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Having postponed visiting family in Vancouver since leaving 6 years ago, it was worth taking 3 weeks to make the trip and have the family reunion. Flying there by Air Canada mid-December was disturbing due to fear of flying. Five hours later, and landing in Vancouver Airport past midnight, was a big relief and one sister luckily had a late staff party to pick me up and host me for the next weeks at her Maple Ridge home. Family reunions are often emotional and loving from all the years spent apart! Due to the heavy snowfall in British Columbia, we were homebound or snowbound to remain at home most of the holidays. Our brothers and their families, with all their children now taller and grown-up, came for dinner on one weekend. It took days to prepare the menu and meal, including shoveling the driveway up the hill of my sister's and brother-in-law's 1 acre two-storey house. We all had fun catching up on each other's lives which made all the preparation worthwhile. Stories about relationships and careers were discussed in small groups and there were over 20 people total at the reunion. Dinner was laid out buffet-style: sushi, roast, mashed potatoes, rice, salad, bread, cheese cake, wine and coffee. Everyone ate as much as they wanted and settled down to talk over wine and coffee. It ended with everyone hoping to meet each other more regularly. The other days we went to a few malls for Christmas and Boxing Day shopping. On the last day, I wandered around Gastown, Downtown and Robson Street. Gastown looks the same and Robson Street stores seem to have increased. Lots of fashion clothing stores to spend money on. Shoppers continue to spend even during the global economy crisis! Shopaholics are addicted to shopping even if their closets are full of clothers and their household is full of things! For the trip back to Toronto, I booked online a train ride Viarail where they have Express Deals at 75% discount rate on certain days! It would take about 4 nights and 5 days to return. It was an excellent deal with a lower berth, all gourmet meals included, showers, lounge with drinks, games and videos! This train trip is worth recommending to go across Canada in style and with full service from the friendly staff. The scene outside is mostly nature with trees or plains and lots of snow and ice and stopovers are in small towns. It is mainly for relaxation rather than excitement. I wrote a lot of poetry for my 5th sonnet book during this holiday. I met environment researchers and retired pensioners on holiday. Most were traveling to and from family visits and not for the glamour of train rides. Nothing unusual happened like the movies with train rides: Murder on the Orient Express (Agatha Christie), Terror by Night (Sherlock Holmes), Darjeeling Limited, Cassandra Crossing, The Railrodder (NFB). After 5 days of rest (in contrast to the 5 hours of stress on plane), I returned to studio i garage. Reference: Train Rides in Movies Viarail Air Canada
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