The Chilliwack event had about 325 participants and raised at last count over $25,000.

There has been some things going on including being very busy at work which translates into long days and a very tired Aargh. I figured I would post an update and see where things go from here.

The saga of my wrist has continued and last Monday I went for a Bone Scan in Surrey Memorial Hospital. They inject Radioactive tracer into the opposite arm and quickly take some pictures then you wait 3 hours and more pictures are taken. This all went well and as I was leaving the hospital I felt kinda funny and as I stepped around some folks standing on the sidewalk I fell and cut my knee open. Oh yes I also put my right hand down again so yes I hurt it again. Luckily this time it only hurt for a couple hours and did not swell. I had to wait till this Friday to get the results and visit my doctor. The results, well apparently the Radiologists cannot agree if the bone has a break but the consensus is as I am pretty much pain free and have full mobility any pain is from ligament damage.

This takes me to something I have been noticing for the last 9 or 10 months and is related to my wrist issues. As I was born with Spina Bifida I have a few challenges with my left leg and left foot which causes me to experience some weakness and lack of control of my left foot. When I was much younger I tended to fall a lot as I would either twist my left ankle or misstep and fall. This caused a lot of skinned and bloodied knees and ripped pants. Over the years I learned to adjust and would concentrate and pay attention when I walked and in the last 10 to 15 years I noticed that I was no longer falling. I would still twist my ankle but would not lose my balance and fall. That is until last summer and over the last several months I have not only twisted my ankle several times I have fallen multiple times with the worst being in March when I broke my wrist. As I am seeing a pattern I am quite concerned and will now be visiting an orthopedic specialist to see what is up with my ankle. More fun and games but I guess as this is causing me to fall it would be the best way to help my wrist stay healthy.

Wish me luck!

The next day we wandered around the local area and took in the sights of the Royal Palace, Alumenda Cathedral and Plaza Mayor. While this walk should have been pleasant it turned out to be somewhat uncomfortable due to the almost constant heavy rain and my legs being very sore. On the way back to the hotel we ran into a politcal rally which while I wanted to hang around and see what was happening my travel companion recommended we keep moving and with the large police presence I finally agreed. After a rest and a change of clothes we headed out for more wandering and ended up at a Tapas bar for dinner. What started as a quiet evening at the Tapas bar turned interesting when a large group of women showed up with something in common, they all were wearing a picture of the same man. One of the women was in curlers and wearing an apron. So we surmised it was probably a bachelorette party which our waitress confirmed. During the dinner there was lots of singing and probably jokes(my Spanish is not so good so only a guess on my part) running around the table. The dinner was quite tasty with one of dishes containing shark.

Sunday we took the high speed train to Toledo which is a World Heritage City with the old city up on the hill overlooking the modern city. Toledo is famous for the old city and also is home to Toledo Steel used in making world famous swords. As we wandered through the old cobblestoned streets were bit surprised by all the stores and of course they had swords of all shapes and sizes with a large number of the swords tourist knockoffs. Something which was really out of character for the old city was a McDonalds which really did not belong. After wandering for most of the day we found a small restaurant where we enjoyed a nice meal. I had a home made beef stew and a jub of local Sangria.

From our time in Madrid a couple of things stand out for me, first the amount of restaurants that serve Ham and even some places that only serve Ham. Second and probably what really stands out for me was how rude people seemed to be and how pushy people were and I mean physically pushy. This was not just men, it was men and women young and old. I have spoken to several people who have indicated they have had similar experiences while others who have visited Barcelona and other areas of Spain did not find this to be the case. So I am left with a negative impression and I am not sure if it was something I did or just the luck of the draw. I would like to give Spain another try and hopefully leave with a different impression.

After a short rest we headed for dinner again in our hotel in an authentic Moroccan restaurant called Layali

setup to look like a traditional Moroccan tent. We enjoyed a pleasant dinner with music and of course a belly dancer. The next day we decided to take a taxi to the center of the town and walk around the downtown of Tangier. As we walked through the streets we made it to the beach and walked out to the water, as it was a rainy day it was not completely pleasant but I can imagine it would be a nice place when the sun is shining. As we continued to walk we headed in the direction of our hotel with no real plan except to walk and expereince more local culture. One piece of “local” culture we had not intended to visit was the local McDonalds but as fate would have it we decided on a whim to give it try and see what local flavour was available. I decided to try a McArabia which consisted of grilled kofta (beef with spices) and lettuce, tomatoes, onions, and garlic mayonnaise all wrapped in an Arabic style pita bread. While my traveling companion had a Chicken Mythic, a chicken sandwich, he indicated it was ok but nothing to write home about. The rest of the afternoon we continued to walk to our hotel passing the local sheep herd and a group of camels lounging in the field beside the main road. The rest of our day and evening we spent around the hotel and after dinner we visited the Casino and ended the evening enjoying drinks in the lounge.

The next day our final day in exotic Morocco we hung around the hotel until our pickup for the drive to airport. Something interesting that occurred when I entered Morocco the Passport control agent had problems entering my data into the computer and he kept asking me if I was born in Winnipeg to which I answered a polite no as my passport states I was born in Calgary. After what seemed like 20 or 30 minutes (it was about 15 very uncomfortable minutes) he called over his supervisor who asked me the same questions and after another 5 minutes of both of them looking at the computer screen the supervisor waved me through. But the story does not end there, as we went through passport control to leave Tangier the agent started to ask me more questions and then started writing line after line of numbers and letters. Again after what seemed like hours he called over his boss and this gentleman scared me. To describe what this gentleman looked like, think of all those movies set in either Central America or Mexico and picture the guy playing the secret policeman with the mustache and smoking a cigarette. That is what this guy looked like right down to the mustache and smoking a cigarette. After more interrogation I was allowed to proceed and immediately after sitting down my traveling companion said in a very very load voice “Boy were they interested in you” to which I said “Shut up they are still watching me.” Over the next 20 minutes the mysterious gentleman kept looking at me making me very uncomfortable. The call for our flight to Madrid could not have come any sooner. I was able to breathe easier once we were out over the Mediterranean.

We arrived in Tangier just before midnight on Tuesday and were met by our driver Moustafa who drove a somewhat rusty and rickety Mercedes van. As we drove through the streets of Tangier towards our hotel we tried to ask questions of our driver only to discover he spoke Moroccan and French. So it was in French and using hand signals to communicate. As we looked around the first thing that struck me was with the architecture, plants and the people, Tangier was the exotic place I was expecting. After a long day traveling we headed to bed and a good nights sleep.

We were woken by the phone ringing about 11am and it was Moustafa’s boss asking if we wanted to take a tour that day. As our plans for Tangier were fluid after some quick negotiations we set up a pickup time of about 1:30. This would give us sometime to wake up and get lunch before our tour started. As we were not moble we decided to check out our hotel, The Movenpick for lunch. It turns out there is a buffet offered for lunch and dinner so we decided to give it a try. The lunch was quite tasty and included a few exotic dishes including Rabbit Fricassee and some very tasty desserts.

After we enjoyed a nice lunch we waited outside for our tour when we were approached by a gentleman who was saying our room number, it turns out he was to be our guide. His name is Sayed and he turned out to be quite a character. As we waited for our driver, Mousatfa (our driver from the airport) Sayed gave us a brief overview of what the tour would include. Once Moustafa arrived we were off on the great adventure. First a drive through the city with a running commentary from Sayed about the history of the city and the different inhabitants of the area throughout history. Next we took a drive up to hills overlooking the city including a drive past one of the palaces of the King Mohammed VI After a drive through the hills we headed for the coast of the Atlantic Ocean which included a stop overlooking the ocean. Back on the road we headed to Cape Spartel, where a lighthouse is located. From here we headed to the Caves of Hercules where it is beleived Hercules lived while in Africa. There is an area of the cave which looks out to the ocean and it is a reverse map of Africa. Quite a sight. After our visit to the Cave we headed back to Tangier and the Kasbah for our walking tour.

Upon arriving at Parliament we discovered due to the marathon a good portion of the streets downtown were closed to vehicles. When else can you walk down the middle of Westminster Bridge and take pictures of the Parliament Buildings. We decided to walk and see the sights. We headed across the river and headed down Whitehall towards Trafalgar Square. along the way we stopped at Downing Street and Horse Guards Parade where the Trooping of the Color is held each year. Next we walked down The Mall and through Admiralty Arch and into Trafalgar Square.

After spending sometime looking around and taking pictures of the statues and buildings we continued to walk towards Piccadilly Circus and along the way we discovered a piece of Canadiana

so of course we stopped in for a donut. Next we reached Piccadilly Circus and after some wandering came upon a crowd which was gathered outside the theater hosting the World Premiere of the movie Flashbacks of a Fool starring Daniel Craig. We decided to hang out and see if we could see someone famous. After about 45 minutes the man himself , Daniel Craig made a quick exit and waved to the crowd before jumping into his car. After a very long day we decided to make our way back to our hotel. This was our first full day in London, up next Monday.

Our plans for Monday consisted of the Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace, a visit to the Churchill War Rooms, the Guards Museum, The London Eye and Harrods. So we started the day by heading for The Tube (Mind the Gap) and Buckingham Palace. As we crossed Green Park we discovered a monument commemorating the contribution of Canada in the two World Wars. I did not even know it was there and was surprised when we found it. Next we headed for the Palace to get a good viewing place. After meeting some other tourists and waiting for about an hour and a bit a policeman informed the crowd that the Changing of the Guard was not taking place that day. Oh well best laid plans, we were off to the Guards Museum and Guards Chapel which honours the history of the five regiments of Guards. From here we headed to the Churchill War Rooms which were the underground rooms setup in World War II to house Winston Churchill and his Cabinet while they governed the country.

From the Cabinet Offices we headed over to the London Eye for a spin which lasts for about 30 minutes which in our case consisted of a torrential downpour making the observation a little difficult. From the London Eye we decided to head for the decadence of Harrods. After wandering around Harrods we found the food area and indulged in an ice cream from Morelli’s Gelato. While the treats were decadent they were not best Ice Cream treats I have ever had, far from it. After more wandering we headed back to hotel exhausted but satisfied.

Tuesday morning before we flew out to Tangier we headed back to Buckingham Palace to see the Changing of the Guard. After a long wait we were finally able to witness the pageantry of this grand ceremony. The ceremony while difficult to see due to the fence around the palace to say we saw the Changing of the Guard meant something special for me as I have always wanted to see it. Another thing to mark off the list. Next up is Tangier.

Here are the rules

The concept:
1. Type your answer to each of the questions below into Flickr Search.
2. Using only the first page of results, pick one image.
3. Copy and paste each of the URLs for the images Mosaic Maker to create a mosaic of the picture answers.

The questions:
1. What is your first name?
2. What is your favorite food? right now?
3. What high school did you go to?
4. What is your favorite color?
5. Who is your celebrity crush?
6. What is your favorite drink?
7. What is your dream vacation?
8. What is your favorite dessert?
9. What do you want to be when you grow up?
10. What do you love most in life?

11. What is one word that describes you?

12. What is your flickr name?

1. st anthony, 2. My first strawberries of this season…, 3. Gwynne Vaughan House and Park, 4. Island Maroon, 5. scarlett johanssen, 6. Wasted away in Margaritaville, 7. Deserted Side of Cozemel, 8. Cheesecake with strawberry gelèe, 9. Portofino a favorite of wealthy yachters, 10. | you & you |, 11. Mr Reliable too.., 12. Vanessa

I must say I was extremely impressed with how polite and accommodating Jamie was during the few moments we spoke. A true gentleman.

Dinner last night was Tapas and Spanish beer while we enjoyed Paella and a very thick and tasty beef stew for dinner tonight. Next comes Paris the City of Lights, and did I mention pastries MMMM fresh bread in the morning, chocolate crossiants mmmm!

London was great and while we walked our feet off we did get to see lots of great sites and met some interesting people at the same time. We went to see the Changing of the Guard on Monday only to be told it was only every second day so off we went to visit the Churchill War Rooms and the London Eye with a side trip to Westminister Abbey.

Tuesday we jetted off to Morocco and landed first in Casablanca and then flew onto Tanger. Tanger has the exotic feel you would think it has with the right mix of new and old. On Wednesday we spent the day with our driver Moustafa and our guide Sayed who regaled us with tales of old while we visited Cape Spartel, the Caves of Hercules, the Medina and the Kasbah (More tales complete with pictures coming soon). On Wednesday night we ate in a traditional Moroccan restaurant with Moroccan music and of course a belly dancer.

Friday begins our Spanish adventure with a trip to Toledo.