Vancouver and Kamloops
Trip Start
May 31, 2000
1
16
Trip End
Jun 25, 2000
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Kamloops, Canada
Sunday, June 24, 2001
I was able to call a cab from there and got out to the airport 'way too early. I found that the flight they had initially booked had been changed so it was arriving an hour later in Vancouver. Since I had a lot of time before the flight, I might be able to get an earlier flight back and not have quite so much waiting around to do later on. It seemed to be quite a tall order for poor old Air Canada although the lady thought it was a good idea. First of all she didn't seen quite to know what she was doing and there was a lot of 'to-ing' and 'fro-ing' with her computer and the paper, which seemed to be in the back somewhere. Then after canceling my flights she wasn't sure she could get me back on anything. She said she was just a temporary worker and didn't quite understand things. She also kept saying the system was supposed to be really easy for customers to make and cancel their own bookings but that the carrier actually had to do things twice over. I figured if I just stood still and didn't leave, everything would eventually work out. And eventually it did.
So I began my slow journey back across the country. On the St. John's to Halifax portion I would up sitting next to an Air Canada pilot who told me tales of when he flew for the Canadian Military. He also impressed on me the secret of not getting jet lagged. He said to drink lots. And not just lots, but up to about 3 litres of water on a cross Canada flight. So I began doing that.
While on my stopover in Halifax I called the folks to say I was on my way by a different route but arriving about an hour earlier. Left message on answering machine that I would call again from Ottawa. Bought a book, water and a snack while in Halifax.
Then eventually got in to Vancouver about 7:30. Called the folks and they are home. They still are willing to pick me up from the bus depot so I got a ticket on the Airporter. After a long wait (and many of the wrong busses passing us by) we made our way by somewhat convoluted stages and one transfer, to the bus Depot. It is the last stop on the trip and you come at it from the back after driving apparently all around it. I wasn't even sure where I was when we arrived. Called the folks again and they said they were on their way. I said I'd wait outside since it didn't look too safe inside. On the other hand, it didn't look too safe on the outside either. I spent the 10 or 1minutes basically watching a couple of drug deals going down and a very spaced out kid give himself a long talking to in the park in between panhandling across the street.
The folks arrived and I gratefully headed 'home' again. By now, it was about 2am Newfoundland time. I was well high exhausted but when offered a meal, I realized I was still hungry so had a bit of a bite to eat. Showed some of the pictures I 'd taken and then headed off to bed, very grateful to have couple of such wonderful folks to look out for me on my return.
- Su - June 25 Burnaby - Kamloops - Up at the crack of dawn West coast time but fairly well rested and not jet lagged. Thanks be to the pilot with the solution to it. Had a brief visit with the folks but they're off somewhere early, which is okay by me since I wanted to get an early start anyway.
A nice sunny, hot day. Stopped jut before Chilliwack to put on sunscreen and the inevitable hat. Stopped for my first gas up in Bridal Falls. Higher than it was when I left (67.9) but nowhere near Newfoundland rates. Started to feel a bit sleepy just as I got onto the Coquihalla so stopped at one the pull-ins just before the tool booth for a 1/2hour snooze. Stopped again just outside of Merritt for another 1/2-hour snooze - maybe I am a bit jet-lagged?
Before heading home, I dropped off the photos for developing at London Drugs. I also bought some more film. Stopped at the Green Grocers for fresh veggies, etc and at Safeway for staples before coming home. Took myself out to Milestones for one last holiday meal and home for an early night.
