Sunday 22 May 2016
Monday, 9 May, 2016
It was the search for presents which led me to get to know this town. I couldn't find what I needed in Bellingham and a kind friend took me on a two hour journey to a DFO. We drove through 'the scenic way', a winding road between craggy peaks and the ocean,
Then I got to know Fairhaven , the old, earlier settled part of Bellingham. There was the old bookshop, the Cultural Centre, the ice cream parlour, the restaurant with the Chat Noir, all built on winding roads leading to the seashore.
Life seems so peaceful yet interesting. I wish I could stay longer and join the local art group, the archeological society, see the current play and be greeted by friends as I walk down the streets
It was the search for presents which led me to get to know this town. I couldn't find what I needed in Bellingham and a kind friend took me on a two hour journey to a DFO. We drove through 'the scenic way', a winding road between craggy peaks and the ocean,
Saturday, 4 May, 2016
Vancouver
We arrive in Vancouver. I have planned to spend the day here before taking the train to Bellingham in the afternoon. The 'Hop on, hop off' tram will take me around the city and let me do some shopping at the Gaz Clock district. The train stop is near the railway station near the Science museum. The good weather continues and as I walk slowly towards the tram stop I wonder at the beauty of the place. The mountains copped with snow and the ocean stretching far in the distance seem to be dwarfing the huge skyscrapers (I am told that rents in Vancouver are very hight; with such view no wonder).
Thursday, April 26, 2016
WE board the train and I found my little cabin. The bed is made, and it occupies the whole space, but as it is my private space I don't mind. I fall asleep being rocked by the train (there are some worrying noises, it feels as if it is about to fall apart), but as we get up in the morning and look around we see that all is well; there are elegant dining rooms, a lounge -narrow, but comfortable with plenty of room to sit, a bar offering drinks and food, some 'panorama' carriages with wide windows
I get to know my fellow travellers. There is a beautiful dark haired Indian looking lady, she describes herself as member of 'the first nation' and talks about the horrible Whites who 'have taken everything from us'. She is on the way to Edmonton , to meet her husband who is working for 'lots of money' at a refinery; 'a very dangerous job'. She also talks about her lovely children. They are doing well, having overcome their hurdles. Then there are couples who have chosen train travel because they 'hate flying'. This particular pair would have find it hard to sit in an airplane seat, they would need at least two, each. They endear themselves to me as they declare that 'Trump is the man to vote for, he will make America great again'. Of course, most people are decent and pleasant to talk to; they travel by train because the enjoy a leisurely journey, are not pressed for time, and wish to admire those famous Rockies. Then there is a young Australian, who is really afraid of flying. He is getting all sorts of advice from his fellow travellers regarding his problem. He works - interestingly- in the computer games field; I would think that a person familiar with gadgets will feel at ease in a flying machine.....
So we talk, eat, read. The Rockies have not come into view yet, they start after Winnipeg, where we have a long stop, long enough for us to have a conducted tour of the city. The sun is shining and we get to see the city really well. As we walk around our guide talks about the rich cultural life of the city and its bilingual - most children are getting an education which makes them fluent in both French and English. We start with The Forks, the national historic site, at the confluence of the Red and Assinboine rivers. This is now a very trendy area, with elegant shops, eateries , displaying some aboriginal symbols. It is early in the morning though, and the place is empty.
Aboriginal symbol decorating The Forts
We listen to our guide as she talks about the multilingual character of Winnipeg. French is widely
used and most children are educated in both languages.
Our next stop is the Legislative Assembly, a splendid traditional building build in 1911. There are many symbols from the Bible, mythology, aboriginal lore which are supposed to be hard to decipher. There is no mystery about the statues of the two bulls guarding the entrance.
The next stop is the Assinboine Park, which also houses the Zoo, which we can't visit. We only get to see a buffalo, one black and a rare white one, through the fence.
We admire the statues in the park. (theirs is the only presence; there are no people around.)
WE board the train and I found my little cabin. The bed is made, and it occupies the whole space, but as it is my private space I don't mind. I fall asleep being rocked by the train (there are some worrying noises, it feels as if it is about to fall apart), but as we get up in the morning and look around we see that all is well; there are elegant dining rooms, a lounge -narrow, but comfortable with plenty of room to sit, a bar offering drinks and food, some 'panorama' carriages with wide windows
I get to know my fellow travellers. There is a beautiful dark haired Indian looking lady, she describes herself as member of 'the first nation' and talks about the horrible Whites who 'have taken everything from us'. She is on the way to Edmonton , to meet her husband who is working for 'lots of money' at a refinery; 'a very dangerous job'. She also talks about her lovely children. They are doing well, having overcome their hurdles. Then there are couples who have chosen train travel because they 'hate flying'. This particular pair would have find it hard to sit in an airplane seat, they would need at least two, each. They endear themselves to me as they declare that 'Trump is the man to vote for, he will make America great again'. Of course, most people are decent and pleasant to talk to; they travel by train because the enjoy a leisurely journey, are not pressed for time, and wish to admire those famous Rockies. Then there is a young Australian, who is really afraid of flying. He is getting all sorts of advice from his fellow travellers regarding his problem. He works - interestingly- in the computer games field; I would think that a person familiar with gadgets will feel at ease in a flying machine.....
So we talk, eat, read. The Rockies have not come into view yet, they start after Winnipeg, where we have a long stop, long enough for us to have a conducted tour of the city. The sun is shining and we get to see the city really well. As we walk around our guide talks about the rich cultural life of the city and its bilingual - most children are getting an education which makes them fluent in both French and English. We start with The Forks, the national historic site, at the confluence of the Red and Assinboine rivers. This is now a very trendy area, with elegant shops, eateries , displaying some aboriginal symbols. It is early in the morning though, and the place is empty.
Aboriginal symbol decorating The Forts
We listen to our guide as she talks about the multilingual character of Winnipeg. French is widely
used and most children are educated in both languages.
Our next stop is the Legislative Assembly, a splendid traditional building build in 1911. There are many symbols from the Bible, mythology, aboriginal lore which are supposed to be hard to decipher. There is no mystery about the statues of the two bulls guarding the entrance.
The Cupola
The next stop is the Assinboine Park, which also houses the Zoo, which we can't visit. We only get to see a buffalo, one black and a rare white one, through the fence.
We admire the statues in the park. (theirs is the only presence; there are no people around.)
St.Boniface
I walk away with the impression of a city pleasant to live in, and very beautiful.
Friday, 29 April, 2016
We are now crossing the Rockies. The train is slowing and we follow the mountain capped with snow as they unfold above. The weather is just right for viewing the magnificent scenery, the sun is shining gently lightning the snow capped peaks and the green fields. The beauty of the views is so powerful that the human structures- bridges and buildings have been taken into the scenery and are part of it.
Of course only a camera 'in the round ' can capture this beauty. But we are trying.
We are now crossing the Rockies. The train is slowing and we follow the mountain capped with snow as they unfold above. The weather is just right for viewing the magnificent scenery, the sun is shining gently lightning the snow capped peaks and the green fields. The beauty of the views is so powerful that the human structures- bridges and buildings have been taken into the scenery and are part of it.
Of course only a camera 'in the round ' can capture this beauty. But we are trying.
Tuesday, 26 April, 2016
With RailCanada across the Rockies to Vancouver
Late at night, in the deserted railway station we were welcomed ( the crew really seemed happy to see us) with drinks and apples. We boarded the train and went to our cabins.The bed was already made (it took the whole cabin) and we were rocked to sleep. We woke up ready for breakfast and eager to get to know our space. The carriages though narrow offered every comfort; a spacious dining room, 'panorama' cars, showers, etc... So we settled for 3 days of enjoying leisurely travelling, good food, good company and splendid nature viewing. We had a pleasant surprise- at Winnipeg we are offered a conducted tour of the city.
With RailCanada across the Rockies to Vancouver
Late at night, in the deserted railway station we were welcomed ( the crew really seemed happy to see us) with drinks and apples. We boarded the train and went to our cabins.The bed was already made (it took the whole cabin) and we were rocked to sleep. We woke up ready for breakfast and eager to get to know our space. The carriages though narrow offered every comfort; a spacious dining room, 'panorama' cars, showers, etc... So we settled for 3 days of enjoying leisurely travelling, good food, good company and splendid nature viewing. We had a pleasant surprise- at Winnipeg we are offered a conducted tour of the city.
Toronto
Monday,18 April, 2016
This was going to be a sad trip, visiting an ailing aunt and a grieving friend. I didn't expect much joy, yet despite the gloom there were some wonderful moments which made this trip a pleasure; in Toronto, my reunion with cousin Jacky and her husband in their beautiful house with children and grandchildren smiling from every wall; (I did get to see a sample- the lovely twelve years old twins and their family); an elegant Pessach Seder with family and friends(and a Ma Nishtana pefectly delivered by the said twins), spending time with the aunt who, despite her pain could still show she was happy with me, and getting to know Toronto; I found it bigger, taller, with more huge skyscrapers than I remembered but cleverly sited, so as not to hide the old houses.
Facing Eton famous shopping complex
The Narrow House
The Sunday Market
Picture facing The Market
Old and new
...where you can buy funny shoes
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