SURPRISE!!

SURPRISE! Toronto must have been naughty this Christmas because it was hit by the worst ice storm ever, and as of today (4 cold dark days later) thousands of homes are still without heat or power. Trees and cars on our block crashed separately and together, like neighbours that don't get along.

Fortunately our van was in the garage and with the help of some de-icing we flew to Vancouver to complete an event in the making for 30+ years. SURPRISE! We joined our Australian friends Den and Pat, and showed up after a months-long secret to shock our other Australian friend Alaia. The three of us (A,D,R) hadn't been together since 1978! Her shriek was heard for miles, her tears fell on a big happy smile. I love surprises, don't you??

The rest of our stopover was spent in reminiscing, feasting, and re-discovering this beautiful sea-to-sky north shore. Gourmet, Gondola, Grouse Mountain, Glad tidings, even a Gingerbread house competition. A truly magical Christmas even though our thoughts were with you out there, our friends and family. On the 25th all 5 of us gathered in the lavish house-swap kitchen to cook (Pat assisting Den's first-ever turkey) and then  feast again. Tower of Power on the itunes, tower of powered pepper grinder (with LED light), chic tower of powered corkscrew (none of us guessed what it was at first!). The heartfelt gifts passed out were topped by pictures of us from the good olde days. Laughs and legendary stories all around.

After dressed-up leftovers yesterday, Pat and I are dressing up ourselves today to visit our favourite neighbourhoods in Vancouver, almost 4 years since we worked at the Winter Olympics here. Great memories past, present --- and future? Tonight we move on, flying 16 hours to Cambodia. I hope we land for a New Year's SURPRISE!!