Sep 21, 2019
Our first 24 hours here in Edmonton
The only view I could get of the flight as we were boarding. A regular 737 but an older plane. The flight was non eventful but there was no service, not even water. Apparently they do sell some things but they were not serviced prior to departure so there was nothing. I always pack an empty water bottle in my small personal time and then fill up at the water fountain before boarding. We landed at 4:15PM local time Thursday afternoon.
We took the shuttle from the airport to the hotel. We saw this bird and his owner in the next lane. Originally the bird was on the steering wheel and was being petted as the car moved down the highway. Later we saw it on his shoulder. You could see bird poop all down his back, on the steering wheel and the dash. By the way this was how the driver was positioned as he drove.
Got checked into our room but had to go back down to the desk and change rooms. Long story, but the only other available room in the entire hotel was fine. We got unpacked, went out and bought water as the water in Edmonton has fluoride which we avoid. You can Google the negative effects of fluoride if you are interested. We make a point to buy toothpaste without it and when we get our teeth cleaned we turn down the fluoride paste. There was just enough time for us to stop in at the hotel’s complimentary wine and cheese for a small glass of wine.
An unimpressive sunset from our window.
We met our friends Jannose and Colin ( they came to visit us in Kelowna just a few weeks ago ) at Chianti’s for an excellent pasta dinner. The food is so very good there.
The city has put strings of tiny lights in all of the trees along Whyte Avenue. Very pretty at night.
Neither of us slept well that first night as we had a queen instead of a king bed and the mattress is extremely high and when one moves it rocks the mattress. We are spoiled at home and in the RV (also a queen ) as our mattress is made so that if one turns over the other is not disturbed. However I have to say that those six weeks in Europe with all the different beds we were in, we slept well. They were all good mattresses and pillows.
Our room also includes a full breakfast everyday, we started Friday morning there. So many choices from homemade porridge to cold cereals and granola, yogurts, fresh fruits, home baked pastries and croissants warm from the oven, egg, bacon, sausage, toast, juices and many types of coffee including lattes and expressos.
Next stop was to see our chiropractor, Dr McKenna. We both needed to be adjusted. He is a wonderful practitioner considering I only need to see him once per year. I image if I lived here I might see him 2 or 3 times per year. He spotted a weakness in my right leg which was turning outward to the right and would be a tripping hazard when I became fatigued. He fine tuned several other areas.
We went for a walk afterward and managed to check out two music stores. It was cool and we were wearing our jackets.
One of the stores has a showcase full of vintage and extra special guitars. This a 1995 custom mother of pearl Fender guitar.
I was meeting some of my class mates for lunch. When I am in town we try and get as many of us who are available to meet. We went from grade 7 to grade 12 together and attended Academie de l’Assomption, a French based school for girls here in Edmonton. Colin wanted to take my photo before I left.
The Greek restaurant was just a few blocks from here.
We spent close to three hours chattering away and reliving some memories. Besides great food there was a special and wine was half price be it a glass, a carafe or a bottle. Wonderful afternoon.
So ended my first 24 hours in Edmonton. Fortunately the sun came out and it was a pleasant Friday afternoon.
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As the Girl Scouts teach:
“Make new friends but keep the old
Some are silver and the others gold.”
That is what you do, Contessa and did you read it or sing it?
Enjoy the rest of your mini vacation.
Back in my day we had Girl Guides an this is the first I heard of your wee poem. Very sweet.
It is usually sung by Brownies and Girl Scouts and almost always in a “round”.
That would have been fun to do. FYI, I would have been singing it.
SORRY IT IS SO COLD THERE. AT LEAST YOU GOT YOUR TREATMENTS. LOVELY PHOTO OF YOU. ALMOST 37C (98) HERE TODAY. HAPPY TO HEAR YOU HAD YOUR LUNCH. SEEMS TO ME THERE WERE MORE THIS YEAR THAN LAST? HOPE YOU HAVE (HAD) A BETTER SLEEP SATURDAY NIGHT. HATE THOSE HIGH, THICK MATTRESSES. I CAN’T EVEN GET ON THOSE BEDS!! SAFE TRIP HOME.
Quite the change of weather for you in a half day.
Nice to get your bodies tuned up when you can, we will get our done again before we head south. The reunions are always fun when you can get together with friends from you past.
It was a fun day.
I so miss Chiantis, best pasta in Edmonton in my opinion – and I worked at Yannis’s when I was 18. That’s where I got my love of Greek Food! I never ever get on a plane without my own munchies and water now – this after flying home on Westjet on a 5 hour evening flight back from Zihuatanejo last year with a tight connection at Calgary. Almost no food was left so we were starving. We bought some salami and crackers. I had some cheezies and we had water. No more of that. From here on out I am making sandwiches both directions. We ended up home at 1am then making eggs and toast. I do not trust the airlines at all for my well being.
Such a great restaurant and the prices are so very reasonable.
Sounds like you are both having a great time. It is always nice to catch up with friends and that is a great picture of you!
Thank you. We had a good time.
Great photo of you dressed up for your luncheon! Is your sweater your new Barefoot Dreams sweater? Such a great sweater style and so soft!
Yes Dee, that is my new bamboo sweater from Blue Sky Clothing. I do have a link of it to show you all sometime.