Tag Archives: tourism

Wherever you go – it may be raining

06 Saturday May 2017

Posted by in Art, Food and Cooking, Health, pets, therapy, Travel

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Spring travel whisked me away from the rainy Ottawa Valley to Vancouver Island.

It rained there too. 

My objectives were made months in advance:

  • Travel somewhere within Canada
  • Push my air travel anxiety limits – further than before
  • Visit with family
  • Do touristy things
  • Do not think about work

My destination was Vancouver Island, just off the coast of British Columbia. The long stretches of flying, sitting, waiting, flying, sitting, etc. tired me out. At various destinations I welcomed opportunities for walking tours and restaurant outings. Soon that tired me out too!

I practiced mindfulness as much as I could, savouring moments and reminding myself to breathe.

One family member took me for a drive up the east coast of Vancouver Island, humoured my request to stop where I could dip my toes into the Pacific Ocean.

Theresa dipping her toes into the west coast ocean waters

Pacific Ocean (well… some inlet) I am in you!

Soon I was on a bus then another bus to the beautiful city of Victoria. I was happy and comforted that relatives were waiting for me, extra umbrellas in hand to provide an escort to my hotel.

While in Victoria, I was treated to sufficient walking excursions, visited a castle and tried food from different restaurants. We had one sunny, windy day.

I spent one rainy afternoon by myself, enjoying bright flower gardens and inhaling the scent of trees in full blossom.

Flowers rain Victoria

A rainy tourist outing in downtown Victoria

A wet park bench

A wet bench and colourful flowers

Soon one of my adult children joined me after his own cross-country tour by train, ferry and bus. He got to meet one set of cousins for the first time. He accompanied me for a walk by the docks, an appropriate lunch and a walking tour up to Emily Carr House.

Lunch at Red Fish Blue Fish – Victoria

As with my tour of the castle a couple of days earlier, we exited through the gift shop and I picked up a few souvenirs.

Blonde Lady sitting at tea table in Emily Carr house

A chance to sit down during a tour of Emily Carr house

Did I achieve my objectives?  Yes! I practiced mindfulness moments wherever I was, taking in the experiences, breathing in and breathing out.

After a long day of travel east, I returned to Ottawa in the rain. I observed the local news about severe spring flooding in our region.

I was glad to be home, to have the chance to do laundry and rest in my creature comforts.

Snuggles was glad to see me too and perform his morning routine of waking me up to serve breakfast and read the online news together. Creatures of habit…

Black cat on lap

“Good. You’re back where you belong – with me!”

Thanks for dropping by.

T

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Alone in a crowd

05 Sunday Jun 2016

Posted by in community, pets, philosophy, reading, Travel

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Do you enjoy your solitude? Do you find it conducive to navel-gazing and existential contemplations?

Do you alternately feel a sense of inclusion and connectedness when in a crowd of like-minded strangers?

I do.

One way I experience the latter is to treat myself to a personal adventure on the Doors Open Ottawa tours. This was the third year that I explored the city on my own, learned new things, admired architecture and met other interesting humans.

Yesterday’s weather was perfect for being in the sun, walking, busing, touring around Ottawa.

My first stop was a disappointment. It seems that arriving at noon is too late to get on the guided tour list for the temple of online commerce, Shopify.

Still determined for urban exercise and discovery, I walked from Elgin Street all the way to my next desired stop, The Temple of Science.

Science. Apologies for this ear worm coming at you.

I arrived tired and sweaty at the National Research Council Canada (NRC) – Temple of Science on Sussex Drive. After freshening up in the ladies room and refilling my water bottle, I unwittingly jumped the queue, ignoring protocol by inserting myself into the next guided tour group. I blame it on the heat.

It was a very interesting, fast-paced walking tour. Kudos to the staff and volunteers.

 

The wait on Sussex Drive for the OC Transpo bus downtown was very long. The buses were not obeying the GPS offerings according to various smart phone apps shared by me and my random companions. At least we had a bench in the shade of nearby trees. People came and sat. Some gave up and started walking.

It wasn’t the first time I used a park bench for deep thinking activities. I had plenty of time for people-watching, casual conversation, contemplating the Universe, and … catching up on some reading.  I really hope to finish Masters of Time this weekend!

comic speech bubbles of black cat critiquing human reading efforts

 

Waiting for another bus on construction-cramped Rideau Street provided a different lens into humanity, social interactions of ragtag gangs rallying back and forth in some loud, shared purpose. I was relieved when the next bus finally arrived.

Next stop was the Saint-François d’Assise Church, another temple of sorts. It was cool and quiet except when someone was demonstrating the organ (!). I admired the wooden pews, the statues and all those candles.

Presque tous les panneaux d’information et de la littérature était en français! 

Les gens sympathiques à la réception m’a remis le seul pamphlet anglais. Heureusement pour moi, je continue avec l’apprentissage de la langue de ma mère. 

Now resting and reflecting on a rainy Sunday morning, I plan to head out for another educational tour. I think I convinced one of the young people to join me.

On a parting note, here is something else to contemplate:

The odds are overwhelming that we’re characters in an advanced civilization’s computer simulation.  See:  http://qz.com/699518/we-talked-to-the-oxford-philosopher-who-gave-elon-musk-the-theory-that-we-are-all-computer-simulations/

Thanks for stopping by.

T

Tearful Nostalgia and Travel Whimsy in Québec

20 Wednesday Aug 2014

Posted by in photography, therapy, Travel, Warm fuzzy, writing

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Sometimes we need a little whimsy to cope with fears and recover after emotional situations.

I am taking a well-deserved vacation from the working world.  Last week I travelled by train to spend time with four sisters in Québec City.

We were on a sort of pilgrimage, visiting the home town of our dear, late Mother.  During our stay we put on our tourist shoes in-between visits with our elderly Aunt and our French cousin.

Wall Mural Quebec City

Wall Mural Quebec City

Planning for this trip had started in the depths of a long, cold Canadian winter. I was looking for something that provided more comfortable travel than my bumpy airplane ride up North in 2012 and something that ensured more walking – and less wine and rich foods than my wine country tour in 2013. An off-hand suggestion within sibling email discussions evolved this into plans for a sisters’ reunion.  Our six (!) brothers plus in-laws have been getting together on an annual basis for nearly 30 years. Why shouldn’t the sisters take some time away from family and work for a little reunion too? 

While in Québec City, we definitely got in enough walking. We also consumed sufficient wine and rich foods.  Hence we appreciated the opportunities to burn calories while exploring old Québec.

Chateau Frontenac Aug 2014

Chateau Frontenac

Some of us had plenty opportunity to practise French which was our Mother’s first language.  We asked questions of our sweet Aunt about growing up in Québec City, of her recollections of our Mother’s younger years and her future aspirations before meeting our Father during WWII.

Our Aunt answered our many questions and confirmed indeed that our Mother had plans to get married and have children. We don’t know if she planned on having so many children though. The results of our inquiries quelled my concerns and speculations on how she may have lived a healthier, longer life.

My sisters became curious about my little traveling companion – a small stuffed owl and how I included him in landmark photographs. At first, it was likely seen as another of their youngest sibling’s quirky distractions.

Le penseur statue Quebec City

Owlie and Le penseur statue

Owlie and I go way back – at least to May 2014 when I tweeted my disappointment at not winning a critter during a Telus Business sponsored seminar. Telus quickly responded and offered to send me a critter.  They sent two!

grab tweet telus critters may 28

When Owlie and I first met

While the lazy Panda stayed home, Owlie accompanied me and a couple of the offspring for touristy activities around Ottawa this summer.   He appealed to my sense of whimsy and promise for a few Amélie-esque excursions. 

While in Québec City, this critter accompanied me to challenge my fear of heights. 

He added a sense of adventure and whimsy to my trip.

He accompanied us to a museum exhibit of the Greek Gods but unfortunately, I wasn’t able to sneak a real-time photo due to to copyright issues – Phfft! So I spent money on a book and an owl-themed souvenir.

 

My four older sisters warmed up to Owlie’s presence and participated in pointing out owl-themed photographic opportunities. After a while, they were either sharing in my whimsy or becoming tired and sadistic in their discoveries – 

one – 

Owlie store window pic 1

after – 

Owlie store window pic 2

the – 

Owlie store window pic 3

other!

Owlie souvenir store pic 4
During the morning of our last day, Owlie served as our talking stick while we gathered in one hotel room to say our tearful goodbyes. Everyone got a turn to speak – uninterrupted.

Owlie talking stick

Owlie as the sisters’ talking stick (notice we removed the tourist attraction stickers)

We all enjoyed our time together despite the occasional miss-communication and agreed to do this sisters’ reunion on a regular basis, straddling the full family reunions every five years.

I am already saving up for my next travel adventure somewhere in Canada. Of course I will be sure to pack my little companion to help document the experience through photographs as I continue to learn about geography, history and culture – while embracing a sense of childlike wonder and whimsy. 

Below are some choice Twitter exchanges with Via Rail Canada and Owlie’s Telus family: 

 

 

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Thanks for dropping by.  Please note that this post was not sponsored by Telus nor Via Rail. I just like their way of doing business in satisfying requests and accommodating travellers.  

If you like my writing style and childlike sense of wonder, you may enjoy reading the ebook version of The Year of the Rabbit – a novel about Fate, Family and Forgiveness. It has many excerpts that show my nostalgic fondness for trains. I don’t think owls are featured. Why not read it to find out? 

Theresa