Morocco and Spain, here I come!

One week from today five of us (Vicki, Nina, Pam, Alanna, and I) will leave Ontario, Canada for Morocco.  We are going on a two week tour with Intrepid Travel that will take us around to Morocco's famous sites.  It starts in Casablanca and finishes in Marrakech.  I am looking forward to seeing ancient Fez, riding a camel in the desert and camping overnight in the desert, hiking in Todra Gorge, and seeing the Atlas Mountains, visiting the coast in Essaouira, and shopping in Marrakech with my friends.  Let's hope we get to rock the kasbah!!

Map from Intrepid Travel.

In the New Year, Nina and I will say good-bye to Vicki, Pam, and Alanna as they return home and Nina and I fly to Madrid for three days and Barcelona for five days.  I will celebrate my birthday in Barcelona, which also happens to be a national Spanish holiday called El Día de los Reyes (The Day of the Kings).  Apparently, people leave their shoes out the night before for the King's presents ... I hope someone will fill my shoes with presents.  :-)  I also read that most of Spain has a festival on the Eve of El Día de los Reyes to mark the arrival of the Kings and during their arrival candy is thrown to the crowds.  It should be a fun experience to witness.

Nina's Travel Tip:

• Don't forget to double count your money before leaving the currency exchange place to ensure you received the correct amount. 

A Walk through Beechwood Cemetery

Skate Canada International 2010

I went to Kingston last weekend with my best friend Vicki, my mom, sister Denise and eldest niece, Jen, for the 2010 Skate Canada International Grand Prix event, which was held at the K-Rock Centre.  Mikey drove my mom and I to Kingston on Thursday and we went to Pilot House for fish and chips, which was very delicious, then my mom and I went to watch the rest of the practices.  Everyone else arrived later that afternoon/evening and we went to the Raging Bull for supper ... very slow service.

Most of the weekend was spent at the rink watching the skaters practice and compete and watching Jenny running around getting autographs and pictures of skaters.  Unfortunately, some of the big names (Tessa Virtue & Scott Moir, Jessica Dubé and Bryce Davison, and my mom's favourite guy - Yuko Kavaguti & Alexander Smirnov)  were not there this weekend due to injury and/or recovery from surgery.  The Russian Pair couple were so adorable.  Canada's Vanessa Crone and Paul Poirier won the dance competition and were great in their free skate to the Beatles "Eleanor Rigby".  It's hard to believe they are only 20 years of age, have so much artistry and technique ... I loved their free skate.

Canadians medal in every event at this Grand Prix, see the top three results below.

Pairs:
Lubov Iliushechkina / Nodari Maisuradze - Russia
Kirsten Moore-Towers / Dylan Moscovitch - Canada
Paige Lawrence / Rudi Swiegers - Canada

Men:
Patrick Chan - Canada
Nobunari Oda - Japan
Adam Rippon - USA

Ladies:
Alissa Czisny - USA
Ksenia Makarova - Russia
Amelie Lacoste - Canada

Dance:
Vanessa Crone / Paul Poirier - Canada
Sinead Kerr / John Kerr - Great Briton
Madison Chock / Greg Zuerlein - USA

Lady M came over to the mainland for lunch with Vicki and I and we went to the Merchant Pub, the outside reminds of a store in the Harry Potter movies and the inside was cozy.  It was nice to catch up with Lady M. I can't wait to see her next summer.  I working on something special for her.  :)

It was a good weekend with a lot of laughter ... scaring mom at the hotel, watching mom barreling through adjoining room doors, and laughing at one another.

Can't wait for Skate Canada 2011.  Vicki and I have placed bets where it will be held next year and loser buys the winner McDonald's and a pint of Guinness.

Vicki's picks: Saint John, Charlottetown, or Regina

Trixie's picks: Halifax, Calgary, or Moncton

Let the best woman win.

Kingston Architecture

My Favourite Colour

Orange