Kitsilano Beach, Vancouver, BC, Canada
Since moving into my Vancouver home in August, I have had the opportunity to explore and walk along Kitsilano beach more often than I ever have before. On average, I walk along the beach path three days a week and it is one of my favorite past times. I love going for a long walk, putting my headphones in to listen to a podcast, but most of all – I love people watching. When I go for my walks, I most often walk alone and pay close attention to those around me. I enjoy watching people interact, whether it’s with each other, animals, most often dogs, or with the environment. Beyond noticing these interactions, I have started to become more appreciative of the environment at kits beach that allows and encourages these types of interactions. The park benches, tables, and paths all direct and conduct the flow of people. The dog beach next to the actual Kitsilano beach offers a place for humans and their pets to meet while interacting with the environment. Further, there are logs along the beach where people come to sit and connect with each other. It makes me wonder what stories live at Kitsilano beach? In the summer I watched the sun go down and groups of people sing and dance along the beach. This winter on new years day, I watched small clusters of people run into the water for polar dips when the sand was covered in snow. Throughout all of the events, this environment was a place people chose to gather and interact. However, I question brings people to this place? Is it the physical environment? The ability to interact with people and animals in one place? The space to move their bodies? Is it to people watch like me? The more I visit Kitsilano beach, the more questions I have. Therefore, with continued mindful visits, I am excited to learn more stories that connect to this place and use what I learned to connect to our Inquiry spot on campus.
B. T.