Where can I go near Seattle during July 4th to avoid fireworks?
You want to go to a National Park.Fireworks are utterly forbidden in National Parks and the penalties are severe enough that people don't try to smuggle stuff past the Rangers. Mt. Rainier would be ideal, if the camping isn't all reserved in advance for this weekend. Even if it is, there is some first-come, first-serve camping.Many state parks are also so low on potential fireworks usage that I'd be surprised if you heard any. Mt. Si is officially closed at sunset, but I happen to know that 20-30 people go up with sleeping backs and dinner to spend most of the night watching the silent fireworks in the far distance, popping over Seattle 20 miles away. (A few spend the night. Most hike down with headlamps about midnight.)Or you can just hike off into the woods. The Alpine Lakes Wilderness is accessible from I-90. Hike 4.5 miles are you are over the first ridges and no longer in civilization. No sane person ignites fireworks in National Forests, both because it is illegal, but also because of the obvious fire risks.
Why is Stanley Park (Vancouver, BC) so awesome?
When I moved to Vancouver I fell in love with Stanley Park and ended up getting an apartment right next to it in the West End where the park is easily accessible on a day-to-day basis. Here's a few reasons why it's awesome:The lost lagoon is filled with ducks, Canadian geese, Swans who loom around posing for pictures and waiting to be fed, you can also see the occasional river otter playing by the fountain. They also have a bird sanctuary information centre you can visit. The Vancouver Aquarium is a must-do for anyone who is mildly entertained by dolphins, jelly fish, sea otters, beluga whales, tropical sea life, the amazon and the pacific coast, and much, much more. Read more about it here: A Sea Lover's Guide to the Vancouver Aquarium - RoamaholicThere are several amazing beaches skirting the sea wall, with logs for sitting at and basking the day away. There is an awesome pool at second beach.You can spend the whole day roaming the trails around the park, gazing at the tall trees surrounding you.You can walk, run, bike, rollerblade, or take your wheeled transportation of choice around the seawall and feel like you're not in the city at all.Second beach plays movies in the park in the summer months.You will often be entertained by buskers or get a glimpse of some Vancouver artwork.English Bay has the most picture perfect sunsets, especially in the month of September when the sun sets right in the middle of the water. Buy a bottle of wine, get some take-out and have a lovely picnic on the beach.The Celebration of Light fireworks festival is held on English Bay beach every summer. They also have a great Redbull air show and Shorefest, hosting a free concert for anyone who isn't too afraid of large crowds. From the park you can easily access Denman St., Davie St., or Robson St. for excellent cuisine (and cheap if you divert from the corner of Denman and Davie).Most of all, it can be completely free if you want it to be.It's one of my favourite spots in Vancouver, but take a look and see for yourself! If you hate the outdoors, then skip it, but to me Stanley Park is what Vancouver is all about.
What would you recommend doing in Vancouver, B.C?
Hike the Grouse Grind, or just take the gondola up for supper and the view. Watch the sun go down over the city. If the weather’s good, that is.Go on the East Side Culture Crawl, if it’s on. It’s free, Amazing if you are at all interested in arts and crafts (glass-blowing, painting, woodwork).The city has installed a lot of mobi-bikes. They aren’t free, but for $7 you can grab a bicycle from one of dozens of stands (e.g. transit stations), ride somewhere, drop the bike off, go shopping, pick up another bike, cycle somewhere else.Ride the Skytrain somewhere. You can sit right at the front, there’s no driver, and the windows are fairly clean.Take a water taxi across False Creek. Visit the market on Granville Island. Cycle the seawall around Stanley Park. Hike through the trees in Pacific Spirit Park near UBC. Visit the Anthropology Museum if you are interested in Native Canadian artefacts (totem poles etc.). Go nude on Wreck Beach.
When is the best time to visit Vancouver?
Depends what you like. Spring in beautiful- the cherry trees are all pink and fluffy everywhere. Winter is not too cold. Fall is pretty too. Summer is not too hot, but it’s the only time it doesn't rain. Usually July and August are dry and the rest of the time it rains constantly. If you like skiing, snowboarding and ice skating, come in winter. You can skate downtown for free if you have skates. The rink is tiny and crappy but it’s still fun. You have to go up a mountain to ski or snowboard, and it’s not cheap but it’s really nice and fun.If you like beaches and parks- summer. You can walk/run/ride/blade around the seawall, go to Granville island and Stanley park and go around downtown. If you just want to go to restaurants and shopping, anytime is fine. end of July and beginning of August we have a fireworks festival that is awesome. And the pride parade. Everyone goes to that. End of summer we have the PNE. Only two weeks and it ends labour day. It’s a fair with lots of deep fried foods, dog shows, truck shows, acrobats and rides. kids love it. The rides are open all summer. And on Halloween, where they turn them scary. That is really fun.
Are you going to burn firecrackers on Diwali? If you're, why do you want to burn them?
★8766 hours in a year …..2 hours people burn fireworks…..sounds no big deal.★But no is bothered about those factories, vehicles causing pollution throughout the year.★Even detergent we use daily cause water pollution ,I heard no one saying against detergents.★Burn fireworks but don't over do it,don't give up our practice.★Go ahead get little entertainment this Deepavali and be safe.
What does Independence Day mean today to young Americans?
It means a whole lot to me.On July 4, 1776, a new nation, backed by her European allies, officially severed ties with Great Britain and declared its sovereignty to the world. This fledgling nation would go on to become the most powerful, prosperous, and free state that the face of this planet has ever seen, many nations eventually following suit.The founding of the United States was a paradigm shift in the course of humanity. It was a snapshot in time in which some of the most brilliant and interesting products of the Enlightenment cooperatively worked together to overthrow the old order and usher in a completely new and revolutionary way of approaching representative government and civil liberties. Over the short course of our history, we’ve continued to refine the concept of liberty, to constantly alter it so that it is more encompassing, more perfect.In 240 years, we’ve made momentous strides toward a more egalitarian society though there is still work to be done, the end game being to enable all who are willing to rise to their potential to do so, free of any chains, and enjoy the prosperity of their labor.Independence day is an acknowledgement of and reverence toward sacrifices that have been made in the name of continuing the great, American experiment. It’s an acknowledgement of the help that we received from our allies at the birth of our nation and the help that we returned to them 165 years later when the world was on the brink of fascistic enslavement to a dictator who sought to cleanse the earth of those he felt to be inferior to him.Independence day is an acknowledgment of the heroes who rose to prominence during particularly trying times in our nation’s history and it is an acknowledgement of those who did not rise to prominence but still paid the ultimate price for this dream to continue just a little bit longer.Independence day is a reminder that a handful of people can alter the course of humanity in such a way that their deeds echo for hundred of years. July 4th isn’t about getting together with family for me or partying. It’s about remembering everything and everyone who made it possible for me to be where I am today. To that effect, I am eternally grateful. I usually celebrate this occasion by reading literature of the period, listening to the musical style that was popular in those days, and reflecting on what it might have been like to live through such trying, yet incredibly optimistic times.
What is the experience of Mitacs internship like?
It totally varies from person to person. For some it might be exhilarating and full of adventures and for some it might be a bit difficult if they have a hard time with their project. But there are some things which will for sure swipe you off your feet.One thing that is bound to happen is you'll always make that dollar to rupee calculation in your mind while doing ANY sort of monetary transaction.Cleanliness- Sometimes the roads in Canada will be more cleaner than the buildings in India.People- Canadian are too polite and are very welcoming people as a whole. Sometimes I had to think a lot before speaking to supervisor so that I don't utter anything which is rude.Travel&fun- Like India, Canada is a beautiful place too. It has its own serenity. The mountains, lakes, rivers everything. You will get ample opportunities to hike, try water sports, camping etc.Trust- We Indians are literally cynical about everything. So it's hard to digest that you have self billing machines in stores, people keeping their backyard open, bus drivers not even count change when you board a bus.Stipend- The money that Mitacs provides is more that sufficient. After travelling to even a different city and many places, shopping like there's no tomorrow, I was still able to save some money.Food- In northern Canada, which is colder you can have issues with food if you're a vegetarian and don't know how to cook. Restaurants have few veg options. So pro tip- learn a bit cooking if you're vegetarian.Weather- Canadian summer is like winter for us Indians. You are lucky if you witness some snowfall in May. And late sunsets of course. Sun usually sets at 9–10pm there. This was very different for us Indians.Traffic- There isn't much traffic actually. You cross the road only at a crossing and that too even when the signal is green. Cars will stop at least a meter away when you try to cross.Tim Hortons- Can be considered cheaper version of Starbucks. It will be your savior most of the times.HODOR- People will always ‘hold the door’ for you if you go before or after them. I too started doing it after a while. :PI'll add more as and when I remember. Let me know if there is something specific I should discuss.Below are the links to my other answers about my experience:Yashee Mathur's answer to Which was the best city that you have visited? Can you share some pictures?Yashee Mathur – MITACS – Applied GeologyPS: Answer is written from an Indian going to North America first time.