Ep 12: Expedition for Coffee
Today, I was planning to meet a friend at La Forêt, a popular café tucked between Metrotown's SkyTrain line and suburban streets. As I opened Google Maps to check transit options, a thought struck me: I have the Gogomi app now!
Curious, I opened the app's map of my walks and saw two distinct clusters — one in Brentwood, another in Metrotown. The gap between them called out to me, sparking an idea: What if I walked the entire 12km?
In a split-second decision, I chose to embrace the challenge. It would be my longest solo walk ever, through dry, chilly winter weather. Fun, right!?
The expedition began—like any other physically challenging feat I endeavoured—with a high-energy Afrobeats song. As I crossed the railway tracks near Holdom Station, I did a quick pack check: laptop…check, jacket…check, water…check, CLIF bar…check, chapstick…where's the chapstick? Uh oh, I'd left it home, but oh well, too late to turn back now!
Crossing the Trans-Canada Highway bridge, I entered a quieter, more suburban landscape. The lack of people on the roads was striking—was it from the car-centric layout or the typical lack of activity of a regular Sunday morning?
The terrain seemed unremarkable, save for a curious sight: an anxious set of keys dangling from a tree branch. I pondered whether to let them down so they go find their owner, but decided to leave them hanging as is, in case the owner retraces their steps.
The suburbia might've been mundane, but the hills along the way got me to work. The weather outside remained cold, but the inside of my jacket was increasingly warm—almost oven-like—from all the quick walking. Salted from sweat and peppered by dry cold gusts, I took off my jacket to remove myself from heat.
As I approached Forest Lawn Memorial Park, the atmosphere shifted dramatically. The sky seemed to darken and my once-hurried steps slowed to a contemplative pace. The upbeat rhythm of 'Party No Dey Stop' faded, replaced by a solemn silence that matched my slowing heartbeat. Death was present, and the party was indeed stopping. I shivered and put on my jacket, suddenly aware of the chill in the air.
I paused to gaze at the expanse of manicured lawn dotted with gravestones. Thoughts of my own mortality surfaced. What kind of life would I want to have lived when my time came? What would I have wi—beep!
My contemplation was abruptly interrupted by a car horn up ahead, jolting me back to reality. That's enough memento mori for me today, I had a café to reach. I cranked up 'Na Today', letting the bounce of Ghanaian party music shake off my existential musings as I continued walking.
Down Royal Oak Street, something in the distance caught my eye. I blinked, hoping I was tripping. A quick check of my map confirmed what I was seeing—a formidable hill stood between me and Metrotown.
“Okayyy let's gooo!”, I muttered to myself, multiple times, as I revved my quads up the steep incline. By the time I reached the peak, my Magikarp shirt was drenched in sweat (which I think is a good thing with it being a water-type?)
Pausing to catch my breath, I looked back and the view left me in awe at how far I'd come—
—and how close I was to Metrotown. The hill had been the crescendo of my journey, a final challenge for my tropical-conditioned body, which was reaching its limit.
Soon enough, I found myself facing La Forêt. A queue snaked outside, confirming its popularity. Inside, my friend greeted me with a warm hug, a puzzled look, and a tissue — my adventure had left my lips cracked and slightly bleeding. In my excitement, I'd forgotten to keep my lips hydrated, haha!
As I sipped my hard-earned coffee, I couldn't help but feel a sense of accomplishment. This spontaneous expedition had helped me bridge two Burnaby neighbourhoods on my little map. Soo satisfying! I was already dreaming of what my next urban adventure would be
