Even when we’re not on the go I still feel the need to chronicle what we’re doing.
I got back from hot temperatures in Italy to find that autumn had arrived in Vancouver and made itself at home here: crunchy fallen leaves, crisp temperatures, and that particular clarity to the colour of the sky that heralds the change of season away from hazy summer.
It made sense, since there were less than two weeks left in October.
Just two days back from my trip to Italy, Ted and I had coffee with fellow nomads James and Tracey, temporarily here in Vancouver. We’ve interacted for a couple of years on social media, but never met in person, so it was a real treat to spend a couple of hours chatting over coffee instead of online.
One of the things we talked about was how strange it can feel being back in our home province for a longer stretch than just 4-6 weeks between travels. We agreed that being “home” makes us lazier, and that an extended period in one spot no longer feels right. It is as if our bodies and minds have adjusted to constantly needing the stimulus of new places and new experiences.
For Ted and for me, our new routine for preventing us (mostly me, honestly) from going stir crazy, over-planning trips, and resorting to online shopping, is to fill our calendar with activities.
To that end, we scheduled our annual Covid and flu shots, and a slate of entertainment.
I thought I’d give it a try.
We had another meetup, this time with Avis and James, for brunch at Paul’s Omelettery on Granville Street. We knew brunch was a safe bet from all of James’ breakfast food photos! We first met in person a couple of years ago when we were interested in picking their brains about house/petsitting. Although that did not end up being our travel style, it was interesting to learn about how well it has worked for them, and we’ve kept in touch ever since. As was the case with our earlier meetup, it was a joy to share conversation while being in the same physical space.
By the time I was completely over my jet lag, I was ready for some live entertainment in the form of a play called “Big Stuff”. I couldn’t resist getting tickets to this one when I read the synopsis, given our decision back in 2018 to forego being tied to “stuff”. The event was a combination of scripted elements and audience-driven improv, with a wonderful balance of humour and nostalgia/sadness. We thoroughly enjoyed it.
It was our first time seeing a play at the Olympic Village Stage at the BMO Theatre Centre. We’re discovering that Vancouver has lots of wonderful small theatres presenting a wide range of entertainment. Last month we were wowed by the fabulous technical set designs at the Stanley BFL Canada Stage when we saw the excellent crime caper Heist.
We’ve been exceptionally lucky in our relationship with our landlords/neighbours. While he is our resident handyman/advisor, she and I have shared recipes, and occasional afternoon tea or wine. This month she shared a beautiful neighbourhood with me : Southlands, where huge properties and equestrian stables are still the norm, and a lovely country market centre attracts families.
We strolled along a section of the Fraser River that Ted and I had not yet discovered because it is not easily accessible by public transit.
Thanks to son#1, I found a new author this month: John Wiswell. He’s written just two books so far, and each was unique and enjoyable. Someone You Can Build a Nest In is a sci-fi/fantasy that asks the questions “who defines what is monstrous?” and “what would you sacrifice for love?”. Wearing the Lion is a simultaneously hilarious and touching retelling of the legend of the twelve labours of Heracles, alternately viewed from the point of view of a naive “hero” and a frustrated goddess. Ultimately it too is a treatise on love.
We attended our third Silent Movie Monday at The Orpheum, this time featuring the 1920 black and white version of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde, accompanied by the theatre’s fabulous Wurlitzer.
I got caught up with my cousin Susan over lunch, where we shared stories about our recent (but separate) vacations in Italy.
Then, a double bill Thursday: mostly Beethoven, followed by Puccini.
I had booked tickets to the afternoon Vancouver Symphony concert (program above) entitled “Beethoven’s Vienna” months ago, but on my return from Italy Ted surprised me by suggesting an evening at the opera!! We’ll be seeing Tosca, a tragedy that ends with all the principal characters dying, in true operatic tradition. We’ve never attended an opera before; I joked that Ted must really have missed me while I was away on trips without him over the past couple of months if he was finally willing to take the plunge and do this.
When son#1 and I toured the Vienna Opera House in September (Episode 919) we learned that Tosca is their “emergency opera”, because of its minimal sets which are the only ones the Vienna State Opera stores on site, so I was curious about what Vancouver Opera’s staging would look like. It was a single set, but artfully angled in each act so that it seemed to be different locations, and perfectly lit to represent noon, evening, and dawn in Rome.
We took in the pre-show talk which explained the plot, and helped us know what to listen for in Puccini’s masterful score. The cast was wonderful, as was the 65 piece orchestra. I thoroughly enjoyed the production; Ted survived his first opera experience.
There were also October celebrations . I may have missed Thanksgiving while DIL#2 and I were in Italy, but we celebrated both grandson #2’s twelfth birthday and grandson #1’s fifteenth near the end of the month. They certainly remind us of how quickly time passes.
And just like that, October is over, but our next six weeks in Vancouver are filled with more live entertainment – great preparation for winter in Mérida!
