Flight from RDU-Chicago-Vancouver

Aug. 22, 2018 
I almost didn't make the flight, as United forgot to tell me I needed a visa to get into Canada, and the check-in gentleman would not give me my boarding pass unless I had the visa. Fortunately, my law student lodger who was taking me to the airport had to get to class early, and dropped me off 2 hours before my flight. That gave me 45 minutes on my iPhone to request a visa, which I did, and all was in order so I could get my boarding card. Obviously, British passports do not come under the same umbrella as Canadian passports, although they are both in the UK Commonwealth. 
I had an hour to breathe and from then on, starting with TSA, the entire trip was easy, except for the seating to Chicago. I was in the middle of three narrow seats with a tall gentleman on either side of me. They could hardly move an inch. Both very polite. I felt so sorry for them. United Economy coach is the pits. 


Getting ready to land in Chicago. 






I couldn't resist this in Bette's guest bathroom. 

 Aug. 23
Walking around Granville Island Market and seeing a host of beautiful wooden ships that were on display at this time, added to this area of lovely shops and an amazing produce market. We had a delicious light lunch overlooking the river and boats. 


A fancy dining room in one of the boats. 

This was a hilarious moment. Children on the ship with hosepipes were defending their ship from the pirate in his boat who was trying to board the ship. The children won. 
 Aug. 25
On the day Bette had a long appointment, I took a ride on the red Hop-on, Hop-off buses that are in most cities. It's a great and safe way to get to see an unfamiliar city. One of the hop-off stops was at the steam clock in downtown Vancouver. It was hard to see the steam in the photo, which comes out at each chime. This one was on the half hour and was quite steamy. 

Another hop off  -the West End, a beautiful area. 
The Sylvia Hotel in the West End. The place to be in the 30s. 

Fish and chips on the patio of the hotel. 
 Aug. 25
 Saturday is the Sabbath for the Jewish community and Bette is a member of a nearby synagogue and we attended the morning service. It's a very friendly and musical congregation and the music selections were quite diverse - quiet, thoughtful psalms (chanted) songs and some very joyful singing with clapping hands, tapping feet, sometimes using the wooden pews and lectern as percussion instruments. The rabbi who gave the sermon had had a position in Charlotte, NC and recently moved up to a position in Vancouver. 
After a light lunch, Bette drove us out to a store where they have a myriad of gadgets, heaven for those of us who are gadget oriented! 
Can you guess what this is? 

It's a scoop!


Wishful thinking!

After a stroll around the store and getting a few "must have" gadgets, we went to a restaurant and had a good meal of fish tacos and fries, cauliflower bites, glazed in sweet chili sauce and served with mango herb salsa over cilanctro sour cream with almond topping. My indulgence was the sweet potato fries. It was an early bed for me as I had been told by Amtrak to be at the Vancouver station by 4:30am to go through US immigration before we left Canada.   


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