woodward’s offers numerous exhibitions of dance, film, theatre, visual arts, lectures, festivals, etc. My job was working as the Marketing Intern in Cultural Programs on an upcoming festival titled “LAUNCH!” My responsibilities included editing, writing, contacting newspapers, learning how to utilize photoshop, and developing a social media presence for the event.
In being a part of “LAUNCH!”, I found a passion for the work I was observing on a daily basis. The environment I was in was filled with energy and creativity, I was working in the midst of knowledgable mentors and talented young artists in all respects. I walked in everyday ready to observe, aspiring to try and showcase the amazing work I was witnessing all around me. After work, I found I loved to roam just as I had pictured. I grew to love walking without a destination once I knew the streets and landmarks; I found myself traveling in and out of bookstores, cafes, antique shops, and anything that struck me in the moment. A dual citizen to Canada, I loved connecting with my roots and continuing to grow in my understanding of the country. I will miss cheap sushi, Thai food, reading in Stanley Park, Bard on the Beach, hiking in Lynn Canyon, Earnest Ice Cream and the Canadian accent that began to find its way back into my Midwestern dialect. I think I will always feel nostalgic about my summer in Vancouver, I am grateful beyond measure for the time I spent there.
Here are some of my favorite moments:
SaveSave