Calgary Highland Games
Today, Melissa and I went to the Calgary Highland Games. It was quite fun to see bag pipes, many gentlemen of all ages in kilt, and traditional Scottish dancing. I am also comforted to see that there is a British influence around here and not merely an English influence.
I also learned that there is a Calgary, Banff, and Airdrie in Scotland and I am guessing this is where the name of our local towns are coming from.
I also suspect, looking a the license plate below, that there may have been other nationalities enjoying the games.
Time flies and it is now time for an update
It has been ten days since my last post. Let me give you a quick update.
Last Saturday, a group of twenty two colleagues and family members went rafting on the river that goes across Calgary and which is called the Bow. Okay, it was more floating that rafting since there is no white water but it was certainly a nice way to spend a few hours. This was fun and we ended up all wet. I fought with a six year old named Michael to see who would be the toughest. Some embarrassing photos were taken and I hope they will never surface on the Internet. I cross my fingers. The temperature was above thirty degrees celcius and I managed not to burn. This was a first for me. Sunscreen is usually a disappointment.
On Sunday, I spent six hours emptying the moving truck. I mean, I watched the movers unload while I was checking off items on the list. I helped a little but given their efficiency, I was mostly impeding their work. We received all the items and we only got one item broken that we will be able to repair. I suggest you go with Allied if you need to move. They were extremely professional from A to Z and I would not go with another company.
The house looks great and seventy percent of the boxes have been unpacked. Melissa is doing wonders with the furniture and accessories.
This week, I have continued to implement Scrum at work with one of my teams and it is quite fun. There is of course more work and learning to do but I will certainly recommend you give it a try if you have a chance.
This week end, Melissa and I are probably going for a bike ride. We acquired two road bikes a fortnight ago.
I am now commuting daily by bike which reduces my commute time from forty minutes to fifteen. I still have to try the bus for the "cool" days of winter.
In other news, I will probably go to SEG in Las Vegas next November and I hope to see you there.
Canoeing on Lake Louise
Yesterday was a wonderful day with great weather and a nice temperature of 27C (80F). Melissa and I decided to leave for Lake Louise around noon.
We took the long way out, road 1A, all the way to Canmore, where we stopped for a quick lunch. Then, after entering Banff National park we took the scenic route via Baker Creek where we found a restaurant serving a very nice apple pie with blackberries and ice cream. We drank our tea and coffee outside, enjoying the sunny weather.
Arriving near lake Louise, the temperature was 23C (73F) and we noticed a few dark clouds.
I just had time to park the car before the temperature instantly dropped to 11C (52F) and we found ourselves in an hailstorm that lasted for a good ten minutes and was followed by dogs and cats falling from the sky.
Let's just say that canoeing will be for another day...
Home Sweet Home
The whole family is now safe in Calgary. We took off from Houston in the middle of the tropical storm Edouard. We landed in Calgary with a small thirty minutes delay.
We have been amazed by the kindness of Canada immigration and custom officers. They were extremely friendly, helped us all the way. Because of my status, Melissa was able to obtain a working visa right away. This is a big difference with the USA where, to my understanding, workers' spouses are not allowed to work.
The cats are adjusting to the new home. They are confined to the mud room downstairs and the female (smarter than the males, this goes without saying), managed to escape the room at multiple occasions and we had to double our efforts to refrain her from escaping.
Our furniture is hopefully on its way and we should see it unloaded in about two weeks. In the mean time, we are camping in the house (sleeping bags, and all).
Today, we walked downtown for about ten kilometers to get Melissa started.
Saturday, we plan on going for a short hike. We need to enjoy the summer while it lasts...
Edouard has decided to visit on Tuesday morning
I guess I am of the lucky kind. I am moving to Calgary with four cats in tow on Tuesday and that's the day mother Nature has decided to send Edouard our way. I guess, I was not stressed enough by the move...
