Like I died and went to Joshua Tree.
Visiting for work in the wake of COVID, I needed a space in Vancouver that I didn’t necessarily want to leave. Before my arrival, I speak briefly with Tanya. I notice a sphynx cat in her profile picture: this is a good sign.

The suite was easy to access, and despite being right in Gastown (rich with all the colourful characters of the area) I never once felt unsafe or crowded. The building is very secure, with a large and attractive outdoor patio for building tenants to enjoy.
The first thing I notice is hipster beer label art on the walls: MONOGAMY and WIZARD WOLF.
There are books stacked on the shelves: “1000 NUDE ART PHOTOS.” “ALCHEMY & MYSTICISM.” “YOUR MOUTH IS LOVELY,” and something by Mark Twain, I forget what.
There’s a record player cleverly disguised as a vintage radio. Pink Floyd’s “Wish You Were Here” is the dustiest, most well-loved of the collection. Aww, right in the “I’m-not-like-other-millennial” feels! Classic. (Try the Bauhaus one, it’s dope af).
So here I am— chowing down on “Rodney’s Seafood” (I’m a bad vegan) and jamming out to a 70’s country music album that, actually, ain’t that bad—when suddenly I realize that charming framed picture of elephants on the wall is moving. Damn son, that’s a tv! Let’s take a quick look at the Youtube viewer history: “Houdini.” “Liza Minelli best moments.” “Cigarettes After Sex,” and, ooh, my second-favourite recording artist, “Lo-Fi Chill Hop Beats to Study/Relax To.” (I LOVE Lo-Fi Chill Hop Beats to Study/Relax To!)
Wind up watching a 4k video of a Shinjuku, Tokyo nightwalk video, ‘cause what the heck else does one do with their time in Vancouver during a pandemic? Even the ceramic coaster upon which I set my mason jar of $10 wine is strangely satisfying.
I wake up, hungover and happy.
Look. This place is very tastefully decorated. I didn’t want to leave. The kitchen and bathroom is brilliantly stocked with fancy all-natural organic stuff, and everything is a hypochondriac-level of clean.
Complaints:
-The refrigerator buzzes occasionally, but stops if you give it a good passive-aggressive stare.
-If you don’t close the shower curtain, anyone who enters the suite while you’re showering will get a good show. Neither my boyfriend nor the Skip delivery guy seemed to mind.
-Based on this apartment and our scant digital interactions, Tanya and Gotham are certifiably fantastic humans. To maintain Air BnB professionalism, I can’t ask them to hang out, but I’m sure they’d be a blast.
Thanks for an A-OK stay.
Samantha