Wednesday 24 October 2007

from yesterday..

Now where was I? After the conference ended on Sunday, jmb and her lovely husband picked me up at the hotel and took me ‘over the bridge’ to Vancouver, where even shrouded in mist and dark clouds it was lovely. We went to Granville Island which is so much like the Fisherman’s Wharf area of San Francisco it was eerie – right down to the weather. Jmb (as you would expect) is a tourist’s guide extraordinaire, down to describing the mountains that you can’t see through the mist, “Now normally you can see the mountains right over there (include expansive hand gestures).” After a tour through the fabulous market, which was wreathed, in the rich reds, golds, purples, and intense orange colors of fall with fruit, vegetables, and flower;, we walked outside to the edge of False Creek, which runs between Granville Island and the silver glittering glass towers of Vancouver proper. Jmb was so desperate to show Vancouver in its best light she suggested, “How about a ride in one of the water taxis?” Remember – winds, rain, and mist in some serious chilly, when her brilliant husband quietly suggested, “Looks like time for a cup of tea.”

Sitting in a lovely glass enclosure that overlooks the water and shows off the sparkle of Vancouver proper we had tea and scones because according to Mr. jmb, “Fruit (my lunch) does not count as lunch.” Part of my welcome to Surrey consisted of the news item of the day, which was the discovery of six (yes SIX) dead bodies in an apartment. And just to really make me feel all warm and fuzzy the night before I was to leave Canada – by air – there was an airplane that came off the Vancouver runway into a building.

We visited an art gallery that showcases Inuit art; the gallery was closed but I assure you that jmb did not let that stop her. After a succulent dinner of “hot vichyssoise” (jmb’s description of the “a steaming potato soup with leeks”), salmon, and wine I was drooping at the edges but so grateful for the opportunity to have an afternoon and evening with Mr. and Mrs. Jmb.

Canada was not done with me yet, both in a good and a bad way. Checking out of the hotel (Sheraton Guilford Hotel) the next morning I mentioned that one of my orders from room service had exceeded their “thirty minutes or you get it free” rule of the hotel. The young woman at the desk did not breathe again before saying; “I’ll take that right off your bill.” I really liked that hotel, and they knew how to make porridge. The taxi arrived to take me to the airport, not a gnome this time but another native of India; one who was having some serious lower intestinal tract disturbances resulting in the sneaky expelling of a series of stinky flatus that filled the back seat with the odor of vile pustulant rot. In his defense, he did at one point roll down his window trying to flush out the smell - causing a small gale through the back seat.

The flight from Vancouver to Salt Lake went without a hitch if you don’t count the fact we left almost an hour late and I had only 56 minutes scheduled to make my connection. I arrived at the line, out of breath, trailing my scarf, but before the gate closed. A four-hour flight – they offered us crackers. I love Royal Air Maroc… I wish it had flights inside the U.S.

Most memorable moment during the flight? This was when the pilot announced over the PA system that we were entering an area of very bad turbulence and he was turning on the seat belt sign: seconds later the flight attendant appears in the aisle to ask the chap sitting across the aisle, “Hot coffee sir?” You do the math…

I know, I know I am behind. I have about six days of stuff to tell you, and I have not forgotten jmb that I still owe you Part IV of “the dinner on the beach”, but we are running into a thousand words here and I don’t have an Internet connection tonight! Yikes! I am on it. Keep your computer tuned to this channel for updates. Meanwhile I am now safely, if tiredly, in MA, usa after the dental appointment this morning. Oh yes, a story there as well. I do not understand how some people have a problem with something to write about! Please give me another day to answer comments and come to visit. I should be back online tomorrow.

Ciao.

15 comments:

jmb said...

You see you do have a little cloud labelled adventures which follows you around from place to place.
Of course Tuesday was a perfect Fall day, warm and sunny.
Oh well, you'll just have to come again. It will be my pleasure to show you the mountains and the sea which really are there.

Briget said...

Fruit for lunch, eh? That explains your lovely figure.

That's all I have to say, really. I am following your adventures as I prepare for a small one of my own (Ohio to Michigan, to support a friend hosting her first Writing Retreat). We intend to have a lovely time, yoga in the mornings and walks by wind-whipped Lake Michigan and all. Not to mention a wine tasting dinner. I can't wait, but I'll be checking in to see what you're up to - I hope the weather in MA cooperates!

darth sardonic said...

man, you were in vancouver? bloody hell. i am maybe five hours' drive from vancouver. course it is doubtful i could've gotten away anyhow lol.

debio said...

I am breathless just reading you globe-trotting thing!

Will breath whilst I wait for the next update.

Tahe care and enjoy!

Omega Mum said...

Who needs one of those double decker whirlybirds (or is that a helicopter) when you can tour the world with Lady M? Huzzah!

Ellee Seymour said...

I love jmb comment about you having a little cloud labelled adventure which follows you from place to place. You sound such an interesting and lovely person. Very original.

Welshcakes Limoncello said...

What a great time you are having, Lady M - despite the hitches, which you deal with so admirably. Can't wait for the details of the stories! Stay safe for us. Auguri x

lady macleod said...

jmb

about that cloud...

I shall have to come again! I look forward to it.

thank you for coming by.

lady macleod said...

briget

I do hope your trip has gone well (how behind am I running?). The retreat sounds splendid and very creative.

the weather in MA is breathtaking, and it cooled down the night I arrived - ta da!

thank you for coming by.

lady macleod said...

darth

Had I but known! Between your schedule and mine, it would have been a matter of folding space to find the time, but I say a worthy cause eh?

I know you are busy getting ready for the move and - just living. I shall be visiting once I set down in Africa again.

thank you for coming by.

lady macleod said...

debio

I'm a little breathless my own self, and not at all in a good way. DO breathe! As shall I.

It is lovely here, but being disconnected from cyber world is a bit much to ask of such as I... The boundlessness of it all is like a feast for the eyes and the soul.

thank you for coming by.

lady macleod said...

omega mum

Indeed! ;-)

thank you for coming by.

lady macleod said...

ellee

Original or just so very far off the norm? Either way, it's never boring with the cloud in tow!

thank you for coming by.

lady macleod said...

welshcakes

I AM having a great time! Details coming I promise!

thank you for coming by.

Sparx said...

I still think I've stayed at that hotel, the view looks familiar. My brother lives across the water from Granville island and my sister in law and I took that water taxi probably a few days after you did and went to the market - isn't it heavenly? I bought a huge bag of dried BC apples there and spent the rest of my trip with the spud and I munching happily away on them.