So, your right foot is blown out, you can barely stand, what ya gonna do!? Go for a visit to a garden with miles of trails, thousands of stairs and people prone to kicking your crutches! Oh yeah, bad idea.
But, the gardens were lovely as usual. Lots of humming birds visited with me at my frequent stops where I was occupied icing down my foot. Lots of strange looks - but then again, women opened doors for me! Without the injury I know for a fact none of them would have even cast me a second look. I actually tested that hypothesis once just to see and sure enough - man on crutch gets talked to, doors opened for him, etc. Guess without a motherly instinct, Kris is indeed invisible ... LOL!
Now why bring up this boring post? Because I have a travel tip for you! I looked at booking this jaunt to the gardens through the online travel agent, had another opportunity to do so through the Victoria Clipper, again through my hotel and even checked with the visitor's bureau on the waterfront - they were all basically the same: $30 for the bus fare, $34-37 for the admission ticket.
Actually cost! (drum roll please!)
Riding the BC Transit bus number 75 - $5 round trip
Admission to the gardens: $29 full adult fare
Ok, so I or you can easily save $30 just by catching a public bus and not have someone else handle your tickets for you!
Also there is a high tea at the gardens, $28 - however, everyone was pre-booking at $29.50-34 per person. But, it was not worth the price. Crowded seating, a few dainties, some sweets and tons of noise. The Empress was more pricey but a better deal concerning room and noise levels. Foodwise, slightly better.
Wednesday, September 14, 2011
Monday, September 12, 2011
Not As Remembered.....
Well, they do say you can never go back - and certainly this highly modified (from planned) trip was proof of this adage!
I got in late so stopped off at the pub located within the hotel. Thirty years ago it was a pretty nice place as I remembered, today it is the hangout of hookers taking a break and stupid drunk tourists. Needless to say, I did not return during the course of my stay - even though it was the most convenient place to be given the crutches.
The drunk tourists were by far all American, the kind whom should never be allowed back in the country (any country!). Massively misbehaved, wholly unacceptable behavior and clothing that definitely should never have been offered for sale! Just image the rudest of tee shirts you could find in a scummy shop and you would not even reach the depravity of these! Yeah it was not pretty.
The "hookers" were another story - pretty much all very young teenage girls, obviously fake ids to even be there and drinking. The bar keep should have been ashamed of himself! I have not seen such sheer clothing since the 1970's (and I had so hoped those fashions were LONG gone forever!) But, even those without see through clothing were not in good taste either. Most mild tee shirt seen was "This shirt would look good on your bedroom floor!". Yeah, right. The effect of this kind of behavior is not only horrible for the girls but its toll on the young men - whom might otherwise be behaving themselves is despicable as well!
Oh how my heart broke for those youth in Victoria. Drug abuse was wide amongst the kids on the streets. And this of course comes with a boat load of problems for those kids and the culture.
It honestly broke my heart.....
I got in late so stopped off at the pub located within the hotel. Thirty years ago it was a pretty nice place as I remembered, today it is the hangout of hookers taking a break and stupid drunk tourists. Needless to say, I did not return during the course of my stay - even though it was the most convenient place to be given the crutches.
The drunk tourists were by far all American, the kind whom should never be allowed back in the country (any country!). Massively misbehaved, wholly unacceptable behavior and clothing that definitely should never have been offered for sale! Just image the rudest of tee shirts you could find in a scummy shop and you would not even reach the depravity of these! Yeah it was not pretty.
The "hookers" were another story - pretty much all very young teenage girls, obviously fake ids to even be there and drinking. The bar keep should have been ashamed of himself! I have not seen such sheer clothing since the 1970's (and I had so hoped those fashions were LONG gone forever!) But, even those without see through clothing were not in good taste either. Most mild tee shirt seen was "This shirt would look good on your bedroom floor!". Yeah, right. The effect of this kind of behavior is not only horrible for the girls but its toll on the young men - whom might otherwise be behaving themselves is despicable as well!
Oh how my heart broke for those youth in Victoria. Drug abuse was wide amongst the kids on the streets. And this of course comes with a boat load of problems for those kids and the culture.
It honestly broke my heart.....
Monday, September 5, 2011
Catholic Versus Presbyterian Ideology
I stumbled across this knee slapper some time ago and have been meaning to post this but life has too hectic for me to do so. At last I have some peace and can now share this!
Now, which church would you want to go to in this town based on billboards?
As for me, my rock collection can go to heaven with me? I feel the need for a rosary already! Humor aside, I find it refreshing that these two churches can heckle each other without loss of life.....
:^)
Now, which church would you want to go to in this town based on billboards?
As for me, my rock collection can go to heaven with me? I feel the need for a rosary already! Humor aside, I find it refreshing that these two churches can heckle each other without loss of life.....
:^)
Stats
Every weekend I check the stats on my little blog. Always interesting to find out what people are searching for or reading. I learned about this from my cousin whom is a bit bolder than I am - always clicking on everything - and often killing his computer - which I get to fix!
Anyways, it has amazed me that since 9/2010, every single week, the same post has generated them most reads and downloads! Utterly amazing to me! Because it is not much of a post, just four real life stories that I guess are hitting home with people. So, I guess that is cool, or I am about to be sued?
I also am amazed at the readership - and how I wish a few of you would leave a note and say something about yourselves! Russia, Vietnam, India, China are all regular foreign visitors. Single readership from most of the European countries, and whom in Switzerland is reading up on me? I know it is not my family, none of them own a computer!
And then there are the Americans, outside of Robin no one s says anything! Frustrating, and I love that you do comment on occasion Robin!
So drop a comment and then I can visit any site you have as well!
Anyways, it has amazed me that since 9/2010, every single week, the same post has generated them most reads and downloads! Utterly amazing to me! Because it is not much of a post, just four real life stories that I guess are hitting home with people. So, I guess that is cool, or I am about to be sued?
I also am amazed at the readership - and how I wish a few of you would leave a note and say something about yourselves! Russia, Vietnam, India, China are all regular foreign visitors. Single readership from most of the European countries, and whom in Switzerland is reading up on me? I know it is not my family, none of them own a computer!
And then there are the Americans, outside of Robin no one s says anything! Frustrating, and I love that you do comment on occasion Robin!
So drop a comment and then I can visit any site you have as well!
Sunday, September 4, 2011
Musical Saturday Morning
I am posting this a little late as I was in transit to Canada, when I would have usually posted. Sooooooo:
This month's selection is OMD. Probably best known for their, If You Leave, you might recognize this song from that horrible movie - Pretty in Pink, bleeeeech! And yes I know a ton of people whom loved that movie and even more whom loved that song. But, honestly, that was not their best song by far!
So, what is OMD's best to my mind? Well, you will shortly find out but first let me qualify this with the keyboard is wholly inappropriate to the song - downright irratating!, the drummer wants to be the poster child for rotator cuff damage and the music has nothing to do with words about a love gone bad, now sad - too bad put your big boy panties on dude! I have no clue what is wrong with this band - this is true of almost all of their library. The lead singer I have seen a few times through the years, always a different look - makes wonder if he is still trying to either fit in or define himself. Always best to just be yourself!
But, I like this song the best and really want to drive the Dihatsu they used for the filming......
This month's selection is OMD. Probably best known for their, If You Leave, you might recognize this song from that horrible movie - Pretty in Pink, bleeeeech! And yes I know a ton of people whom loved that movie and even more whom loved that song. But, honestly, that was not their best song by far!
So, what is OMD's best to my mind? Well, you will shortly find out but first let me qualify this with the keyboard is wholly inappropriate to the song - downright irratating!, the drummer wants to be the poster child for rotator cuff damage and the music has nothing to do with words about a love gone bad, now sad - too bad put your big boy panties on dude! I have no clue what is wrong with this band - this is true of almost all of their library. The lead singer I have seen a few times through the years, always a different look - makes wonder if he is still trying to either fit in or define himself. Always best to just be yourself!
But, I like this song the best and really want to drive the Dihatsu they used for the filming......
Friday, September 2, 2011
Rewards of Taking A Walk
So, plans have sort of changed for me. I had planned a cycling adventure on Vancouver Island in Canada, but that sort of got messed up. I was trying out some new lighter pedals on my bike and managed to roll my right ankle right off the pedal and into the realm of pain. Lots of hot soaks and ice packs for the poor dog, as Dutchman calls it.
Wanting to see how I could do with walking short distances - after all I need to do something now that I will be in Canada and cycleless! I walked down to the corner, about 100 yards turned around and suddenly my nose was assaulted by the earthy-rich smell of truffles! Yes, somewhere around me there were truffles to be found! And find them, I did indeed!
So now I have about 8 ounces of luscious white truffles awaiting tonight's dinner. Whatever shall I make?!?!? I am thinking Italian here.....
Oh, yeah side tracked myself I am so excited!
Back to the trip! So, I will not be posting for the next week and a half - unless I find some free wireless as I am touristing about. I will be easy to find - just look for the really big guy on crutches with ice packs hanging out his pockets.....
Of course, if I manage to find myself in need of more prayer than usual (and I really do hope you remember this klutz daily in your prayers!), I will have the kids posting something on here. Sigh, I really do hate being a klutz, it is a daily assault on my body.
Wanting to see how I could do with walking short distances - after all I need to do something now that I will be in Canada and cycleless! I walked down to the corner, about 100 yards turned around and suddenly my nose was assaulted by the earthy-rich smell of truffles! Yes, somewhere around me there were truffles to be found! And find them, I did indeed!
So now I have about 8 ounces of luscious white truffles awaiting tonight's dinner. Whatever shall I make?!?!? I am thinking Italian here.....
Oh, yeah side tracked myself I am so excited!
Back to the trip! So, I will not be posting for the next week and a half - unless I find some free wireless as I am touristing about. I will be easy to find - just look for the really big guy on crutches with ice packs hanging out his pockets.....
Of course, if I manage to find myself in need of more prayer than usual (and I really do hope you remember this klutz daily in your prayers!), I will have the kids posting something on here. Sigh, I really do hate being a klutz, it is a daily assault on my body.
Dreamland
Son and I crossed swords again last night, however I held my cool and just keep repeating what the problem is and asking how it was going to be solved without him addressing his many problems. Of course there is no resolution, sigh.
So it was a restless night in dreamland, partly because I half expect him to go off on me in one of his delusional rants and try to settle the score with a bat or knife while I sleep. Yeah, no way to live but what you are stuck with when you did not give tthe boot a year ago when he really needed it. Sigh.
But, it was interesting in that I was dreaming in French last night. Was I so stressed out that I was reliving the 1966 uprising in northern France? It was a horrible time and many of my friends were killed - hacked to death, when we got off of our school bus. All that saved this little German's hide was that my cooking instructor was the wife of a national hero from WWII and his word was THE law. Of course, that did nothing to help those already dead. And people wonder why I have problems with the French! Sigh.
Why can't I have a nice dream, on a warm Mexican beach with unending mojitos and some pleasant amigas. Apparently that would be too kind for my mind to do to me.
Sigh.
So it was a restless night in dreamland, partly because I half expect him to go off on me in one of his delusional rants and try to settle the score with a bat or knife while I sleep. Yeah, no way to live but what you are stuck with when you did not give tthe boot a year ago when he really needed it. Sigh.
But, it was interesting in that I was dreaming in French last night. Was I so stressed out that I was reliving the 1966 uprising in northern France? It was a horrible time and many of my friends were killed - hacked to death, when we got off of our school bus. All that saved this little German's hide was that my cooking instructor was the wife of a national hero from WWII and his word was THE law. Of course, that did nothing to help those already dead. And people wonder why I have problems with the French! Sigh.
Why can't I have a nice dream, on a warm Mexican beach with unending mojitos and some pleasant amigas. Apparently that would be too kind for my mind to do to me.
Sigh.
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