5C's Que Pasa

I was in the airport security line for 40 minutes very early this morning.  There was only one line open and we lined up four rows thick.  It reminded me of lining up for rides at Disneyland where you snaked back and forth.  Finally it was my turn and because of my bionic hips I always have to be body searched.  Once through I realized that they were boarding my flight.  Turns out there was no rush as the flight was delayed due to the long delay at security.  We were waiting for 24 more passengers.  Fifteen minutes past the scheduled take off the door to the plane was closed.  Turns out we left 8 passengers on the ground.  It really does pay to check in early for your flight.

Finally we have arrived and only five minutes late. I love my new carry on bag. That pink you see peaking out is my purse which I have stowed in my tote so that I have a choice  as to what to use once I am ready to roll.

So here I am in Edmonton.  I really had not recovered from my pinched L5 that occurred on July 1st and although the chiro lady in Kelowna relieved my pain she was not able to ‘fix’ me so that I stayed put and pain free.  I was still in pain and my body was rotated.  It was time to travel to Edmonton to see my magical chiro guy who seems able to fix me and keep me that way for between 6 – 12 months.  He is a wonder and only one of three who uses this technique in Canada.  This is my third time seeing him.  Last time I saw him was September of 2015.  It is an expensive trip but well worth it.

The airport shuttle to the hotel was in a lovely new van.  However the driver was simply a road demon.  I hung on for dear life.  Once I checked in at the hotel I had a few moments to settle myself into my room before heading out to my appointment.  Dr. M. was fabulous.  What I especially love is how he shows you what will work to help you before he actually does it.  He is proving to you that it will work.  By simply placing my finger in a certain area while he does I physical test ( movement of a body part ) I can see that what he wants to adjust will work.

As I type this I hear lots of loud noise outside including drumming and lots of motorcycles.  Friday night on Whyte Avenue is going to be very loud.  Great hotel location for me and all that I need to do here but very busy out there.

Dr M. moved my L5  from where it had been stuck to the left, adjusted a few other areas and I was good to go.  Instructions were to take a long walk.  However I was hungry and it was 2PM and I hadn’t eaten yet, so first a stop for lunch.

I ended up having the salmon and avocado eggs Bennie.  Trip Advisor said that this was the best place in town for an all day breakfast and this was the best of the best.  It was only 1/2 block from the chiro’s so I went.  It was good but not great in my opinion.

Back to the Varscona Hotel after my long walk, after I ate.  Gosh, so many smokers in this city.

I so love the art work of the ceiling.

I had a few moments to head up to my room to freshen up.  Where was my toothpaste?  Left at home on the vanity I soon discovered.  The front desk kindly provided me with a toothbrush which I had and a small tube of toothpaste.  This is only my second time staying here but I truly love it.  The hotel offers you bicycles at no charge to go biking around the city and the river valley. I discovered that there is a 3KM and and 5M river valley walk/run from here.  Hope I can find time to do it in the morning but I suspect I am already too busy.  There is also a complimentary wine tasting from 5:30 – 6:30 PM every evening as well as a full breakfast every morning.  Each room comes equipped with a Keurig coffee setup, a mini fridge, wine glasses and corkscrew, umbrella, ironing board and soft white robes.  What more can you ask for?  Well I found out…….later 😉

Next I was off for a massage by my very special Casa Maria who has given me weekly massages for years and years in Mazatlan and specifically in our RV on the Isla.  She lives here in Edmonton half the  year and I have actually had a few massages from her here in Edmonton.  Sadly after we left the Isla this past April Maria decided to move to Oaxaca and shut down her home and business in Mazatlan and the Isla.  I was devastated as I thought I might never see her again.  It was most special that she was still here before returning to Mexico and that we were able to have one last visit together as well as a final massage.  Of course tears were shed.  Enough said.  Mary/Maria will always be a special force in my life with an extremely special spot in my heart.

I got back to the hotel for the last 30 minutes of the happy hour although it took me a bit to get over saying adios to Mary.

Once I returned to the room and had a long chat with Colin ( I really really miss him ) I headed out for dinner.  The restaurant was in this old building built around 1920.

It used to be the Post Office. Whyte Avenue is home to much heritage and old buildings, hundreds of restaurants and boutiques and many locals as well as tourists.

The architecture within the Chianti Restaurant is interesting.

Even the ceiling is interesting. The Trebbiano D’Abruuzzo Il Bianco Italiano house wine was lovely. Dinner was a toss up between several mains and I chose the Ravioli Alla Gorgonzola. The Blue Cheese Cream sauce was delicious but the ravioli was too heavy and I only ate a little more that half.

This gentleman was trying to save the world. Welcome back to Whyte Avenue.  The restaurant had been a quiet oasis.

The very next corner, actually kitty corner. Look at the face of the guitarist. He was really into his music, complete with amplifier.

Just a half block up. What are these motorcycles gathering for?  I am still hearing  engine rumblings and drums beating as I type.  I think it might be a long and noisy Friday night here on Whyte Avenue.

My room by the way just happens to be right on Whyte Avenue.   If I wasn’t worn out from my treatment and then my massage, I just might head out to check where the drumming is coming from. Besides it is almost 12PM and I have been up since 5:50AM.

Got back to the room and went to open my bottle of wine. Colin told me to be sure to only buy wine that had a screw top. Guess I am that dumb blonde.

So I did manage to get the hotel corkscrew into the cork but then what?  No way could I pull that out.  So I was heading out to the front desk to see if they could help when I ran into a rather large fellow in the corridor.  Can you open this I asked?  He really had to work it and I told him that I would take it downstairs but he kept trying and inch by inch and muscle by muscle and bit by bit and finally he managed to pull it out.  Sadly he spilled wine all over his shirt and shoes.  I felt so bad and offered him half the bottle but he declined.  He had been drinking whiskey he said and added that he had to be leaving at 3AM.  Yikes!  My hero for the night.  So here I sit writing this post but there is no way I will be able to finish this bottle, likely not even half.  Such a waste but I still have a full day tomorrow that I need to be able to deal with.

Whyte Avenue about 9PM and now at 11PM it is bumper to bumper traffic and the sidewalks are teeming with people.  The drumming is getting louder!

I love fresh air and I have two windows here that I can open.  However, I want to at least attempt to sleep tonight so it seems that the A/C is the answer.  The street is a cacophony of sound.  Signing off at 11:45PM…….sweet dreams I hope.

…..I fear the drumming will never end.  Where are those ear plugs I gave to Rae?  Oh right, likely they are in Bulgaria with her.