This afternoon John and I met up with John Biehler (who is also in town for tomorrow’s WordCamp) and we took a stroll.

Photo credit: John Bollwitt on Flickr

We went from the waterfront up through Chinatown and back down through Union Square. It was really fun to explore a city with such a unique landscape, cultural diversity, distinct architecture and rich history.

San Francisco’s Chinatown is the largest outside of Asia and the oldest in North America, established in the 1850s. Vancouver boasts the second largest Chinatown, after San Francisco.

We arrived in San Francisco yesterday evening and checked into our wonderful boutique Kimpton Hotel (full review will be posted when we’ve checked out).

Since we haven’t had too much time to explore yet, here are some interesting Vancouver/San Francisco history tidbits to kick start the coverage of my trip.

I noticed an update on Twitter from @EcoPup, makers of pet clothing, about the kick off of Vancouver Pet Fashion Week. Immediately I thought this was something worth looking into and it turns out that this Sunday, May 31st, festivities will indeed be underway at the Roundhouse in Yaletown.

“Designer-dressed model dogs will strut their stuff on the “cat” walk in the latest fashion collections. Followed by a pet competition for best dressed dog in a fun parade. Bring your dressed up Vancouver fashionistas and they could win terrific prizes for model attitude.”

Photo credit: DebbieC on Flickr

Photo credit: circulating on Flickr

Photo credit: andreina_photos on Flickr

Pet Fashion Weeks have been around for a few years however this is the first for Vancouver. The event is free and open to the public from 12:00pm – 5:00pm and donations to support animal shelters will be accepted. Sunday is also Dog Day in Yaletown down at Cooper’s Park from 11:00 – 2:00pm.

I remember the original liquor store that closed down on Robson, between Bidwell and Denman. It was supposed to re-open with the rebuilding of a Safeway but due to delays in that project, the liquor store building lay vacant for years. When the new Safeway was finally built on Denman and Robson, welcoming ground-floor tenants such as CIBC and Vancity, the BC Liquor Store wasn’t far behind. We walked by today and it seems open if not very close to opening. It will definitely be convenient when walking home from Safeway and wanting to grab a nice Pinot Noir to accompany dinner (although I can already see the line ups forming for fireworks nights).

As a side note, the CIBC will host a grand opening BBQ celebration Saturday May 30th where you can enter to win an autographed Trevor Linden jersey. Rumor has it there will be a magician and caricaturist on site as well.

About a month ago, when I was chatting with on Twitter about cars, a contact from GM Canada, with whom I had previously corresponded, fired me a note and offered me a Malibu for review. John and I don’t own a car but it’s one of those purchases that’s constantly in the back of our minds so we’re certainly not opposed to seeing what options are out there.

We had the 2009 Chevy Malibu 2LT for one week and did a bit of city driving as well as a quick trip on the freeway to visit Duane out in Chilliwack. The size of the car was perfect – it wasn’t too big and since my last car was a sedan I enjoy having enough room for passengers plus camping or snowboarding gear.

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