Turkey

Did you know I visited the Republic of Turkey with my sisters a few months ago? It feels like a lifetime has passed since that trip.

I remember the four of us walking the streets of Istanbul and being accosted constantly by street vendors and restaurant owners urging us to patronize their establishments.

I remember how crowded the Blue Mosque was; how hundreds of tourists were packed inside to marvel at the intricate tiling and to gawk at the Muslims praying with their backs to us. I felt both grateful to have been allowed the opportunity to enter such an impressive, historically rich building and disgruntled on the locals' behalf who surely find the ever present tourists obnoxious.

I remember the Aegean cruise on our little gulet; eating meals together; playing backgammon; exploring ancient Greek ruins on tiny islands; diving into the clear clear blue ocean and clambering over rocks to find sea creatures.

I remember the places we stayed, how we alternated sleeping arrangements so that we would have a chance to spend one-on-one time with one another.

I remember carpet buying in Selcuk; the tea and talk; the proprietors laying carpet after carpet in front of us searching for the colours we liked, the patterns that pleased us. Jennie bought a beautiful carpet for her home from a skinny charmer named Osman.

So many memories are packed into mere two weeks. I can't wait until our next sister trip.

The Worst Service Provider = Bell Mobility

It all began with a lost cell phone...

...and it ended with John and I writing my first strongly worded letter ever. I'm not angry at Bell; but this is the first time I've ever written a letter to try and correct what I see as an injustice and I want to share my enthusiasm for it.

My favourite part of this sordid tale was listening to John talking to manager after manager on the phone on Bell's Customer Support Line. He was magnificent, explaining clearly and methodically (but with a gusto I've rarely heard in him) what the situation was and why it was Bell who broke my trust by failing to provide a service that I, in good faith, have paid for. I almost shuddered in delight when he told the manager to "take a little pride" in the company he represents.

I'm sure you'll come to understand the details of this thrilling account from the letter following:

I called Bell seven weeks ago to replace my lost cell phone at which time I was promised a promotional offer for a phone that would arrive in five to seven business days. After seven hectic weeks of scrambling for other means to communicate, I called Bell to see what the delay was and was told that the phone would not ever arrive. Apparently, the agent I spoke to seven weeks ago was informed of this but decided not to follow up with me.

The poor customer service I've endured these past two months has led me to the conclusion that Bell is no longer a company I would like to be associated with. When I called earlier today to cancel my account I was told that being lied to by Bell about the delivery of the phone, as well as being charged for two months of service I was unable to use, were not substantial enough reasons to void my contract and nullify the cancellation fee.

This break of trust with a service provider that I have used faithfully for five years leaves me profoundly disappointed and upset. The supervisors/managers that John spoke to on the phone earlier today were completely unapologetic about the admittedly flawed service I have received these past two months. When John was told that the grounds on which he was asking for my cancellation fee to be waived were unacceptable, he asked what would qualify an individual to have their cancellation fee waived. The manager refused to answer and threatened to "terminate this phone call". This lack of courtesy is shocking and disrespectful. When customers can't call the Customer Support Line and be given reasons why their requests cannot be fulfilled, you have failed in your mandate.

On the whole, Bell's lack of pride in maintaining an efficient and customer service driven company is embarrassing.

What do you think? Are we tough beans or what!

In Loving Memory

My Town

Dear little town of LaVerkin
I wonder how you feel today?
Do you sometimes have growing pains,
As you expand, first this way, then that way?

I remember when you were so little and cozy,
In the not so distant past,
When every one was my next door neighbour,
And the pace we lived was not so fast.

I guess we can't stop what we call 'progress'
In this day of the jet and trips to the moon.
But sometimes I long for the 'good old days'
And think, those days have passed too soon.

But some things that linger on forever
Are the memories of this place.
They gladden my heart with rejoicing,
For my memories don't have to keep pace.

- Genevieve Gubler (1913-2010)

I have fond memories of visiting La Verkin, a small town in southern Utah. It brings a smile to my face to think of my grandma being disgruntled at a population boom (3,000 people in 2000) that changed her town from the "little and cozy" one she knew into something a little too fast paced for her. She's an old fashioned country girl to the core.

Sarah, of course, describes our grandma much more eloquently than I.

Symphony of Fire

The annual fireworks competition in Vancouver every year is now called the Celebration of Lights. But John and I agree, Symphony of Fire is much more catchy. We spent the day at the beach enjoying the hot hot sun and the cold refreshing ocean.



Then we set up our towels on the grass at English Bay and watched the sun set as more and more people flocked to the waterfront to await the fireworks.



I love Vancouver more every day. Sometimes its beauty makes me catch my breath. I wish these photos did it justice.

Bonne Fete!

My sisters are pretty great. Esther and Amelia (otherwise known as Esti and AJ) took me out for a delicious dinner out on a sunny patio overlooking the water for my birthday. We ate fish tacos and spinach salad and ceviche and watched little boats as they paddled along.











Then we rushed to the UBC campus for a beautiful performance of Mozart's The Magic Flute. Who knew German could sound so melodic?



Thanks you guys. You always make my birthdays so special.