Day four…super luck day

According to “The Globe and Mail” (Calgary paper) morning edition, Mongolians consider October 6, the most auspicious day and the perfect day to make important changes in your life.  Hmmm.  Also, in the news was the hysterical article about the military helicopter pilot, who “pulled into” the lot of a local A&W franchise and ordered six cheeseburgers to go!  The Canadian military was not impressed with his expertise in landing the ‘copter or his take-out order.  Then there is the blurb about All Nippon Airways, a Japanese airline, who requires all passengers to visit the restroom prior to boarding.  Empty bladders mean lighter passengers, which means a lighter aircraft and lower fuel usage. Too bad NWA didn’t require that on our flight to Calgary.  And finally, the thought for the day…don’t be a sheep (a follower).  People hate sheep and usually eat them!

My sister is ridiculously happy in the mornings and especially, if she is anticipating breakfast.  Only my husband can top her in the “happy” department.  This morning was no exception as she danced around the room dressing for breakfast and chattering about her possible choices.  Nothing is more exciting to Sister than breakfast and reading the Canadian newspaper.  Our neighbors to the North have the best papers and that could be because they are a kinder, gentler people.  Even the obits are lovely. 

We both did the omelet station and I must say, “YUM!”  Currently, I am testing a new diet called:  Eating 4 Your Blood Type.  This is not a new diet and years ago, I tiptoed around it but now it is for real.  There are certain foods considered toxic and my big four are:  chicken, tomatoes, corn and most wheat products.  Right now, I am concentrating on the first three and will worry about the wheat with time.  Do you have any idea how difficult it is to eat and avoid chicken and tomato products (that includes ketchup, sauces, etc.)  Anyway, breakfast is the easiest meal if I do without breads and most cereals. 

After breakfast, it was time for the bowl-off.  Now this is truly a no-brainer.  Sister adores competition and is in her element. She is a natural with bowling and I am certain that is due to her rigorous workouts at the gym and her training for half marathons.  I loathe any physical activity that does not involve a horse.  I bowled two lackluster games and earned a 15 point penalty for skidding over the foul line.  I might have won that game if not for the foul points.  Did I mention that this was five pin bowling?  The operator, T.J., worked for the Fairmont as the bowling instructor/professional.  Since we were the only people in the alley, he not only gave some friendly instructions but also, told us about his life.  T.J. started bowling when he was four and has toured the world with his skill.  His favorite thing is traveling Canada and the U.S. by motorcycle.  T.J. has six weeks of vacation and three of those are devoted to the wide-open road.  If you want to know anything about bowling, how to maintain the lanes, what is involved with leagues or any other question, just ask T.J.  Back to the game.  By the third game, I was tired…whine.  So Sister played for both of us; meaning she bowled 60 balls in this game.  I still lost!

Back to the room for an afternoon of R,R & R: reading, ‘riting and resting.  We wanted to enjoy our very last afternoon in the Sister Suite #725.  This was our room in 2007 and will be our requested room on any future visits.  The room is so pretty and the view of the Bow Valley is incredible, so why leave?

Dinner was in the Castello Restaurant, also in the Castle.  Good thing, too, because the temperature was around freezing and the rain was pelting down.  Prior to dining, we did some photo ops of the Ambassador and her Cultural Attache.  Of course, I am wearing my tiara for this special evening and Sister is having a great time playing photographer. The Castello is a small space with window seats throughout the restaurant.  Every table has a view of the mountains and the Castle courtyard.  The specialty is Italian, no other choices are offered, and each presentation is not only exquisite but a “major YUM”.  Prosecco was the perfect complement for our light supper of appetizers, salads and desserts.  Sister and I have learned that appetizer sizes are more appreciated by our digestive systems.

More reading and then lights out.