Celebration of Light

Every year Morgan and I go to Vancouver to watch the Celebration of Light, an international fireworks competition that brings out the masses surrounding English Bay. Due to our less than stellar record of having enough time, we headed up their quite early, with a mind of securing parking and a beach spot hours in advance. We were joined by our exceelent friends Mark, Jessica, and Charlotte.

After raw oysters, lots of salmon, and a some kind of tentacle at Aoki Sushi, we made our way down to Kitsalano beach. About 6:45 it started to rain, and before long we were running for cover. None of us had even considered the possibility of getting wet, so we hunkered down under a tree while Mark schooled us at Skipbo. Then the thunder and lightning began, and before long the scientists in our group urged us to move away from the trees. The display that followed was an indescribable.

Lightning was blasting multiple times a minute, whether it be across the sky from cloud to cloud, bolts shot to the rods on top of the downtown buildings, or nothing more than an enormous flash behind the clouds. For the next 3 hours, the storm moved slowly over the top of us and out towards north Vancouver. We got soaked, but it didn't matter. When the lighning storm merged with the sunset, painting gold across the water, sky, andrain-soaked cement. I think it is safe to say it was the most beautiful weather I have ever seen.

The fireworks were incredible, but they could hardly compete with the storm, as it moved north across the mountains. We left Canada tired and drenched, but knowing it had most definitely been worth it.