I Wanna Be a Cowgirl

I have had a bad week and a half at work but as I don't want to vent here, I have done the next best thing. I booked a flight to Calgary, Alberta. I'm so excited. I need a mini-vacation and Calgary calls. I'm off to see my fabulous friend Parm, and do what we do best -- shop, drink wine, watch movies, and talk about books (sometimes even all at the same time!) West Jet had a one day sale and I was able to get a return flight for $250. I know that's not such a crazy deal when I can fly out of Bellingham, WA to San Francisco for as little at $7 each way (gotta love Allegiant Air), but for a flight within Canada, it's not too bad.

For those that aren't familiar with BC and Alberta, I've included a map. Vancouver is the little red dot in the bottom left corner and Calgary is the red dot in the middle. Not too far, just over 1000kms (600 miles). It takes about 11 hours to drive (of course this depends on how often you have to stop to eat, pee, take pictures of elk, big horn sheep or a wolf that turns out to be someones dog) and it's some of the most spectacular country. I love living on the ocean, but there is something about the Rocky Mountains that still inspires awe. They reinforce my insignificance which is weirdly comforting. How can I possibly be expected to tackle all the woes of the world when I am nothing but a little spec?


















The actual flying time is just over one hour. I will just take a carry-on (with all my liquids and gels properly stored -- see my previous post) making sure to leave room to bring back duplicate books that Parm has bought and is now giving to me (her books are currently in boxes awaiting bookshelves -- so she buys a book thinking she doesn't have it, only to discover it hidden away), cheap Drambuie (no insane liquor tax in Alberta and a girl has to have her Rusty Nails), and the most amazing meat pies in the world; chicken curry, Jamaican beef curry and tourtieres (they also have vegetarian pies, but what's the point?). They are sold at the Calgary Farmer's Market and are lovingly made by Simple Simon (not himself but a company named for him).

Parm will pick me up at the airport on Friday August 14th at 6PM and drop me back at the airport on Sunday August 16th at 4PM. We will sleep little, eat and drink lots, and I will vent to her about this past week and a half. That's what friends are for.

Only 24 more sleeps.