Hey everyone,
I hope you are all enjoying this marvelous Edmonton weather (or wherever you are!). I have had a restful few days after a long and tiresome weekend. On Saturday, my family and I rebuilt our front porch and boy, was it exhausting. I am not fond of digging trenches and 2 foot holes in the ground for posts. But it won't have to be done again for a long time. Two days and the stairs look really good. I deserved a peaceful couple of days.
And now I leave for another trip. My parents, baby brother and I are going to Jasper for a few days. I love going to the mountains. We have always taken family trips to Jasper: camping, hiking in the mountains, relaxing by the campfire, roasting marshmallows. It doesn't get much better than that. And I love that Jasper is pretty close to Edmonton, just a 3-4 hour drive. We will be gone for 3 nights, 4 days. I am hoping that I can get my Australia trip planned.
I cannot believe that I leave in a few weeks. It hit me last night just before I dozed off: I have so much to do! I need to contact people I know in the places I am going. I need to figure out an itinerary. I need to look into transportation issues for Oz. I need to figure out my budget. I need to investigate the cool things to do. I need to talk to people who have been to Australia to get ideas. I need to say goodbye to a lot of people. I need to calm down! I keep forgetting that while travelling, plans change. Things happen. And usually it all turns out for the best. Relax Lisa, enjoy yourself. (Oh great, now I am talking to myself!).
I will talk to you all in a few days. I am off to enjoy the magestic Canadian Rocky Mountains!
Love, Lisa
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
Thursday, July 23, 2009
Sadly, plans change!
Well, this week didn't go as planned. I had hoped to drive to Drumheller on my way to Yellowstone, USA to visit a friend. I had the car packed, map out and my passport ready (after I went back for it... luckily, I was only 15 minutes away when I remembered). And then I started driving alone... and kept driving all alone... and finally arrived in Drumheller alone and feeling horrible.
The 4.5 hour drive taught me a lot about myself. I do not cope well in a car alone for long periods of time. I am not able to cover long distances driving non-stop (or even with a few breaks). I have not been paying attention to my health this year and am suffering.
A few years ago, I was diagnosed with anemia... and I had it bad. My ferratin levels dropped to dangerous levels and I was taking multiple iron supplements daily, trying to get my iron stores back up. If anyone has suffered from anemia, they know the effect it can take on your body and your life. For me, I get extremely exhausted, physically unable to be active, irritable and my mind just isn't as sharp. Last time, it took me 6-7 months to get my levels back to a reasonable level by my standards (lower than most people - I will always have lower levels). I thought everything was going well so I relaxed with the iron supplements and iron-rich diet. Then before I left for Europe, I had my blood checked. The day I left, I found out that my levels were dangerously low again. So as I was driving to the airport, I had to stop to get some iron supplements. Surprisingly, I was able to do quite a bit during my travels (not to say that I didn't suffer after pushing myself too hard sometimes!). Unfortunately, travelling is not the best time to attempt to increase iron levels. Plus, sometimes I kind of forgot that I have anemia.
So, this week my body decided to remind me. To get back to my story, the drive to Drumheller was not kind. I had a raging headache by the time I arrived and by late evening, my vision was blurring and I was so exhausted I couldn't function. It was then that I realized I couldn't go any further. I still had two days of driving to get to Yelloewstone. The drive home would have been another three days! The long drive for some reason messed with my system and I realized I need to be home and try to start the recovery process before I leave for Australia.
It was a difficult decision to make as I was really looking forward to spending time with Emmy in Yellowstone and family and friends in Calgary on my way home. But my health is important and I knew I needed to get home. I have a doctor's appointment booked for tomorrow and I have a strong feeling that she will tell me my iron levels are low... again.
Luckily, I made it home and there were no major problems (gosh, it would have been horrible to have blurry vision while driving!). I drove for 7 hours today and that was enough. Again, the headaches are back but this time, I am home where there is Advil!
But the trip wasn't all bad. I stayed in Drumheller the two nights I had planned which gave me time to tour around. I climbed a giant T-Rex tower for views over the city, drove out to the Hoodoos (eroded rock formations - very cool!), the Royal Tyrell Museum (one of the best Dinosaur museums in the world), the Little Church (slightly taller than me, and remember, I am short!) and then I remembered about an RV camp that had a Dinosaur Soup pot that me and my siblings climbed into when we were kids. I remembered exactly where it was and went out for another photo-op. The rest of my time was spent chilling in my cute, tiny campground, planning my Australia trip.
On the way home today, I decided to take a detour and drive to Vulcan, Alberta. If you have seen the movie "Trekkies", you would have heard about it. This town is Star Trek crazy! Now, I have never seen Star Trek but I thought, why not go and check it out. And to be honest, I was kind of disappointed, though I did purchase some Vulcan ears! Then it was the long drive home.
Plans change, and I guess you just have to adjust. Maybe I don't need to go too crazy with my Australia plans, right? Or maybe I have to have something planned so I can accomplish everything I want to. It's tough to find that balance. Here's hoping I can do it again.
The 4.5 hour drive taught me a lot about myself. I do not cope well in a car alone for long periods of time. I am not able to cover long distances driving non-stop (or even with a few breaks). I have not been paying attention to my health this year and am suffering.
A few years ago, I was diagnosed with anemia... and I had it bad. My ferratin levels dropped to dangerous levels and I was taking multiple iron supplements daily, trying to get my iron stores back up. If anyone has suffered from anemia, they know the effect it can take on your body and your life. For me, I get extremely exhausted, physically unable to be active, irritable and my mind just isn't as sharp. Last time, it took me 6-7 months to get my levels back to a reasonable level by my standards (lower than most people - I will always have lower levels). I thought everything was going well so I relaxed with the iron supplements and iron-rich diet. Then before I left for Europe, I had my blood checked. The day I left, I found out that my levels were dangerously low again. So as I was driving to the airport, I had to stop to get some iron supplements. Surprisingly, I was able to do quite a bit during my travels (not to say that I didn't suffer after pushing myself too hard sometimes!). Unfortunately, travelling is not the best time to attempt to increase iron levels. Plus, sometimes I kind of forgot that I have anemia.
So, this week my body decided to remind me. To get back to my story, the drive to Drumheller was not kind. I had a raging headache by the time I arrived and by late evening, my vision was blurring and I was so exhausted I couldn't function. It was then that I realized I couldn't go any further. I still had two days of driving to get to Yelloewstone. The drive home would have been another three days! The long drive for some reason messed with my system and I realized I need to be home and try to start the recovery process before I leave for Australia.
It was a difficult decision to make as I was really looking forward to spending time with Emmy in Yellowstone and family and friends in Calgary on my way home. But my health is important and I knew I needed to get home. I have a doctor's appointment booked for tomorrow and I have a strong feeling that she will tell me my iron levels are low... again.
Luckily, I made it home and there were no major problems (gosh, it would have been horrible to have blurry vision while driving!). I drove for 7 hours today and that was enough. Again, the headaches are back but this time, I am home where there is Advil!
But the trip wasn't all bad. I stayed in Drumheller the two nights I had planned which gave me time to tour around. I climbed a giant T-Rex tower for views over the city, drove out to the Hoodoos (eroded rock formations - very cool!), the Royal Tyrell Museum (one of the best Dinosaur museums in the world), the Little Church (slightly taller than me, and remember, I am short!) and then I remembered about an RV camp that had a Dinosaur Soup pot that me and my siblings climbed into when we were kids. I remembered exactly where it was and went out for another photo-op. The rest of my time was spent chilling in my cute, tiny campground, planning my Australia trip.
On the way home today, I decided to take a detour and drive to Vulcan, Alberta. If you have seen the movie "Trekkies", you would have heard about it. This town is Star Trek crazy! Now, I have never seen Star Trek but I thought, why not go and check it out. And to be honest, I was kind of disappointed, though I did purchase some Vulcan ears! Then it was the long drive home.
Plans change, and I guess you just have to adjust. Maybe I don't need to go too crazy with my Australia plans, right? Or maybe I have to have something planned so I can accomplish everything I want to. It's tough to find that balance. Here's hoping I can do it again.
Saturday, July 18, 2009
Edmonton can keep you busy!
Hey everyone,
Hope you are all enjoying your summer. The weather has finally been great. I have tried to get out and soak up the sun. I have spent a few days just basking in the sun and heat on our back patio in the garden. Lovely! Plus, I have a few more things to add to my list of the Top 20 list of Things to Do in Edmonton. Just to recap with some descriptions added:
1. Valley Zoo: the zoo is a moderate size but has a wide variety of animals considering it's location in Edmonton! A great way to spend a day, but it is definately better to go on an overcast day... all the animals come out!
2. Picnic in Hawrelak Park: a great open park in the River Valley of Edmonton and a great location for a picnic, playing games in the field with family and friends, enjoying the marvelous weather in Edmonton. Also, throughout the year there are events held in the park.
3. Rutherford House and walk around University of Alberta campus: the Rutherford House is located on campus and was refurbished in 1920's style and is a great blast into the past. They have guided tours which give a lot of history of a very influential family in Edmonton's history. Then walking through the University campus to see the diverse architecture is a great option. I love the campus as it is so open and green and chill!
4. Alberta Art Gallery: I visited the gallery in its temporary location as the new gallery is built (a truly modern and unique design). The gallery is small but has some great exhibits. The giant 8ft baby is impressive!
5. Downtown walk to see City Hall, Sir Winston Churchill Square, Citadel Theatre, Winspear Theatre, Court House, Stanley A. Milner Public Library, Jasper Avenue, Canada Place, Shaw Conference Centre, Fairmont Hotel MacDonald and a lot more old and diverse buildings: you can venture into most of the buildings but it is also great just to look at all the exteriors. What I love about downtown is that no buildings are the same! Jasper Avenue is the main drag through Downtown and is becoming a popular street to party, eat and shop on.
6. Provincial Legislature Tour and park with fountains: the Ledge offers free guided tours which show the major highlights of this magnificent beautiful building. Then resting on the grass and enjoying the wading pools outside the ledge is a great restful way to spend an afternnon.
7. Chinatown: it seems like every city has a Chinatown but it is still nice to visit - see the arch, visit the Pagoda and all the restaurants.
8. Bike ride or walk through the River Valley: Edmonton boasts the longest stretch of connected urban parkland (25km length of the River Valley Park) so it makes it easy to explore the city and embrace nature along the way.
9. Festival City: throughout the summer there are lots of festivals. I have been to the Street Performers Festival and plan on going to Taste of Edmonton (done... let me just say that all the different booths of food was tempting, and oh so tasty!), Shakespeare in the Park (in the open air Amphitheatre in Hawrelak Park, there are two Shakespeare plays per season. I saw Comedy of Errors... excellent!), Capital Ex (well, maybe not as it can be pretty expensive but if that is your thing...), and then Heritage Days (I can't wait!). Lots to do... and eat!
To add to the list,
10. Walk through Old Strathcona neighbourhood: an older neighbourhood in the city, it is also one of the most popular places to shop, visit with friends in the bars and party. The most famous street in the area is Whyte Avenue, an insane and eccentric street with everything you could want and is frequented by everybody!
11. Streetcar ride: this is so cool. The old streetcar runs from Old Strathcona along the old Canadian Pacific Railway line on top of the High Level Bridge (it is the highest streetcar route in the world!) to Jasper Avenue in Downtown Edmonton. It is thrilling, exciting and a cheap ride! And then while you are at it, you might as well check out the Alberta Railway Museum.
12. Telus World of Science: this is an excellent facility for exploration. There is a space exhibit, body room, area where you gather evidence to solve a crime, nature room, and you can't forget the temporary exhibits and the IMAX. Great for kids but even adults can enjoy it!
13. Royal Alberta Museum: the major museum in the city, it has some great exhibits including an animal area with stuffed animals in natural habitats, an Aboriginal exhibit,, historical information and plenty of other areas. Classy!
14. Fort Edmonton: this was one of my favourite places as a child and it still is a great place to go. It is a reconstruction of what Edmonton looked like at different periods in history. It has a complete fort, 1885 Street, 1905 Street, an airplane hangar, a train and streetcar to get you around and so much more. There are activities to do and employees who dress in period clothes (my sister volunteered for a few years as an period actor). Everytime I go, I learn something new and find something interesting. This year, I went when there was a Highland celebration, Scottish and Irish celebrations throughout the entire complex. Very cool!
15. Muttart Conservatory: newly renovated, the Muttart Conservatory consists of 4 pyramids that represent different climates and the plants that are represented. My Uncle and Aunt were married there so that was cool, but it is such a nice way to spend an afternoon, especially if the weather outside isn't cooperating.
16. John Janzen Nature Centre: well, the title is kind of self-explanatory but is a great place to learn about nature and in particular, to the climate in which Edmonton is located.
17. John Walter Museum: similar to Rutherford House, this is another snapshot into a old house from Edmonton's early days and another influential family.
18. Catching a game: Edmonton has a number of professional sports teams to support or at least catch a game. Hockey (NHL): Edmonton Oilers, Football (CFL): Edmonton Eskimos, Lacrosse (NLL): Edmonton Rush, Baseball (GBL): Edmonton Capitals. Then there are always the amateur and school teams or local leagues to catch a game.
19. Fun in the snow: most of the activities I have listed are geared towards the summer as that is what it is as I write this. But don't get me wrong, there is planty to do in the winter. Edmonton has a few ski hills within the city for skiing and snowboarding, there is cross-country skiing, tobagganing, making snow angels and snowmen, having snow ball fights and anyhting else you can think of.
20. Culture city: there are plenty of cultural activities to enjoy, from major concerts coming to town, to theatre productions on big and small stages, to local acts performing on any stage they can find. Edmonton has a lot of talent and lots to partcipate in at all times of the year.
Okay, so I did it! I gave you my list of the Top 20 Things to do in Edmonton. But I guess I should include another...
21. West Edmonton Mall: this is the most famous attraction in Edmonton but I did not want to include it. Yet, I cannot resist it's attraction for locals and foreigners alike. For years it was the world's largest shopping mall but that has now been eclipsed. But it is still huge! There is a bit of everything there: you could meet someone, go on some dates, get married, have a honeymoon and get everything you would need to set up home without ever leaving the mall premises. There is a hotel, amusement park, waterpark, two movie theatres, lots of restaurants, ice rink, live theatre, casino, salons, a gym, mini golf, and lots of shopping! At times it can be overwhelming but it can be handy place to find what you need.
There you have it, I have found that Edmonton has as much to offer as any other travel destination. It's been fun to explore my hometown and relive my childhood (my parents always tried to expose us to all the interesting things in Edmonton) while seeing Edmonton through tourist eyes. I won't lie, there are some things that need improvement, but Edmonton is just like any other growing metropolis. It's been fun and hopefully I gave Edmontonians some ideas of things to do and foreigners the idea to visit. Just be sure that I am home, alright?
Hope you are all enjoying your summer. The weather has finally been great. I have tried to get out and soak up the sun. I have spent a few days just basking in the sun and heat on our back patio in the garden. Lovely! Plus, I have a few more things to add to my list of the Top 20 list of Things to Do in Edmonton. Just to recap with some descriptions added:
1. Valley Zoo: the zoo is a moderate size but has a wide variety of animals considering it's location in Edmonton! A great way to spend a day, but it is definately better to go on an overcast day... all the animals come out!
2. Picnic in Hawrelak Park: a great open park in the River Valley of Edmonton and a great location for a picnic, playing games in the field with family and friends, enjoying the marvelous weather in Edmonton. Also, throughout the year there are events held in the park.
3. Rutherford House and walk around University of Alberta campus: the Rutherford House is located on campus and was refurbished in 1920's style and is a great blast into the past. They have guided tours which give a lot of history of a very influential family in Edmonton's history. Then walking through the University campus to see the diverse architecture is a great option. I love the campus as it is so open and green and chill!
4. Alberta Art Gallery: I visited the gallery in its temporary location as the new gallery is built (a truly modern and unique design). The gallery is small but has some great exhibits. The giant 8ft baby is impressive!
5. Downtown walk to see City Hall, Sir Winston Churchill Square, Citadel Theatre, Winspear Theatre, Court House, Stanley A. Milner Public Library, Jasper Avenue, Canada Place, Shaw Conference Centre, Fairmont Hotel MacDonald and a lot more old and diverse buildings: you can venture into most of the buildings but it is also great just to look at all the exteriors. What I love about downtown is that no buildings are the same! Jasper Avenue is the main drag through Downtown and is becoming a popular street to party, eat and shop on.
6. Provincial Legislature Tour and park with fountains: the Ledge offers free guided tours which show the major highlights of this magnificent beautiful building. Then resting on the grass and enjoying the wading pools outside the ledge is a great restful way to spend an afternnon.
7. Chinatown: it seems like every city has a Chinatown but it is still nice to visit - see the arch, visit the Pagoda and all the restaurants.
8. Bike ride or walk through the River Valley: Edmonton boasts the longest stretch of connected urban parkland (25km length of the River Valley Park) so it makes it easy to explore the city and embrace nature along the way.
9. Festival City: throughout the summer there are lots of festivals. I have been to the Street Performers Festival and plan on going to Taste of Edmonton (done... let me just say that all the different booths of food was tempting, and oh so tasty!), Shakespeare in the Park (in the open air Amphitheatre in Hawrelak Park, there are two Shakespeare plays per season. I saw Comedy of Errors... excellent!), Capital Ex (well, maybe not as it can be pretty expensive but if that is your thing...), and then Heritage Days (I can't wait!). Lots to do... and eat!
To add to the list,
10. Walk through Old Strathcona neighbourhood: an older neighbourhood in the city, it is also one of the most popular places to shop, visit with friends in the bars and party. The most famous street in the area is Whyte Avenue, an insane and eccentric street with everything you could want and is frequented by everybody!
11. Streetcar ride: this is so cool. The old streetcar runs from Old Strathcona along the old Canadian Pacific Railway line on top of the High Level Bridge (it is the highest streetcar route in the world!) to Jasper Avenue in Downtown Edmonton. It is thrilling, exciting and a cheap ride! And then while you are at it, you might as well check out the Alberta Railway Museum.
12. Telus World of Science: this is an excellent facility for exploration. There is a space exhibit, body room, area where you gather evidence to solve a crime, nature room, and you can't forget the temporary exhibits and the IMAX. Great for kids but even adults can enjoy it!
13. Royal Alberta Museum: the major museum in the city, it has some great exhibits including an animal area with stuffed animals in natural habitats, an Aboriginal exhibit,, historical information and plenty of other areas. Classy!
14. Fort Edmonton: this was one of my favourite places as a child and it still is a great place to go. It is a reconstruction of what Edmonton looked like at different periods in history. It has a complete fort, 1885 Street, 1905 Street, an airplane hangar, a train and streetcar to get you around and so much more. There are activities to do and employees who dress in period clothes (my sister volunteered for a few years as an period actor). Everytime I go, I learn something new and find something interesting. This year, I went when there was a Highland celebration, Scottish and Irish celebrations throughout the entire complex. Very cool!
15. Muttart Conservatory: newly renovated, the Muttart Conservatory consists of 4 pyramids that represent different climates and the plants that are represented. My Uncle and Aunt were married there so that was cool, but it is such a nice way to spend an afternoon, especially if the weather outside isn't cooperating.
16. John Janzen Nature Centre: well, the title is kind of self-explanatory but is a great place to learn about nature and in particular, to the climate in which Edmonton is located.
17. John Walter Museum: similar to Rutherford House, this is another snapshot into a old house from Edmonton's early days and another influential family.
18. Catching a game: Edmonton has a number of professional sports teams to support or at least catch a game. Hockey (NHL): Edmonton Oilers, Football (CFL): Edmonton Eskimos, Lacrosse (NLL): Edmonton Rush, Baseball (GBL): Edmonton Capitals. Then there are always the amateur and school teams or local leagues to catch a game.
19. Fun in the snow: most of the activities I have listed are geared towards the summer as that is what it is as I write this. But don't get me wrong, there is planty to do in the winter. Edmonton has a few ski hills within the city for skiing and snowboarding, there is cross-country skiing, tobagganing, making snow angels and snowmen, having snow ball fights and anyhting else you can think of.
20. Culture city: there are plenty of cultural activities to enjoy, from major concerts coming to town, to theatre productions on big and small stages, to local acts performing on any stage they can find. Edmonton has a lot of talent and lots to partcipate in at all times of the year.
Okay, so I did it! I gave you my list of the Top 20 Things to do in Edmonton. But I guess I should include another...
21. West Edmonton Mall: this is the most famous attraction in Edmonton but I did not want to include it. Yet, I cannot resist it's attraction for locals and foreigners alike. For years it was the world's largest shopping mall but that has now been eclipsed. But it is still huge! There is a bit of everything there: you could meet someone, go on some dates, get married, have a honeymoon and get everything you would need to set up home without ever leaving the mall premises. There is a hotel, amusement park, waterpark, two movie theatres, lots of restaurants, ice rink, live theatre, casino, salons, a gym, mini golf, and lots of shopping! At times it can be overwhelming but it can be handy place to find what you need.
There you have it, I have found that Edmonton has as much to offer as any other travel destination. It's been fun to explore my hometown and relive my childhood (my parents always tried to expose us to all the interesting things in Edmonton) while seeing Edmonton through tourist eyes. I won't lie, there are some things that need improvement, but Edmonton is just like any other growing metropolis. It's been fun and hopefully I gave Edmontonians some ideas of things to do and foreigners the idea to visit. Just be sure that I am home, alright?
Friday, July 10, 2009
Still in Edmonton
I am still in Edmonton and it looks like I will be around for the next week. I have managed to do very little in the past few days. Hopefully my days will be a little more eventful. But just to recap, my Top 20 list of Things to Do in Edmonton consists of:
1. Valley Zoo
2. Picnic in Hawrelak Park
3. Rutherford House and walk around University of Alberta campus
4. Alberta Art Gallery
5. Downtown walk to see City Hall, Sir Winston Churchill Square, Citadel Theatre, Winspear Theatre, Court House, Stanley A. Milner Public Library, Jasper Avenue, Canada Place, Shaw Conference Centre, Fairmont Hotel MacDonald and a lot more old and diverse buildings
6. Provincial Legislature Tour and park with fountains
7. Chinatown
8. Bike ride or walk through the River Valley
To add to the list,
9. Festival City: throughout the summer there are lots of festivals. I have been to the Street Performers Festival and plan on going to Taste of Edmonton, Capital Ex, and then Heritage Days. Lots to do... and eat!
Hopefully I'll add some more in the following week. Unemployment doesn't mean I do nothing during the day, right?
So, good news: I have officially booked my flights and planned the rest of my trips. I had originally planned on leaving next week for Drumheller, Alberta but have moved that back so that I can visit it on my way down to Yellowstone (save on gas - how environmentally friendly). On my way back from Yellowstone, I plan on stopping in Calgary. And I have booked my flight to Washington DC on August 14 for my trek through Northeast USA. On September 1 I fly from New York to Los Angeles and then to Sydney, Australia. It's done... I am off for just over 4 months to Oz. I will be there for Christmas (on a beach...) and New Years (in Sydney, party on!).
The rest of this year is going to be amazing. Hope you come along for the ride!
1. Valley Zoo
2. Picnic in Hawrelak Park
3. Rutherford House and walk around University of Alberta campus
4. Alberta Art Gallery
5. Downtown walk to see City Hall, Sir Winston Churchill Square, Citadel Theatre, Winspear Theatre, Court House, Stanley A. Milner Public Library, Jasper Avenue, Canada Place, Shaw Conference Centre, Fairmont Hotel MacDonald and a lot more old and diverse buildings
6. Provincial Legislature Tour and park with fountains
7. Chinatown
8. Bike ride or walk through the River Valley
To add to the list,
9. Festival City: throughout the summer there are lots of festivals. I have been to the Street Performers Festival and plan on going to Taste of Edmonton, Capital Ex, and then Heritage Days. Lots to do... and eat!
Hopefully I'll add some more in the following week. Unemployment doesn't mean I do nothing during the day, right?
So, good news: I have officially booked my flights and planned the rest of my trips. I had originally planned on leaving next week for Drumheller, Alberta but have moved that back so that I can visit it on my way down to Yellowstone (save on gas - how environmentally friendly). On my way back from Yellowstone, I plan on stopping in Calgary. And I have booked my flight to Washington DC on August 14 for my trek through Northeast USA. On September 1 I fly from New York to Los Angeles and then to Sydney, Australia. It's done... I am off for just over 4 months to Oz. I will be there for Christmas (on a beach...) and New Years (in Sydney, party on!).
The rest of this year is going to be amazing. Hope you come along for the ride!
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
Edmonton Pics
Here are some pictures of my travels around my hometown, Edmonton. Read the blog post below for more information on my Top 20 Things to do in Edmonton.
Our lovely Legislature Building reflected in the pool in the front. I love this picture!
The inside of City Hall - a very modern building...
... with very ancient inspirations! Everybody loves a pyramid! This is the outside of City Hall, with the clock tower, fountain and Sir Winston Churchill Square.
And one of the best hotels in the city, the Fairmont Hotel MacDonald (there's a lot of history there!)
Me outside the temporary location of the Alberta Art Gallery (they are currently rebuilding the Art Gallery building into a modern masterpiece!)
Some great art on the wall of the Education Building at the University of Alberta Campus
Rutherford Library - one of my old haunts from my Uni days
One of the older buildings on Campus - and one of my favourites!
And of course, Tory Building, where I spent most of my time in class getting my degree.
Rutherford House - a great and forgotten museum on University campus. It is lovely and a preservation of a house from the early 1900's
My favourite animal, the elephant! This is Lucy.
Me in front of the Valley Zoo.
My picnic in Hawrelak Park (the lake is a little bigger than in the picture).
A trail in the River Valley.
The North Saskatchewan River which cuts through the middle of the city.
Our lovely Legislature Building reflected in the pool in the front. I love this picture!
The inside of City Hall - a very modern building...
... with very ancient inspirations! Everybody loves a pyramid! This is the outside of City Hall, with the clock tower, fountain and Sir Winston Churchill Square.
And one of the best hotels in the city, the Fairmont Hotel MacDonald (there's a lot of history there!)
Me outside the temporary location of the Alberta Art Gallery (they are currently rebuilding the Art Gallery building into a modern masterpiece!)
Some great art on the wall of the Education Building at the University of Alberta Campus
Rutherford Library - one of my old haunts from my Uni days
One of the older buildings on Campus - and one of my favourites!
And of course, Tory Building, where I spent most of my time in class getting my degree.
Rutherford House - a great and forgotten museum on University campus. It is lovely and a preservation of a house from the early 1900's
My favourite animal, the elephant! This is Lucy.
Me in front of the Valley Zoo.
My picnic in Hawrelak Park (the lake is a little bigger than in the picture).
A trail in the River Valley.
The North Saskatchewan River which cuts through the middle of the city.
Some photos from Edmonton
An Edmonton City bus, a great way of getting around the city.
Or perhaps by bicycle? I love my bike. But remember, it is illegal to ride without a helmet!
Amazing clouds over Edmonton... a storm was brewing!
A day out in the bush. My Dad, Mom and I went out to collect diamond willow branches for carving.
And Dad let me cut a few... look at the size of the knife! Don't mess with me... I'm dangerous! Except, I couldn't stop singing the Monty Python song "I'm a lumberjack and I'm okay..." Maybe not so dangerous.
Top 20 in Edmonton...
Well, I can say I have tried really hard to see the city everyday but unfortunately the weather has messed that up a bit. I had absolutely amazing weather in Europe and Eastern Canada but since I have returned, it has not been great. This past week it has rained everyday and today there were even tornado warnings! Of course, I was oblivious and walking around downtown. So I have tried.
So far, I have found a few things to do in Edmonton. I think I might start my Top 20 list now and just add to it as I go along. So here is what I have done so far (and in no particular order):
1. Valley Zoo
2. Picnic in Hawrelak Park
3. Rutherford House and walk around University of Alberta campus
4. Alberta Art Gallery
5. Downtown walk to see City Hall, Sir Winston Churchill Square, Citadel Theatre, Winspear Theatre, Court House, Stanley A. Milner Public Library, Jasper Avenue, Canada Place, Shaw Conference Centre, Fairmont Hotel MacDonald and a lot more old and diverse buildings
6. Provincial Legislature Tour and park with fountains
7. Chinatown
8. Bike ride or walk through the River Valley
In only a few days and with questionable weather, this is what I have accomplished. And there is so much more! I can easily fill my days with sightseeing. But of course I have to get some visits in with family and friends while I can.
Today I booked my next flights. It is official: I fly to Washington DC on August 14 and then fly from New York to Los Angeles and on to Sydney, Australia on September 1. I will be in the Australia area until January 6 - just over 4 months! So cool! Plus, I decided to spend the holidays overseas: how often can I spend Christmas on a beach? And I have heard Sydney is the place to be for New Years!
So the year just keeps getting better.
Thank you to everyone who has supported me this year and followed my travels. I feel honoured that you care and I hope you feel like you are on the journey with me!
Love, Lisa
So far, I have found a few things to do in Edmonton. I think I might start my Top 20 list now and just add to it as I go along. So here is what I have done so far (and in no particular order):
1. Valley Zoo
2. Picnic in Hawrelak Park
3. Rutherford House and walk around University of Alberta campus
4. Alberta Art Gallery
5. Downtown walk to see City Hall, Sir Winston Churchill Square, Citadel Theatre, Winspear Theatre, Court House, Stanley A. Milner Public Library, Jasper Avenue, Canada Place, Shaw Conference Centre, Fairmont Hotel MacDonald and a lot more old and diverse buildings
6. Provincial Legislature Tour and park with fountains
7. Chinatown
8. Bike ride or walk through the River Valley
In only a few days and with questionable weather, this is what I have accomplished. And there is so much more! I can easily fill my days with sightseeing. But of course I have to get some visits in with family and friends while I can.
Today I booked my next flights. It is official: I fly to Washington DC on August 14 and then fly from New York to Los Angeles and on to Sydney, Australia on September 1. I will be in the Australia area until January 6 - just over 4 months! So cool! Plus, I decided to spend the holidays overseas: how often can I spend Christmas on a beach? And I have heard Sydney is the place to be for New Years!
So the year just keeps getting better.
Thank you to everyone who has supported me this year and followed my travels. I feel honoured that you care and I hope you feel like you are on the journey with me!
Love, Lisa
Friday, July 3, 2009
Back home again...
Hey everyone! Glad to talk to you again. The past week has been eventful. I had a great few days in Ottawa with my mother at the end of our trip. The drive from Quebec to Ottawa was long but I made it there in 5.5 hours with only two 5 minute breaks. I was beat by the end! We were able to visit the Museum of Civilisation which was really well done. Just like every city, there was an Egyptian exhibit so I was reminded of my amazing trip to Egypt. Then we saw the changing of the guard in front of Parliament which was impressive.
On our last day, we visited the grandparents of my sister's boyfriend. They were the typical Greek grandparents. We were there for 5 hours and were eating pretty much the whole time. Koula just kept feeding us! But it was a lovely visit and they reminded me of my grandparents. My Oma and Opa (my father's parents) were the kindest and most welcoming people I have ever known. And Oma was always feeding us good German food and doling out hugs! I have missed them since there passing. So it was nice to feel that love again!
The flight to Edmonton was cool in that the pilot flew around a thunder storm rather than fly through it. That was really cool in that we got to see the typical anvil shape of the clouds thousands of feet above the ground. Very cool!
The next day was Canada Day. This year Canada turned 142! I spent the day getting ready for our BBQ - we had family and some friends over for a party. It was a lot of fun and I really had a great time chatting with everyone, telling stories (obviously, I have quite a few) and enjoying the company of the people I love! Our garden is a lot more fun now - while I was in Europe my family re-did the patio and purchased a hot tub! It is an amazing way to end the day! Then while I was in Eastern Canada with my mother, my father and brothers built a putting green and driving range. I guess I don't have to leave home at all... I have everything here!
But, I will be leaving on another trip soon. I just can't get enough! I have already started to book my trip to Yellowstone in the United States at the end of July. I am so excited to go: I get to see an iconic park and I get to see Emmy again. If you remember, I met Emmy on my Greece trip and visited with her the week I was in Rome. It will be great to see her again.
I also plan on going to Drumheller, Alberta in the middle of July. Drumheller is known for it's numerous dinosaur bone finds. So that should be a lot of fun. I remeber going as a child and just loving the museum and going around in the surrounding desert.
The most exciting news of the past few days is... I have been granted my Australian Working Travel Visa! Now I can book my flights and start planning that trip. I have always wanted to go to Australia and I am so excited that it will finally happen. I wasn't planning on working at all this year but now, I think it might be cool to do some work in Australia if necessary.
Other than sifting through my thousands of pictures and piles of papers from Europe, my days have been pretty quiet. I do miss the activity of travelling but am starting to feel better about being home. My first night after returning from Ottawa was pretty bad. I didn't sleep at all: I just kept looking around my room and seeing all my prized possessions. And I felt so out of place. I have realized that I do not need very much to be happy: I do not need a lot of materialistic items. Another thing I was struggling with was the quiet: I hate to say it but I had gotten so used to sleeping in hostels. It feels weird to be in my room... in the quiet... without distractions. Weird!
My plan for next week is to explore Edmonton, my hometown. I remember doing cool things as a child, so I want to explore them again and to find other great things to do. In talking to the people I met on my travels, I realized that I did not know very much about my own hometown. So I have now decided to find the top 20 things to do in Edmonton. And it will not include West Edmonton Mall! I will keep you posted on my discoveries and hopefully, fellow Edmontonians will go out and explore. And those who aren't from Edmonton, maybe it will excite you enough to come to Edmonton. I can promise you, it is a cool place to visit!
Love, Lisa
On our last day, we visited the grandparents of my sister's boyfriend. They were the typical Greek grandparents. We were there for 5 hours and were eating pretty much the whole time. Koula just kept feeding us! But it was a lovely visit and they reminded me of my grandparents. My Oma and Opa (my father's parents) were the kindest and most welcoming people I have ever known. And Oma was always feeding us good German food and doling out hugs! I have missed them since there passing. So it was nice to feel that love again!
The flight to Edmonton was cool in that the pilot flew around a thunder storm rather than fly through it. That was really cool in that we got to see the typical anvil shape of the clouds thousands of feet above the ground. Very cool!
The next day was Canada Day. This year Canada turned 142! I spent the day getting ready for our BBQ - we had family and some friends over for a party. It was a lot of fun and I really had a great time chatting with everyone, telling stories (obviously, I have quite a few) and enjoying the company of the people I love! Our garden is a lot more fun now - while I was in Europe my family re-did the patio and purchased a hot tub! It is an amazing way to end the day! Then while I was in Eastern Canada with my mother, my father and brothers built a putting green and driving range. I guess I don't have to leave home at all... I have everything here!
But, I will be leaving on another trip soon. I just can't get enough! I have already started to book my trip to Yellowstone in the United States at the end of July. I am so excited to go: I get to see an iconic park and I get to see Emmy again. If you remember, I met Emmy on my Greece trip and visited with her the week I was in Rome. It will be great to see her again.
I also plan on going to Drumheller, Alberta in the middle of July. Drumheller is known for it's numerous dinosaur bone finds. So that should be a lot of fun. I remeber going as a child and just loving the museum and going around in the surrounding desert.
The most exciting news of the past few days is... I have been granted my Australian Working Travel Visa! Now I can book my flights and start planning that trip. I have always wanted to go to Australia and I am so excited that it will finally happen. I wasn't planning on working at all this year but now, I think it might be cool to do some work in Australia if necessary.
Other than sifting through my thousands of pictures and piles of papers from Europe, my days have been pretty quiet. I do miss the activity of travelling but am starting to feel better about being home. My first night after returning from Ottawa was pretty bad. I didn't sleep at all: I just kept looking around my room and seeing all my prized possessions. And I felt so out of place. I have realized that I do not need very much to be happy: I do not need a lot of materialistic items. Another thing I was struggling with was the quiet: I hate to say it but I had gotten so used to sleeping in hostels. It feels weird to be in my room... in the quiet... without distractions. Weird!
My plan for next week is to explore Edmonton, my hometown. I remember doing cool things as a child, so I want to explore them again and to find other great things to do. In talking to the people I met on my travels, I realized that I did not know very much about my own hometown. So I have now decided to find the top 20 things to do in Edmonton. And it will not include West Edmonton Mall! I will keep you posted on my discoveries and hopefully, fellow Edmontonians will go out and explore. And those who aren't from Edmonton, maybe it will excite you enough to come to Edmonton. I can promise you, it is a cool place to visit!
Love, Lisa
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