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So. It's been a week since I left Canada.

The Journey home was fairly epic. I got up at 8:30 and caught the bus to Whyte Avenue so I could get my Airport Shuttle which was even earlier than they said it would be. Good thing I'm always early. Sunshine waited with me and hugged me goodbye. She gave me a card with Pandas on, and it made me well up in the Shuttle. To be honest I was holding it together all morning. I had such fun with her. It really was an honour to meet such a wonderful lady. And there was no awkwardness all week. True friends. I will defo be visiting her again sometime.

Where was I? Ah yes, Edmonton Airport. Damn those Canadians are so nice at Delta. I had to fill out another form as I was going via America, and they were so helpful. Thankfully, by some miracle my luggage came in under limitation! Plus they let me through the American customs- ever country does it differently it would seem.

It was a pretty lovely Airport, it has to be said, although with the annoucements they did about their new route to Forth Worth, I kinda felt like I was in Josie & The Pussycats. I did have a weird urge for Mcdonalds. Ha ha.

Onto the plane and I had 2 seats to myself :) So I made the most of it and watched 2 episode of Veronica Mars.  We landed in Minneapolis which was an hour ahead of Edmonton. My flight wasn't until 9;55pm so I indulged in some taco bell.

The Quesedias were pretty rad, with my mountain dew fresh (it was green, what can I say, I'm a sucker for silly colours). I messed around on the iPads, which were free to use everywhere and wasted some time looking around the shops. It was a lot bigger than the other American airports I'd been to.

Eventually the time came to board the plane. Alas, again the long haul flight was full so I had to share with a little old lady. Don't be fooled, she still crammed the armrest down on my thigh given any opportunity. It was of course a night-flight, so they bought us some dinner and I watched The Book Thief. I'd wanted to see it for ages, so was glad to get to watch it as I welled up on the plane. I managed to get a bit of sleep in the smallest space. The guy with the extra legroom in front of me still reclined his seat. Dick. 

Daylight was arriving outside, which made it around 5am-6am-ish. We had a very mediocre breakfast and I watched some Brooklyn 911 before we landed. It was midday UK time and 6am body clock time. That's another 3 time zones in 24 hours. Ugh.

After a long wait to get off the plane- the tunnel thing wouldn't connect and we had to wait for actual stairs, which then involved lots of Americans complaining about the amount of stairs. (I truly was back in Britain) I was back in good ole Blighty, rain and all! Customs was a piece of piss, and my luggage was there too! woo hoo. So I headed to the underground to make my way home. More Veronica Mars on the Train :)

Ferry to the Isle and my Mom met me at the top of the pier on the train, bless her. I looked exhausted! Truth be told, a week later, I still am. Jet lag is a bitch. But damn she was worth it!

Everyone has been so lovely since I've got back asking how my holiday was and telling me that they've all been reading my blog! What can I say? I'm massively touched that so many of you have read my ramblings. I hadn't realised how many good pals I had out there, so Thank you, Thank you, Thank you all so much. You guys and gals rock!

I think I might do a best bits of Canada blog with some more pictures, what do you think?

Until then, Thank you for reading! 

Day 6: Walmart & Burlesque.

This was my last full day in Vancouver. Ange picked me up & we headed to the Templeton diner for Breakfast.I was pretty stoked as we got to sit at the Elvis table :) we both had the big ass breakfast while I subjected the other customers to the stray cats, coasters & simple minds on the jukebox. He he.
We then headed outta town into the burbs to go to Walmart! Holy cow that place was big!!! I bought a few bits then we headed to Daisio: The Japanese dollar store. I could of spent waaaay more in there than I did.
Homeward bound I went to Earls for dinner, had a pizza, chocolate toffee pudding & rum. (Rude not to at $4). Then Ange picked me up & we headed to The Keefer bar for some Burlesque.
It was much fun, besides the dickhead executives standing up ruining our view! But we still saw enough.
Hotel bound I've had a fight with my suitcase as I bought a few bits... I'm getting the train to Edmonton tonight so I had to pack it all up!!!
Just waiting for Ange & I'll check out. Think we are going to science world to look at Lego.
Its been massive fun, so thanks Vancouver!! :)
Until next time I find some free WiFi.....

Day 1- I'm here.

My day began at 4am with my mom kindly calling me with a wake up call, it scared the crap outta me as the severed limb were suddenly playing really loudly in my hotel room.
So I got up & ready & out & caught a bus to terminal 4 the bus driver last was really sweet so that was nice. Terminal 4 was a little chaotic but a female employee did a stellar job of reworking the queue. I got through bag check & security (I got scanned!) So went in search of food!
I had a lovely Lebanese breakfast consisting of toast, avocados, feta, black olives & humous with a pot of rose mint tea (delicious) plus a maccedo (poor coffee spelling-sorry) and some baklava.

First flight to Amsterdam was so short, got fed a cheese sandwich & spoke to a student about films & theme parks. Off in Amsterdam airport for a wander around then off to departures for the Vancouver flight. The flight was full, so my ass was crammed in a seat. I swear KLM are feeders. I have never eaten so much in a flight in my life. It started out with a drink: orange juice. Then another drink: black coffee & almonds. Then lunch: chicken, green beans & wedges, salad, cheese & biscuits, cheesecake, water & wine.
A little break then ice cream or chips & by chips I mean pretzels. At this point I was wondering if I'd ever get out of the seat. Then about 2 hours from our destination more food! Pizza slice, pasta salad, fruit salad & mini waffle biscuits with more juice & water.
That is a lot of food even by my standards.

Finally after watching 3 movies ( The Way Way Back, The Butler & Twenty feet from being famous) plus a little knap I arrived in Vancouver airport.

I got the sour faced customs dude who didn't crack a smile the whole time as he quizzed me on why I was coming & who I was meeting. Thankfully he believed I was meeting my penpals from interpals.net.
So I went to the info desk to find how to get the sky train downtown as Angela said they couldn't get me as they were having a surprise birthday dinner for John. So as I'm asking the guy for a map I look up and see Angela waving at me!!!
That little trickster ;) how cute!!! So I met her family: John her husband & Atticus her cake living kid! We drove through town & the even drove me to the rainbow crossing which was cool- John came out in the rain & took my picture for me! (It should be attached but I'm using the blogger app on my tablet so not sure how that will pan out)

We dropped my stuff off at the hotel, OK sized room for the money, then back to theirs as they needed to get changed before dinner & the symphony.
We went to dinner at The Legen (wait for it) dary wight spot where I popped my Poutine cherry with bacon on it as well!! I met Johns mom who was a lovely lady & actually heard a guy say 'Aye' awesome!!! Ha ha.

They dropped me off at the hotel so I went I'm search of drugs (I'm a snot fest) and make up apparently. I fell asleep at around half 9 & have woken at 6! So as I'm sat in my jimjams writing this I think I'll go get some Starbucks (no kettle in the room) and get ready for the food scavenger hunt. I'm sensing a theme here....

So kids, until next time!

3 days

Holy f**kcakes Batman, I'm only going to Canada in 3 days!!!!
Where has the time gone?! I am one very excited gal to be flying to meet my pals. Everyone is being lovely & wishing me a  great time away, so thanks all of you for that. I fully intend to have the best time ever.

I have to take a picture of bears & Mounties apparently. I'm not sure if I'll find any, but I'll try my darndest.

Apologies in advance if I suddenly become very British whilst in Canada. I'm more talking the accent than missing the UK, I'm already covering everything in maple syrup....

So. I'll keep you posted of my escapades. Watch this space.