Back to December: Vancouver (Taylor’s Version)

As I’m listening to Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour Setlist and reliving the memories, I’m bringing myself “Back to December” to our trip to Vancouver to see Taylor Swift live for the Eras Tour. I grew up with Taylor Swift’s music and have been listening to her since 2008 when a friend introduced me to her song, Our Story. We would listen and sing along on the bus ride to cross-country meets, and I was hooked. Fast forward to 2024, and like many others, I wanted to attend The Eras Tour. Everyone who was able to go and see her live said the experience was amazing and a must do. Although I missed my chance to go when she first started touring in 2023, I wanted to make it happen before she ended her tour.

Each ensuing concert seemed to build more hype and by the time she had taken her break and returned to finish her last leg in October, it seemed more and more unlikely that I would be able to go. Dan and I happened to be visiting Miami when she was on tour and almost made it happen, but sadly, it wasn’t meant to be.

I scoured the Internet and social media platforms for secondhand tickets and entered as many giveaways as I could. Prices dropped the week of Thanksgiving, and I jumped on it and bought us secondhand tickets. Dan and I changed all of our flights, buses, even our hotel (to a much better one I found last minute!) With Dan’s suggestion, my mom, youngest sister, and I made friendship bracelets that Thanksgiving weekend. It was so much fun that we then made more beaded bracelets for our family trip to The Dominican later that December.

The night before flying to Vancouver, I received our tickets, only to discover that we had been scammed and given obstructed view tickets. Despite having to catch a very early flight, I stayed up late for an extra 2 hours trying to resolve the situation. Unresolved, I called again while at the airport. Viagogo refused to help us get better seats, only offering us other obstructed views. While flying, I watched prices fluctuate up and down, until I quickly got our tickets returned for credit (+ additional credit from choosing this route), and bought us even better seats. Our flight was delayed arriving into Edmonton, but luckily the whole plane was heading to Vancouver for the concert, so they held the next plane up for us all to board.

I met Dan in Vancouver, at last, making it! Our hotel, Versante, was beautiful, with a deep soaking tub, city views, rooftop pool, and extremely comfortable bed. It felt all worth it when we arrived, walked to a local Taiwanese beef noodle shop for delicious noodles, and took a luxurious bath.

That evening, we visited the VanDusen Botanical Garden, which had festive holiday lighting throughout the property. We got hot chocolate with whipped cream, a cone filled with just whipped cream, and walked around and explored, so happy to be here (me, hehe).

The next day was concert day! We started our day leisurely, went back to Uno Beef Noodle, I went for a swim in the heated rooftop pool where they played Taylor Swift (of course), and then we got ready— Dan wearing a Tswift shirt I bought him :)

We got an early dinner at Tendon Kohaku, which came with the option for bottomless rice, miso soup, and cabbage! We arrived at the concert early and had time to walk around and explore before Gracie Abrams came on.

I cried when Taylor came on, the sense of relief and joy that we finally made it here, despite all the challenges. I cried when she played Love Story, I danced, sang, laughed, and had so much fun with Dan and all the other Swifties, all having the time of their lives. Getting to hear Taylor Swift live and experience this epic performance was better than I could have imagined. It was so incredible and I’m so happy we made it happen!

On our last full day, we ate brunch at Medina, visited Lynn Canyon Park, walked around, and ate dinner at Salmon n’ Bannock, Vancouver’s only indigenous restaurant.

Vancouver seems to be known for their suspension bridges, so we wanted to check it out. We visited the free and less crowded Lynn Canyon instead of the longer, busier Capilano Suspension Bridge, enjoying the beautiful and peaceful escape into nature. We walked on the small suspension bridge over the rushing waterfall and pool below before exploring some of the quieter trails.

We took the bus the next morning to Seattle where we got lunch at Ciudad Grill with old friends, chatting and catching up for hours. It was the perfect end to a wonderful long weekend getaway to Vancouver (Taylor’s Version).