It is just after 9 a.m. on Sunday morning and although I rose at 8:30 it was nothing compared to 5 a.m. yesterday. I couldn’t believe how lonely the streets felt at 7 a.m. when I left for the office.
Yesterday we made our staff trip to Whistler.
Although I came to BC in 1972 I had only made the attempt once before in a Volkswagen bug, I can’t even remember the year. I do remember I made it to Squamish and Shannon Falls before the car began to overheat and stall, causing me to abort the trip.
But yesterday I was vaulted out of my comfort zone here in town in a rented newer model Dodge minivan driven by my friend and co-worker Danny and in two groups in two vans our party made the trek to Whistler.
Although this year was one of the hottest on records and there had been no snow on the nearby mountaintops all summer, we were greeted by newly dusted white caps on the surrounding peaks.
There was no snow in the village but the Sales Manager of the new Coast Blackcomb Suites Brandi took us on a tour I won’t soon forget. After a brief tour of the hotel we hiked down the ski slope at the rear of the property into the village.
From there we took a gondola up the mountain side to a second lift where we could access the Peak 2 Peak Gondola ride the largest unsupported gondola ride in the world. At its highest point we were 4 ½ km above the valley floor and the cars were big enough to hold 20 people.
The ride goes from Whistler Mountain to Blackcomb Mountain which are two side by side peaks separated by a deep valley. The view from up there is stunning in its magnificence and if a person had any doubts that we live in one of the most beautiful spots in the world, this ride would cure them at a stroke.
The air up there is so pure that all the senses seem to open at once, making the colors more vibrant and the eyes more clear and the breathing easier. It was cold up there though, and I was glad I heeded the advice to dress warmly wearing my winter coat and a wool toque. A couple of staff members had not listened and suffered and shivered accordingly.
After a brief stop at The Rendezvous, a mountaintop restaurant and pit stop we took the trip back down which seemed to take forever, to the much milder climate of the village and then a shuttle bus back to the hotel where Brandi our tour manager had arranged and now personally prepared for us a hamburger barbeque. She cooked and served which after her tour duty with us was above and beyond the call. She was also an avid raconteur and regaled us with stories of her 5 years in Whistler and beyond.
On the homeward journey I felt I had been awake and traveling for 2 days although we were back in Vancouver by 5 p.m.
I had expected the usual hotel tour which although informative are rarely spectacular. Anyone who takes this tour is sure to tell all their friends and to return to visit this amazing place.
Sunday, October 04, 2009
Thursday, October 01, 2009
The Big 16
This month Kadir will turn 16 and yesterday I gave him his gift.
At just about 4 p.m. sharp yesterday my door buzzer rang. It was Kadir arriving early from school…apparently his social worker had canceled due to being sick.
We talked for a few minutes and he downed a glass of juice. He bought up the subject of a phone…I guess Karen had mentioned something to him about my decision to get him a cell phone. So we walked over to Rogers, as it was pretty clear he preferred that over FIDO.
We looked at a few phones briefly and then waited in line to speak to an agent…there were only two agents and both were busy. While waiting in line I noticed Kadir eyeing the iPhone display and there and then I decided I was going to spring for the extra $100+ to get him one.
Once the agent demonstrated the power of this phone, I knew I had made the right choice. I could almost hear Kadir humming with happiness. Now he has what many of his school mates already have, and it is the power of new technology at his fingertips. It’s a phone that doubles as an mp3 player, a camera, and a computer enabling him to browse the internet. It has the virtual touch screen so there are no sliding keyboard appendages making it hard to manage.
The monthly fee will be around $65 dollars with the extras package but with his allowance that should be do-able. And he will now be able to shop for a job after school. He was supposed to meet with the person he will be moving in with last night but it sounded like this might be delayed due to the other person being too busy.
I guess I will know more in a few days. At least I know I can call Kadir now, and he can call me at no extra charge any time of day or night on the My5(+ 5) Plan.
The agent who signed us up was very helpful and convinced us that we had the best deal…he said there would be new packages available next month but none as rich as the one we got.
We walked down to Vera’s Burger Shack and I bought him a huge burger which he demolished with joy and then walked him to the MacDonald Bus. He kissed me on the lips again before leaving…that shy butterfly “I love you dad” kiss that means the world to me.
When the bus pulled away he was talking on his phone and smiling at me, giving me a big thumbs up.
At just about 4 p.m. sharp yesterday my door buzzer rang. It was Kadir arriving early from school…apparently his social worker had canceled due to being sick.
We talked for a few minutes and he downed a glass of juice. He bought up the subject of a phone…I guess Karen had mentioned something to him about my decision to get him a cell phone. So we walked over to Rogers, as it was pretty clear he preferred that over FIDO.
We looked at a few phones briefly and then waited in line to speak to an agent…there were only two agents and both were busy. While waiting in line I noticed Kadir eyeing the iPhone display and there and then I decided I was going to spring for the extra $100+ to get him one.
Once the agent demonstrated the power of this phone, I knew I had made the right choice. I could almost hear Kadir humming with happiness. Now he has what many of his school mates already have, and it is the power of new technology at his fingertips. It’s a phone that doubles as an mp3 player, a camera, and a computer enabling him to browse the internet. It has the virtual touch screen so there are no sliding keyboard appendages making it hard to manage.
The monthly fee will be around $65 dollars with the extras package but with his allowance that should be do-able. And he will now be able to shop for a job after school. He was supposed to meet with the person he will be moving in with last night but it sounded like this might be delayed due to the other person being too busy.
I guess I will know more in a few days. At least I know I can call Kadir now, and he can call me at no extra charge any time of day or night on the My5(+ 5) Plan.
The agent who signed us up was very helpful and convinced us that we had the best deal…he said there would be new packages available next month but none as rich as the one we got.
We walked down to Vera’s Burger Shack and I bought him a huge burger which he demolished with joy and then walked him to the MacDonald Bus. He kissed me on the lips again before leaving…that shy butterfly “I love you dad” kiss that means the world to me.
When the bus pulled away he was talking on his phone and smiling at me, giving me a big thumbs up.
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
Love from Ky Quixote & Kadir
Yesterday was a pristine day although my pleasure was watered down by the crew hauling down a large Maple tree across the street and destroying the neighborhood peace and quiet.
This morning is cloudy with afternoon rain forecast which at 11:30 had just started to fall. There is supposed to be a mix of sun and cloud tomorrow though.
I have shaved, exercised and said my morning prayers and just finished checking email. There was a short one from Ky just letting me know he is safely returned to London “...doing chores and setting up work.”
I like the fact that he doesn't say: Looking for work.
He later Twittered:
"First few photos are up on Flickr now. http://bit.ly/447bFd"
Last night around 9 p.m. after I had eaten supper and was watching So You Think You Can Dance Canada, my phone rang. I was pleasantly surprised to hear Kadir telling me he was coming over after school.
He came over last week with his friend Mike to let me know he was safe, although I had not received a call from him all summer long (not since the end of June).
When I asked him why, all he said was "You have no idea what I have been through." Sometimes things are best left unsaid until the right time.
I was glad he called because we were supposed to meet at the Paramount today to see the latest Harry Potter movie. But when I checked movie listings in the local paper I saw that Harry Potter was no longer listed at the Paramount. So I let him know that we missed our Harry Potter window there.
His reply, “I don’t care. I just want to come over and hang out with you.” Before he hung up he threw in “I love you.”
Ky ended his earlier email to me with the same words.
What a treasure for this proud father!
This morning is cloudy with afternoon rain forecast which at 11:30 had just started to fall. There is supposed to be a mix of sun and cloud tomorrow though.
I have shaved, exercised and said my morning prayers and just finished checking email. There was a short one from Ky just letting me know he is safely returned to London “...doing chores and setting up work.”
I like the fact that he doesn't say: Looking for work.
He later Twittered:
"First few photos are up on Flickr now. http://bit.ly/447bFd"
Last night around 9 p.m. after I had eaten supper and was watching So You Think You Can Dance Canada, my phone rang. I was pleasantly surprised to hear Kadir telling me he was coming over after school.
He came over last week with his friend Mike to let me know he was safe, although I had not received a call from him all summer long (not since the end of June).
When I asked him why, all he said was "You have no idea what I have been through." Sometimes things are best left unsaid until the right time.
I was glad he called because we were supposed to meet at the Paramount today to see the latest Harry Potter movie. But when I checked movie listings in the local paper I saw that Harry Potter was no longer listed at the Paramount. So I let him know that we missed our Harry Potter window there.
His reply, “I don’t care. I just want to come over and hang out with you.” Before he hung up he threw in “I love you.”
Ky ended his earlier email to me with the same words.
What a treasure for this proud father!
Sunday, August 16, 2009
Dances with Dervishes
It is a sunny Sunday morning as I slowly arise, do exercises and prayers and now completing my journal entry.
As I walked along the seawall yesterday evening, under a canopy of rose-colored sky streaked with wispy clouds I could still hear the chanting of the dervishes representing Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Palestine and many other Middle Eastern countries who had put on performances that afternoon at the Art Gallery for the Fifth Canadian Islamic Cultural Expo that took place on the fountains lawn as it does every year.
As I wandered downtown yesterday, I had no idea this would be happening but I could hear the drumming from a couple of blocks away and was drawn into the confluence of people gathered for the event.
I arrived just as a dervish demonstration was ending and as they left the courtyard where they had been dancing and doing zikr (chanting praises of Allah) I was surrounded by them and swept up in their effusive energy. There must’ve been 30 young men in their late teens and twenties and the energy of celebration was palpable.
It was strange to come from a very Western-style new age spiritual celebration at the Quaker Hall with the women of Ruby (see yesterday's post) the night before and to find myself once again and so soon immersed in a stream of devotees.
It was like standing in an electric current. In a few minutes my whole body was tingling with energy that had not been present moments before.
It was also strange that I seemed to be invisible to them, as they circled all around me barely brushing me (but never once jostling me) with their robes and congratulating each other on their performances, their smiling faces full of light and joy.
Picture standing in a group of BC Lions players just after they score a touchdown…it was like that only far more subtle but with just as much (maybe more) energy. If I had seen them coming I probably would have got out of the way.
The young men (of Palestinian origin I think) were holding long white batons about the size of spears which were stripped in green, like candy canes. They wore turbans wrapped around little conical hats that gave them the appearance of soldiers/knights/stage players celebrating days of glory.
On scene next came the contingent from the Peninsula of Saudi Arabia dressed in full headgear and waving not batons, but long curved swords.
It was like a scene out of Lawrence of Arabia. And within minutes I was drowned in the boom of the big drums and the drone of voices lifting me out of the realm of the ordinary into another place, another time.
And as I was leaving another synchronistic happening very much in tune with the energy of the past two days…I passed the Turkish tent and stopping to read a passage from Rumi’s Masnawi that was posted I was drawn into conversation with another young man who asked if I had ever been to Turkey. As I left he handed me a DVD of The Whirling Dervishes direct from Konya, which was recorded in Calgary…and included a full classical Turkish orchestra performing for a Sema (or the celebratory dance of the dervishes).
So last night I played that back to back with Ruby’s CD On the Way of Love: Songs inspired by Rumi.
As I walked along the seawall yesterday evening, under a canopy of rose-colored sky streaked with wispy clouds I could still hear the chanting of the dervishes representing Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Palestine and many other Middle Eastern countries who had put on performances that afternoon at the Art Gallery for the Fifth Canadian Islamic Cultural Expo that took place on the fountains lawn as it does every year.
As I wandered downtown yesterday, I had no idea this would be happening but I could hear the drumming from a couple of blocks away and was drawn into the confluence of people gathered for the event.
I arrived just as a dervish demonstration was ending and as they left the courtyard where they had been dancing and doing zikr (chanting praises of Allah) I was surrounded by them and swept up in their effusive energy. There must’ve been 30 young men in their late teens and twenties and the energy of celebration was palpable.
It was strange to come from a very Western-style new age spiritual celebration at the Quaker Hall with the women of Ruby (see yesterday's post) the night before and to find myself once again and so soon immersed in a stream of devotees.
It was like standing in an electric current. In a few minutes my whole body was tingling with energy that had not been present moments before.
It was also strange that I seemed to be invisible to them, as they circled all around me barely brushing me (but never once jostling me) with their robes and congratulating each other on their performances, their smiling faces full of light and joy.
Picture standing in a group of BC Lions players just after they score a touchdown…it was like that only far more subtle but with just as much (maybe more) energy. If I had seen them coming I probably would have got out of the way.
The young men (of Palestinian origin I think) were holding long white batons about the size of spears which were stripped in green, like candy canes. They wore turbans wrapped around little conical hats that gave them the appearance of soldiers/knights/stage players celebrating days of glory.
On scene next came the contingent from the Peninsula of Saudi Arabia dressed in full headgear and waving not batons, but long curved swords.
It was like a scene out of Lawrence of Arabia. And within minutes I was drowned in the boom of the big drums and the drone of voices lifting me out of the realm of the ordinary into another place, another time.
And as I was leaving another synchronistic happening very much in tune with the energy of the past two days…I passed the Turkish tent and stopping to read a passage from Rumi’s Masnawi that was posted I was drawn into conversation with another young man who asked if I had ever been to Turkey. As I left he handed me a DVD of The Whirling Dervishes direct from Konya, which was recorded in Calgary…and included a full classical Turkish orchestra performing for a Sema (or the celebratory dance of the dervishes).
So last night I played that back to back with Ruby’s CD On the Way of Love: Songs inspired by Rumi.
Saturday, August 15, 2009
A Healing Gift
Yesterday was an unusual day in that I decided to head down to South Vancouver and do several things including shopping at Oakridge, saying hello to Nika who works there and visiting Karen’s new area.
I caught the bus to Oak and 41st which confused me at the start by taking a right off the bridge towards Kits (they now have a new route which bypasses busy Granville and Broadway). There was a new trainee driver on board and so the bus virtually crawled to its destination.
I had forgotten that Oakridge Mall was not on Oak Street and so when I got off, I wasn’t sure which way to head at first. I quickly got my bearings though and headed east.
Nika was not working that day and neither did I want to carry clothing in bags to South Van as I was already carrying my jacket. So after window shopping I left the mall empy-handed in a kind of daze and began making my way west before finally circling back through the mall and catching a bus on the north side of 41st heading south. I got off at 64th and began walking west through a residential area with no sidewalks.
The streets were deserted and it felt like the old days hiking in foreign territory and the walk soon became a hot slog. I kept thinking of Herb’s story of passing out in the street from fatigue and heat and hoped I would not repeat it.
I finally made it across 70th and walked past the Quaker Hall where I knew there would be a Sufi gathering & concert that evening which I had planned to attend for some time. But Karen’s new apartment was only a block from there so I tested my intuition to see if I could find it.
It was depressing to me to think she might be in a rundown neighborhood but I was pleasantly surprised by the peaceful ambience and big trees just off a major traffic artery out of the city. There were several older but respectable-looking apartment buildings and I decided she must be in one of these. And I was happy to discover that there were no old rooming houses in the area, laying to rest another nightmare about her possible situation.
I finally caught a B-Line bus home which was a quick trip but after getting off at Seymour and transferring to a Davie bus to get home, I was tired. I put aside my plans for the evening concert on the south side and opted instead to go grocery shopping and make dinner.
As planned I cooked and ate my dinner but was inspired to call Karen and ask if she would like to attend the concert with me. She eased my mind further by informing me that she was in one of the nicer buildings I had seen earlier in the day. She was busy but encouraged me to attend the concert on my own. So I called a taxi with only an hour to spare and was soon walking through the doors of the hall.
I was also walking back in time about 10 years when I used to regularly attend Sufi meetings there. When I had passed the hall earlier in day it looked deserted and there was no signage to advertise a concert that evening. But I was not surprised to see the chairs all set up, the sound system ready and many of the chairs already occupied.
I walked downstairs to use the washroom and was met by two women and my friend Amir who is with the Sufi Order in Vancouver. We hugged and then as I looked at the women in his company the penny dropped; these were the women of Ruby who I’d come to listen to. I immediately told them that I’d downloaded and heard their song “Listen O Drop” from a poem by Rumi.
When they began their concert they gave me the healing gift of dedicating this song to me, causing me to weep many and much needed tears.
I caught the bus to Oak and 41st which confused me at the start by taking a right off the bridge towards Kits (they now have a new route which bypasses busy Granville and Broadway). There was a new trainee driver on board and so the bus virtually crawled to its destination.
I had forgotten that Oakridge Mall was not on Oak Street and so when I got off, I wasn’t sure which way to head at first. I quickly got my bearings though and headed east.
Nika was not working that day and neither did I want to carry clothing in bags to South Van as I was already carrying my jacket. So after window shopping I left the mall empy-handed in a kind of daze and began making my way west before finally circling back through the mall and catching a bus on the north side of 41st heading south. I got off at 64th and began walking west through a residential area with no sidewalks.
The streets were deserted and it felt like the old days hiking in foreign territory and the walk soon became a hot slog. I kept thinking of Herb’s story of passing out in the street from fatigue and heat and hoped I would not repeat it.
I finally made it across 70th and walked past the Quaker Hall where I knew there would be a Sufi gathering & concert that evening which I had planned to attend for some time. But Karen’s new apartment was only a block from there so I tested my intuition to see if I could find it.
It was depressing to me to think she might be in a rundown neighborhood but I was pleasantly surprised by the peaceful ambience and big trees just off a major traffic artery out of the city. There were several older but respectable-looking apartment buildings and I decided she must be in one of these. And I was happy to discover that there were no old rooming houses in the area, laying to rest another nightmare about her possible situation.
I finally caught a B-Line bus home which was a quick trip but after getting off at Seymour and transferring to a Davie bus to get home, I was tired. I put aside my plans for the evening concert on the south side and opted instead to go grocery shopping and make dinner.
As planned I cooked and ate my dinner but was inspired to call Karen and ask if she would like to attend the concert with me. She eased my mind further by informing me that she was in one of the nicer buildings I had seen earlier in the day. She was busy but encouraged me to attend the concert on my own. So I called a taxi with only an hour to spare and was soon walking through the doors of the hall.
I was also walking back in time about 10 years when I used to regularly attend Sufi meetings there. When I had passed the hall earlier in day it looked deserted and there was no signage to advertise a concert that evening. But I was not surprised to see the chairs all set up, the sound system ready and many of the chairs already occupied.
I walked downstairs to use the washroom and was met by two women and my friend Amir who is with the Sufi Order in Vancouver. We hugged and then as I looked at the women in his company the penny dropped; these were the women of Ruby who I’d come to listen to. I immediately told them that I’d downloaded and heard their song “Listen O Drop” from a poem by Rumi.
When they began their concert they gave me the healing gift of dedicating this song to me, causing me to weep many and much needed tears.
Thursday, July 30, 2009
The hottest day EVER!
The last time I remember being this hot was on my return from India in 1986…it was 40 degrees in Athens and I could barely breathe.
Yesterday was the hottest July 29th EVER in downtown Vancouver, and although it was only 32.9 degrees, it felt much hotter. After all, this is Vancouver and I live near the water!
I tried a walk in the later morning, heading up to the Pacific Centre Mall which I knew was air conditioned. It was like walking into a fridge after the heat of the street.
I'd proceeded there earlier at a snail’s pace along the sidewalk and stopping to test my blood pressure at the Burrard Clinic was not surprised to see it had returned to high/normal.
I think the heat opened up all my veins allowing a pure free flow. But man, did it slow me down!
Global warming...what global warming?
Yesterday was the hottest July 29th EVER in downtown Vancouver, and although it was only 32.9 degrees, it felt much hotter. After all, this is Vancouver and I live near the water!
I tried a walk in the later morning, heading up to the Pacific Centre Mall which I knew was air conditioned. It was like walking into a fridge after the heat of the street.
I'd proceeded there earlier at a snail’s pace along the sidewalk and stopping to test my blood pressure at the Burrard Clinic was not surprised to see it had returned to high/normal.
I think the heat opened up all my veins allowing a pure free flow. But man, did it slow me down!
Global warming...what global warming?
Sunday, July 26, 2009
A fierce display of elemental energy!
I am up at 9:15 after a sporadic last minute attempt to fall back asleep after a typical wee hours worrying session.
This morning a new Tweet from Ky: One too many momos. I Google searched and found this not to be alcohol but a Nepalese dumpling in tomato sauce, fast food in Kathmandu.
I have serious bags under my eyes this morning, big watery saggy ones. If I felt as ill as I look I would be calling in sick. But I feel pretty good.
Yesterday’s work shift ended with the sky turning a flat blood red and forked with jagged yellow lightning fangs. It was like the opening scene for a horror movie.
The two other agents in the office with me gazed out at the sky with a mixed expression of fascination and terror our smiles slightly lopsided as if we not sure what was about to happen next…and we weren’t. None of us have ever seen the sky like that.
We had cheered earlier on when the rain began to fall imagining that the vast crowd of litterbugs on fireworks night would be all but washed off the beach but the eerie turn of energies skyward had us dampening our cheers.
It was the second day of the fireworks but instead of packed streets on my way home just a few minutes before ShowTime, there were a few weary stragglers carrying umbrellas to ward off the new falling rain and a wet, tired-looking policeman posted at the Bute Street entrance to the West End with no traffic to ward off.
I was going to borrow an umbrella from the office but managed to get home with only a light soaking.
This morning I am still trying to figure out what happened. How could a day that began so sunny and hot end in such a fierce display of elemental energy?
This morning a new Tweet from Ky: One too many momos. I Google searched and found this not to be alcohol but a Nepalese dumpling in tomato sauce, fast food in Kathmandu.
I have serious bags under my eyes this morning, big watery saggy ones. If I felt as ill as I look I would be calling in sick. But I feel pretty good.
Yesterday’s work shift ended with the sky turning a flat blood red and forked with jagged yellow lightning fangs. It was like the opening scene for a horror movie.
The two other agents in the office with me gazed out at the sky with a mixed expression of fascination and terror our smiles slightly lopsided as if we not sure what was about to happen next…and we weren’t. None of us have ever seen the sky like that.
We had cheered earlier on when the rain began to fall imagining that the vast crowd of litterbugs on fireworks night would be all but washed off the beach but the eerie turn of energies skyward had us dampening our cheers.
It was the second day of the fireworks but instead of packed streets on my way home just a few minutes before ShowTime, there were a few weary stragglers carrying umbrellas to ward off the new falling rain and a wet, tired-looking policeman posted at the Bute Street entrance to the West End with no traffic to ward off.
I was going to borrow an umbrella from the office but managed to get home with only a light soaking.
This morning I am still trying to figure out what happened. How could a day that began so sunny and hot end in such a fierce display of elemental energy?
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