South Main Street: Fill & Download for Free

Of course —I was at the motorcade. I was on South Market, and Main Street, NW corner. We heard sirens, walking back to our bus. We were about 2 1/2 blocks from the assassination, but out of sightlines. We heard the sirens, and even saw some police cars racing past, as we walked many blocks to where our busses were parked. Our teachers and chaperones dismissed the sirens as “they turned them on, to get onto the Stemmons — the motorcade was over.”Then, we got back to our school. School was no longer in session, all students had been released, and sent home. Our principal was waiting in the parking lot, as our buses pulled in. We were told at that time.I walked home, with my brother, and two friends.Inside, the TV was on. My mother was in tears. Not sobbing, just quiet, silent tears. That was enough. I was frightened. I had never seen my mother in tears.For the next four days, our TV was on, every moment that I was awake, and changing the channels made no difference at all.

Here are a few places off the top of my head:Dunkin' Donuts: Lincoln Ave, Cliftondale Square, Village Plaza (Main St/Lynn Fells Parkway), Route 1 North near the Lynnfield line, Route 1 South past Walnut Street, Hamilton Street/Saugus Center.Starbucks: Route 1 North near Walnut Street, Route 1 South just past Lynn Fells Parkway.Zinga! Frozen Yogurt: Route 1 & Lynn Fells ParkwayPanera Bread: Route 1 & Lynn Fells ParkwayMcDonald's: Route 1 North past Main Street & Route 1 South before Lynn Fells Parkway.

I grew up in Greater Vancouver and now am living in Shanghai for nearly a decade. These are some of the (mostly free) things that I happily think back to from time to time when I am having a “Bad China Day”, and since I did them regularly as a local, I think they qualify as non-touristy stuff:Drive to beautiful Blaine, Washington (haha) to fill your car with gas and buy some cheese, followed by a walk on the beach and dinner at White Rock.Watch Planes land at Larry Berg Flight Path Park at YVR, followed by a visit to the Flying Beaver Pub.Take a walk on the Steveston Dyke, or the trails along the Serpentine River.Paddle the Nicomekl River interpretive trail.Spend a day at White Pines Beach on Sasamat Lake.Hang out in Marpole and visit random Chinese restaurants.Hang out on south Main Street and visit random Indian Buffets.Go to New Westminster.Go to Delta and try even more Indian restaurants.Go to Lougheed mall area and eat like a Korean King (or Peasant).Cruise along Kingsway from Fraser St. to Metrotown and pretend you are an Anthony Bourdain type visiting Vietnam.Get a burger and nachos at the Raven Pub in Deep Cove.Watch a film or two at the Pacific Cinematheque.Take Instagram worthy drone photos of farm fields in Richmond, Delta and South Surrey.Go to Tsawwassen.Go to Port Moody.Visit Pitt Meadows, take a boat trip up Pitt Lake for a day.Ride Mountain Bikes in the Delta Watershed.Go to Crystal mall and try to pretend you are not in China. (good luck)