80 things we love about Arta: 19

19. Travelling More Than Once With Arta

 Just continuing here with the travels I loved taking with Arta.

Arta Peering at Cape Horn

When Greg and I travelled with Arta we would book a balcony so that Arta could sleep on the pull out couch and it also meant we could have a balcony. Here is Arta gazing out at Cape Horn. We were there on a windy day and not very sunny day.

One of our stops was in Cartagena so here
is Arta in front of the Fort.

Here you are Arta in Lia with the sea behind you.
All a person needs is a scarf.

Just one of the many sunsets from the ship.
We are just leaving Lima, Peru.

One of the great days was cruising through the Panama Canal.

80 Things We Love About Arta: 18

18. Travelling With Arta

One of the things I loved doing with Arta was travelling. We had so many adventures together and saw places in the world I never knew existed. One of our cruises was from Buenos Aires, sailing around Cape Horn to Santiago and finishing the 28 day voyage going to Miami through the Suez Canal. 

One of our excursions from the ship took us from Arica, Chile, up through the desert mountains to Lauca National Park, 1450 feet above sea level in 2.5 hours. We travelled from Putre to Lauca Nationa Park which is in the Andes Mts. in the north of Chile, at the border of Peru and Bolivia. One can see the snow-capped volcanoes in the background. I just love travelling with Arta.

Wyona and Arta at Lauca National Park

We started the journey early in the morning with the guide reminding us that when we got off the bus we were to walk slow and carefully. Cruisers were wanting to eat half way up the journey but the guide told us we would get our bag lunch at 11:30 a.m. when we reached the Park. He kept reminding us so often how we were to take it slow and easy but I knew better, that it did not matter. Took one step down the bus, two and then three steps and the lunch bag was place in our hands and then we thought we were going to pass out. We walked to the nearest wall, sat on it with our heads down between our knees, the elevation was overwhelming. We ate our lunch slowly. There was an oxygen tank placed by each of the five buses and people were lined up to use the oxygen tank.

We were told to walk on the paths. We did that but at one point my ankles touched one of the plants that you see. The leaves on the plants are like porcupine quills.

From sea level to quite a way through the mountains one can just see mountains of sand and dirt. 

As one goes higher you can see a small cactus beginning to grow and then little spots of green appear until one gets to the top where there is the lake and volcanic snow covered mountains. 

Half way through our journey, the bus pulls sort of to the side of the highway, so then only one lane of traffic can pass by. We are on the should of the road where locals have set up their goods to sell us. Arta is having a good time posing. If one looks down in the valley there are houses and some green. The green only exists where there is civilization and water.

It is such a fascinating trip through the land going up and up and seeing first the cactus below this picture and then more green as one gets to the top.

Southern Stardust Big Band 20th Anniversary Valentine Concert

... Art and Marcia trip the light fantastic ...

On Tonia Bates' Facebook page she first invites everyone to the  Southern Stardust Big Band 20th Anniversary Valentine Concert at the Austrian Canadian Club, February 15, 2020.

Then she posts links and pictures of the event, which I have lifted to this space in case anyone didn't see them on Tonia's Facebook page.

Tonia says, "Always a great time! ❤️  Lurene singing and Tim playing the trombone. My parents and all of us dancing!"

So here are some links below and some pictures in case you didn't take a peek.

Lurene singing

Trio Sings

In case you haven't heard this number for a long time, here the Trio Sings Boobie Woogie Boy of Company B.  Now that would have been fun to dance to.

And this is a link that should be called, "How to Dance you feet off in your 70's by Greg and Wyona".

If the links aren't enough, here are some pictures to enjoy:

Not to miss Tim he is the trombonist, second row,
whom you can hardly see in the picture.
But he is there in the second row of the band.

Tonia and Zoe Bates at the
Southern Stardust 20th Anniversary Dinner and Dance

Marcia Bates, Art Treleaven and Wyona Bates rest for a minute.

A good time was had by all.

(As photographed by Tonia put on her Facebook page)

Zach and his grandparents in London

From Wyona:

Zach just told me I made him sound like a brat that I have to drag around.

Not the case.

But I do get in his face when he is doing Pokémon.

Yesterday when I was trying to feed him information and he was doing Pokémon he told me he just had to finish this Pokémon because it was a rare one that you can only get in London.

When competing with the Pokémon, I lose. I keep asking him how much battery he has left on his phone and I hope it dies soon.

Tonight we went to 42nd Street.

The first number is spectacular.

I love watching Zach.

We were sitting in third row in sort of the middle.

After the number finished, Zach just turned to me with his eyes wide and his mouth agape!

The show is spectacular all the way through.

We can hit it next Saturday with Marcia and Gabe if she wants to drag him around with her.

But under no circumstances is someone under 14 years of age to come to London.

We got stuck on a bus on Oxford Street, it rarely moved an inch.

So we got the bus driver to let us off after half a block and one half hour.

I asked him what was wrong and he replied that there was a Eu’rope’ean demonstration going on.

There are many signs around asking for a new vote on Brexit.

Zach passed on the schnitzel from the German booth at Portabello.

He just could not do it.

Zach and Greg saw a magician at Covent Garden.

My London legs are a little old and really tired today.

Wyona

Costco, London Style

From Wyona and Greg

I m off to Costco. I am still in London.




The ride will be 3 buses and the cost in time is one hour.




I just have to investigate it.

I do not think there will be poutine and fries.





My guess is a pastie.

We are going out for dinner tonight with our friends Lucy and Najaf.



Wyona

Eating Schnitzel in London

Just imagine this in a long bun!

From Wyona and Greg

The schnitzel comes with an egg and piece of bacon on it in a large long bun.

So delicious!

We took our own drink of apple/tang and diet coke.

We could not finish it all and had to save some until evening.

We are going out to catch the last of the light show now.

It was snowing today when we were at Spitalfields.

Wyona

The Light Show in London

42nd St.
Photograph: Tristram Kenton for the Guardian

From Wyona and Greg

Last night we went to '42nd St'.

Greg and I went to Annie tonight.

Both nights big problems with the buses, many diversions. Tonight we took the tube to Picadilly and what did we see?This amazing light show with sound. Looked it up on the computer tonight to see it is just part o f a bigger light show.

Tomorrow we will try to see as much of it as we can. Regents Street from Oxford Circus to Trafalgar are walking streets.

Suitably authoritarian … 
Miranda Hart (Miss Hannigan) in Annie. 
Photograph: Paul Coltas

I saw David Pilling at Picadilly Circus tonight and he did not say Hi to me. I swear it was David or Glen when he was younger. I got behind him and watched for a short while until he disappeared into the metro...long hair and all, same features. It was just like having David in London. Unfortunately the nose was more like my nose. It was a much younger Dave and Glen.

I want Marcia and Art to take a quick trip to London for Feb. 4-8 so they can go to '42nd St" It is amazing. Get WestJet working for you. Get Ron to do the grandfather thing and chauffeur your lovelies around.

It is so cold here. I could only find one glove when I left for the theatre but one glove is better than no gloves. Worse tomorrow because there is rain.

But I am going to drag Greg around to all the light shows I can see tomorrow night.

Wyona

Link for light show:  https://www.forbes.com/sites/joanneshurvell/2018/01/19/10-highlights-from-lumiere-londons-extraordinary-exhibition-of-light-and-sound/#7630e48114c7

Aladdin and Tottenham Court Road

Tottenham Court Road is a
London Underground and
future Crossrail station in central London.
It is an interchange between the Central line and the
 Charing Cross branch of the Northern line.

From Wyona

I so missed all of you at the theatre tonight.

It was Aladdin, the same theatre as Jersey Boys.

We lined up before 10:00 a.m. and got day seats for the show, second row but not together.

However, four people moved so we could be together.

The show was so funny, such elaborate costumes and the Genie was extra fabulous. And Aladdin was Nathaniel, same mannerisms, same beautiful quality of voice and acting ability. I just kept seeing Nathaniel on the stage and wondered how he got here from Japan for the show every night :-) The magic carpet moved around and up and down but we could not figure our how it was attached anywhere. Just amazing and funny!

I wanted to be there with all the grandchildren and Zoe. Maybe Zoe would like to sing 'A Whole New World" for her glee club show. That is your job Lurene and/or Charise to find the music and cut it so she could sing along. Greg recognized the songs from hearing Zoe sing them.

... can't wait for my turn to go there ...

After being closed for two years, the Tottenham Court Metro is open but there is still a lot of construction going on. Buildings have been knocked down leaving a good part of the block to accommodate these luxurious entrances and exits. This is one of the stations on the new London Cross Rail. It is like exiting a space station and it is always so crowded. What did people do for two years while it was closed?

We need to all come back here, book a family room and then crowd another 4 people on the floor. We will just have a shower schedule. This is for those who want to save money. We could even sleep in shifts.

Greg went by the High Commission on Grosvenor Square today. The building is being demolished. It was such a lovely old building. The High Commission is at Trafalgar Square now.

And someone is sleeping in my bed at New Cavendish.

Wyona

To London, to London ...

Hi from Wyona in Brussels,

Belgian leonidas chocolates in the shop

The frites, sauce tartare and sausages are too good in Brussels.

We bought two small boxes of Leonidas the first night we were in Brussels.

We finished them off by the last day and I never went back to get anymore.

Greg bought a plain waffle a few times.

They are a new kind of waffle now from when we were there in in the 1980's.

No sugar lumps. BUT now the waffle shops have the waffles covered in whipped cream, chocolate and fruit. They are to die for but five times the price.

Greg always wants to make sure we get to the Eurostar in plenty of time. So Sunday morning we took a taxi to the train station. Got there in plenty of time, tried to check in but we were half hour too early. One cannot check in until two hours before the train leaves. So we headed back 20 minutes later and we were still an hour early. Oh! Oh! There was an hour time change back the night before and somehow we missed that. So back out of the floor for another hour. Wow! We were there 4 hours before the train.

Then when the Eurostar was loaded and we were on the platform, all the conductors were yelling, Go Back! Go Back! The train does not work. So hundreds of us went back down the escalator and we all could not fit in the waiting lounge. I just plunked myself down on my bottom on the hard cold marble floor. It took one hour for another train to arrive and get loaded.

We walked about 45 minutes on the streets of London to get to a bus which would take us to our hotel. My choice. I was too cheap to pay for a taxi.

I had purchased tickets in Calgary to go to 'Burn the Floor" the first night we arrived in London. If the tickets had not been in my pocket I certainly would not have gone to the theatre. However, it was a fabulous show of just dancing, dancers who have won competitions. Such a phenomenal show of 16 dancers and 2 singers plus 3 piece band sounding like 20 piece band.

Last night we bought tickets to go to Ghost. Another amazing show. We are still waking up a 5 a.m. That sucks!!

Character portraits of Aladdin 

by Cylla von Tiedemann.

Going to try to get tickets for Aladdin for tonight but not much hope.

We are at the London House Hotel in London.

Every time we come we stay at a different hotel in a different neighbourhood.

I never knew all these places existed when I lived here.

I only knew New Cavendish and the museums and shows. That was enough.

Love, Wyona

Brussels 2016 for Wyona and Greg

From Wyona:
Oct. 24

... chocolates ...

Charise was kind enough to drive us to the airport.

Arta told me that using a wheelchair was good so I checked the needs help box when I booked my ticket.

So getting from security to the airport there was a wheelchair there for me. I just accepted it and Greg walked along with the carry-ons.

It was a long way. So I lined up along with a half a dozen other wheelchairs to get on the plane first. Greg was happy to get on and put the bags up for the trip to London. The plane was not full so it was comfortable. Again, in London there was a wheelchair for me. I borrowed one of Arta’s canes so I looked good and disabled, not hard for me since it is true.

... street ...

We arrived in Brussels but had a hard time finding the hotel.

It was just too close to the train station and we were too tired to think.

I sat with the lugguage on a corner while Greg went walking and searching for the hotel.

We were so close and yet so far. I could not walk and drag luggage because I needed my airport assistance.

... square ...

Greg is happy with the room, just 2 star hotel but at the last minute I changed our hotel to a triple room for a cheaper price.

The pillows are lumpy (lots of character to Greg), carpet is frayed, have to stradle the tub when on the toilet, no shampoo, etc. BUT there are two beds, larger room, great view of the square, a lift, a fan, heating, no breakfast., refrigerator (sort of), good price.

Greg does love the room for some reason so it has what he wants. He has always wanted to stay on this square.

After unpacking yesterday I had to lay down, about 5 p.m. Greg followed suit. I woke up an hour later with a painful Charlie Horse so then we got up and went for a walk to Grand Place, bought a waffle, bought Leonidas and had frites and sausage. So this morning for breakfast we only had chocolates and nuts starting at 5 a.m. Poor us!

... room ...

As we were walking last night I happened to mention to Greg that in the four years we lived in Bussels, we never went walking together.

I do remember driving to the Grand Place and parking the blue van on Rue Neuve downtown.

Teague remembers that the police stopped me for making a left turn, I pled ignorance not speaking French and I refused to pay him a bribe. I remember Trent buying a cooked BBQ chicken at Place du Monde at the market, then taking it home to eat it all himself. So many things to remember. Tonia and Marcia spent so many weekends on Rue Neuve with their friends.

Lurene, Charise and Zoe had so many good jumps on the trampoline, rain and all. Now off to buy oranges, distilled water, more chocolate. shampoo and bar of soap for Greg.

Love,

Wyona

The Finest Apple

The yellow skinned apples
are the ones in question.

Who would believe these are the best apples on the property?

The question would probably be raised, if these are the best, what do the worst look like.

But this is a question of a book should not be judged by its cover.

When all of the apples are lined up in a row, I will take one of these, hands down!

Wyona says that these apples had perfect skins until about a week ago.  And then, bang!  A blight on the skins.  But underneath that skin is the finest apple.  Greg said he has been thinking of a way to take down that tree for a number of years.  At one point it was slipping down the hill, for example.

But this year?

An amazing apple!

I should start a GoFund the Bates apple tree for it is amazing.

Arta

Happy Fiftieth Anniversary to Wyona and Greg

... 4 trombones play "76 trombones" ...

The party that was supposed to start at 3 pm was moved up to 2 pm.

Why not? The food was ready and the people were already there.

I got a phone call with a 5 minute warning that there was an early start.

When I got there I saw helium balloons attached to the backs of chairs.

Some children were carrying balloons on small sticks. Children were trying to catch bubbles that were floating in the air from the bubble machine.

Inside the house pans of cinnamon buns were lined up on the counter, waiting for their turn to go into the oven. I haven’t tasted cinnamon knots that have walnuts and maraschino cherries on top for twenty years. There were at least three 8 x 12 pans of those on the counter top.

,,,  congo line at the party ..

Piggies in a blanket were just coming out of the oven so the kitchen was full of that smell.

The lawn on the roadside of the house was decorated and people were sitting under the pear tree to keep out of the sun. Signs honouring all of those who were being feted were posted on the porch pillars: Wyona and Greg for their Fiftieth Wedding Anniversary, Moiya on turning 65, Glen on turning 60, Arta on reaching 76 and Andrew who was turning 10.

When people had enough food, the programme started. The trombonists played 76 Trombones for me. I was thrilled. We had a congo dance for my part with many joining in, 76 to 3 year olds.

Moiya’s grandchildren were marched in from around the side of the house with new lyrics to “I Don’t Know but I’ve Been Told”. The call and response as they walked in was a lot of fun. Two of the children led the troops carrying a banner high in front and stopping to sing for Moiya, “I’m so glad when Grandma comes home”. They grandchildren ended by each giving her a kiss.

Janet was promised a special surprise. For the surprise to happen, Glen had to be blindfolded. He went like a lamb to the slaughter, sitting in a corner of the yard, unable to see what was happening. The grandchildren were marshalled in front of him and a basket full of water balloons was placed before them. Off came Glen’s goggles and everyone under 10 years old got to throw water balloons at him – the balloons were thrown with care, some lobed with power, some balloons with high arcs on them, some gently tossed. Glen was soaked had to go home and change.

... more group dancing ..

Laynie had arranged a Piñata Party – 3 piñatas, actually, one for each age group: under five, 5 to 10, and 10 to 15 year old. I hardly know who had the most fun during this section of the party: the person pulling the string on the piñata, the person choosing who would go next, the person striking mighty blows out into the air, the person twirling the subject around until they were dizzy, the parents and grandparents cheering everyone on, or real winners – the people who got the bags of candy out of the piñata.

There was a special treat for the 10 to 15 year olds in the piñata. Instead of candy, out of the piñata fell rocks from the beach like the beautiful ones they used to collect with they were the three year olds down on the beach.

There was a spontaneous programme. Bonnie Johnson and Teague Bates did a skit from their childhood. The first words of the skit are “One day, when I was skipping home from school / skipping home from school. New words were by Bonnie, actions were by Teague and the skit had been produced by Lurene. Moiya offered to do “I’ll tell you about a burglar bold” and Wyona and I joined her.

Marcia, Lurene, Marina Wood and Laynie did a magical skit – the first person takes a drink of water, and they pass it along from one to another until the fourth person spits it out. The trick is that they pass it through their ears. Very impressive!

The party ended with everyone gathering around to see two hairs fight in a pan of water. That party trick is a sure hit.

... the storm approaches
and we head to the porch to watch it advance ...

In truth, it wasn’t the trick that ended the party, but the fact that the heavens opened up and poured rain at exactly the right time. Party goers gathered on the porch to watch the storm pass by.

I tried to add up the total number of attendees. Right now there are 24 at Wyona’s house, 22 at Moiya’s house, 7 at our house and 7 at Glen’s house. A fifty person party.

At home I interviewed others about the party for what they thought were the best moments.

David: The best part of the party was playing Red Rover. At first the party was hard for there weren’t many people there I knew. I pretty much knew no one and I was afraid I was going to make a mistake. Then the food, the hot dog, and the purple juice came out, my dad came and then I was comfortable with the party.

Theresa turns her back on being part of
the group family photograph.

Rebecca: I thought it was funny watching Moiya’s little family of grandchildren come marching out -- which was OMG: 12 children under 10 years old. There are so many little kids. All five of Moiya’s children are having their families together, so there are an unbelievable number of grandchildren. Glen getting water ballooned was also a highlight. Then there was a great storm that came through the valley during the party – rain falling, lightening flashing and we just continued the party.  I also liked Theresa Oldham refusing to be in the grand family photo

Bonnie: At the party, I was shocked to realize I am now the age of the women who were the aunts when I was young, and my young beautiful mother is now the age of my grandfather. I was having trouble adjusting my mind to that. I loved the piñata for it was performed in age groups and everyone had a treat or a prank just for them. I was waiting for someone to get hit with the stick, but it didn’t happen. I had told David to feel for the rope above and then he would know where the piñata would come down and he could strike it. But I hadn’t told him how to differentiate between a feeling for a rope with his stick and a tree branch. I loved the banner that was held high when the Wood children walked in. I loved the fact that there was Tylenol on the table along side all of the food that was there for people. Something for everyone!

Arta

Rio de Janeiro - Sugar Loaf

From Wyona:

To answer Ivan's question,"How many fit inside"? This is a photo from inside. Greg thinks more than 30 people can go in one car.

And to answer Jamie's question, "How big is the landing"? This is a green walk on the middle landing. This is only the first level of the landing. There is a drinking/restaurant on each level, green trees, flowers, walkways. More room than it looks like.

And to Trent who believes that helicopters can fly past his bedroom window when he is dressing and see him, here is a helicopter just by the top of Sugar Loaf

And after a hot, hot day going up to Sugar Loaf, we sat down for a salad, the first green thing in five days. 

New Blog Spot for Wyona and Greg

... even those many years ago, getting in touch with nature ...

Wyona and Greg are travelling again and they have a blog of their own.

Right now they are in Rio.

Tonia has populated the blog with travel stories from previous years.  As we were visiting she was telling me there are still yet-to-be told stories from Greg, especially the one in Hong Kong, where on a layover in the early morning hours, he saw a fire break out in a building that was under construction.

I want to hear this story and all of the others.

... years later, still watching the world in wonder ...

You can link to the new blog from the side of this blog.

 They call it Wyona and Greg (+25 Progeny).

 Enjoy.

Arta

Egg Decorating

From Wyona and Greg in Texas

The egg-blowing party begins.

After lunch we coloured eggs, 22 of them.

At one point Anneliese said, "Oh it broke.

That is how hard she can blow on an egg.

She had her whole hand in the dye pushing the egg down. The table us wet but she could not grab the eggs fast enough.

I put the strings in the eggs last night and this morning they were put on the tree. Now the children want to do 22 more eggs...like that was fun?

... powerful cheek muscles ...

Ivan asked us every five minutes after 8 o'clock this morning if it was 10 o'clock yet so he could get ready for church.

Senya told us to get there early so we could get the soft seats.

She reported that Trent and she usually leave first and save seats for the rest of the family.

... the thrill of meaningful work ...

A hah! Well, we were not late but we did have to sit on the second row of the hard seats.

All was well until class time and then Anneliese was holding on to Senya.

She would not let go but Senya wanted to go to class.

So Senya sneaked away, Anneliese would have nothing to do with the nursery so I told Greg to drive us home. Now that made Anneliese lose her cool. But after hugging me in desperation at home she watched Baby Einstein on the computer with me quite happily.

I walked around the house doing jobs, getting lunch etc. but checked up on her often. At one point she was gone from the table and so was Greg's computer. I asked her where it was but by then the kids were coming in and lunch had to be served.

After lunch we made chocolate chip shot glasses. While making them Ivan and Senya asked if they could eat some dough. Of course! Eat all you want. Ezra and Anneliese were off doing something else until nearly the end when they came in for some dough. We made one batch, 12 glasses except we were short a little dough.

The boys were ready to eat them after supper but have to wait until tomorrow when they coat the insides with chocolate and then we will buy some chocolate milk and Sprite. What great grandparents!

Then it was time for videos. I was needing it. The three kids and Anneliese were running for the home computer but I looked for Greg's computer for Anneliese. I asked where it was and Anneliese brought it to me. She told me "it was not working, it is really broking" And I could not get it running so I used my Computer for her. Greg checked his and sure enough, it was dead. I guess that is why Anneliese shut it down earlier in the day. Anneliese watches Einstein, Nursery rhymes. songs while the others watch their computer. But when I say video off, the older three turn theirs off and crowd around Baby Einstein with Anneliese. She pushes them away. It is a tie between Anneliese and Theresa who is the most independent!!!

I saw seaweed in the panty so pushed it to the back of the cupboard as I choked up. Next thing I know Ivan's eyes lit up and he asked for seaweed. What@! Is that kid stupid! Then all the kids finished the one package. I did a Zoe taste test on one flake and knew I was right. The stuff is disgusting!

Last night Anneliese was feeling the pinch of no parents so she started to cry about 5:15 p.m. at dinnertime preparation. I made the comment that she is missing her mother and hungry. Next thing you know I cannot find Senya to help me. She is in the bathroom trying to hide her crying. Senya had asked me a number of times where he Mother and Dad were now. Now I have two girls crying. The boys just looked up as they were eating and said, "What are they crying for?" What, we don't miss our parents. They could not figure it out.

I learned that I cannot comment on the behaviour of Anneliese around Senya or I am in trouble.

2 days down, 7 to go. What fun!

Have to go out and buy white eggs and chocolate milk and white bread/buns for tomorrow. All these parents buy brown bread but I know it all tastes better for the grandchildren with white bread and I want to be a winner!

Looking for chocolate now! And I eat it by myself!

Wyona

London -- "Fa in the building"

I have been awake since 6:30 a.m. so opened my computer to do a little chatting. 

We're not that awake says Greg as he rolls out of bed. 

Our hotel is farther out than we usually stay. We are off the book map, two metro stops past Notting Hill. However it is a nice hotel, good bed, small room, nice bathroom, though we can't afford the twenty dollar breakfast. Security is tight.  You need your room card to make the elevator go. Twice we have heard the alarm and an announcement "Fa is in the building". Now Greg told me they are saying 'Fire is in the building'. Anyway... who cares ... maybe it is a fire drill. I thought 'Fa' was an intruder.

Our room is inside with a window over the entry. So it is good and dark in here and quiet and that is why Greg sleeps longer. 

Off to Portobello today and then to get tickets at Coliseum for Barber of Seville tonight. The senior prices have been changed. They are half price no, half of one hundred instead of 20 pounds. 

Last night we went to La Boheme. It was so excellent! The conductor was so fabulous, all of 4'7'', Chinese but could she make the orchestra work. Xian Zhang "..conducts a full-on, passionate account of the score, though hampered by..."

The story is moved from 1880's to 1990's in a big city to a druggy, contemporary setting. There is terrific acting and singing.

I had to hand my Kleenex over to Greg at point because he needed it. I used all my Kleenex. I went to the washroom after and my lips were red and puffy, my eyes were puffy. It is showing two more times while we are here. I have to go back. I have seen La Boheme before but this was fabulous, once you got over the druggie setting.

Hope to see Barbar of Seville tonight.

Love,

Wyona

A Wyona Update from Brussels

From Wyona

Just a little update. We left Calgary for Brussels on Oct. 15th flying with aeroplan miles. The airplane was maybe 25% full from Calgary to London. We have not been on a flight this empty since we started flying in 1973. Greg kept our 2 seats by the window and I slid over to the three seats opposite. Greg has repeated half a dozen times how nice the flight was. We had a five hour wait in London before boarding for Brussels.

As the captain was telling the weather in Brussels, cloudy and rainy, I remembered leaving my raincoat hanging in the closet in Calgary. ( I even put 2 zippered pockets on the inside for this trip) Oh well, too late.

We exited Gare Central and tried to get a taxi. No taxi would take us. So we walked in the rain to the hotel arriving dripping wet. The good thing was we walked downhill, past the Grand Place to our hotel. No taxi would take us because the streets from Gare Central to our hotel are just walking streets. So different here now in terms of traffic than it was when the 'Big Four' (Marcia, Tonia, Trent and Teague) would head down to the Grand Place on the weekend. 

We managed to sleep until 6 a.m. in the morning. Just spent the day walking and eating frites. I forgot big cobblestones and slippery when wet makes an old back hurt a little.

Today we slept until 5 a.m…the time is going the wrong way. Had a long nap in the afternoon and walked again at night. The Grand Place is the most beautiful of all squares in Europe, during the day and night. I remember doing the history walk of all the buildings in the Grande Place with Alicia and Charise. I remembered taking Billy downtown Brussels, parking the big van on Rue Neuve and then Billy wanting to get a cup of coffee. Charise and Lurene were with us. Lurene kept bugging me to go to Paris and she asked me if we were in Paris. I told her ‘yes’, just to keep her quiet forever. It worked.

I can hear Kalina and Theresa bugging Lurene. Remember, ‘just say yes’. It keeps the peace.

Tomorrow Greg and I are going our own way. Tuesday Greg wants to hit Stockel and the market. Wednesday we are taking the train roundtrip to Ostende (6 euros each because we are seniors)and then riding the Kusttram (tram) all along the Belgium coast (5 euros on and off all day, 60 stops). I took the Kusttram from the cruise ship while Greg went to Brugge. It is a fabulous ride, 2.5 hours from one end to the other.

Thursday we head back to London.

We have on our table, Leonidas, Meringue and chocolate from Elisabeth Artisanal Belgian Sweets, Petites Mousses aux deux chocolates, Lu milkchocolade bisquits, chocolate cream puffs and Cote d’or chocoat hazelnut chocolates. Have not seen any chocolate mice, nor do I want any. 

Our hotel is Hotel Floris Harlequin Grand-Place.

In London we are at the

Dorsett Shepherds Bush

Then we are on Celebrity Eclipse until Nov. 16^th when we fly from Miami to Calgary.

See you then.

Nostalia ... continues

... studying travel book as the miles roll by ...

Wyona's words about nostalgia bring back many warm and cherished memories.

At one point in reading her thoughts about London, my memory turned to my hope for Greg.

And that is, that he can keep his camera pointed toward the faces of his loved ones who are having a good time.

A photo which I may never see again but which is sealed into my memory is one he took of Wyona and me when we got to Penzance.

... let's get this window cleaned ...

He was inside the train with the camera. Wyona and I had taken serviettes, towels and water and had got off the train, walked down the platform to the car we were riding in, and we took our cleaning equipment and we were scrubbing off the window. The trip to Penzance has been so wonderful that we wanted it to be even better on the way back, and we made it so by giving a real shine to the window we would be looking out of. The conductor had walked down the platform also, stopping when he got to us and he asked us what we were doing. We told him and said, “I bet you have never seen this before.” He smiled and said, “You are right. This is a first. The passengers cleaning the outside windows of the train.” Then we walked on.

At the same time, Greg picked up his camera inside the train and preserved for us that happy moment, two women giving a shine to what they would see in the next few hours.

Every day ... something that can be nostalgically remembered.

Arta