Yesterday was one of the most full I've ever had, and fulfilling! In the morning, we departed Guelph for the airport on time (ish). Thanks to my parents for their support, including the shuttle run. Apologies to Laura's brother who couldn't fit in the trip to the airport, and missed out.
Checkin revealed Laura's bag was 7 pounds overweight, and mine was (sad to say) 13 pounds over. I have no excuses for having the bigger bag, excpet that my second bag was smalller!! So, some quick adjustments brought the bags under, our carryons WAY over without being weighed, the loss of my tent, and I wore/carried three coats on the plane.
The flight was uneventful, except for a bit of turbulence that set poor Mr. Jingles off. He rolled around in his carrier and pushed against the walls, looking at us with pathetic, doleful eyes. Interestingly, there was another cat across the aisle, that had flown from Halifax, and the exact seat Laura was in had been occupied by a person with a dog on the Halifax-Toronto leg. The flight crew, which still had another leg to Kamloops, must have wondered what they had signed on for!
All our abgs came through not too badly damaged, and we took a taxi to Laura's new condo, which we had not yet seen excpet for photos on the internet! The landlords met us at the dooor, and handed over keys and signed papers. In less than an hour, Laura was the new tenant in her new home. The condo was exactly as the photos described, except a bit smaller, and the view was so much better!! It was clear yesterday, and the peaks just went on for ever against the horizon!! The condo is 7 months old, and absolutely beautiful. The building is very secure (you can't get up the elevator without your key, and it only works for your floor) and still smells new. There is a small workout room, and the main floor is commercial units, with a public library, bank and grocery store already in place.
Before finishing with the landlords, the moving truck had arrived, and unloaded all of our things, mostly in exactly the same condition as shipped. So, less than 5 hours after landing, the dining table, my futon and Laura's bed were set up, and it looked more like a home. We decided to take a walk, find out what was around, get some Tylenol for Laura's headache, and maybe something to eat.
Not two doors down from the building, I stoipped Laura to point out a Chinese restaurant. This place, The ROC Restaurant, serves the best dimsum in Vancouver, really well priced. I had been introduced this summer by friends Joel and Mary (from Nanaimo), but didn't remember the name or location. Here it was the nearest restaurant to Laura's apartment! As I was explaining and staring, a lady popped her head out the door and asked if we were coming in to eat! We explained that we were taking a walk, we'd be back, and Laura asked where to find a drugstore, to buy Tylenol.
Connie,for that was the lovely lady's name, said. "Come inside, I have for you. Come, sit, I bring for you." Yes, Laura was in Vancouver less than 6 hours and already secured her own drug dealer... So, for $25, we got spicy deep-fried tofu, baby bok choy in oyster sauce, a huge bowl of chicken and mushroom congee (half of which I ate for breakfast), a large plate of Singapore noodles (most of which Laura took for lunch), all the green tea we could drink, two complimentary bowls of tapioca, and a brown paper packet of pills. And they say Vancouver living is expensive.
One last thing - the view from the 11th floor is even better by night, with the city lights twinking, and the blackness of the mountains on the horizon, and then, floating in midair, the ski runs lit for night skiing, a hovering mirage in the darkness. This is the high (rise) life!
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