We arrived at the San Antonio airport about 6AM, well before our scheduled 8:25AM departure time ... while waiting at the gate Carolyn heard an announcement at a nearby gate that indicated seats on that plane leaving at 7:10AM were available... we jumped at the chance to get to Dallas an hour earlier (and get away from any possible Dolly caused delay) and were in fact "off". (We surrendered our 1st class seats on this leg but the flight was only 45 minutes ... plus what seemed like an hour taxi once we were in Dallas ... I'm pretty sure the plane actually landed in Waco and drove up IH35 to the airport).
We joyfully boarded our flight from DFW to Vancouver as a part of the 'privileged 1st class' group and after a brief mechanical problem were leaving Texas and Dolly in the rearview mirror.
A couple of comments about 1st class plane travel (since we very rarely get to do it it is a novelty to us). #1 the seats are nice and wide #2 the Chardonay served with the "turkey on a bun" was a little pretensive and #3 the warm chocolate chip cookie served on a china plate was a nice touch!!
Arrival in Vancouver was uneventful and ontime ... and then .... there was "Customs at the Vancouver Airport". Seasoned international travelers may be accoustomed to the veritable sea of humanity flowing thru a busy port's customs ... for me, with Cozumel as my only real reference, customs at the Vancouver airport and the 1 hour wait in line to get through to our baggage claim was ... in a word, "torture". People that know me, know that I am not a patient person ... I had an overwhelming, almost uncontainable urge to "moo" ....once we got to the baggage carousel I was roundly cussed out by two extremely senior citizens when I accidentally bumped into the little old lady ... I was in no mood for hassle but managed not to deck the old fart that was her husband. Ahhhhh ... stepping outside the terminal was indeed a breath of mostly fresh and definitely cooler and dryer (than Texas) air ... oh wait ... we have to wait in line for a Taxi ... oh wait ... our bags won't fit in the micro-Taxis ... WE have to have a freekin' van .... geeze ... 4 bags and 2 carry-ons?? Give me a break.
Ok so a $32 +tip cab ride later we arrive at the Victorian Hotel ... now I KNEW it was "old" and there were no elevators ... but when I saw that our room was #107 I'm thinking "cool ... ground floor no problem..." .... not so fast bucko ... #107 is ... up this double flight of stairs, down a long corridor that resembles something out of "The Shining" movie, up another double flight of stairs and down another 1890's corridor ... as I was struggling with bag #1 a very helpful Amazonian with a Swedish accent maid grabbed bag #2 like it was a feather and guided me to room #107 where my key didn't work but thankfully hers did ... I shoved the bags in the room closed the door (the maid had disappeared ... was she really here???) and desperately tried to remember the twists, turns and stairways I had traversed to get back to the front desk to ask for another key, collect Carolyn and bags 3 & 4 ...
We walked down to the "tourist district" which is kinda a mixture of 6th street in Austin, Burbon st in New Orleans and downtown San Antonio. One thing we noticed is that there are many different nationalities of people walking the street (mostly tourists I suppose) and most of them seemed to be in their 20's and 30's. We walked down to "Canada Place" where the ships leave and we will be tomorrow morning around 11AM. We had dinner "al fresco" and by the time it was served (around 5:30PM here) it was plenty "fresco" for a couple of thin blooded Texans!
I took a few photos but nothing of real note .... I include this one because one thing that really caught our eye as we were riding the taxi from the airport and walking downtown were the beautiful flowers hanging in baskets, in front of stores, in store windows ... all over the place ... just lovely ... San Antonio could learn from this for the River Walk.
More tomorrow from the ship!
Bade
Wednesday, July 23, 2008
Oh Canada ... (or let's wait in line...)
Posted by Unknown at 6:31 PM
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6 comments:
Many chuckles elicited from this post - I enjoyed your comment of the taxi length in Dallas. In the past four years, we have done much travel through the DFW airport - and it is ALWAYS a long taxi, and your estimate of landing in Waco is more or less accurate.
Ah, 1st class travelers - very nice (something we were NOT on our flight on the mini jet back from Mexico City) - nice touch dad, very nice.
I have quite the mental image of you trying to curb your impatience at waiting and then being cussed out by the little old lady. Didn't you know it is YOUR responsibility to watch out for them - they do have privileges (as I quote Elvera) and accept no responsibility. I hope you got cussed in French. If so, we can ask Lauren and Allen to translate it for you so you can fully appreciate the vulgarity I imagine in my brain.
Sounds like quite the hotel you have arranged - and having BEEN in the Stanley Hotel in Estes Park, Colorado, that is one creeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeepy place on the 4th floor (which was the floor that a slightly inebriated Stephen King was wondering lost in when inspired to write the Shining).
I am really looking forward to more insights and enjoyed the run down!
!Disfrute!
This blog post made us both laugh out loud! I am really digging your style in this one - very descriptive, witty, quick, like we are right there with you, or right with Carolyn waiting for you to return from the gallows. I love hotels like that!
I had no idea that Vancouver was a popular place for our people, the 20 somethings. The picture looks great.
If the rest of your blog posts from this trip will resemble this one, we are in for a real treat!
Bon Voyage!
Oh, here's a focused question/wonder: let us know how you keep up with your exercise regimen while on the ship!
Ah yes...Canadian international customs...I forgot about that 'special experience'. Your observations had me laughing. Because of my hippie-ass looks, whenever I traveled up to Canada, I'd always get taken off into the side hallways for more questioning/detailed baggage search. I made noise about it once and they flagged my profile for coming back into the States. I should have been patient...so you two took the right approach. But cuzzing senior citizens - you should have bumped her hard so she fell down :)
Yea, the Empress is an old hotel - your Shining analogy had me laughing. Downtown Victoria is a pretty place - very British-like. Looks like you had outstanding weather...this time of year, that should stay with you. Enjoy.
You must be excited about getting on your ship...looking forward to more posts. Stay away from the Chardoney - I heard Texans prefer box wine. - Steve
You must remember that you are now among people who are more cultured and sensitive to the human condition than you are.
I do love that area. The spectacle of mountains meeting the ocean is one we don't get to enjoy often.
BTW...the first substantial feeder band is passing through right now. Your yard IS getting rain.
I was just going to comment on what Pete already said...San Antonio is finally getting the rain it needs as the outer band of Dolly is currently pummeling the area with rain.
by the way, I love the description of the "Cussin' Oldies." It's like, "Hi, welcome to Canada, f**k you!"
Good call on the pretentious nature of the Chardonnay and turkey sandwich.
oh now Dad, The shinning. How odd and creepy. It is good to find out that you did make it to the hotel after your long journey thru the airport, customs, and taxis.
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