The turbulence I experienced, as our plane approached Calgary, served as a physical manifestation of my feelings about returning to Cowtown. Ah Vancouver, a city of vibrant colours and people that thoroughly impressed us. While I was privileged to attend my first gay wedding, I enjoyed exploring a metropolitan mecca of activity: I was not bored for a moment! Even the temporary breakdown of the Skytrain from Burnaby (where we stayed) to downtown Vancouver didn't spoil my newfound love.

So many wonderful restaurants, bars and pubs, specialty stores (Amanda loves the Armani Exchange and Mac Pro stores), Stanley Park, Granville Market, the friggin' Pacific Ocean (where I frollicked, if for only a moment), an assortment of heritage buildings that were refurbished (are you listening Calgary?), cool contemporary architecture and lush, diverse trees, the kind that droop over the street just enough to block the sun's intrusive rays--such foliage not seen in Alberta!

Amanda and I have vowed to move to Vancouver when our lease is up (next August). The cost of living may be about the same as it is here in Calgary, but there is so much more to do. So here I am, stuck with the rednecks for another year, but now I have purpose, a plan in action. I now understand why many people have moved to Vancouver: to escape the dreariness of the Canadian Prairies!