Hostel or Hostile

My stay in Vancouver didn't get off to the best of starts when a drunk guy blocking the hostel doorway greeted me with the traditional Canadian greeting "Go away unless you're checking in". I explained politely that I was checking in and he let me through. The girl on reception explained that he was one of the bar staff from last night's shift. Apparently he had been undergoing some customer empathy training by getting completely sloshed. I think he was just trying to be jovial, but it came across badly after a long bus journey. That kind of leads on to the main problem with the hostel. When they said that there is a bar next door, what they meant is that there is a licensed zoo underneath all the rooms where you are supposed to sleep. Admittedly the bar closed at 11pm, but I like to choose when I go to bed. Even after 11 there was a lot of to-ing and fro-ing by young people looking for cigarette papers. Why they were so desparate for a cigarette at that time of night I don't know. The good news was that they did a stunning breakfast for $2.75. See my priorities - sleep and breakfast, I guess I'm officially too old.
Vancouver is a pleasant enough city, but not as fabulous as the guide books make out. It does boast the world's first steam clock, which should put it on everyone's to see list. Stanley Park is a nice place to spend time, and the semi-tame furry animals that abound make for some good photo-opportunities.
To give you an idea of how much there is to do on a tight budget, on my last day I ended up at the aquarium. It was a good aquarium, but a bit of a last resort I think you'll agree.
Not really sorry to leave Vancouver, but sorry to be getting back on the bus.