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Calgary Stampede Jesper took them to an afternoon rodeo show during the Stampede and I joined them all at the parade grounds, after I finished work. We then had tickets to the evening chuck wagon races, followed by a wonderful show. I felt that I really hadn’t seen or done enough there, so one day while Jesper was out and Jannie and John had gone off for a few days sightseeing on their own, I took the bus to the |
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Stampede and did all the things I wanted to do and see there without having to think of anyone else. I had the best time ever, taking the ‘skyride’ high over the grounds from one end to the other, visiting the art exhibitions and the dreamhouse (a newly built house, completely furnished, which someone eventually wins), eating and drinking what and when I wanted. I had so much fun that I didn’t get home until midnight. |
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Okanagan Valley
I took a couple of days off work and we all set out to the Okanagan Valley for a long weekend. It is about 9 hours drive away, in British Columbia and is very popular for holidays. It is famous for its vast Okanagan lake stretching for miles, as well as its fruit orchards and vineyards, both of which are in abundance. Fresh fruit is sold all along the roadsides and you can visit all the vineyards along the way. As we had never visited this region, we took a long route there to see as much as possible and we even went over the border into Washington State, although we had to spend quite a time at the border crossing, completing forms, paying money and getting visas, just so we could go over the border for lunch, before returning to Canada. It was nice to see a part of the country we had not yet seen and it is a very beautiful area, but it was also busy during the weekend in July. |
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As Jesper was not working, he was able to take them out to see the various places and, although it is not possible to get everywhere in 3 weeks, they did manage to get to the most important places and still have time to relax. They had a wonderful time and it was really a life’s experience for them, having never been to North America. Just to see how much country there is and how few people live here, is in itself mind-boggling. So many things are so different here, especially from Sengeloese – and not always for the best of course, but still it is an experience not to be forgotten. |
