We spent a short time in Brentwood, then hopped the train to Lougheed where Judi said her goodbyes so she could concentrate on some serious shopping and Linda picked up some photo prints while the rest of us walked. We met Linda's daughter, Margaret, who works in the florist shop at Safeway where we stopped for a light lunch. Deborah didn't bring any food, thinking she could make do with breakfast. She soon disappeared into the bakery and returned with a big sweet bun covered in pecans. Denying oneself nourishing food when everyone else is enjoying just doesn't work. We joined an Aboriginal concert with a drumming instructor who demonstrated the use of a ceremonial drum and explained how a drum is made. Then two young women entertained us with a rap tune in one of the Musqueum dialects.
As we approached the Skytrain for MetroTown I called a fellow walker, Maurice, who had moved away from the Drive last year and who wanted to be included in any walks out his way near Edmunds Station. On our arrival, Linda, Flora and Deborah decided they were ready to go back to the Drive. Susan and I met Maurice just inside MetroTown off the Skytrain level and he acted as our guide through the Mall.
It's excitement of prehistoric proportions. With roaring, life-size animatronic creatures in 2 indoor atriums, dinosaurs have taken over BC's largest shopping destination. This spectacular experience is as educational as it is entertaining. Metropolis at Metrotown, located in Burnaby, is home to 450 stores, a movie theatre & a variety of restaurants.
To our surprise, as we approached the small atrium on the lower level, we noticed an archaeological display entitled "Dinosaurs Unearthed". On display were skeletons of several small dinosaurs (up to five feet tall), with information panels about their origins and ages. Later, in the main atrium, which is open from main floor to skylight roof, was a full size replica of an adult Tyrannosaurus Rex, its roar echoing loudly through the mall; a sign beneath stated "I haven't eaten in 30 million years, so stay behind the fence!"
Beneath the raised tail of the adult Rex was a baby Rex covered in its infantile feathery coat. It was electronically connected to a podium containing seven buttons; each one operated a different section of the the baby's body - the tail swung side to side, the head moved up, down and sideways, it's jaw opened to reveal a trembling tongue with throaty growls, and it's tiny front paws jiggled threateningly. Children were fascinated by the seemingly magical power of those buttons and even Susan couldn't resist trying out a few.
Our walk done, Susan caught her bus home, Maurice hopped his eastbound train and I took the westbound train to Broadway Station. As a #20 bus was at the northbound stop, I rode to Britannia Centre to sit in this sweltering computer room and write this journal entry.
WAYS TO STAY COOL IN THIS HEAT WAVE :
(advice from medical doctors): dress in light, loose clothing, preferably cottons; stay hydrated by drinking a half cup of water or cool beverage every 15 minutes (we lose vital minerals through perspiration); keep activities to a minimum to maintain our core body temperature at normal; take several cooling showers each day and sleep with fans running as moving air makes for more restful sleep.
Until next week ... Contributor Virginia
No comments:
Post a Comment