Yes Virginia, There are Canada Line Police

Tomorrow is my anniversary and we decided to go all the way to the aiport and have dinner at the Fairmont Airport Hotel GlobeYVR restaurant with friends who did not partake of the opening day festivities for Canada Line. Since we did not take the train the entire route as it was closing, today's experience again made us feel even luckier that we live in a city with a rapid transit system like ours. It is part disneyland, with the twists and turns in the tunnels, not unlike space mountain, and then in Richmond, when you come out into the daylight, it is something else again...more like a roller coaster slowly climbing and then dropping into a curve, all the while whisking along the track. Being so high above the city, and with no wall or barrier on the outside of the train- no rail, just a narrow walkway in case of emergency... could be a bit unnerving, but everyone on the train, regardless of age, was having a great time. People were trying to decide where to get off, before getting back on, because the tickets are actually good for several hours in either direction...and after 630pm, it goes to one zone fare regardless of how far you are going.

Our dinner at GlobeYVR was based on their summer 100 mile diet program. The dishes were beautifully put together, albeit a bit on the miniscule portion size, but the flavours popped, Since our friends do not eat some of the ingredients, we were beneficiaries of many assorted tastes. The one damper was that they did not bring out two of the orders without one requested and confirmed ingredient. Since they had already served two of us, they should never have taken away the whole plate for 15 or 20 minutes, leaving half of us to try to dawdle or eat cold food, and never updating us or offering them the other presentations on the same plate. Especially for the price, and how slow the restaurant was, this was unthinkable...but we shared and managed.

On the way back from the airport, we were met by translink staff answering questions and helping as well as watching over ticket purchases. We were pleasantly surprised by the number of fellow passengers, most of which clearly were on a joy ride with no luggage and a few airport staff. There were two young men from Quebec, and when the transit policeman came over for the tickets, apparently one had one and the other either could not find his, or did not have one...taking a 5050 chance I guess. These officers have guns, and the power to insist that they get off the train and they get fingerprinted and the fine (in case you were wondering) is $250!

This definitely generated a lot of discussion on the train, but we think that after scaring them, considering that they were definitely non English speakers and from out of town, they were sent to buy that second ticket...being given a second chance.

So if you are thinking of passing on the ticket purchase, think again!

Once again as the train left the two young men, the officer and the station, we were whisked away into the evening with the white glow of the Olympic rings clearly in sight, and in mind...less than 6 months and counting!