Alarming circumstances
April 27, 2008“You’re so articulate.”
This popped up in the middle of discovering that many people sharing the Fairmont Gold lounge happy hour were from the Baltimore Washington area. I felt a pinprick of annoyance since this statement usually comes up from people who seem surprised that any Negress or Negro can carry on an intelligent conversation without wallowing in Ebonics. No matter. The beer and wine and mini lamb chops eased the pain nicely. I later scarfed down a fabulous meal at Herons, the hotel’s notorious restaurant. Seafood chowder with tomato broth and saffron, and scallops saltimbocca with a prawn garnish and shallot verjus risotto topped off by a berry peach cobbler with vanilla frozen yogurt. A nice glass of BC pinot gris (Wild Goose 2004) was an excellent accompaniment.
I did score a ticket to see Ray Davies, and spent half the day touring the upper reaches of North Vancouver including the Capilano Suspension Bridge and adjacent treetop forest walkways and bridges, plus Grouse Mountain wildlife show and trails. Legs are tired, belly now full of happy hour day two appetizers and I’ve set a pedicure for before I get on-board the Island Princess tomorrow.
However, at about 4 a.m. last night my cellphone yelped for a battery charge and I wired it up. About an hour later, I heard this incessant beeping and hit the snooze button. It kept going. Turns out the hotel fire alarm had been tripped and I joined a portion of the guests some in bathrobes some fully dressed with luggage on the sidewalk. False alarm so back to bed grumbling.
More once onboard the Island Princess tomorrow. Alaska awaits.
