Bright Pearl

Here is a family enjoying the Bright Pearl, a large stainless steel globe of the world that can be rotated by hand in its cool water bath. It is located where Centennial Square (home of Victoria City Hall) meets Chinatown, just opposite the Gate of Harmonious Interest. The plaque beneath it reads:

As the centrepiece between Centennial Square and historic Chinatown, the Bright Pearl honours the many people who immigrated here from the Pearl River Valley in China. The Bright Pearl welcomes citizens and visitors alike to this civic square, especially those from our twin cities around the world.

Tis the Season

Last night was the official beginning of the holiday festivities in Victoria and a big attraction downtown is the ferris wheel in Centennial Square . Lots of people where out and about braving the crisp weather we've been having. Not to worry though, The top shot was a long exposure; it would be quite a ride if it was going that fast! - Fern

Centennial Square Christmas 2

At the opposite end of Centennial Square from the giant Christmas Tree (scroll down to see yesterday's post) there is a small skating rink where we Victorians can exercise our Canuck heritage by donning ice skates. When I was a kid on the prairies every school had a rink about 5 times as large as this and we skated at recess and at lunch too. It was also the season for long underwear and felt boots. Anyone else out there remember felt boots?

Centennial Square Christmas

There is a large evergreen tree growing in Centennial Square next to Victoria's City Hall that is always a pleasure to see, but especially when it is decorated for Christmas. It doesn't look like we're going to have a white Christmas this year though the mornings lately have been pretty frosty but those of us who have reached the age of discrimination are happy with a green Christmas.

Occupy Victoria!

At this point in time (Monday 17 October), Occupy Victoria presents a peaceful, almost idyllic scene. It's a nice change to see Centennial Square occupied by relaxed citizens being themselves and expressing their views freely as we are supposed to be able to do in a democracy. Surely this is what a city square is for. There's food and discussion and information. If you live in Victoria, drop down to Centennial Square and see what's going on. Click HERE to find out more about the People's Assembly. And HERE's a local news story.

Crowds

Here's a confession: I don't like crowds. I like most individuals I meet but put 40,000 of them in a small space with me and I start looking for a way out. Some people are energized by crowds. I just get debilitated and exhausted. Clearly the people in the above photo don't feel that way. They've all assembled on the grounds of the Legislative Assembly Buildings, the Empress Hotel and the Inner Harbour Causeway to listen to the Victoria Symphony Orchestra hold its annual Symphony Splash concert. The orchestra plays on a stage erected on a barge that floats in the harbour just off camera to the right. This was only one of many special events held over the long weekend to mark the BC Day holiday on Monday. Before getting entangled in the above crowd I attended another musical event in Victoria's Centennial Square, the Victoria Electronic Music Festival, definitely a different slice of the musical pie. Another Victoria blogger, Davin Greenwell, has posted a bunch of good photos of this event, at which he was a participant as well as an observer. Visit his blog to get a good feel for the flavour of the VEMF. Below are a couple of shots I took at the VEMF, with some experimental processing....