Gay Vancouver

There’s four days till Christmas and it’s raining in Vancouver. I’ve got a boy on my mind, and sushi in my hand. A smile and a lingering kiss are on my lips. Last night’s sleeplessness was worth it, so I tell myself as the tiredness creeps in. Traveling by skytrain, bus, walking downtown in the drizzle with my rushed breakfast and leather jacket. This is my winter of twenty-two.

The streets are not so wild in the morning. They are tame and boring. By day, Davies is a gay ghetto, with convenience stores and foreign food restaurants along the strip. Rainbow flags are plastered on every door front, but I find them meaningless. By night, the music in the clubs can be heard, the swank restaurants are calling, the dance floors are dancing to the beat, and I’m there. Buying new underwear with confidence. Knowing I have the power. The city feels like I own it, it’s there for me. Adventure.

I meet up with friends, Starbucks it is. People-watching. People-judging. Shooting the breeze, who slept with who? Listen to my ipod, this song’s the best. Oh my god, that’s horrible! What did you do? You should just forget that guy, he’s not worth it. Did you get him in bed at least? I’m a graphic artist. That guy’s looking at me. Ya, I’d do him, if I didn’t look at his face. That is so not a woman, I see stubble! I want to move downtown, but I need a job. I really like your shirt, where’d you get it? My underwear’s riding up, check it out, Ginch Gonch. I’m so horny you guys! I ended up at my ex’s last night, sorry.

And the rain keeps falling, and the boys keep passing by. Pretty soon we three join them, back on the bus, back on the ferry, back to the island, away from this gay hub. We’ll dream and plan our next Vancouver adventure soon.