Update on the last few days

So here is a 'brief' overview of what I have been up to over the last few days....

So Monday we had a chilled out morning, in the afternoon we went on a walking tour of downtown Kelowna, visiting a number of cultural sports. Kathy, Bruce and Bud showed us around and it was great. We stopped by City Hall, saw an Olympic torch and also say Charles and Diana's autographs (I got a pic!). We visited a Japanese garden which was very tranquil, before heading back to the hotel.

The Rotary Club had arranged a car rally / treasure hunt for us, and I went out with Fred (aka James Bond) in hisBMW Z4 - with the top down! I wasn't a great navigator, so we didn't win (in fact we were the last back!!!) but it was great fun. We also went to our first Rotary Club (Okanagan Mission) and gave a very (very) informal presentation. Met a number of younger Rotarians who were great fun and also Carlos from Ecuador who was on a year exchange (aged 18).... he didn't speak English 10 months ago, but is now near perfect!

(above - Me & Carlos)

I think the glass of wine I had with dinner that night helped to give me 8 hours sleep!!!!!

U.B.C - Sarah, Kieran, Sue, Gewn, Doug, Penny, Kathy& Bruce

On Tuesday we packed up and moved out of Kelowna. Stopping at the University of British Columbia for a very informative tour, and then onto Vernon for our first presentation (to 120 people). It went really well with no hiccups (and no notes!). We all got some laughs. Lunch was the Talipa fish (I think), but I gave it ago (as I had promised to try new things out) and it was really nice with the mango salsa. We then took the 1.5 hour journey to Salmon Arm stopping in the Silver Star ski resort where it still had snow (and snowed!) we were in our element and had a small snow ball fight (it was too cold for anything else!). When we got into Salmon Arm, I met with Marie (my host for the first few days) who took me to her home and settled me in before heading out to the Prestige Hotel for our second presentation of the evening. I sat next to Marie and Mary who are great and we talked about travelling - it seems as though Rotarians travel alot! Our presentation went really well Went to bed early, but didn't sleep too well. But it meant I got up early to prepare for today's events....

... This morning we met with the Mayor of Salmon Arm who showed us around City Hall, before passing me onto Kevin and Melinda who are planners and Lloyd my Rotarian who was looking after me.

 Salmon Arm City Hall

We spent the entire morning comparing planning systems and being surprised at how similar and different they are! I'd say more but it would take up the entire email!! Went for a walk downtown to look at their 'heritage' buildings before heading to a micro-brew pub for lunch (had a local pear cider which was yum!). The morning was really intense and I got lots of information, but the afternoon was jammed packed.

 1/2 portion food at the brew pub!

We went to Rap Attack, which sounds like a tourist centre for hip hop, but is in fact a centre for fire fighters who repel (thats probably the wrong spelling) from helicopters to fight fires (mainly forest) in the depths of British Columbia. We were taken through their set up, walked up a 5 stories on a very steep ladder only to feel a bit queasy when I looked down at a short drop they have to train to repel on! Lloyd then took us over to a traditionally (but new - 2002) build log cabin which was beautiful. It would be very unlikely to see such a thing in the UK.

We got back to Salmon Arm on time and headed home, where I put my feet up for 5 minutes before Marie's dinner party (Penny came over with her hosts).  The evening was so funny, great company, great food and great local wine (including the ice wine which I must find!). Big thanks to Marie for hosting such a wonderful evening :)

I am now heading to bed as tomorrow will be an early start!!!!

TTFN
Sarah
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