By Peter Mate, Fairleigh Dickinson University, Vancouver Campus, winner of the 2017 Stories from Abroad Scholarship.
Vancouver is not the same as I remembered. I romanticized the city during the past year; like everything idealized, it won’t meet your personal standard.
This realization came in Paris. The city was beautiful, but crime ridden. In the 18th arrondissement, I was followed by boys trying to steal my wallet – at the Sacre Coeur Basilica two men tried to take what little Euro’s I had left. Despite being initially frustrated, I understood that this is part of exploring. You’re in a city unknown to you and some people wish to capitalise upon your confusion.
In this sense, you – the explorer must expect your ideal image of...
