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Mother Nature in all her glory

 

The trees sway gently in the breeze,

their rustling leaves, a symphony,

a melody that speaks to me.

 

The flowers bloom in the morning dews,

a burst of color, joy infused,

their beauty speaks to me, it’s true.

 

The rivers flow, a constant motion,

their currents strong, a force unbroken,

their rhythm speaks to me.

 

The mountains stand tall,

a sight to see, magnificent overall,

their appearance speaks to me.

 

The creatures of the earth, diverse and wild,

in harmony with nature, their sounds so mild,

their spirit speaks to me.

 

Mother Nature, in all her glory,

a wonderland, a timeless story,

her voice speaks to me, a lifelong journey.

Top 5 best Middle Eastern Restaurants in Vancouver

What makes Vancouver even more special is the delicious foods. There is a variety of Middle Eastern restaurants in Vancouver to try. If you are visiting Vancouver and craving Middle Eastern food, then do not miss these top 5 best Middle Eastern restaurants in Vancouver.

Top 5 best Middle Eastern restaurants in Vancouver:

  • Baghdad Cafe

This restaurant is one of my favorite places to eat at. The place is very elegant and clean, and can be useful when you are on the go, but you can be seated if you choose to dine in. The portions are large for what you pay for, and the service there is phenomenal. After a few trips there, they began to recognize me and my order. There are many different Middle Eastern dishes on the menu, and they are quickly prepared. Recently, I went with a group of 20 people, and they were able to accommodate all of us, in a timely and efficient manner. It is located on Seymour Street in Downtown Vancouver.

Photo Source: Taken By Monica Michel

 

  • Yasma Restaurant

I was really thrilled to come to this restaurant for my first experience with Lebanese food. The servers were warm and welcoming. They were very polite and escorted us to our seats. They immediately took our orders, and when the food arrived, I was impressed by how beautifully they had presented it. I was even more amazed by how delicious the food was. The service was excellent, everyone there goes above and beyond to make each guest feel welcomed and well taken care of. This place is located on Denman Street in Downtown Vancouver.

Photo Source: Taken By Monica Michel

 

  • Paramount Fine Foods

This is an amazing restaurant for an occasion or celebration. It is better to have a reservation for this restaurant to insure a spot. I had their falafel and hummus, and it comes with a side of pita bread and salad. This restaurant is very classy and high end. The staff were so friendly, helpful, and patient with me and my large group of friends as we ordered our food. Their interior decor is very modern with a Middle Eastern touch which gives a feeling of the Middle Eastern environment. This place is in the middle of Downtown Vancouver, next to the Orpheum Theater, and 5 minutes away from Waterfront Skytrain station which makes it easily accessible.

Photo Source: https://sweetnspicysite.files.wordpress.com/2017/06/img_4986.jpg

 

  • Marhaba Food Story

It’s been nine months since this business opened, and every time I go, it’s so much fun. This place serves tasty Middle Eastern food, and their quality is superior. This restaurant is more casual than fancy, they provide great entertainment there. While waiting for my food, they were playing Arabic music and there were people dancing and having a good time. While we were eating, the DJ continued to play music and entertained us by playing the piano. This is a great place to dine in because it is unique and special. This restaurant is located on Davie Street and is 5 minutes away from English Bay Beach.

Photo Source: https://www.pexels.com/photo/photo-of-cafe-interior-1307698/

 

  • Manoush’eh

This place is by far one of the most overlooked Middle Eastern restaurants in Vancouver. There are not many tables to dine in, but the restaurant is cozy and has rustic decorations. The staff were very nice to me and my family. We had great interactions with the waiters and cooks. It is a family-owned restaurant and they always put their costumers needs first. Because they add so much flavour to the food, this restaurant has a special taste for Middle Eastern cuisine. It is always nice to go back and dine there. It is located on Davie Street and is 10 minutes away from Granville Island.

Photo Source: https://www.yelp.ca/biz_photos/manousheh-vancouver-4?select=z8UA9T5-2U-OipjhDqY5wQ

Top 5 best places to visit in Vancouver

Vancouver is a beautiful city surrounded by mountains and water with proximity and so much to do. If you are planning a trip here, then make sure you do not miss out on these top 5 best places to visit in Vancouver which are a must see for everyone. Vancouver is known for its breathtaking views and adventures activities all throughout the year.

Top 5 best places to visit in Vancouver:

  • Stanley Park

Every city has a signature park, and in Vancouver it is Stanley Park. This park has scenic views of the water and mountains. It is great for all ages and has something for everyone. There is an aquarium, pool, waterpark, and a variety of dining restaurants to choose from. You can walk or bike along the seawall and experience all what nature has to offer. You can also spend an entire day here and not run out of things to do. This park is located between English Bay beach and Downtown Vancouver. It is easily accessible by car or bus from the nearest SkyTrain station or a 25-minute walk from Waterfront SkyTrain station.

Photo Source: https://www.pexels.com/photo/person-wearing-blue-jeans-besides-gray-steel-fence-2416602/

 

  • Capilano Suspension Bridge

The nearly 140-meter Capilano Suspension Bridge, which hangs 70 meters above the flowing Capilano River, can help you conquer your fear of heights in style. The bridge is the longest walking bridge in Canada. You can see amazing views from this bridge with the water underneath you while you are surrounded by trees. There is also a nice walk after you cross the bridge that leads to several trails. This amazing bridge is known for its scenic views from high above the ground. It is also a great place to visit, not only in the summer but in the winter as well because the bridge and area surrounding are lit up with stunning lights. This bridge is located north of Stanley Park and is a 15-minute drive from downtown Vancouver.

Photo Source: https://www.pexels.com/photo/people-walking-on-the-capilano-suspension-bridge-15268178/

 

  • Granville Street

Granville street is one of the most known places to go for shopping in Vancouver. The main area is from Waterfront all the way to Robson Street. Along the way you will find high end stores, multi cultural restaurants, nightclubs, shops, and much more. Everything is very close together in this area within a walking distance. There is a SkyTrain station right on Granville Street which is very convenient. I recommend taking the SkyTrain and not a car since it is a busy area which makes it hard to find parking. This place is one of my personal favourites since it is for all ages and there are so many shops and malls to explore near each other. This area is in the heart of Downtown Vancouver and is easily accessible by car or public transit.

Photo Source: https://www.pexels.com/photo/car-parked-near-concrete-buildings-during-nighttime-6144876/

 

  • Grouse Mountain

At Grouse Mountain, the skyride gondola brings you up the mountain where there are many activities. In the winter there is skiing, snowboarding, snowshoeing, sleigh rides and more. In the summer there is hiking, Zip Lining, sightseeing, shows and more. There is a fancy restaurant for dining in, but if you are on the go there is also a café. The souvenir shops there have some lovely things that I recommend checking out before leaving. This place is located 30 minutes from downtown Vancouver and is easily assessable by bus or car.

Photo Source:https://www.pexels.com/photo/gondolas-near-snow-covered-mountain-11455625/

 

  • VanDusen Botanical Garden

This is a must-see garden in Vancouver. It is filled with different colours, flowers, trees, and more. This garden is breathtaking and has a huge variety of nature. Not only is this place great to visit in the spring and summer when the flowers have bloomed, but also in the winter. In the winter the garden is completely lit up with lights and as you walk around and see all the different tress and colours. The ponds add a great touch to the walk as you are going through and exploring this garden. This place is located south of downtown Vancouver and a 5-minute walk from Queen Elizabeth Park.

Photo Source: https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/vancouver-bc-canada-may-2018-main-1103230907

The Tattooist of Auschwitz: Finding hope and love in harsh conditions

A Summary of the Novel:

The Tattooist of Auschwitz, a book written by Heather Morris, is based on a true story that tells a story of how a Slovakian Jew named Lale Sokolov, who was imprisoned at Auschwitz concentration camp in 1942, fell in love with a women named Gita, he was tattooing her identity serial number on her arm at the concentration camp. The theme is all about survival, love, and faith. The story is also about sacrifice and showing how life was like for them. The main conflict in the book was Character vs. Society because Lale the main character and other prisoners were fighting against the Germans to escape the camp. The Tattooist of Auschwitz describes numerous incidents from Lale and Gita’s stay in the prison camp, highlighting both acts of kindness and humanism as well as cruelty and evil. The experience of a survivor of a concentration camp is analyzed in a different perspective and detail.

 

 

 Why I Recommend this book: 

I definitely recommend reading this book. This books made me happy, sad and made me feel so many emotions all in one book. This book talks about finding love and hope in a  concentration camp, one of the most harsh places in the world. The story always kept me on the edge and has so many twists and turns to it, which keep it interesting to read. The book does a very good job in describing what is happening at the camp and giving you a sense of imagery where you can imagine how it was like for them. Everything about the book was on point from the details that were given to the very last bit of the book.

How this book reflects me:

This book personally reflects me because it shows me how much hope people can have under extreme and harsh conditions. The book made me feel so manty different emotions that I have never felt about a book. Every time I picked up the book to read it, something unreal would always happen and it always brought me back to the fact that the book is based on a real story. This book humbled me so much and made me realize that I am so lucky to be living such a life. 

 

Inspirational quote from the book:

“Yes, we do. There will be a tomorrow for us. On the night I arrived here, I made a vow to myself that I would survive this hell. We will survive and make a life where we are free to kiss when we want to, make love when we want to.” (Page 131) – Lale Sokolov