|
War and Communism
|
| Friday, June 06, 2008 |
|
|
Today we docked in Poland to visit the town of Gdansk. I knew absolutely nothing about Poland before this trip. I even have to admit that I had little desire of visiting. But I came away with a great appreciation for this people. The hardships they have been through in the past century is staggering.
Gdansk is the site where World War II started – September 1, 1939 when a Nazi warship opened fire on the harbour. Those were the first shots fired in a war that was to claim more lives than any other in history. The Poles had been allowed to fortify their spot in the harbour with a maximum of 80 armed men, but by disguising themselves as construction workers they were able to sneak in an extra 140 soldiers.
When the attack began, the Polish army told them they were alone and not to expect reinforcements. However, the barracks buildings housing the soldiers in the harbour had been fortified with steel... [cont'd]
|
 |
|
Comments (0)
|
More...
|
|
Off The Beaten Path
|
| Tuesday, June 03, 2008 |
|
|
The past two days we have been docked in St. Petersburg, Russia. Yesterday morning we did a tour of the Hermitage museum which includes the Winter Palace. As the curator of the museum says, “The Louvre may be the best museum in the world, but the Hermitage is certainly not 2nd best!” We are definitely not into art but it was neat to see the extensive collections from all of the most renowned artists. Even if you don’t care for paintings, it is worth visiting the Hermitage merely to admire the incredibly beautiful buildings that make up the gallery.
This morning Melody stayed with Arwyn on the ship and I did an organized excursion called Hidden Scenes Walking Tour. “Get off the beaten path with an excursion that visits the inner haunts of this great city, from St. Petersburg Metro to Kuznechny Market.”... [cont'd]
|
|
|
|
Comments (0)
|
More...
|
|
Move Number Five
|
| Tuesday, May 27, 2008 |
|
|
In the news this week, there was rain in London, conflict in the Middle East and the Wallis family moved house once again. Our good friend Jenna offered a word of encouragement by reminding us that we are only pilgrims in this world. Unfortunately, after moving five times in 2.5 years we are beginning to feel more like nomads. Actually the whole moving thing is beginning to feel a bit passé really. But oh well.
The good news is that it is probably the most problem-free move we’ve had so far. We tried a different moving company this time and they were top notch. This means that they didn’t curse our house, threaten our oversized-Canadian furniture with an axe, or even complain about actually having to move something. No crane for said oversized-Canadian furniture required this time, either... [cont'd]
|
|
|
|
Comments (2)
|
More...
|
|
Le Stink
|
| Tuesday, April 29, 2008 |
|
|
I recently found a fab new route to work. No more cramming myself into the DLR, slugging my way through escalator-refurbishment-work-infested Bank station, then arriving at work two-dimensional after a trip on a Central Line train. Now I walk two minutes to Greenwich station, take a quick overground train to London Bridge and enjoy a peaceful 30 minute walk to my office along the Thames. Taking in the sites on the water is surprisingly preferable to being packed like a sardine into an underground train.
This past Friday was a little different though. I was casually enjoying my morning stroll when all of a sudden… *sniff* *sniff*. Erm… ew what’s that? Something was a little foul... [cont'd]
|
|
|
|
Comments (0)
|
More...
|
|
A Medieval City Divided By a River
|
| Sunday, March 16, 2008 |
|
|
On a recent visit to Canada, former British prime minister Tony Blair commented, “Canada is poised to become an economic and political powerhouse in the world.” He continued, “I often say to people, Canada will become one of the world’s most powerful nations.” Blair then added this caution: “As power grows … so does more responsibility.” At least he is more optimistic than a Time magazine article that ran a few years ago, of which the front cover read, “If Canada disappeared from the face of the Earth, would anyone notice?”
So what would Canada do as the next superpower? [cont'd...]
|
|
|
|
Comments (0)
|
More...
|
|
Christmas in Belgium
|
| Sunday, December 30, 2007 |
|
|
Where do you go when you’ve just eaten your tenth Toberlone or Terry’s Chocolate Orange from your stocking? Why, Belgium of course. For more chocolate. Not that we didn’t get more than enough for Christmas, but there’s no chocolate like Belgian chocolate. Actually we just wanted Mel’s mum to see some nice European Christmas markets. We took the Eurostar early Friday morning and returned the next evening.
Our hotel turned out to be perfectly located – right across from the train station. We got Arwyn changed and fed (mushy peas, decidedly un-Belgian) and went to the Grand Place. The square of medieval, gothic buildings was as beautiful as ever. When I told my co-worker we were going to Brussels after Christmas he gave me a look as if to say, “Oh you poor thing.” Personally, I love Belgium! The food is amazing. Sidewalk cafés are open year-round. Waffles on every street-corner. What’s not to love? [cont'd...]
|
|
|
|
Comments (0)
|
More...
|
|
Mr. Mum in Prague
|
| Sunday, November 25, 2007 |
|
|
Right now we are packing for another trip to the City of a Thousand Spires. Mel is doing a rehearsal for her second annual undergrad PR event. There are a few things that are different on this visit to Praha though, besides it being more business vs. pleasure.
- This time Melody isn’t pregnant.
- This time we KNOW that Melody isn’t pregnant.
- Um, this time we really hope that Melody isn’t pregnant!
- This time those few multiplying cells inside of Melody have transformed into a smiling, pooping, cooing little bundle of absolute lovable goober.
- This time it is me that is going to be carrying the baby, not mummy!
Yes, while Mel is organizing business cases I will be strolling Prague’s cobblestone streets, taking in the view from the castle and visiting with Smetana and Dvorák. On top of that, I’ll also have Arwyn strapped to my tummy and will be toting a backpack full of nappies, baby wipes... [cont'd]
|
|
|
|
Comments (2)
|
More...
|
|
Missing Mel
|
| Wednesday, September 26, 2007 |
|
|
At home. By myself. All alone. Survived the most boring flight ever from Toronto to London. How many times can someone watch a $250M blockbuster (Spiderman 3) and still find it interesting? Apparently not more than once. I spent the rest of the time staring at the wall in front of me, picking at that thing they call a “meal”, and wondering just how many sheep I would have to count before having a chance at falling asleep. Landed at 6:30am, went through customs, got my bags and hit the tube just in time for morning rush hour. It was a beautiful sunny day, and the good thing about lugging suitcases and a bright red Canada backpack around is that you can act like a complete tourist and not have to feel ashamed (ie., taking lots of photos at random things).
Survived the first day back at work after three weeks off. I was disappointed that I had only received 9,753 emails during my absence... [cont'd]
|
|
|
|
Comments (2)
|
More...
|
|
The Baby Has Landed
|
| Friday, August 24, 2007 |
|
|
So here we are, safe and sound back in good ole T.O. A big thanks to Catherine who accompanied us on the journey from our house to Heathrow. Overcoming rush hour masses, miserable weather, heavy suitcases, a baby in a baby carriage, a dire case of tube-ophobia (on poor Catherine’s part) - we made it to terminal 3 with nary a pooped-out nappy.
When we checked in we started to realize some of the benefits of travelling with a newborn (yes, there are some!). First of all, you get to check-in at the Special Services desk and avoid the entire queue. Secondly, the kind ladies behind the desk will merely smile at your 200lb overweight bags when they see the little one cooing in her stroller. And, if you can encourage a few earth-shattering squeals when you take your seat, you may even find that half the cabin has relocated and given you several rows to yourself. Bonus!
On check-in, I almost raised a level three security alert after mistakenly asking for a bayonet instead of a bassinette...
|
|
|
|
Comments (0)
|
More...
|
|
My Daughter is a Jet-Setter
|
| Saturday, July 28, 2007 |
|
|
Today is a very exciting day for our little girl: she received her passport!!
I’m certainly not into celebrity news by any stretch of the imagination, but I did find the following story about Matt Damon amusing. It’s titled, “My Daughter is a Jet-Setter”:
Actor Matt Damon’s one-year old daughter may not be walking, but she is definitely flying, for her parents travel a lot and they ensure that they take her along with them.
The 36-year-old actor said that his girl, Isabella, who would turn one this week, had already got more stamps on her passport than what Damon had when he was 30.
“We travel a lot but try to bring her everywhere. She has 11 stamps on her passport. She has more stamps than I did when I was 30,” People magazine quoted him, as saying.
Not that we are in any sort of competition, but Baby Arwyn could give Baby Isabella a run for her, um, nappies. We were trying to count the number of countries she’s has been to since she was a wee zygote...
|
|
|
|
Comments (0)
|
More...
|
|
|
|