Wednesday, August 15, 2007

Crazy Rides and Hot Shopping

I think I've contracted a syndrome. The "I can't get back into work and real life after holidays" syndrome. My eyes have felt heavy lidded for days and it's hard to get motivated. So, in order to just avoid reality, let's talk holidays again today. Just humor me, 'k?

For the first time ever, we didn't have nice hot days on everyday of our holiday. In fact the day we went to the waterpark was the only nice day we had. I had been watching the weather on the net so that we could plan the days we wanted to go the waterpark and the amusement park. I wanted a hot day for the waterpark and a warm day for the amusement park. We never got to go to the amusement park. It was not to be because other than the one day it was dreary and cold and raining on and off all day every day for the rest of our holidays.

Even though we didn't get to the amusement park we still had two white knuckle, hair raising rides. One was getting to the waterpark. We had to get out of the big city by a certain time in the a.m. in order to get to the waterpark early enough to even get a parking spot. It was a two hour trip once out of the big city. So this put us smack dab in the middle of morning rush hour on the insane freeway that skirts the outside of the big city. They are nuts on there. Coming from a smaller city we are just not used to driving like that. I watch the big city news programs every morning and watch the traffic updates of this main traffic artery. The city is going through growing pains because it's growing too fast and the infrastructure cannot handle the population. I thank God each morning when I watch the traffic report that I don't have to live in the big city and deal with a free way that was meant for x number of cars per day that has exceeded that by the many, many thousands. There is usually a major accicent every day. And now here we were. Small city drivers in the big city morning rush hour. Where speed limit and the two second, row-your-boat following rule does not apply. These guys are bumper to bumper going about 110-120 kms per hour(70-75 miles per hour). And I am not exaggerating when I say bumper to bumper. With huge semi-trucks thrown in the mix. And you don't know where exactly you're going. And heaven help you if you are not in the flow. You will be cut off. You could end up exiting where you did not want to exit or totally missing your exit all together.

When the freeway finally turns into the highway outside of the city the traffic hardly lets up at all. This highway connects the two main cities in my province and is crazy busy. All the time. Needless to say many prayers under my breath and a couple that were right out loud found their way to my lips that morning. And all of you from huge metroplexes are probably rolling your eyeballs at me right now. That's ok. I'll let you. We probably had a few rolled at us that morning. And I proudly wear my flashing "tourist" sign across my forehead.

Our other crazy ride came on the way back from said waterpark. Remember it's a two hour drive. Here is a picture of the lovely sky around noon of our day. Beautiful.
Yes, that is Tia shooting down the Kami Kazi. By late afternoon this is what we were looking at leaving the park when we could finally drag that kid off the slides.

Still pretty in it's own way. But let me tell you it put us smack into the biggest lightening rain storm I've ever been in. On the way home. On the highway. Full of semi's and other traffic. Who will not slow down! It rained so hard at one point we could not see the big truck in front of us. The windsheild wipers couldn't go fast enough. They were like some kind of pendulum on steroids. Did people slow down at all? No way. They were still driving around 120 kms (74.5 miles per hour). So no amusement park rides but 2 scarey rides, all the same, in one day.

Needless to say, the next day I craved, desired, had to have shopping therapy somewhere nice and safe. So off to the big malls we go. First downtown, where they have a huge shopping centers all connected up by walkways over the city streets. We got to relax and walk through a thoroughly beautiful peaceful garden located on the roof of the centre. 2.5 acres of beautiful, lush flora and fauna, fountains, birds, turtles, fish, lots of places to sit and relax. And it's free to walk through. Ahh, starting to feel better already.

In said shopping center is lots of designer stores, because it caters to all the big oil money folk and I came away with a great summer jacket at a steal of a deal. Regular $159.99. I paid $45.00. Yay! And finally the cute little number that totally brought my blood pressure down from the drive the day before? Voila.


Chocolate brown and red leather with brown plaid interior. Yes, my clothes may scream middle aged mom, but my purse is too cute! Destressing complete.

14 comments:

Lori said...

I am sorry the weather did not behave. But shopping is fun too =) sorry to hear about the crazy drivers, I really get what you are saying...it is scary.

Oh and the purse..do you see the drool on the computer screen. You know you should not make us covet like that, eheheh =))

Great find.

2nd Cup of Coffee said...

THE HANDBAG ROCKS! I'm having trouble (still) getting back in the swing of things. Glad to know I'm not the only one. Love the pics.

Shawna said...

I've been missing you! That's a cute purse! Good taste.

I am glad you had fun at the waterpark. It looks like it was a beautiful day, until you got ready to leave, that is. I would've hated to drive in that traffic and storm.

One vacation that we went on, we had a similar experience with the traffic on an interstate. We had a mid-size car at the time. It didn't take me long to get rid of that car and get a bigger vehicle after that experience. I felt like we were gonna get squished!

FlipFlop Mom said...

This looks like you had a BLAST!!!! Besides the weather.. :(

the purse.. now.. I love purses... you my dear got a killer deal.. YOU ROCK!!!!

Barb said...

I've seen it happen over and over again. So much growth that the infratstructure doesn't come close to keeping up. That big city driving sounds like my worst nightmare and is one of the main reasons I'm absolutely terrified to drive any more. I drove in traffic like that for years and years. My nerves can't take it any more. Seriously, I'd rather walk. LOL

That purse is adorable. Good for you and I'm glad you're destressing and I'm definitely glad you're back. I missed you!

It just hit me that you said something about a 500 word limit in your previous post. Uh oh. I'd better go back and look at that. I think I'm in big, big trouble. :-)

Barbie @ Mamaology said...

Looks like you made the best of your trip. Wow that water slide park looks great:) I'd love to try it out sometime:) Isn't great to get away with family for a bit:)

Dianne said...

Very cute purse. The water park looks like fun! Oh - and I think i'm suffering from that same syndrome. Can't get back into the swing of things after being away a few days last week.

Melanie @ This Ain't New York said...

The purse makes it all worth it!

Chris @ Come to the Table said...

Love, love that purse!!

Stacy at Exceedingly Mundane said...

Oh my gosh, that is the cutest purse! I love it :) And I also love that photo of the lighthouse, with the clouds and the seagull. What a perfect shot!

GiBee said...

SOOOO cute! Love it!!!

Donnetta said...

Welcome Back!

Sounds like you had a wonderful time overall!! I'm taking my kids to a water park/amusement park Monday.

And the purse.... cute, cute, cute!

gail@more than a song said...

Glad you're back! I just got back from a trip with my girls....but didn't buy anything as cute as that purse! Love it!
Water parks always seem so fun but I'm not one for the big slides.
I've never understood people driving so fast when the roads are so wet.

Shalee said...

See, now I would look at that weather as a blessing of having an adventure. And I LOVE the new purse!