Pit Latrines and Pop Rocks

This morning we set out from the branch on our ROAD TRIP!!!  Jasper or bust!  Here we come, we will be taking this town by storm!  Now, if any of you know me or Gail you will realize that we cannot make it more than a few hundred km without a bathroom break.  So, with no city/town/village in sight we decide to stop at one of those "rest areas" with bathrooms.  At first it was just me.  Then Chisomo and Memory decided they needed to go too.  Memory went in first and then came out.  Memory and Chisomo went in together.  We hear laughing.  Then they both come out.  Then Chisomo goes in.  Memory stood by the door and, after a few minutes called through the door "Are you still in there?"  Gail was wondering if they thought that it was like a Houdini trick, but lucky enough Chisomo came out.  Memory went in.  She also came out, a relief to all of us!  When we got back on the road it all came out....these weren't toilets, they were outhouses.  Memory said she was wondering if she would fall in to the pit latrine...the what???  Pit latrine.  Sounds so much better than "outhouse" so I think we are going to have to rename ours at the lake.  Much more refined don't you think?

And yes, Gail, your butt looks fine in the photo.  No worries!  So once we were done with the pit latrine (I can't quit saying that, it's so nice sounding!) off we go to our final destination, Jasper!  There was a couple of photo ops on the way, and I will never forget Memory telling Chiso to hurry up because she might die of the cold before Chisomo got down the hill for the picture!  Gail assured her that nobody can die when it's plus 10....it probably feels like it though. 

We checked in and got out of the hotel as fast as possible (and no, it wasn't because I picked it and it didn't smell good, it's because we are on a very tight timeline and everyone has their own idea of what the ladies should see while they are here!)  Jasper Brewing Company offered us a great fare for dinner, and when finding out that Memory and Chisomo were from Malawi visiting they gave them their dessert for free!  Being a good Canadian Gail had ordered her side as poutine, and both of the ladies were brave enough to try this excellent mix of gravy, cheese curd and fries.  They didn't have seconds.  But, then again, I know a heck of a lot of Canadians who wouldn't have seconds of poutine.

We decided that it was best if we checked off at least one thing from the list of places to see tonight.  We walked back to the hotel, grabbed the car, and headed for Athabasca Falls.  Well, first we had the ladies don toques, and Memory put on a winter coat, but that was quick.  We learned easily that if you see a bunch of cars on the side of the road that means wildlife, so we stopped to see some elk but we were on a mission!  (Although Gail and I did discuss how much fun it would be to stop on the side of the road just to see how many cars stopped with us, then Gail could yell "Psyche!" and we could drive off just to do it again!  I digress...as usual.

Exiting your vehicle and your first look at the falls is amazing.  It is more amazing if you are not sure if you are going to survive in the cold, but it is breathtaking.  The sun came out, the wind died down (slightly) and we spent more time there than we first anticipated.  We found a set of stairs that lead down to a rocky beach where people had left inukshuks, Gail proceeded to try to make one while Memory and Chisomo posed for pictures on a rock face above.  She gets honourable mention as there were some doozies on that shore.

Now, for the pop rocks...you get pictures later, when there is sufficient wifi to upload a couple.  Gail and I travelled together a few years ago for work.  One of my favourite experiences was with her, Mel, and Danine when we stopped at the Nanton candy store and bought pop rocks.  It was a blast (get it?  hahaahaaaaa).  Anyhow, I mentioned to Gail that wouldn't it be great to see if our Malawian friends could try Pop Rocks?  Know what Gail did?  Pulled a package of them out of her purse!!!  After the breathtaking scenery of the falls we stopped Memory and Chiso in the parking lot and told them we were going to share our favourite candy with them.  And we did.  Pics to follow, but believe me, there was some confusion, some laughter, and a whole bunch of fun times!  Chisomo said she couldn't figure out where the noise was coming from!  

It's been a day of firsts.  First look at an Alberta pit latrine.  First sight of the Rocky Mountains.  First time Memory has not shared accomodations.  First (and last) taste of poutine.  First look at a mighty waterfall that carved rock throughout the centuries.  First sight of snow.  First elk sighting.  First bear sighting (and no, you CANNOT get out to get closer).  But I hope that, in years to come, Memory and Chisomo, your first Pop Rocks taste will be remembered as well.  

Worship, Fellowship and Familyship

Poor Memory.  For someone who is used to going to bed at 8:30 PM and going to bed when it is dark...I'm afraid we are not being the best of hosts.  After a rousing Ukrainian wedding reception in Vegreville we didn't manage to all get settled in bed until well after 2 AM...slightly late for our guest. Then church.  We need to worship on Sunday and our friends Deb and Mike Russell have the perfect place, so off we go on Sunday morning to their church!  I, for one, have never experienced a service well over two hours in length, but Memory sang along with the songs and was greeted by the congregation who hail from all over Africa, it was a powerful and wonderful experience.  Deb and Mike were awesome hosts!

After a nice lunch with Deb and Mike it was off to Sobeys for the balance of the dinner ingredients for our family Sunday dinner.  Only 13 people, nothing outlandish right?  You don't come to Edmonton, to Canada, and expect to spend time with one or two people, you need to meet as many people as possible....ok, maybe not, and maybe our family is loud.  But we are family.  And Memory became part of the family just because she got a special birthday cake from Rachelle, it's not every day that you get a birthday cake made by the owner of Milk & Cookies Bakeshop!  We all gathered, sang Happy Birthday, and wished Memory many happy returns (a day late!)

I am sure that Memory will get a good night's sleep at some point in her journey here to Edmonton, but there is so much to do, so many people to meet and so many things to experience...Delainey asked me tonight when I am giving Memory a "down time" day and I think it will be Saturday.  She has an entire flight to Ottawa to get some down time from our crazy hectic home!  Until then I am sure that getting her to bed around the right time, even though the sun is still shining and it is hard to fall asleep, will do.  Memory didn't travel this far, and leave her husband and little children for this long to sleep....right?  She was brave and adventurous to do this to experience it ALL.  And we aim to please!  Happy birthday Memory, your next LONG day awaits!  

Searching for Bison, Pysankas and a true Polka

Well...that was a weekend.  I'm not sure to feel sorry for Memory and dragging her all over or feel like we have done our best to show her a busy weekend in the life of the Neddows!  Whichever it was I am sure that she will be trying to sleep this off for a little while!

Saturday broke dreary and rainy for the wedding of Meagan and Kirk.  It was cold, so Memory donned her traditional outfit and along with that she put on my sweater and Sandy's winter dress coat (yes, it was that cold, even we were wondering where the sun went!)  The wedding was beautiful, almost a full Ukrainian ceremony (without the mass) and Meagan was the most beautiful bride.  Memory had a smile on her face every time she saw the bride, she was stunning!

Ray is here from Idaho as well, so we need to go on a bison hunt!  Memory has never seen a bison, and they are formidable creatures that everyone should get a chance to see once in their life!  We drove down the highway towards Vegreville, certain that bison spotting would be easy.  No bison on the highway so into Elk Island Park we go, right to the "Bison Loop".  Who names a road "Bison Loop" when there are no bison?  This is the best we could do for Memory, the wide open plains in front of her....with no bison :(

Yes, I agree, slightly hokey when there are no bison in the picture.  But it IS Elk Island Park and Memory.....there has to be a better photo op out there!  Off we go on the highway again, this time our destination is the world's largest pysanka!  We KNOW it's not going anywhere!  And we were correct!  Memory would have probably been more impressed with bison, but we are going to a Ukrainian wedding, so pysanka it is....

Did I mention that the winds were slightly less than tornado like and the temperature was hovering in the single digits?  Not flattering to the hair, and then (for those most unfortunate to not have visited the pysanka) you have to wait for it to turn around!  Can you say freezing?  Not sure poor Memory could after this photo op!  Off to the reception in the social hall in Vegreville!  The unbelievable meal had special Ukrainian fare.  I told Memory about each one, and perhaps I forced her to put a cabbage roll, a peroghy, and a pyroshky on her plate.  Perhaps.  I probably did because she didn't touch them.  Well, she touched them and I think she found them to not feel like anything that would taste good.  She still had a great meal of roast beef, mashed potatoes, and salad.  But no gravy.  Gravy looks like chili, Memory doesn't like chili I think, because she thought the gravy was chili and skipped it.  (Sunday night dinner will have gravy, I am sure she will love it, good thing for second chances!)  

There were many highlights to the evening for Memory.  Watching the Ukrainian band blast out polka after polka, then on to two steps, waltzes and some good old rock n' roll was fun.  Getting Memory on the dance floor was fantastic!  I think she loves to dance.  Seeing the dance floor packed with people touching each other was an unusual sight for her, and one that we see all the time (can you imagine how hard it would be to polka without touching your partner??)  But the big highlight, I hope, were the two performances by Volya.  Stunning displays of art and athleticism, and Memory got to experience it all.  I truly hope she is having a wonderful time and that we are giving her experiences to last a lifetime.  I hope her smile says it all.....

We made it through day 1 at the branch!  There were loan policies to go through, Human Resources policies to go through, and many questions to be answered. But, we did it!  And, in celebration, we went out to a girls dinner at an Ethiopian restaurant.  We had a feast....beef, chicken, lamb, and veggies....a whole bunch of different stuff, and all without the use of utensils.  I'm hoping that Memory had a memorable time with everyone.  And....I hope she was warm, because it might have been the first time today that she has felt warm :(

Yes, Albertans listen up.  When you go out in shirt sleeves and it is a balmy 17 degrees, that's not warm for everyone.  It actually is downright cold for people who are from Malawi (where it is winter right now and the temps can get as low as 21 to 23...).  I promise myself tomorrow, and for the rest of Memory's trip, that I will remember to offer an extra coat, perhaps even a winter coat, when we are walking out of the house.  This morning poor Memory walked out (and I am sure it was really warm, like at least 10 if not higher) and I think I saw her turn into a block of ice.  Then she got in my vehicle and my air con came on...then she got to the branch and it's set at 22....just about heat exhaustion (if you are Canadian).  Then off to walk to the legislature from a couple of blocks away (without a coat).....saving the day were Karen and Herman who brought a nice warm coat for Memory to wear while I took some pictures of Syd in her prom dress (note...heavy coat for Memory, sleeveless dress for Syd and Karen!)  

I'm kicking myself, I should know better.  I know what a wall of heat feels like, it cannot be that different than a wall of cold (although truth be told nobody in Ghana was able to offer me anything to ward off that wall of 40 degree heat...)  Tomorrow, when we are honoured with watching Meagan and Kirk exchange vows, become man and wife, then party Ukrainian style in Vegreville I WILL remember, Memory needs coats.  Lots of coats.  If we cover her with blankets and coats then I will be able to run the air con, stay cool, and still feel like the ultimate hostess.  Vegreville or bust tomorrow!!  With tons of blankets for the drive!

Key learnings from day 1 with Memory....celery is not a food.  Dogs should not cuddle with you.  And husbands, yeah....they should cook.  A side note, longboards are deemed to be dangerous, especially when your teacher (Delainey) has already shown her wounds from the last "I think I can do this hill".

I cannot imagine being this adventurous.  Here she is, thrown into a family in disarray (ok, we say we will eat at 5 but really it's going to be 7).  I picked Memory up from the airport and, after dropping her luggage off we went veggie shopping at H &W.  I think our meat is fine, potatoes are starch,but veggies?  Fruit?  I need guidance. Memory, bless her,was not much help. Except for the watermelon at the end.

I like celery.  Grab some, even though it's not something she's had before.  Green onions. Yum.  Some zucchini (she thought it was cucumber) cantalope, and lo and behold...they gave us a free watermelon!  Get home with our haul and find no Cheese Whiz.....imagine celery without it...yes, she hates it.  Wish I had a picture of her face when she tried it without Cheese Whiz.

I'm all over the place  tonight.  Tomorrow we work...tomorrow we will try to solve the problems of a small but mighty credit union in Malawi.  Tomorrow is what I live for, as long as I can keep her off that longboard.....

June 7, 2016
I was reminded today, as I presented a meeting in one of our historical branches in the city, what a credit union was and what we want it to continue to be.  Our 149th Street branch is steeped in history, Firefighters Credit Union history to be exact.  Memory arrives tomorrow.  She represents, to me, the history of credit unions.  From Lilongwe, Malawi, Memory has traveled to Canada with the hope of creating a stronger and more sustainable credit union.  And we have the honour of hosting her for the next 9 days.

So begins our journey.  I do not know what fears Memory houses...but I know what lies within me.  Imagine, if you will, hosting someone in your home without understanding what "comfort" may mean to them.....what "clean" might mean...what "home" might feel like.  Delainey and I went out today in search of "chips" which Memory indicated are part of her breakfast.  Chips?  Lays?  Dill Pickle??    We have decided on a variety, banana chips (which I fear will not make the grade), casava chips (which may make the grade) and plantain chips (which I ate frequently while in Ghana, and have come to enjoy immensely).

I'm hoping that you will join us on this journey that begins tomorrow.  If you are able to physically join us that will show Memory our close knit village.  If you can only be with us in spirit then that will resound as well.  Memory will be taking in many valuable lessons at Servus, along with (I hope) many familiar scenes where neighbors are getting together with neighbors.

I hope this is a time that we, as a credit union and a family, in Edmonton can get together and display some of the community spirit that I have witnessed firsthand while traveling in Ghana.

Memory is missing her two precious daughters, Kate and Angel, who are waiting for her to return home.  She has chosen to spend her birthday, June 11, away from family and friends, to further develop her credit union...and her community...at home.  I already admire her, and I have not yet met her.  I hope that you join us on our journey!