Victoria-BC
After assembling our bikes and packing a week's worth of stuff into our day-backpacks we rode to catch the ferry to Victoria.
The ride wasn't very long, and quite scenic and pretty.
I took me some time to get used to riding with a saddle/trunk thingamaboobie, as I am not used to riding with anything on my bike, plus the massive backpack for our few days stay in Victoria.
We got going quite late from Vancouver; Lewis is very slow and methodical in his preparations; he takes about the same time to get ready as an entire class of teenaged girls getting ready for the prom.
I pack and prepare more along the lines of a drug dealer moving across a Singaporian border-just get it done as quickly as possible.
So we're both up against each other's paces; Lewis was keenly excited to learn from my dad in the car ride to the airport that my mother is very impatient.
He jumped at the chance to blame it on genetics, as he made the quick connection between my impatience and my mother's---my genetic legacy.
Anyhow, to look on the bright side, this is a chance for the both of us to work on our short-comings-me to learn more patience, and he to make haste.
Or, I could take this as an opportunity to hone my nagging and moaning skills, but those who know me might say that they are already perfected to a near art form, and need no more work.
I shall therefore take the other track, and perhaps learn to meditate while Lewis alphabetizes his socks, and arranges his t-shirts according to color and material; I will instead re-channel my energy for the greater good!
Eventually we made it to this shuttle service that carries one's bikes to the other side of a tunnel, (3 minute drive) and then plunks you down on the other side (free service!)
We made this shuttle with two minutes to spare-literally. We didn't know it ran on a two hour schedule, otherwise we'd have to have sat and waited until 5pm.
We cycled another 15 or so km to catch the ferry, where we got into a friendly conversation with the ticket guy at the ferry docks.
It was there that I gorged on a spectacular foot-in-mouth-meal.
Lewis started chatting with the Ticket Guy (TG) about cycling:
TG: "Yea, I've just taken up arm-powered cycling."
Lewis: "Oh interesting, why do they cycle with the arms simultaneously and not one at a time, like pedalling?"
TG: "Probably for balance, and to avoid spinal twisting or something like that."
Me: (standing further back so I could not see his lower-half)
"Oh yea, and why that kind of cycling and not the leg-powered kind?"
Awkward, bum clenching silence followed by:
TG: "Er, because it's for people with, um, disabilities."
I had failed to see that he was propped up on a stool, and did not have any legs attached to his torso.
Aiiieeee, I needed some water to wash down my foot!
Note to self: Always endeavor to see the whole person before making any comments about what kind of physical activity one should engage in.
The rest of the trip was relatively embarrassment-free, thank goodness!
We finally arrived in glorious Victoria- I can't believe how pretty is it here.
We're staying at some family friends-Janice and David who have recently moved here from Toronto, and have set themselves up here with what appears to be the most wonderful life.
They live in a gorgeous home, with this spectacular garden that has the most amazing array of plants: kiwi fruit, strawberries, apples trees, blue and blackberries, an entire herb garden with wonderful floating fragrances, and flowers that look like they have been painted-the colors are so vibrant.
They are so lucky to live here!
Plants and flowers are so abundant here; it seems that all one has to do is wave some soil in the general direction of a plant and it springs roots-it's quite amazing.
David runs a hostel in town with his son, and Janice is winding down her speech and language pathology practice.
I remember how nerve-wracking it was for them when they left TO a few years back, but they have really done it-good on them!
Today Janice is going to show us around town.
We're here until Thursday, and will head back to Vancouver on Friday to meet up with our family to-be (of 30 people) for the next 72 days.
When we get back to Van I will post my pics (my laptop is in Van.)
Check out this link to view some pics...the first few are of our stay at Janice and David's place, and the last few are of our stay at Dama and Roland's place, you can see some of Roland's art in their home. It was really good to spend some time with Dama, in their home, where Roland's presence is still very strong, and his spirit is still very much there.
Will write more about it soon....
http://www.kodakgallery.com/Slideshow.jsp?mode=fromshare&Uc=w1ru7rm.ckwumfyq&Uy=-lgkgu9&Ux=0
