A wonderful adventure for Spring Break started only five days ago, but feels like far longer. Nothing like the pursuit of new discoveries to bring life into focus with far greater clarity.
My aunt and I arrived in Bath yesterday afternoon to relatively clear skies. This was fortunate because our directions to Henrietta House took us in a circuitous route that allowed us to see far more of the city than was necessary with our bags. We were pleased to discover our B&B was not just reasonable but delightfully quaint.
Bath has celebrated two great phases in it's history, the discovery of the hot springs and subsequent building by the Romans, then the building to entertains the wealthy and middle classes in the Georgian times. Our first stop was Cream Tea for two - complete with Earl Grey tea, two scones each, our choice of salted or unsalted butter, jam and devonshire cream. Then next stop was the thermal baths.
A new thermal spa has recently been built to provide the true experience of what the Romans and English in Georgian times flocked to the area to experience. You enter for 2 hours, 4 hours, or the entire day. I paid my £26 to enter for two hours and went to the roof top pool overlooking the city. Experience with Harrison Hot Springs and Fairmont Hot Springs had me expecting very hot water. The pools in both the rooftop and indoor pools are kept a little cooler than body temperature, apparently optimal temperature for bathing pools. My initial thought was that I wouldn't be staying the entire time to float in these pools. Then I discovered them.
The steam rooms were on the middle level. Four cylindrical shaped glass steam rooms were lit with four different colours of light in a dim room with a mineral water circular shower in the middle. The green room was scented with eucalyptus and mint. The purple room was lotus flower. The red room was sandalwood. My very favorite room was scented with lemongrass and ginger. The rest of the time floated in the process of heating up, cooling down in a pool, in the shower or on the outdoor terrace. This is what the baths were all about. The pursuit of complete relaxation. Something far too elusive in my life. The good German/ Scottish work ethic has not really allowed for this to fully unfold. Perhaps I need to live in Bath or take something of Bath home with me.
Today another massive and splendid English breakfast. The farm that my sausage and bacon came from was cited and the orange/ pear juice was a smoothie of real juice. We discovered today that Jane Austen was not exaggerating about the windy, cold rain that pelts down in the country. Our first decision was to buy tickets for the Hop On Hop Off bus rather than take a leisurely stroll through the rain. We hoped off at the Jane Austen Museum. Jane Austen is one of my "coping with life strategies". I have my own well watched dvd's and Netflix for backup to deal with the stressors of life. So I LOVED the museum and delighted in having Cream Tea once again in the tea room.
We Hopped on to finish our City Tour. Then it was off to The Roman Baths. It was like walking into another time. Yet the whole notion of a current day swimming pool was very much there. NI Loved this quote:
"The picture is not complete without some quarrelsome fellow, a thief caught in the act, or the man who loves the sound of his own voice in the bath- not to mention those who jump in with a tremendous splash."
Seneca
Epistulae Morales, 56
1st century AD
This could be Kits Pool in summer
When we Hopped On the bus again, we headed for the Abbey. Inadvertently we ended up in a very deserted St. John's Cathedral and were able to explore on our own until closing time. Very cool. Then the rector shepherded us out to see the steam train that only comes through town once a week. A significant event that we needed to witness.
When we did make it to the Abbey, it was in time for Evensong. Attending church for worship rather than to sightsee brings a difference in perspective. The voices, the music from the huge pipe organ as well as the beauty of the architecture and the stained glass made for a very moving experience. Quite perfect in fact.
Our next stop was the oldest
Thursday, March 21, 2013
Thursday, October 6, 2011
Summer 2011
We have finally moved back to Vancouver after raising our children in the suburbs. Coquitlam afforded lots of kids, parks, soccer fields, swimming pools, hot tubs, big back yards, and lots of rooms to accommodate the endless stream of friends and colleagues. Tough move for the kids to lose their reference point and rooms and grasp that their parents had lived another life that they REALLY liked.
Brad and I met when he was living in the West End and I was living at 2nd and Maple with my Mom. We decided this summer that we'd stay in town and do all of the things we missed or could do without driving. The sailing lessons at Jericho were fun until we were faced with actually taking out a sailboat while we were both still quite clueless! We've decided that we need to sail separately and then take turns with the skipper role. Fortunately our membership was put to good use in the restaurant. Great food right on theof edge of the ocean.
Although the weather wasn't overly cooperative, I spent LOTS of time on the deck overlooking the beach and at Kits Beach. Can never get enough! I read professional sources for my Professional Growth Plan. Books on the list of "books to read". Beach reads. Magazine - Macleans, Time, PDK, The Reading Teacher, Amnesty, Vanity Fair and of course, Oprah- the ultimate determinant of holidays. We took advantage of being able to walk everywhere. Shopping on Broadway. To Jericho Beach- the beach of my childhood. To Bard on the Beach. Granville Island and beyond to Monk McQueen's. To the movies. To St. Andrew's Wesley where my friend was a minister so long ago! Such a luxury. Larkyn regularly biked to work at Granville Island and Tyler could walk to the Wall Centre Hotel to work in the Wine Store or the Coffee Shop.
We still haven't broken the habit of eating out. Sophie's, Cafe Zen and the Epicurean are favorites for breakfast. The Smoking Dog is great for cloudy days. Nothing beats The Sandbar on the top floor or happy-appy hour at The Boathouse. And of course, Local for the ultimate burger.
Yes, life is good in Kits! And yes, you can go home! next challenge - renovations!
Brad and I met when he was living in the West End and I was living at 2nd and Maple with my Mom. We decided this summer that we'd stay in town and do all of the things we missed or could do without driving. The sailing lessons at Jericho were fun until we were faced with actually taking out a sailboat while we were both still quite clueless! We've decided that we need to sail separately and then take turns with the skipper role. Fortunately our membership was put to good use in the restaurant. Great food right on theof edge of the ocean.
Although the weather wasn't overly cooperative, I spent LOTS of time on the deck overlooking the beach and at Kits Beach. Can never get enough! I read professional sources for my Professional Growth Plan. Books on the list of "books to read". Beach reads. Magazine - Macleans, Time, PDK, The Reading Teacher, Amnesty, Vanity Fair and of course, Oprah- the ultimate determinant of holidays. We took advantage of being able to walk everywhere. Shopping on Broadway. To Jericho Beach- the beach of my childhood. To Bard on the Beach. Granville Island and beyond to Monk McQueen's. To the movies. To St. Andrew's Wesley where my friend was a minister so long ago! Such a luxury. Larkyn regularly biked to work at Granville Island and Tyler could walk to the Wall Centre Hotel to work in the Wine Store or the Coffee Shop.
We still haven't broken the habit of eating out. Sophie's, Cafe Zen and the Epicurean are favorites for breakfast. The Smoking Dog is great for cloudy days. Nothing beats The Sandbar on the top floor or happy-appy hour at The Boathouse. And of course, Local for the ultimate burger.
Yes, life is good in Kits! And yes, you can go home! next challenge - renovations!
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
In Search of Higher Learning at Harvard
Wonderful opportunity to attend "The New and Aspiring Leaders" Institute with other educators at Harvard University. Boston is a wonderful city. A "must return to" on my personnel travel list. I wish I had more time here. I took the milk run on the way here. Brad drove me to Bellingham, then I flew to Seattle, then Los Angeles. Good ole' LAX, I almost missed the flight because I had to wait for the shuttle to the next gate to avoid security. Arrived just on time to load on the flight to Boston. I arrived at the hotel at 6 in the morning. Although I requested early check in, I realized that it was insanely early. However the guy at the desk took pity on me and upgraded me to the available suite and let me get a few hours sleep before the institute started.
My suite is quite wonderful. 12th floor with a view of the Charles River. It reminds me of the Czech Republic when you stand on a bridge and can see a whole series of other bridges. I'm in walking distance of Harvard, but the shuttle makes it SO easy to just ride to Harvard Square (which is actually a triangle), have coffee and read about the implications of the newly adopted Health Care legislation that Obama FINALLY has been successful in passing! I love the old brick buildings and bridges and the history of the city. Everywhere you walk around Harvard, you're passing the 1st church, or the graveyard for civil war soldiers, or some other historic monument. One lecture hall has a flag with 46 stars that was flown prior to 1912. Very cool!
The actual institute is quite intense 8:30 am - 5:45 pm with pre-readings for each of the sessions. Interesting mix of people attending including principals, vice-principals, department heads, district personnel, mentors - whole range of leadership positions from international schools, charter schools, public schools from elementary to university level. Interestingly enough of the 90 people attending, the principal sitting beside me from the International School in Mozambique - actually from Toronto and currently living in New York with her family due to her husband's posting with Unicef. The assistant principal behind me- actually born and raised in Winnipeg, schooled in Ontario and recruited to teach in New York.
It is so interesting that our physical proximity to the US is so close and yet the differences in our school systems are so significant. Nice surprise was the first speaker, had done a lot of work in Calgary and Toronto and set up Canada as a strong example of how it should be done. Learning lots and having lots of great conversations around the topic of systemic change theory.
Yes, Tyler... I will talk about the food. Amazing. Lots of restaurants with lots of types of cuisine. Big shock looking at the menus for Indian food. High end and very expensive specialty food. We're so spoiled with such a lot of high quality Indian food in Vancouver. Lots of influence of the South...Louisianna gumbo which I forgot is more of a solid that a liquid - wonderful. My lunch with shrimp and crawfish quesidillas was supersized in the tradition of the great USA. WAY too much food for one person. SO good! Last night we went to a Mongolian grill which was actually called "Improvisational cuisine". We improvised like crazy and practically rolled home. Tonight, The OM Restaurant - salmon sashimi to die for, super spicy Thai coconut soup, filo wrapped trout and creme brulee! Doesn't get much better. Drinks are also amazingly creative. Lavendar cosmos, blueberry-lemon margs..,
Time to go get my reading done. One more night before the odyssey trek back.
My suite is quite wonderful. 12th floor with a view of the Charles River. It reminds me of the Czech Republic when you stand on a bridge and can see a whole series of other bridges. I'm in walking distance of Harvard, but the shuttle makes it SO easy to just ride to Harvard Square (which is actually a triangle), have coffee and read about the implications of the newly adopted Health Care legislation that Obama FINALLY has been successful in passing! I love the old brick buildings and bridges and the history of the city. Everywhere you walk around Harvard, you're passing the 1st church, or the graveyard for civil war soldiers, or some other historic monument. One lecture hall has a flag with 46 stars that was flown prior to 1912. Very cool!
The actual institute is quite intense 8:30 am - 5:45 pm with pre-readings for each of the sessions. Interesting mix of people attending including principals, vice-principals, department heads, district personnel, mentors - whole range of leadership positions from international schools, charter schools, public schools from elementary to university level. Interestingly enough of the 90 people attending, the principal sitting beside me from the International School in Mozambique - actually from Toronto and currently living in New York with her family due to her husband's posting with Unicef. The assistant principal behind me- actually born and raised in Winnipeg, schooled in Ontario and recruited to teach in New York.
It is so interesting that our physical proximity to the US is so close and yet the differences in our school systems are so significant. Nice surprise was the first speaker, had done a lot of work in Calgary and Toronto and set up Canada as a strong example of how it should be done. Learning lots and having lots of great conversations around the topic of systemic change theory.
Yes, Tyler... I will talk about the food. Amazing. Lots of restaurants with lots of types of cuisine. Big shock looking at the menus for Indian food. High end and very expensive specialty food. We're so spoiled with such a lot of high quality Indian food in Vancouver. Lots of influence of the South...Louisianna gumbo which I forgot is more of a solid that a liquid - wonderful. My lunch with shrimp and crawfish quesidillas was supersized in the tradition of the great USA. WAY too much food for one person. SO good! Last night we went to a Mongolian grill which was actually called "Improvisational cuisine". We improvised like crazy and practically rolled home. Tonight, The OM Restaurant - salmon sashimi to die for, super spicy Thai coconut soup, filo wrapped trout and creme brulee! Doesn't get much better. Drinks are also amazingly creative. Lavendar cosmos, blueberry-lemon margs..,
Time to go get my reading done. One more night before the odyssey trek back.
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
Heading Home- Shanghai to Tokyo
Well I’m back in Tokyo waiting for the flight home. Another adventure returning home this year. However due to a Comedy of Errors that really wasn’t funny- Marion (another teacher) and I missed our flight home and Steve (our group coordinator) ended up picking up the tab for a rebooking fee in Economy Class and an upgrade to First Class. For this additional expense, it appears he had access to brown slippers and more alcohol (much needed by this point in time. I was worried but not frantic until I realized I didn’t have an exit form and thought I was headed back through security and guaranteed to miss the second flight of the day. Fortunately for me, it was not Mexico and you do not need to have a stamped document granted at arrival to be resubmitted when you leave. Another story for the collection.
This year in China, I was not able to get on my blog. Due to the number of sites and amount of times I tried, I can only guess that it is due to China’s increased control of the information flow on the internet. I managed to get my hands on The China Daily English Language Newspaper while I was in Shanghai. The weekend edition was a total of 12 pages and the bias of the articles was amazingly transparent. Millions were reported with the Swine Flu in the US and Chinese economic success emphasized.
The influence of the western world in cities is quite evident but other than Caucasian billboard models for advertising, it’s more limited in towns. On the Fuyang River each morning, even the younger people dance to Chinese music. They have just created a massive square where they eventually will put a tunnel under the Fuyang River. It is quite the gathering spot, very similar to Vienna square, close to the Rathaus Nightly from 6:30 – 8:30 pm, there is line dancing on giant screen which is very popular. One night, my Chinese buddy, Hongbo (alias Jane) and I stumbled on quite the production. A huge stage was set up with seating. The first person we saw on stage, I recognized immediately. He is a “famous” Fuyang comedian from local tv. He is on the television in restaurants and during foot massages. His sketch with another comedian involved confusion due to the use of their different dialects. The audience was in stitches. We also saw a scene from a Beijing opera and a Hangzhou opera. People all knew the stories and were obviously moved by the production. You don’t hear western music at all unless you go to the bar frequented by westerners. However we did see one group of belly dancers that Hongbo immediately asked if we danced like that in Canada.
Smoking is far more prevalent in China. I was very aware of trying to avoid smokers during the performances. My custodian, Mr. Wu, at the Education Bureau always had a cigarette hanging out of his mouth, whether it was first thing in the morning or after classes. This is quite common for many people and when they put them in an ash tray or toss the cigarette on the ground, they rarely butt out. The smoke just continues to curl its way to your face! Aagh!!! It was most problematic for me when I was eating breakfast or dinner. It gave me a healthy appreciation of our no smoking initiatives!
Consumer culture is well entrenched in China. I always think of it as something plaguing the Western World, but I suppose China has had more to sell for thousands of years. Life is Shanghai is teaming with tourists from all over China and the rest of the world. There is always a throng of people moving in and out of shops. Unfortunately I was sick in Shanghai despite my preventative Dukoral before I left Vancouver. It was inconvenient but not disastrous. I was able to make it to the large mall with the “real” designer clones and fill my quota for pearls. Every shop has a back room and “the best deal”. I shopped until I dropped and then spent the rest of the evening in the hotel room while my traveling mates went dancing.
The Western World has had some impact on the beverage consumption of the Chinese. In our classes at the Education Bureau, we always had green tea and 6 large dispensers filled with boiling water. Green tea was on the go all day. However coffee consumption has become “progressive”. Interesting versions of Starbucks are appearing in China as coffee is gaining in popularity. The prices in Starbucks are about the same as in Canada but to spend that much on coffee is prohibitive for all but the most affluent Chinese.
The best place I went to with Hongbo was Crowne Café in the Old Town of Shanghai. You proceed through a wonderful bakery first and pick up your sweet or savory treats. Then you end up at the coffee counter. To go cups are made in the Italian design espresso machines and then they go into another machine that seals on a metal lid that goes under the plastic lid to ensure the coffee stays hot and doesn’t spill. Cool design. The cost for a latte was 12 RMB(Yuan), tea was 4 RMB and several treats for both of us was about 14 RMB. This is about $5.00, the same cost of one latte at Starbucks. We also sat on the second floor looking at the rain pour down on the narrow and extremely busy Old Town Routes…and far away from the stinky tofu vendors (as distinct from the non-stinky versions).
Hongbo also slipped down to get us “The famous Shanghai dumplings”. Many cities seem to have “famous” versions of pork dumplings. My favorite was definitely the Hangzhou version. But they were also the freshest. We were in a VERY busy restaurant where you push through the throng to order and they grab as it is passed over. Not sure I could have managed myself even with $1.49 training in my formative years.
Well, Marion is back from her chair massage. She reports it was pretty good, but I’ve been ruined by the Chinese massage. This year I expanded my horizons and also had the head massage. For a mere 30 RMB ($5.00 Cdn), you get a dry head massage, lathering massage, rinse massage, hand, arm, and shoulder massage and a blow dry. Although I chopped my hair off before the trip so I would be cooler, there still was a fascination with making my hair as big as possible. Ronnie McDonald and I were in the running for biggest hair first time of all time. My travel buddies were sure I needed to back away from flagging the cab because I was scaring the drivers. Yes that bad! My stylist certainly had fun though. Much to his chagrin, I curbed his enthusiasm next time around and taught him the skill of curly hair control.
Well, hopefully we’re boarding soon. I can’t wait to get home. Three weeks was too long to be away from my little family. Can’t wait to see everyone.
This year in China, I was not able to get on my blog. Due to the number of sites and amount of times I tried, I can only guess that it is due to China’s increased control of the information flow on the internet. I managed to get my hands on The China Daily English Language Newspaper while I was in Shanghai. The weekend edition was a total of 12 pages and the bias of the articles was amazingly transparent. Millions were reported with the Swine Flu in the US and Chinese economic success emphasized.
The influence of the western world in cities is quite evident but other than Caucasian billboard models for advertising, it’s more limited in towns. On the Fuyang River each morning, even the younger people dance to Chinese music. They have just created a massive square where they eventually will put a tunnel under the Fuyang River. It is quite the gathering spot, very similar to Vienna square, close to the Rathaus Nightly from 6:30 – 8:30 pm, there is line dancing on giant screen which is very popular. One night, my Chinese buddy, Hongbo (alias Jane) and I stumbled on quite the production. A huge stage was set up with seating. The first person we saw on stage, I recognized immediately. He is a “famous” Fuyang comedian from local tv. He is on the television in restaurants and during foot massages. His sketch with another comedian involved confusion due to the use of their different dialects. The audience was in stitches. We also saw a scene from a Beijing opera and a Hangzhou opera. People all knew the stories and were obviously moved by the production. You don’t hear western music at all unless you go to the bar frequented by westerners. However we did see one group of belly dancers that Hongbo immediately asked if we danced like that in Canada.
Smoking is far more prevalent in China. I was very aware of trying to avoid smokers during the performances. My custodian, Mr. Wu, at the Education Bureau always had a cigarette hanging out of his mouth, whether it was first thing in the morning or after classes. This is quite common for many people and when they put them in an ash tray or toss the cigarette on the ground, they rarely butt out. The smoke just continues to curl its way to your face! Aagh!!! It was most problematic for me when I was eating breakfast or dinner. It gave me a healthy appreciation of our no smoking initiatives!
Consumer culture is well entrenched in China. I always think of it as something plaguing the Western World, but I suppose China has had more to sell for thousands of years. Life is Shanghai is teaming with tourists from all over China and the rest of the world. There is always a throng of people moving in and out of shops. Unfortunately I was sick in Shanghai despite my preventative Dukoral before I left Vancouver. It was inconvenient but not disastrous. I was able to make it to the large mall with the “real” designer clones and fill my quota for pearls. Every shop has a back room and “the best deal”. I shopped until I dropped and then spent the rest of the evening in the hotel room while my traveling mates went dancing.
The Western World has had some impact on the beverage consumption of the Chinese. In our classes at the Education Bureau, we always had green tea and 6 large dispensers filled with boiling water. Green tea was on the go all day. However coffee consumption has become “progressive”. Interesting versions of Starbucks are appearing in China as coffee is gaining in popularity. The prices in Starbucks are about the same as in Canada but to spend that much on coffee is prohibitive for all but the most affluent Chinese.
The best place I went to with Hongbo was Crowne Café in the Old Town of Shanghai. You proceed through a wonderful bakery first and pick up your sweet or savory treats. Then you end up at the coffee counter. To go cups are made in the Italian design espresso machines and then they go into another machine that seals on a metal lid that goes under the plastic lid to ensure the coffee stays hot and doesn’t spill. Cool design. The cost for a latte was 12 RMB(Yuan), tea was 4 RMB and several treats for both of us was about 14 RMB. This is about $5.00, the same cost of one latte at Starbucks. We also sat on the second floor looking at the rain pour down on the narrow and extremely busy Old Town Routes…and far away from the stinky tofu vendors (as distinct from the non-stinky versions).
Hongbo also slipped down to get us “The famous Shanghai dumplings”. Many cities seem to have “famous” versions of pork dumplings. My favorite was definitely the Hangzhou version. But they were also the freshest. We were in a VERY busy restaurant where you push through the throng to order and they grab as it is passed over. Not sure I could have managed myself even with $1.49 training in my formative years.
Well, Marion is back from her chair massage. She reports it was pretty good, but I’ve been ruined by the Chinese massage. This year I expanded my horizons and also had the head massage. For a mere 30 RMB ($5.00 Cdn), you get a dry head massage, lathering massage, rinse massage, hand, arm, and shoulder massage and a blow dry. Although I chopped my hair off before the trip so I would be cooler, there still was a fascination with making my hair as big as possible. Ronnie McDonald and I were in the running for biggest hair first time of all time. My travel buddies were sure I needed to back away from flagging the cab because I was scaring the drivers. Yes that bad! My stylist certainly had fun though. Much to his chagrin, I curbed his enthusiasm next time around and taught him the skill of curly hair control.
Well, hopefully we’re boarding soon. I can’t wait to get home. Three weeks was too long to be away from my little family. Can’t wait to see everyone.
Hangzhou Fuyang Hotel
This year is a little different in that I am staying at the Hangzhou Fuyang Hotel. It has a grand entrance way, antiques, a lovely fishpond, a VIP room for dinners and very popular restaurant that the town frequents for dinner. Although the grandeur of the place has faded over the years with neglected upkeep, it has air conditioning, clean rooms, and sit toilets. Certainly a bonus in China!
I still have a room with a view that I very much enjoy. I look out onto lush green trees that positively radiate with the amazingly loud sounds of the cicadas, especially right around dawn and dusk. I can still see the Fuchun River, the distinctive curve of Chinese rooves, and the new bridge with its steady flow of traffic.
I’m still in walking distance to the river and enjoy my morning ritual walk. It gives you insight into the city, not otherwise visible. The homeless are still asleep as the town wakes up and goes out to exercise before the heat of the day. I’ve missed the Chinese kung fu this year and haven’t joined in on the Tai Chi or dance lessons yet. I am a regular at the exercise park and compete with the old men for access to the equipment with bolts.
The only this that slows down the morning crowd is the torrential rain, of which we have had more of this summer. It starts to rain and people run for cover. One morning a woman tried to give me her umbrella, she was so distressed to see me unprotected in the rain. Even my trusty, somewhat soggy pocket dictionary couldn’t help me explain that Vancouverites are like ducks and do fine in the rain, especially when it’s still warm. The rain has slowed me down in the morning. I manage to sleep later and miss my walk.
Hotel life has familiarized me with the Chinese breakfast buffet. It includes squash, bok choi type vegetables, soups, boiled eggs, thousand year old eggs, banana bread, steamed buns, corn of the cob, rice, egg fried rice, watermelon and more. I did try ordering “flat eggs” a couple of mornings but have come to the conclusion that it’s best to let them stick to what they know best. It’s amazing what you can get used to.
I certainly do appreciate having someone else do my ironing. I’m quite pleased that the room is not equipped for me to accomplish this task on my own. I’m also not missing cooking, doing dishes, taking out the garbage or taking care of anyone but myself! Although I’m technically working, it makes for quite the holiday!
I still have a room with a view that I very much enjoy. I look out onto lush green trees that positively radiate with the amazingly loud sounds of the cicadas, especially right around dawn and dusk. I can still see the Fuchun River, the distinctive curve of Chinese rooves, and the new bridge with its steady flow of traffic.
I’m still in walking distance to the river and enjoy my morning ritual walk. It gives you insight into the city, not otherwise visible. The homeless are still asleep as the town wakes up and goes out to exercise before the heat of the day. I’ve missed the Chinese kung fu this year and haven’t joined in on the Tai Chi or dance lessons yet. I am a regular at the exercise park and compete with the old men for access to the equipment with bolts.
The only this that slows down the morning crowd is the torrential rain, of which we have had more of this summer. It starts to rain and people run for cover. One morning a woman tried to give me her umbrella, she was so distressed to see me unprotected in the rain. Even my trusty, somewhat soggy pocket dictionary couldn’t help me explain that Vancouverites are like ducks and do fine in the rain, especially when it’s still warm. The rain has slowed me down in the morning. I manage to sleep later and miss my walk.
Hotel life has familiarized me with the Chinese breakfast buffet. It includes squash, bok choi type vegetables, soups, boiled eggs, thousand year old eggs, banana bread, steamed buns, corn of the cob, rice, egg fried rice, watermelon and more. I did try ordering “flat eggs” a couple of mornings but have come to the conclusion that it’s best to let them stick to what they know best. It’s amazing what you can get used to.
I certainly do appreciate having someone else do my ironing. I’m quite pleased that the room is not equipped for me to accomplish this task on my own. I’m also not missing cooking, doing dishes, taking out the garbage or taking care of anyone but myself! Although I’m technically working, it makes for quite the holiday!
Narita Airport in Tokyo, Japan
Japan en route to ChinaSteve, our trip mastermind, booked me on JAL to China this year. That means that at this moment I’m at the Computer Desk at my gate (hopefully) passing time and drinking green tea and munching on peanut M&M’s. They have a quarantine area when you arrive at the Narita airport in Tokyo and have security wearing masks and waiting to escort “suspicious” people showing signs of the flu. They are definitely on high alert. However security was higher in YVR. My metal buttons on my dress warranted a full pat down in Vancouver but only my shoe buckles were a concern at Tokyo security. And I was kindly offered slippers while they checked them out.The hostesses on JAL are the most gracious and hospitable that I have even seen. They smile and have excessively good manners with passengers and each other. Brad got me a mini laptop (so Tyler has the other one to take to Milan) and I got a lot of work done on the flight, although I did manage to watch two movies. They had 12 movies that repeated continuously through the flight. I must admit I did like the menu selection of the flights last year. The Narita Airport is a shopping mecca. I didn’t think of checking out the exchange for the currency but I’m catching on. –especially since I caught myself before spending $150.00 on REAL designer sunglasses. Lots of designer stores but even great deals are too rich for my pocketbook! Great prices on Sony walkmans, cameras, watches, and everything else electronic in the airport. Image what the prices would be outside the airport! Well, only two more hours before boarding…
Fun in Fernie - Part 2
Fun in Fernie – Part 2
Well this small dot on the map has turned out to be quite a discovery. Tumultuous weather patterns have allowed Brad and I times to languish on sunny decks and sleep when the thunderstorms roll in from the Rockies. A deer greeted us on the first day out on the gorgeous Fernie Golf and Country Club, and gophers the next day. Good fun and we used every club in our bag and several balls to deal with sand traps, streams, ponds and just plain long drives. Good fun!
Of course, Brad’s choice was the action adventure of Whitewater rafting and cliff jumping into the Elk River. Blair and his partner started the business in 1985 and gave us our money’s worth. He was a Neil Young look alike and a funny guy! Certainly an adrenalin rush but one heck of a lot of fun! I preferred being in the front of the raft where I could see what was coming and “spear the dragon”. Amazing how those flatwater canoe certification classes came in handy when paddling!
Along the path, we saw a huge herd of mountain goats that literally disappeared off the edge of a cliff. Fishing osprey and their nest, and an enormous eagle nest added to the adventure. And of course, I was delighted to discover more hoodoos! Fortunately a photographer accompanied us in a kayak to document our trip.
The big excitement on the trip home was the caribou that just wouldn’t get off the road in front of us. By this point in time, we were use to the very plentiful deer population. Although I was relieved that the bear didn’t come back down the mountain to check out Kelsey’s or request a beer while we were there.
Well this small dot on the map has turned out to be quite a discovery. Tumultuous weather patterns have allowed Brad and I times to languish on sunny decks and sleep when the thunderstorms roll in from the Rockies. A deer greeted us on the first day out on the gorgeous Fernie Golf and Country Club, and gophers the next day. Good fun and we used every club in our bag and several balls to deal with sand traps, streams, ponds and just plain long drives. Good fun!
Of course, Brad’s choice was the action adventure of Whitewater rafting and cliff jumping into the Elk River. Blair and his partner started the business in 1985 and gave us our money’s worth. He was a Neil Young look alike and a funny guy! Certainly an adrenalin rush but one heck of a lot of fun! I preferred being in the front of the raft where I could see what was coming and “spear the dragon”. Amazing how those flatwater canoe certification classes came in handy when paddling!
Along the path, we saw a huge herd of mountain goats that literally disappeared off the edge of a cliff. Fishing osprey and their nest, and an enormous eagle nest added to the adventure. And of course, I was delighted to discover more hoodoos! Fortunately a photographer accompanied us in a kayak to document our trip.
The big excitement on the trip home was the caribou that just wouldn’t get off the road in front of us. By this point in time, we were use to the very plentiful deer population. Although I was relieved that the bear didn’t come back down the mountain to check out Kelsey’s or request a beer while we were there.
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