Second Day in Canada

The second day in Canada was WET! We had a slow start to the day, before heading off with Lance to buy coats and other things to stay warm. I got a pale blue coat, Dad got a black one which looks so much better than his yucky old khaki one and Lance bought three for himself, but it is his birthday soon. He also has another dog coming, which causes for excitement all around!

After we finished our coat shopping, we hopped on the sky train into downtown Vancouver to meet Gabi for lunch. It was very wet, I kept tripping on the back of my jeans because I’m short and making my whole leg wet. Whilst I was wet, it wasn’t really too cold, well not as cold as it could be nor as it’s going to get. But Dad and Jonathon both had a fleece on underneath their coats, and Dad’s coat alone is meant to be for –25 weather. I don’t know how well he will do in New York!

We met Gabi for lunch, before she had to take off for work, because she has a big meeting coming up and we all went for a walk to downtown Vancouver. Our first stop was to buy umbrellas – cheap umbrellas. I got a pink one, Mum got a purple one and Jonathon and Dad are both manly and got black.

Next, we walked around in the wet down to the waterfront and then around to Gastown – the old part of Vancouver. We saw a steam clock but then turned around kind of fast. It wasn’t the best day for tourism, and we wanted to head back to Gabi’s work, and look around there a bit at the shops.

Back home, all the tourists stuff just looks so tacky and awful and you don’t think anyone would ever buy it but when you’re over here you just look for it all the time. You just keep your eye out for something that is perfect.

We then went to a little bakery where they gave us little samples of caramel cookies, of course, I gave mine to Jonathon. I don’t like caramel, so Mum gave me the little red heart on the top of the cookie. I was excited and began to eat it and it was nice to begin with until I realized – with horror – that it was crystallized ginger! Mum though it was hilarious as I was in PAIN and we headed back to where we had lunch to grab a coffee. Mum and Dad had coffee, Jonathon had hot chocolate but contrary to the weather and just desperate for some relief from the ginger – I had 7Up.

Then Gabi arrived and it was about 4:30pm, and dusk. We took off to the SkyTrain and Gabi told us of a special route that took a bit longer but we were all GUARANTEED a seat. She was wrong. She and Jonathon missed out on a seat, until halfway through and the train was packed, but there was a very cute baby who kept me entertained.

But we soon found out that the fun for the day had hardly begun as we went to Gabi’s car, and she had assured us it could possibly be the least comfortable car trip ever but it would be legal. We scoffed, thinking of our car trips in Dubai and Malaysia but it turns out, I think she was right. Gabi has a huge truck, for the dogs, but really… it is FOR the dogs. The dogs have plenty of rooms, whereas the five of us crammed into a space 1 X 2m, Jonathon and I were in the back and Mum, Dad and Gabi were in the front. It was hilarious but I wouldn’t want to drive to Whistler like that!

For dinner, Lance had hunted and gathered. Well, not really, but someone had done so for him as there was fresh salmon which Jonathon, Dad and Lance ate. Mum, Gabi and I stuck to the chicken and steak. One of the most interesting elements to the meal, however, was the salad which was strawberry and feta salad with raspberry dressing… unlike anything I’ve ever eaten.

We spent the rest of the evening eating chocolates and watching the dogs on television… we watched Yoschy be good… then Yoschy be bad, same with Zando and then some boxer dogs who weren’t as spectacular as the German Shepherds (though Mum may say different)

Day 3 will be us going to Whistler, Gabi at her very important meeting and Lance getting his dog.