Research project part E
Running head- RESEARCH PROJECT PART A 1
RESEARCH PROJECT PART A
Name- Kiran Gill
Student id- 2019052245
Research Project Part A
Human Geography
Professor- Sunny Mangat
Yorkville University
Observation site: Mill Lake
Time- 12.00 am- 2.00 pm, Monday, August 3rd
Observations
I was pretty much excited about the excursion, I thought to wake up early in the morning to get some fresh air at the Mill Lake, and also the lake becomes quite hot in the afternoon, but I couldn’t get up from bed till 11.00 am. Well, it was not too late, I got ready and took the bus at 11.40 am, the Lake is just 15 min drive from my place. The reason I chose to explore Mill Lake is because I personally like it, the place is so quiet and peaceful, also I can say Mill Lake is the most popular spot for picnic, walking and jogging, plus there are not many places to explore in Abbotsford I must say.
Clicked by Kiran Gill, Mill Lake, Monday 3 August, 12.10 pm
12.00 am- There are 3 ways to enter in the lake, but I chose the way which was closer to the bus stop, I can say that way has most the tables and chairs to be seated, well I was expecting the lake to be less occupied than before but I was amazed at the same time that there was not even a single person sitting at the chairs when I entered the place, I have been to the lake at least 7 times since I came to Canada, it was never that way before, usually the seats are occupied. Well, it was my call this time, I sat at the chair for a while and stared at the water, I must say there was no change in the water quality though, it was poor again, some people were still throwing rocks into the water, which is not a nice thing to do and I hate when people do it. Let me show the glimpse of water-
Clicked by Kiran Gill, Mill Lake, Monday 3 August, 12.15 pm
12.25 am- After sitting and relaxing for a while, I made my way towards the bridge, where I could see few people walking and jogging, I guess most people came at their cars or either jogging, that is why the way from bus stop seems so quiet, also this is because people are scared to use public transportation in this pandemic, thus refer to use their own vehicles or walk a few miles instead. I have noticed fewer people using transit from quite long though since the Covid-19 affected Canada. Well, while I was walking through the bridge I saw people try to make distance from you as much as possible, usually people love to break the rules and doesn’t want to follow the instructions, but this is the first time ever you don’t even have to put security to see if people follow the instructions or not! I met little ducks assuming that people are going to feed them, instead how would they know people are just throwing rocks and pebbles their way.
Clicked by Kiran Gill, Mill Lake, Monday 3 August, 12.35 pm
Clicked by Kiran Gill, Mill Lake, Monday 3 August, 12.19 pm
This is exactly how the bridge looked! I could only see 4-5 people walking through the bridge. I would love to bring the fact that as soon as I started walking around the lake area I could only see aged people walking, eating and enjoying the sunshine, and that is totally opposite to what I thought earlier. Since, we all know Covid is more dangerous for children and aged people as their immune systems are weaker than adults. I assumed maybe this pattern is just around the bridge area as I told earlier the lake has 3 different sides to enter, it occupies a huge area.
12.55 pm- I didn’t realise I spent so much time looking at the little ducks and trying to click perfect pictures, its obvious I had to stop taking pictures when people were to come my way to pass down the bridge, also I felt scared and amazed when I stood at the side of the bridge to feel the breeze coming my way and closed my eyes to feel relaxed, I realized the bridge was shivering with the wind or may be due to people jogging and walking around, well I am afraid to die in water, I also don’t know how to swim so I left the bride and walked further!
1.30 pm- I was tired by then, was walking from last 1.5 hour almost, I took mat with me so I laid down for a while, then I realized a loud sound, I looked after and noticed a man was singing outside his house an the family was enjoying listening to him , Mill Lake is surrounded by apartments which are quite expensive to live. I love the fact that quarantine has brought families together, and people have realized happiness is not only about going out for picnic, dinner at expensive restaurants or posting get togethers on social media, you can also find happiness sitting with your family, visiting parks at the weekends, you can enjoy pretty much an that too without sending much money. While such thoughts were striking in my mind, my attention went to the tree right in front of me, the leaves of the tree felt like elephant trunk, I was excited to see how the leaves would feel at touch, well I must say the ;eaves weren’t that hard or sharp as it seems from distance, that tree reminded me what people think of me especially in the university, I must say I don’t like making friends or talking to people for no reason, it doesn’t mean I am rude or I have no feelings, it just I don’t trust friendships anymore or I end up hurting myself after putting all the time and efforts in people. I felt quite sad at that time because I don’t like the way people treat or think of me.
Well, let me share the picture of the tree-
Clicked by Kiran Gill, Mill Lake, Monday 3 August, 1.56 pm
1.45 pm- Ignoring the bad thoughts, I started going towards the picnic spot of the lake, where people were sitting and eating with their families, little kids were enjoying getting wet with the sprinklers, I missed my family at that time, but then I realized those poor youngsters and adults were not considering social distancing in their mind, I hated the fact that people still leave their parents and grandparents at home saying that they might get the virus, but they can go and chill in the sun as they have good immune system, but why don’t they understand that they are the only ones who gonna transmit the virus to their parents, well they can fight the virus themselves but their poor grandparents can’t, it is so sad that old people sit at home and do all the chores while adults go out and enjoy. There’s no doubt many families have realized the importance of being a family, but yet there are some people who never gonna appreciate their parents. I would love to show you the tiny toddlers enjoying the sprinkles.
Clicked by Kiran Gill, Mill Lake, Monday 3 August, 1.58 pm
2.00 pm- I had to catch the bus at 2.00 pm or would have to wait another 25 minutes for next bus to come so I decided to walk as fast as I could, on the way walking back I noticed many of the chairs were kept at such points of the lake where no one would ever want to go and sit actually, some were placed facing the wall or some had huge trees in front of them covering the lake view, I was annoyed by that as being an economic student I understand we have limited resources, and it doesn’t feels good to see when resources are being utilized well, I don’t know why were they that way!
Overall, I must say 80% of the people who visited the lake at that time were aged people, and there’s no doubt that it is effect of Covid-19, aged people are conscious about their health and try their best to avoid crowded places, also I feel they are more connected to the nature than adults are, adults rather prefer fancy dinners, social life. And also when adults don’t care about social distancingI feel bad for old people. The other thing that I would love to say is I heard so many birds chirping and noticed a few birds which I haven’t seen since I came here, if people don’t care about nature or the nature life, God does! God has its own way to teach you a lesson, to other people Covid could be a disease with no vaccine, but in my eyes it's the punishment that god has given us for being mean to humanity!
Once again, I was forced to think when will people learn the lesson? Why can’t they be kind to other people and animals? The science who has made their way to the moon was not able to get even a single vaccine till now! What I have realized after visiting the lake today if the world would stay the same, so does God. No one would ever be able to live life the same as it was before the pandemic. The trend would change from fancy dinners and parties to jogging and walking on the lake sides, the lakes and nature would only be the place left for going out. I am forced to think would more parks be built in the future than restaurants and retail stores?