What a difference a week makes

Last week at this time, as you can see in the photo on my previous post, there was just a tiny hint of green on the trees. Now, there's leaves. Spring is short and sharp here in the Yukon. Ditto the fall. It is one thing I do miss about living here - the long slow slide from summer through autumn into winter. Here it's more like a slap in the face. Spring is so abrupt in the Yukon that spring and summer flowers bloom at the same time in a glorious rush of colour.

Veggie Gardens

Over the last week we've slowly plugged away at preparing the vegetable gardens. I started with the potatoes and then moved to the carrots, garlic and romaine. Now I need to decide what to plant in the last remaining veggie bed.

Snowy Wednesday

Woke up yesterday morning to 6 inches of fresh white snow. Sigh. Not gonna ride my bike today... what to wear...

Rome Recycles

One of my lasting impressions from this Italian visit is this difference between how Italians and Canadians consume - consume everything from food to space to material goods. Food is purchased for immediate consumption, not for keeping in the often non-existent refrigerator. When you are looking for produce, the owner of the shop will select the fruit or vegtables for you under your watchful eye. Often they are deposited into a brown paper cone (deftly folded by the shop owner) instead of the ubiquitous plastic bag. A cup of coffee is small and immediate. Served in tiny cups on marble counters to be consumed rapidly at the bar. When I was in need of a coffee or a bathroom I'd listen for the musical ring of heavy china saucers hitting marble counters with the tinkling rattle of teaspoons - sure sign of a coffee bar. The cost of admission to the toilet was the minimal cost of an espresso.

Space in Italy is at a premium. As polite Canadians we were always trying to stay out of the way. Impossible. Every square inch is utilized for some purpose or another - there is no 'out of the way'. The corollary of this is that all the space has a useful purpose - be it parking or picnicking. Trains are well used and well loved - they are there to move Italians around, not for comfortable touring. Each space on the train is used, often for multiple purposes. Italians happily inhabit spaces we'd use only for storage of small things. Italians just seem to be happier with less stuff over all.

I really noticed the fact that there was more recycling everywhere in Italy. Mostly plastic and glass, but still recycling. If they instituted composting they'd have it made. I did feel that there was a huge over consumption of bottled water. The fact that almost everywhere in Italy has piped potable water is huge. Why Italians don't trust it I don't understand. Christopher figured out how to ask for tap water when we ate at restaurants. I was surprised how often they'd say it wasn't drinkable and we'd end up with another plastic bottle.

Returning home through Italian and German airports I was so relieved when we arrived in Vancouver international. It is HUGE! We have the luxury of space here in Canada- unfortunately I think we don't always understand that it is a luxury. With all that space it's as if we feel we need to fill it up with stuff, material goods, huge homes, cars, ATVs and campers.

There and Back Again

We made it home safe and sound. The Air Canada customer service desk staff in the Vancouver Airport were fantastic - here's a shout out to Mitch, the supervisor who got us on the next Whitehorse bound flight. Jet Lag is surely a curse on all travelers. I don't notice it as much when I am starting my holiday and there's the Trevi fountain and the Colosseum to look at. On the return on the other hand...

Vancouver we love you

Would you believe a second screw up by Aeroplan? Yes. This time our flight doesn't even exist any more. And so here we are enjoying the weather, sights, coffee , sake and sushi of Vancouver. Not bad all in all. Only slightly worried about the dog.

En Route Roma, Frankfurt, Vancouver

A nasty hiccup this morning on arrival at Rome airport. Air Canada changed your flight madam. Madam your flight departed TWO hours ago. Panic ensued. Luckily Chris kept his head, spoke kindly and reasonably with fks who could fix things and with a small prayer to the Italian Catholic God of travelers we hope it all works. A curse on Air Canada and all it's feeble bastard minions!