little bitty girl

I have been deprived of internet for almost four days and it has been KILLING me. Don't you know that I need an outlet for my overactive brain? I have to say that for some reason, this has been the worst planned trip on my part ever in terms of packing. People who know me know that this is an anomally as I am super anal when it comes to packing for travel trips. Obviously, my Alzheimer's seems to be kicking in. This is what I forgot to do - check the weather network and it has been freezing here in the prairies, pack any long sleeve tops so have been freezing my butt off as all stores seem to only sell tank tops now, any closed toe shoes so have been walking around with blue toes in flip flops, (problem rectified in Calgary), charger for phone and camera.

But other than that, things have been going really well and I am throughly enjoying myself. I really quite like driving and I am doing so much of it. I really recommend buying those large maps that tell you all the side streets, makes it less likely to get lost or at least easier to get unlost.

The 'Peg was super rainy and dreary but it's a really easy city to drive around. I am constantly surprised by how many quaint character homes there are and if it wasn't for the very cold winters, it might be tempting because real estate is just ridiculous in Toronto. There seemed to be a rather large amount of Pontiac Sunfires driving around and the only reason why I would ever notice a car model is because it was the same car I had rented. (which by, the way is a super easy car to drive, great for new drivers!) There were also lots of gas stations around, or it felt like it unlike T.O, where you can never find one when you really need one. I have a feeling though that I might be getting lots of speeding tickets as they have those radar camera things on their roads (NOT NICE!) and since I have a natural tendency to speed combined with constantly getting lost.... not a good scene. They also had a lot of weird breaks on these long islands that they had separating the roads. I am sure that their purpose was really for left hand turns but I mastered U-turns on those things.

I had sushi here that was a little less than stellar but I think it could also have something to do with where I went so I don't take it as a reflection of the city's sushi. Although, I think Vancouver Marie would object as she told me once never to eat sushi in a land locked city. But some of us are not as fortunate as her, living in Vancouver, the land of the sushi plenty and I can't bear to really eat crap when I am on the road.

Saskatoon was a very nice surprise. Built around a river, the city reminds me of a larger version of High Park. There were lots of Royal Banks around, another reason why I noticed this is that I am a Royal Bank customer and I can never seem to find a kiosk when I need one hence my ridiculous bank fees each month.

The drive from Saskatoon to Regina was a little freaky for me as it started thunderstorming halfway and I had no idea that when trucks past you, your visibility becomes nil because of the after spray. There were a couple of times when I would finally emerge from the spray to realize that I was in a completely different lane. Thank goodness the highway was pretty empty so no harm done and a lesson learnt.

Regina was uneventful other than my three hour delay to Calgary. When I used to come to Calgary for work, it used to only be for the day so I never really got a chance to explore. Now, that I have had a chance to be here for longer periods and allowed to explore, it's quite the great city and definitely one that I could move to. There are lots of great restaurants and I am in love with the chain bookstore McNally Robinson, the prairie's version of Chapters but is independently owned. They have such character, oak panneled shelves and since my very first job was working in a quaint bookstore a la Shop around the Corner, I have a soft spot for independant bookstores with character.

One thing I have to say about the Prairies is that the dry air and water is wrecking havoc to my skin. Since I think my skin is my only beauty hence my vanity, I get a little discombobulated when anything happens to it. Ah well, just two more days here before I head off to BC.

Sorry for the long entry but this is what happens when my thoughts are left to fester....