We were so excited to get on the plane that we were the second people in line for the day to check our bags and claim our boarding passes. Actually, we were there before the ticket booth even opened for our flight! After missing a flight in Spain a few years ago, Melodie runs a tight ship on days when we’re flying. We were also happy to find that Incheon Airport has a really fast and free wifi service, so we downloaded the new “Teen Mom” and “Platinum Hit” for the flight. Trust me, I’m glad we did. Ten hours is a lonnnng time.
Air Canada predictably offered chicken or beef during meal service. They said the beef was Korean style and the chicken was western. We probably cut the steward off mid-sentence to exclaim “western, please!” -we were so excited. It tasted so great, and there was a little packet of kimchi on the side for everyone, too.
The most exciting product on offer, though, was good ol’ Molson Canadian beer! We were so excited to get a can. On international flights, Air Canada hasn’t yet become the cheapo tightasses they are on domestic routes so we got a couple of meals and drinks for free during the trip.
Our first glimpse of Oh Canada in two years.
We got to Vancouver an hour late, which was only concerning because we thought we might not have enough time to go to Tim Horton’s before we had to be at the gate for our connecting flight. There was a long line at Timmies, but we made it with twenty minutes to spare. It was amazing. And it gave me the shakes.
We had a quick 50 minute flight to Kelowna, our final destination. Mel and I weren’t able to sit together, and I really missed having her hand to squeeze blue during the turbulent flight. We were on such a small plane and it kept suddenly dropping as we descended in to land. I will never, ever fly on such a small plane again!! When we arrived in Kelowna, we were met at the airport by Mel’s grandma and her neighbor Peter, who was giving us a ride back to Grandma’s apartment in Vernon. From getting our four suitcases into the car, to trying to get out of the parking lot, to the frightening drive home, Peter was a very, very interesting character.
Vernon is one of the top 5 places to retire to in North America. Being there after two years in busy Seoul and Taipei was a shock to the system, but a pleasant one. It’s a very quiet place and caters very much to it’s aging community. A brief tour:
Grandma’s apartment building. It's a very, very nice place. I can't wait to retire and live someplace like this!
The motel offers seniors rates.
This Shopper’s Drug Mart van delivers your prescriptions to your door.
Antiques!
The Pantry restaurant. Come here for your liver and onions or turkey dinner.
Retirement planner’s offices.
Vernon Medical Supplies.
The hearing center/optometrist/chiropractor mega-center!
Mel crossing the busy street. Grandma warned her to make sure she stayed within the white lines.
Hopefully that’s given you an idea of the type of place Vernon is. You can also understand why we decided this would be the perfect place to visit to deal with our imminent jet leg. Actually, it felt like being at rehab. It was quiet and serene. No one made a noise. If you wanted to sleep all day, that was fine. If you wanted to read on the balcony and listen to the (one) car drive by, you could. There was no internet and our cell phones don’t work here. We had a 2 hour nap for the first time in 20 hours on Saturday night, which made us feel a lot better. Then, after a late night dinner of Chinese food (I’d forgotten about how ridiculously big Canadian portion sizes are!) we slept for another 12 hours. Now, I think we’re back on a normal schedule and we’re somewhat feeling normal. At 16 hours difference, the time change is a hell of an adjustment.
Mel and I took a little walk around “downtown” on our second day. The first thing we saw when we went into Shopper’s Drug Mart was a life sized cut out of Justin Beiber. The most disappointing bit was to learn that I’m shorter than Justin Beiber.
We walked a bit more and visited the Dollarama and got another coffee at Tim’s. We really noticed how much friendlier the people are that work at stores here. I missed the random banter with salespeople!
Grandma was a great host and even cooked up a roast dinner with Yorkshire puddings for us on our second night.She also entertained us with her tea towel collection and stories of bobby dazzlers and twixie dwiddlers.
Tomorrow morning we’re leaving Vernon to take a bus to Vancouver. Now that we’re out of jet leg rehab, it’s time to visit the city and visit with Mel’s aunt, uncle and cousin. I love Vancouver, and according to my extensive research, I believe they have an Arby’s there. It won’t be long now...
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