Taxi version… Ottawa versus Barbados. Based on recent experience.

1) Lots of baggage and taxis, Barbados. Part One.

Driver cheerfully picks up from Granley Adams Airport and carefully sets our 5 heavy suitcases carefully down in the back of the minivan. Smile on face, he talks us up on the way from the airport, telling us about what to see and do. The agreed upon and reasonable fare is paid and an arrangement is made for him to pick us up on the day of our departure.

2) Lots of baggage and taxis, Ottawa. Part One.

Blue Line taxi is called the night before for a 4:30 pick-up. I tell the dispatcher that we are a party of 4 with 5 pieces of luggage and 4 carry-ons. I am assured that this won’t be a problem. At 4:40 the on the appointed morning, an undersized car shows up. No apologies for being late. Shrugging his shoulders, the driver crams as much luggage as possible into a trunk and front seat while the four of us are crammed into the back. Only the 2 kids wearing seatbelts, and I with a 40 lb suitcase on my lap.

Good times.

3) Lots of baggage and taxis, Barbados. Part Two.

Driver shows up dead on the minute. Won’t let me touch the bags. He loads everything on. Makes sure the kids are in the cab safely. Nice convo about the politics of Barbados… this is a smart and informed guy. Waits for other cars to move so he can debark us right in front of the Air Canada check-in desk. He thanks us profusely for hiring him and gives me biz cards to give out to any other friends or colleagues who may visit the island.

Note: if you plan on visiting Barbados, email me.

4) Lots of baggage and taxis, Ottawa. Part Two.

Bags drop off belt around midnight. I’m tired. the kids are tired. Want and need smooth sailing from here on in… should be safe, right?

Go outside to stand in the taxi queue. The taxi stand organizer is A-one ( the only bright part of this tale this side of the 13th parallel) and has C and the kids stand in his heated office while we wait for a vehicle large enough to accommodate our bags. It wasn’t a long wait. The taxi herder says to me: “heads-up… he’s gonna ding you for and extra $10 because you have an extra bag”. Nice of him to tell me and I’m too tired at this point to make a fuss.

Mini-van pulls up. Driver tosses and stuffs bags in. No words of friendly conversation. Arrive at our house around midnight and upon I handing over the fare, the driver grumbles: “that’s an extra $10 for the bags.” I say: “But, this is a van. There’s no biggy for you.”

He says : “Ten dollars.”

I downwardly adjust the tip accordingly. I take the bags out myself. Stack them at the end of the driveway while C gets the freezing kids into the house. Then I drag them up the drive and into the house myself. The cab clips one of the bags upon backing out of the driveway.

Welcome back to Ottawa.

Gotta love the customer service, eh? Pathetic. And this is the nation’s capital.

Tomorrow: Barbados buses versus OCTranspo.

Trashy,
Ottawa, Ontario

… but my skills as an angler prevailed!

I went deep-sea fishing for the first time the other day (strike another off The List) and brought Subunit #2 with me.

Armed with sunscreen, Gravol and an intense desire to land a fish – nay, a behemoth – that would stun the good citizens of Barbados and indeed the world! We talked of how tales would be told and songs sung in the highlands and in the lowlands of the mighty battle that would surely be engaged on this fateful day!

And engage we did! There was a hit on the line! I dutifully assumed the position in the chair, clasped the handle of the rod in both of my hands and began the fight!  I looked left and right now and then during the epic battle between man and beast and couldn’t help but notice that the Captain and First Mate seemed a bit nervous. Perhaps they momentarily considering that they would, in the end, need a bigger boat.

Here I am in mid-struggle… sweat pouring from my brow and arms aching!

After what seemed to be hours, the monster tuna was landed.  Bells rang from the mainstaff as it was hoisted aboard!

Praise be to the good Captain and crew for a productive day, my fellow fisherfolk on board and a special thanks to my dear daughter for wiping the sweat from my brow and taking the pics!

And here is the monster tuna in all its glory! Do not forget that the fish is actually still 10 feet from the boat… the apparent “smallness” of the monster is but an optical illusion.

Trashy,
Ottawa, Ontario

… and yeah, I’m late…

Well, bite me.  I have many, many , many other more important things to do aside from blogging!

Seriously. On a scale of 1 to 18, where would I fit on the loser scale if, while faced with a beauty surf and awesome temps, I instead chose to stay within WiFi range and blog.

18?

Yeah. Easy.

So, right now I’m on the patio with the waves crashing below and a Merlot in hand. Kids in bed. I’m still somewhat coherent with some recollections to impart.

1. Yesterday. Fishing. And not for bass. Awesome beyond awesome.  Addy came with me in her role as the “Official fisherperson of Alta Vista” and was impressive. 8 hours on the sea and not a word of complaint. She took it in and had fun. I think. Maybe when she is 16 and less eager to please she’ll tell me otherwise…Fish-wise? Meh. Had a blast and that is all that counts. My ol’ bud The Wagman arranged the trip and he couldn’t have landed a better experience. The few wee tuna that I pulled aboard with great effort (note – renew GoodLife membership) were shiny and scaly mini-thrills.But let us not mention the monster that the same Wagman let free after being firmly in hand… was likely a trophy… sigh… He will have to live with that… not I.
2. The weather. Been told and have confirmed that this part of the globe is among the best for weather predictability. Warm. Dry. Predictable.

   Though after talking with more than a few Bajans, times are a changin’… promised not to bring up politics during my restful vacay away… but it seems though things are shifting… weather-wise.

3. Due to human activity? Probably.
4. The Bajan accent. Can’t understand a fricking thing they say. Maybe they were really telling me that all is the same as it was 50 years ago, re:  the weather! Who the hell knows… deaf as a doorknob and cannot pick up on this accent. First mate yesterday told me to move aside and I thought he was asking me to be his bride… scary.
5. Waste management. I think they need a consultant to deal with their IC&I collection issues as well as an integrated waste management strategy. IF a rep of the Barbados government happens upon this post, contact me. I will work for patio chair rental licenses.

Tomorrow, Harrison Caves and Bert’s Bar to watch the *sigh* bronze medal match…

Trashy,
Ottawa, Ontario

YIKES!

Better…