Last December, sister Mary and I flew to Vancouver for sister Jean’s 60th birthday. The direct flight took four hours and forty minutes. The snack and refreshment cart rattled down the narrow isle after the first class passengers had been served—just three or four rows behind the cockpit ending the seat before us. No curtain of separation divided first class and the rest of the passengers. We ordered coffee. I received mine first and made a face. Mary noticed and tugged on the airline steward’s sleeve to change her order to mint tea.
“No, you cannot,” he said. “You’ve already had a turn.”
Of course, we thought him serious and therefore rude, until he grinned and giggled, laughter reaching his eyes. He was a rosy-cheeked, round fellow, with a belly which hung over his belt. The tousled-hair blonde female flight attendant was a larger woman than hired in years gone by. How refreshing life is becoming more realistic these days.
I cannot believe I passed up a free, like-new book left on a brown refuse box inside the airport. My fingers itched for the thick Nora Roberts hardcover novel, but I was already weighed down enough.
After experiencing the Camino-like trek through Toronto airport, we loved Vancouver’s. The baggage claim located close to ground transportation, Jean and her husband met us as soon as Mary texted our arrival. The first rain clouds in a month hung mean and leaden, keen to greet us. This was to be a family get-together with no time for sightseeing.
Jean served a lovely snack at the house and later a late supper. The time to catch up turned to night. Weary from travel and excitement of seeing family again, we fell into bed midnight Vancouver time (9:00 p.m. in Ontario). The next morning, Mary and I slept in as Jean slipped out to a Yoga class and Michael dawdled in the kitchen assembling breakfast.
A day of eating, drinking, and talking till we were hoarse (necessitating more drinking) followed. After supper, Michael prepared a cauldron of chili (maybe it was a large pot). I threw together a filling for Jean’s petit choux (like one-bite cream puffs): artichokes, softened sun-dried tomatoes, cream cheese, and feta into a food processor for a coarse blend. These were in preparation for the festivities New Year’s Eve.
A day of accomplishing little, we finally called it a night around 11:30 p.m. I tossed and turned, bolting upright at a thunderous crack. I reacted by checking the shelves of books around us in the great room were intact. For a split second, I thought they’d exploded around us. The report sounded once and no more. My heart hammered on. Mary said it must be the wind.
http://bc.ctvnews.ca/overnight-quake-the-strongest-felt-in-14-years-on-b-c-s-south-coast-1.2717808
The household was awake at 6:10 a.m.—ten minutes later than planned—to catch the ferry to Nanaimo. Seniors get a discount but only if they are residents. Michael paid for the tickets. No one mentioned half of us were from Ontario.
The early morning proved knuckle bleeding and foot stomping cold. We ran across and down the road to use the facilities due to our early arrival. Hurry up and wait, but that’s the unwritten rule. If you want to get on, arrive as close to the front of the line as you can before space runs out on board for your car.
The mountains striking and the water calm, we enjoyed breakfast on board at around $10.00 each for eggs, home fries, toast, and choice of ham, sausages, or bacon. Our crossing across the Georgia Straits on the Coastal Renaissance transpired without incidence.
Next on November 11th – Penelakut to Thetis Islands
© 2016 Tess @ How the Cookie Crumbles. All Rights Reserved.
For more related posts, click on Abbreviated Vancouver
November 4, 2016 at 4:21 pm
I love family get-togethers. There is plenty of fodder for a cannon’s roar. Maybe that is what you heard.
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November 4, 2016 at 4:22 pm
Thanks for sharing 🙂
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November 4, 2016 at 5:11 pm
Thank YOU for reading. ❤ ❤ ❤
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November 4, 2016 at 4:24 pm
Applesauce, Tess! There’s always excitement around you (earthquake). I very much enjoyed all your descriptions this time, beginning with the flight staff. Belated happy birthday wishes to your sister. What a fun visit! (Now I want chili…) Mega hugs! 😀
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November 4, 2016 at 4:39 pm
Well, now I am homesick seeing these pictures. Good thing I am going back for a visit in a couple of weeks. Can´t wait to hear more.
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November 4, 2016 at 5:02 pm
Sounds like fun I live sister time!!
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November 4, 2016 at 5:16 pm
Loved the trip summary. Fun pictures, too! I’ve never been to Vancouver, but it’s on the ‘ole bucket list.
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November 4, 2016 at 5:21 pm
Thanks so much for reading. I haven’t been out and about nor seen much of Vancouver yet myself. Hope to sometime soon. 🙂
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November 4, 2016 at 5:18 pm
Sounds like a fun get together 🙂
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November 4, 2016 at 6:03 pm
gadabout. ( I’m jealous).
xxx Massive Hugs Tess xxx
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November 4, 2016 at 6:11 pm
😀 😀 😀 I’m saving some fun moments for later.
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November 4, 2016 at 6:26 pm
Sounds like a lovely visit Tess. Vancouver is such a beautiful city although I couldn’t live there with all of the rain they receive, nor could I afford the real estate!😬
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November 4, 2016 at 6:30 pm
Hi, Lynn. Thanks for reading. Vancouver IS gorgeous but I haven’t yet seen much of it. My sister and her husband bought 20 years ago and the purchase price was 500,000–a tiny house, at that. 🙂
The rain would bother me too. Nice to visit but not stay, I agree.
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November 4, 2016 at 6:40 pm
Hi Tess,
I loved hearing about your trip–the details are a stitch, like the sassy flight attendant and the abandoned Nora Roberts novel. Best of all, I love o hear how you and your sister spend your time. Looking forward to the next installment.
xo,
n
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November 6, 2016 at 1:53 pm
Wonderful to see you, Naomi. It’s been a long while.
Family time was terrific, along with some friends. 🙂
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November 6, 2016 at 3:07 pm
Vancouver is a very nice city, but family and friends are clearly the greatest attraction.
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November 4, 2016 at 6:50 pm
Reblogged this on Smorgasbord – Variety is the spice of life and commented:
A weekly treat that I have snuck in early instead of Saturday morning.. I will be soft furnishing shopping.. Tess Karlinski has crossed country to Vancouver to celebrate a special birthday and some explorations…as is her want.. the first stage is a ferry trip to Nanaimo…. great post as always.
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November 6, 2016 at 1:52 pm
Aren’t you a treat, Sally. Thank you. 🙂 ❤
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November 6, 2016 at 1:56 pm
♥♥
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November 4, 2016 at 7:14 pm
I so enjoyed this but keep wondering which Nora Roberts novel you passed on.
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November 4, 2016 at 8:07 pm
I know. I a.l.w.a.y.s. look at the title even if a person is standing reading a book anywhere–after which I’ll disturb them and start a conversation. I didn’t look at the title because I couldn’t have it. *Sigh*
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November 4, 2016 at 7:37 pm
I live in BC and very much appreciated your post. 🙂 Btw, Vancouver airport has recently been named one of the best in the world. Top five, I think. Vancouver gets everything except decent house prices. 😉
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November 4, 2016 at 8:13 pm
Hi. Hi. Hi. Thanks for reading. I’ve been to Vancouver about four times in 20 or so years but have had limited sightseeing opportunities. Sigh.
The service at the airport is of PRIMO caliber. My hats off in appreciation. Yikes to the house market prices.
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November 4, 2016 at 8:24 pm
Never a dull moment around you Tess. Despite the thunderous roars, it sounds like a fab time! 🙂 ❤
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November 6, 2016 at 1:51 pm
The actual quake was Victoria way rather than Vancouver. I’m surprised the ground didn’t shake. Scary, though.
We don’t see this sister but once every second year when she and/or her hubby come to Ontario.
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November 6, 2016 at 6:25 pm
What a special time! I admire your wonderful travels Tess. ❤
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November 4, 2016 at 8:29 pm
What a glorious trip. I really like the lazy day of doing nothing but chatting and catching up. What a fun time.
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November 6, 2016 at 1:49 pm
Flying wears me out. You’d think I was doing all the work instead of the plane and the pilot. It was chilly and wet the end of December and beginning of January. We huddled inside and caught up. I enjoyed the family time.
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November 4, 2016 at 11:01 pm
I’m glad you had a good time, Tess.
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November 6, 2016 at 1:48 pm
It was good family time and with good friends. 🙂
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November 5, 2016 at 12:56 am
It has been far too long since I’ve traveled, Tess. Used to cross-country it by train every year. I sure miss it. Thanks for the lovely vicarious adventure 🙂 xx P.S. I thought Vancouver was 3 hours behind Ontario…
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November 5, 2016 at 8:59 am
I know what you mean, Tina. I’m itching to GO but don’t fancy traveling alone.
Yes, Vancouver is 3 hours behind Ontario. The flight is long.
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November 6, 2016 at 1:47 pm
Yes it is. Whenever I want to call Jean, I have to remember the time. Don’t like to get her out of bed. 😀 😀
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November 5, 2016 at 2:32 am
This is great we’re ending next year’s road trip in Vancouver so any tips and places to go would be very welcome.
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November 6, 2016 at 1:46 pm
I didn’t get out into the city because we came for a big birthday but I hope to see some of it next year.
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November 5, 2016 at 4:22 am
Nearly a five hour flight and you hadn’t left the country? Seems hard to believe. 30 minutes and we are out of England, five hours and we are in Moscow!
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November 6, 2016 at 1:45 pm
Exactly. I’m jealous because you have all those countries almost at your fingertips. 🙂
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November 5, 2016 at 1:17 pm
Glad you travelled to my side of the world. I love Vancouver!
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November 6, 2016 at 1:44 pm
My sister Jean left after to visit a friend whose family had moved there and never came back to Ontario. I haven’t been out and about in the city, really, but will next year.
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November 5, 2016 at 5:34 pm
Happy to see another adventure, even if it’s a short one, Tess. And the filling for the petit choux sounds right up my alley. Must try it!
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November 6, 2016 at 1:43 pm
We kind of made up the filling as we went along. I have recently found a superb one that would fill the bill perfectly.
Yes, the big party is yet to come.
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November 5, 2016 at 7:40 pm
WestJet! My favourite way to fly!
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November 6, 2016 at 1:22 am
I chuckled at the Camino like trek through the airport. That’s about right in a lot of places!
Looks like a wonderful time together!
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November 6, 2016 at 1:41 pm
Yes, the best is yet to come.
At least on the Camino you can hide behind a tree if necessary. AT T.O. airport, we walked for miles and miles to find a–you know.
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November 7, 2016 at 4:14 pm
True enough!
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November 6, 2016 at 4:25 am
Good food, a little to drink and family, sound perfect!
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November 6, 2016 at 1:40 pm
We don’t see this sister often because she lives so far away from the rest of us. A real treat to visit. ❤ ❤
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November 6, 2016 at 1:56 pm
Jean is a great cook, though she’s a vegetarian. She’d made meals ahead and frozen them. Good planner. Everything tastes better when someone else does the cooking, right? 😀
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November 6, 2016 at 5:45 pm
I love the short trips!!
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November 7, 2016 at 7:02 pm
Thanks, Colleen. This definitely will be. Mostly visiting with family with little sightseeing. 🙂
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November 9, 2016 at 6:44 am
I’m taking a short trip myself very soon. I’m very excited. I just love to explore. 🙂
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November 6, 2016 at 6:50 pm
Enjoyed seeing the photos, Tess. I’ve never been in an airplane before. I think you’re brave. 😀
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November 7, 2016 at 7:01 pm
Getting to the airport and into the plane is the traumatizing time for me. I confess I’m nervous flying but I’ve felt I’ll get to my destination, God willing. 😀 While flying is scary, I find it exhilarating at the same time. ❤ ❤
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November 7, 2016 at 2:55 pm
Passing up a free and nearly-new book is hard, my sympathies. 🙂
And a day of accomplishing little sound very relaxing.
After a longish break from WP, I’m glad to see you’re still going strong.
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November 7, 2016 at 2:56 pm
Wonderful to see you, Delft. I took the summer off: burnout and working to finish projects.
Hope you are well. ❤ ❤ 🙂
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November 8, 2016 at 1:01 am
I like that stewards and stewardesses are a little less than perfect:)
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November 8, 2016 at 8:07 am
Me too. We are all equal that way, don’t you think and REAL.
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November 8, 2016 at 4:23 pm
You were about an hour and a half from where I live 🙂 It sounds like you had sisterly fun! ❤
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November 9, 2016 at 5:20 pm
We did. We did. Something I have never watched before was a new experience. We watched Downton Abbey. A first for me. 😀
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November 10, 2016 at 12:38 pm
I’ve never seen an episode of it but my mom adored it and I know it was a very popular show. Wishing you a great rest of your week, Tess ❤
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November 9, 2016 at 8:16 am
You may not have done any sight-seeing, but the backdrop for your family reunion was a beautiful one! How wonderful that 3 sisters were able to get together to celebrate a milestone birthday.
Great picture of you Tess!
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November 9, 2016 at 2:24 pm
Looks like fun. Although I have a feeling you guys would have had fun no matter where you were!
Stephanie
http://stephie5741.blogspot.com
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November 9, 2016 at 9:41 pm
Sounds like a great day! I’d love to try petit choux sometime. 🙂
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November 10, 2016 at 5:11 pm
Hi Cathleen. They’re bite sized cream puffs with a savory filling instead of whipped cream or vanilla custard. Easy to make and elegant. 🙂
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November 14, 2016 at 3:53 pm
Beaut photos, Tess.
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November 15, 2016 at 7:54 pm
Thank you, Christine. I used my iPad mini. I never took pictures till my China trip and now don’t want to spend money on a camera. I hope the iPad keeps on working for me. 🙂
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November 16, 2016 at 4:31 am
It’s easier than a separate camera, that’s for sure!
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November 18, 2016 at 8:10 am
Tess, I like your writing style as well as your story. I’m particularly drawn to family stories.
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