Ottawa, October 14, 2023 Part 2

 As most of you know, I usually have at least one flight planned as soon as I return to Canada. For the past three years my travels have all been out of the country. I am now forced to change my plans. I was intending to spend the month of February next year with my little friend, Hussian and his mother in Istanbul. That will not happen.

With the recent renewal of war in the Middle East, travel into any part of that area is not recommended unless for urgent matters. Millions of refugees are looking for safer lands, and accommodation is going to be hard to fine. After chats with Hussians mom, we decided it best not to plan any travel there at this time.

So, for the first time in years, I have no definate  plans for travel at this time. I will be here in Ottawa for all of the holiday season. Take care. 

Ottawa, October 14, 2023

 Hello All;  We returned from our western trip last Saturday, October 7, and I now have the time to do an update. We flew with Porter Airlines both ways, and had great flights. Outbound, we flew to Toronto, and had a change of planes. There was a problem with the aircraft taking us to Edmonton, so we were delayed for an hour and a half. Since we were only away for seven days, we travelled with a back-pack each and had no checked luggage. Upon arrival in Edmonton, we picked up an Enterprise car rental that I had reserved for our time there in the west. The folks at Enterprise gave me an upgrade to a Chev Malibu, and waived the second driver fee. We shared driving and got to Grand Prairie Alberta that evening where I had reserved a hotel. A dinner with a family member was cancelled on route as we were too late for that, so we met for breakfast the following morning instead.

Our next stop was in the town of Beaverlodge where we had a visit with Bev Scott, the mother of our breakfast date. As one enters Beaverlodge, there is a giant beaver , probably 25 feet long beside the road to greet travelers. WE gassed the car in Hythe, just before crossing into B.C. The gas price per liter is over 20 cents cheaper on the Alberta side. 

We visited with family and friends for the remainder of our time there, stopping in Dawson Creek and Ft. St John. I have one sister  and a brother in Dawson, and two brothers in St John. There are also many cousins, nieces , nephews, and and friends in the area. Our western most point west was a short drive from St John to Bear Flats, where a cousin lives. Their farm is near the sight of  the Site C dam on the Peace River. When the Dam bypass tunnels are blasted shut this fall, the water will cover a large portion of their land.

I was able to see all family members except one brother. He resides in a seniors home and they had a version of Covid going around, so we just chatted on the phone. In Edmonton on the return, a cousin drove up from Red Deer for lunch with us, and we visited old friends for dinner at their farm that evening. Saturday morning, we returned the car and had an excellent, on time flight home. 

Ottawa, September 21, 2023

 Hello All; Well I have been home for about two weeks, so its time to travel again. This time, just a short flight out to Edmonton on September 30, and return to Ottawa on October 7. My youngest daughter Lisa, is travelling with me. She has not been back west for a number of years. We are flying Porter Airlines, and upon arrival Edmonton, we pick up a car at the Edmonton airport and drive north west to Grand Prairie, Alberta. WE will visit family there that afternoon and then drive to Dawson Creek the next morning. (Dawson  Creek is the start of the World Famous Alaska Highway). Later, we will drive the fifty miles up to Ft St John and visit family and the old homestead were I started life on the farm and walked two and a half miles to school...and back each day. On the afternoon of October 4, we drive back to Dawson, and return to Edmonton on the 6th. I have one sister and three brothers living  up there, and a number of cousins. When we get to Edmonton, we will be visiting great friends that we have known for about 40 years.

On a totally non traveling subject, I would like to draw to the attention of any Canadian reader to a new law that may be of use to them or someone they know. Just over two years ago, the Canadian Government changed the laws regarding Military Service so that now ANY person who served in one of the Canadian Armed Services, and received an Honorable Discharge, is now considered a Veteran, and is entitled to Veteran services. They must apply to the Department of National Defense, and submit forms which are available online. Just Google...CF Card. The first information states that you can order on line, or by mail. Not so. You download the forms and submit by mail. That is stated on page 2 of the forms. 

This new situation copies a similar law that President Obama passed for American Citizens in 2016. I only became aware of it last week. I was out of Canada when it happened, and it was not widely published...some say...A militarySecret!!!/ Take care

Ottawa, September 3, 2023

 Hello all.   I had a good trip home from Istanbul until I arrived in Montreal. For the third time in recent travels, Air Canada cancelled my flight from Montreal to Ottawa. It took me longer to get this 22 minute trip home than it took to fly from Geneva Switzerland to Montreal....eight hours. My one piece of luggage arrived home almost 24 hours later. Here is how my return trip went.

Because I had to be at the Istanbul  (IST) airport at four in the morning for my flight to Geneva with Turkish airlines, I went up to the airport at eight in the evening...by Metro train. I was able to check in at that time for the morning flight, and everything went great, until Montreal. I spent the time  at IST Airport chatting with other passengers in the same situation.

Upon arrival at Montreal at two P.M., I cleared customs in ten minutes and went to gate 9 for my flight to Ottawa....it was to depart at four. The Agent took checked my Boarding pass and Passport, then told me that my flight would be 30 minutes late, "due to severe weather in Western Canada". THERE WERE NO SUCH PROBLEMS . I walked about 100 feet on my way to get a coffee...and saw the Departures Board ...My flight was cancelled.....as were the next two to Ottawa. I went back to the counter to see if I could be booked on the seven P.M. flight...and was told..."You must go to another counter down the long hallway, as we only deal with Business Class here, for this issue.

I got to the Ottawa airport at eight, waited an hour for all the luggage to be unloaded, then found that my luggage was still in Montreal, and would come to Ottawa by truck overnight. It arrived at my apartment at two in the afternoon.

This is no joke...or maybe it is...but the name of the Company that delivers luggage for Air Canada is.called.....Wheresmyluggage.com.    I do not let this type of event get to me, but it is apparent to me and many others that Air Canada is trying to lose customers. I believe that before long, we will see AC only doing International and domestic long hauls, such as Montreal to Vancouver. The rest will be done by their partners  Jazz and Rouge which wear Air Canada colors.

All in all, it was a great trip, even when considering the 40 hours to do it. Take care. At this time, I do not have any trips planned, but will be going west to visit family this fall, probably before the end of October, and the snow. 

Istanbul, 29 August 2023

Hello all;  This will be my last posting from Istanbul for this trip. Around eight here this evening, I will take the Metro train to the airport. I must be at the airport by four in the morning, and depart just after seven. I will go out there and read, and relax rather than taking a taxi in the middle of the night. If all goes as scheduled, I will be home to Ottawa around six Wednesday evening.

Yesterday, we had a bit of an adventure, that was unexpected. It was our plan to take the Metro to the station that serves the famous Pierre Loti restaurant and ridge top view point. From the Metro station, one takes a Gondola lift to the top. Here they call it a Teleferek. We use the Metro card for the lift up; this is four gondola cars, two at the top and two at the bottom. Each car holds about eight adults, depending on size. When the two depart the bottom, the top two must also depart as they are fixed to the same cables.

We waited in the line up for about twenty minutes before getting our space to go up. We had a nice ride, with the elevation being about 1500 feet up the ridge, and the ride being about a kilometre. Since the rush was just starting, we had no problem getting a table with a grand view and then having breakfast.

After about an hour and a half at the top, we departed the restaurant.........and to our surprise they had a mechanical problem with the gondola system, and everyone had to walk down. It was a steep descent and took about 30 minutes. It was 34 degrees, so an ice cream was in order at the bottom. 

Upon my return, when time permits, I will do a posting with photos from Pierre Loti. I will have a friend help with that, as it is not something I can easily do myself.

Take care.

Istanbul Turkiye, August 16, 2023

 Hello All. Today, the Turkish Lira is about 19.5 to the Canadian dollar. We all got a surprise on Sunday  morning at the transit stations. The Metro fare went up 50 percent per ride. In addition, Metro system cards over two years old were not rechargeable when the amount on the card dropped below one ride. We had to buy new cards at 50 Lira, and, paper money over 100 Lira would not be accepted by the charge station machines. I had bought my card just over two years ago, so I was in a large group that all had to renew that morning. From my hotel to the mall where I meet my friends is two lines and about 8 stops. 30 Lira versus 18 before.

Yesterday afternoon, we took Hussian for a tooth removal, which was very traumatic for him, but probably more so for his mother. The tooth had to be removed, but he was not told until we arrived at the dental office. The dentist spoke English and all xrays etc were done with no problem, but when he saw the tool to be used he screamed rather loud. It was over before he knew it, and an ice cream cone made the day more memorable. The cost was about 12 Canadian dollars. No wonder patients come here from Canada and the United States by the hundreds to have dental work done. With the air fare and hotels included, the costs are less than at home. Recently, the Canadian Government felt sorry for the Canadian dentists and now refuse to pay for employees or retirees dental work done outside Canada. I still get my work done outside the country.

We are having warm weather...mid thirties here, with lots of humidity.

Each day on the trains, I continue to meet folks from other countries that are either visitors or working here. I had a good visit with a gent from Thailand yesterday, and was able to show him the way to the airport by rail. I have not been to Indonesia yet, but a few days ago, I met a lady from Bali....the first person from Indonesia that I have met. The Philippines and Indonesia are two countries on my list to visit. Today, I met a lady from British Columbia, and a young gentleman from Seattle. I had some fun with him....I pretended not to know where Washington state was. I was born next door....in B.C,

Take care/ enjoy the day 

Istanbul, Sunday 13 August, 2023

 Hello From a warm Istanbul. We are now somewhat cooler in the high 20s with some rain forecast for Monday. We have been doing daily trips exploring this city and making it simple for Hussian to play with other kids. The parks are a gathering place for families in the evenings, and most parks ar e close to malls. Istanbul has an excellent Metro...(Subway) system, so it is easy to get around. The city recently  completed a line to the Istanbul airport, which is around 40 kilometres from the city centre. This is taking a lot of business from the crooked Taxi drivers.  When I arrived here, I did not know about the subway extension. As usual, I took a taxi which was metered. When we got to the hotel, the meter reading was just over 400 Lira, which is normal. The driver said six hundred,  and insisted the meter was not correct. Another rider next to us was having the same problem. We found that the city is investigating this scam.

Yesterday, we went to the city terminal for the new line, to check it out and see where it is. so I will be taking it when I depart here, and for any future trips to this city. Within the city, a ride, no matter how far is about 50 cents Canadian.....on that line. One must tap the card again if you make a connection to the next line or a bus.

We are looking to do a one day tour outside the city if we can book such a trip. The trips are available, but busy with the high tourist season winding down.

Tuesday, 15, we are taking  the Metro to the famous Pierre Loti restaurant atop a high ridge. This place was named for a French sailor who retired there and became a famous Author. After breakfast, we are taking Hussian to have a tooth pulled. He is not aware of that, but during a visit last week to his dentist, it was determined that the tooth must come out. The dentist Tuesday is not at the same place as the other doctor, so it will be a surprise, and we know he will be very upset.

Take care.