We need a footpath between the Coquitlam
campus and SkyTrain station

> No more trudging through the mud

Nathaniel Christopher
Contributor

 

f you travel to the Coquitlam campus

by SkyTrain, you have probably become
acquainted with the muddy footpath that
greets us first thing in the morning.

The path cuts across the grass field
from the northwest corner of Pinetree
Way and Town Centre Boulevard to
the central courtyard. While there are
two paved footpaths to follow, they are
approximately 63 metres (206 feet)
from the corner, which might explain
why many SkyTrain commuters opt
for a shortcut. It is, after all, the most
direct route between Lafarge Lake-
Douglas station and the campus.

Wikipedia describes this as a “desire
path’ or “bootleg trail.” Specifically: “A
path created as a consequence of erosion
caused by human or animal footfall or
traffic. The path usually represents the
shortest or most easily-navigated route
between an origin and destination.”

The campus desire path is a
convenient alternative to the official
footpaths during the summer months,
but it turns into a giant mud puddle
whenever it rains. This, in turn, forces
anyone who braves the path to trudge
through the mud. It’s a rather undignified
way to approach the campus. In fact, it
feels like a middle finger to transit users.

[Fae

I don't think the college is guilty Piss
of malicious intent. Rather, I believe
that it’s an oversight on the part of
planners who view the world from the
perspective of a motorist, in which r
the needs of pedestrians and transit
users are an afterthought, at best. In
short, it’s a symptom of Canadian
car culture that seems to be a central
part of Canadian life and identity.

Here in Canada, we tend to build our
communities and society to accommodate
cars as opposed to people, to the point
where car-dependency is embedded
into nearly every aspect of life. It really
sucks. This is especially relevant at
a college where a significant portion
of students commute via transit.

In 2006, Douglas College lobbied
TransLink to add a SkyTrain stop at
the Coquitlam campus on what would
become the Evergreen Extension of the
Millennium Line. “Students have told
us that one of the difficulties of taking
classes here (at the David Lam campus)
is public transit,” said Susan Witter who
was the president of Douglas College
at the time. “We know that 60 per cent
of our students take public transit.”

The college knows that we exist.

Douglas

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In fact, TransLink even incorporated A muddy footpath might not seem really adds up over the course of a

the college in the name of the nearby like a big deal in the grand scheme of semester. So, I respectfully request that
station, so one might think that the things, but I view it as a kind of “death Douglas College do this one thing that
college would notice how we are by a thousand cuts.” It’s an insignificant will make my day, and possibly many
getting to school and pave the path. experience in isolation, but the misery other students’ days, just a bit less shitty.

A soup-erb meal ee eee ee ee eee ee eee eee eee eee cece eee.

> Why soup is the best food ever invented

Jessica Berget
Opinions Editor

 

eople don't give soup enough credit,
but they should. It’s delicious,

healthy, and easy to make. A hot bow] of
soup is one of life’s greatest pleasures—
not only does it satisfy your stomach, it
warms your heart and soul. It also makes
for quick comfort food, especially ona
cold day. Don’t feel like eating? Drink it!
There are so many advantages to soup,
there is no doubt it is a soup-erior dish.

Whether you enjoy ramen, pho,
or even just classic tomato, there is no
wrong way to have soup. It is a vehicle
for any combination of ingredients, it’s
extremely flexible with whatever you
put in it or how you prepare it, and it’s
incredibly easy and fun to make. All
you need to do to make it is a broth, or
a roux, to start. After putting in the rest
of the ingredients, you let it simmer
and BAM, dinner is served. It doesn’t
get any easier than that. It’s also simple
to store and you can freeze it for a long
time, meaning you can always have
some soup on hand. If you don't feel
like cooking a soup from scratch, pre-
made soups are also a great option.

Another thing I love about soup
is its versatility. You could literally
throw anything into a soup and it
would be a delicious meal. You can
eat it as a full, hearty meal, or eat

it as a side with something else,
like a nice sandwich or salad.
This liquid meal is also a healthier
food option as it retains the vitamins
and minerals of all the food you put it
in; since you don’t drain the water
when making soup, it just
becomes part of the broth.
The high-water content
also means that while your
appetite is satisfied, you're
staying hydrated at the same
time. This is also why chicken
soup is often hailed as a cure for
the common cold; it’s hydrating and
an anti-inflammatory, which will
alleviate most of your symptoms.
There are no negatives when it
comes to soup, except maybe
that icky skin that forms when
you leave it out too long, but
otherwise it’s the perfect food.
Soups are such a broad
category of food, so depending
on what youre in the mood
for you can prepare it however
you want. Make it creamy or
rich, thick or watery, sweet or
savoury; soup is satisfying in
literally every possible way. It
doesn’t matter what your diet
is, soup is everyone's friend.

       

Whether it be in the dead of

winter, or the hottest day of the

summer, soup is the answer. ° Illustration by Cara Seccafien
e

 

 

Photo by Analyn Cuarto