I recently made my first out of the country work trip and my first trip to visit our neighbors to
the north. I was sent to Tisdale, Saskatchewan for one week of support for a new hotel. Never heard of Tisdale, SK? Me either, that is of course I until I went. With a population of about 3,000 and nicknames such as 'Doghide' and 'Land of Rape and Honey', this was not my ideal location. To clarify, 'Rape' is this instance is short for rapeseed. I don't know what that is, but I think they should change their nickname all the same. The area is mostly agricultural with only one (blinking) red light in the whole town.My hotel was a beautiful property, but I foolishly asked how they could survive out here in the
middle of n
owhere. Turns out, a lot of people frequent this tiny town! I had the opportunity to drive around and check out the competition, and trust me, it was no competition! I enjoyed when people asked me what I was doing in town (somehow they discovered I wasn't a local) because it gave me the opportunity to talk about this new gem.
middle of n
owhere. Turns out, a lot of people frequent this tiny town! I had the opportunity to drive around and check out the competition, and trust me, it was no competition! I enjoyed when people asked me what I was doing in town (somehow they discovered I wasn't a local) because it gave me the opportunity to talk about this new gem.I worked the evening shift each day with the exception of the first, so on 
that night I decided to catch a flick at the local theater. There was only one movie, Despicable Me, and it was "so fluffy!!" Sorry, that's only funny if you've seen the film. It was very entertaining :0) The movie was $8.00 irregardless of currency, and they paid you back in CAD without calculating the exchange rate. I'm pretty sure I lost money on the deal. I was too scared to find out how much the popcorn would be!
that night I decided to catch a flick at the local theater. There was only one movie, Despicable Me, and it was "so fluffy!!" Sorry, that's only funny if you've seen the film. It was very entertaining :0) The movie was $8.00 irregardless of currency, and they paid you back in CAD without calculating the exchange rate. I'm pretty sure I lost money on the deal. I was too scared to find out how much the popcorn would be!
One morning I took off in my workout gear for a walk around town. I was met by brisk temperatures and curious looks, so I quickly stepped into one of the local retailers and purchased a jacket. The walk from one end of town to the other took about 25 minutes (including my stop), so I explored the neighborhood (yep, it's all the same) on my way back to get in a full hour.On m
y last morning, I drove over to the Royal Canadian Mounted Police Police Station. I'd never met royalty, so decided this would be the day! I sauntered up to the door, camera in hand, rang the bell, and waited. It took a good 3 or 4 minutes for someone to answer the door, but when he did, I put on my best southern drawl and asked if I could have a picture taken with an officer. My wish was that he'd be dressed up as Dudley Do Right and have Horse nearby an
d be as infatuated with me as Dudley was with Nell Fenwick, but it was not to be. Scott (the officer) was dressed just as the police officers in the states in his dark trousers and light shirt covered by his bullet proof vest. He didn't have on a red shirt or a 'brown round'. There were no horses in sight and I have a hard time believing he is a royal. He was, however, very nice and willing to pose in a picture with me before heading out to keep the streets of Tisdale safe.
y last morning, I drove over to the Royal Canadian Mounted Police Police Station. I'd never met royalty, so decided this would be the day! I sauntered up to the door, camera in hand, rang the bell, and waited. It took a good 3 or 4 minutes for someone to answer the door, but when he did, I put on my best southern drawl and asked if I could have a picture taken with an officer. My wish was that he'd be dressed up as Dudley Do Right and have Horse nearby an
d be as infatuated with me as Dudley was with Nell Fenwick, but it was not to be. Scott (the officer) was dressed just as the police officers in the states in his dark trousers and light shirt covered by his bullet proof vest. He didn't have on a red shirt or a 'brown round'. There were no horses in sight and I have a hard time believing he is a royal. He was, however, very nice and willing to pose in a picture with me before heading out to keep the streets of Tisdale safe.
But wait! There's more! So I get to the airport (2.5 hours away) and while I'm making my way through security, they stop me for everything under the sun. Now, if I were an inexperienced traveler out of the country for the first time, I might understand how I could possibly get confused with what I could and could not take with me in my carry-on luggage. I, however, am not an inexperienced traveler; I have the pictures, blog, miles and luggage to prove it! Imagine my displeasure when I'm told that I can't board with my mascara (apparently it's a liquid) nor can I board with my adorable new cuticle sissors (you could poke your eye out with the unpointy 1/2 inch sissor). To make matters worse, we are delayed in our departure. Upon arrival to the US, I get to make a stop at Customs because I picked up an apple at breakfast, but didn't consume it in Canada. Luckily apples are 'in season', so I didn't have too hard of a time getting thru. The upside to this debacle is that when I arrive in Minneapolis for my connection, I see this friendly face 
. I haven't seen or spoken to Bradly in many years, but on this day we chatted for darn near 30 minutes while waiting to board our flight home. It was really nice to see him (duh!) and also really nice to talk to someone who has a lifestyle quite similar to mine.
. I haven't seen or spoken to Bradly in many years, but on this day we chatted for darn near 30 minutes while waiting to board our flight home. It was really nice to see him (duh!) and also really nice to talk to someone who has a lifestyle quite similar to mine. 
