Ramada Metrotown Review - A Frigid Reaction

Read this First! Staying at Hotel Ramada Metrotown at Kingsway and Tyne?

We stumbled upon this hotel at Kingsway and Tyne, ( 3484 Kingsway , Vancouver ) after having a super fun night out on town, delighted to learn that a room was available for the night.

A reasonable rate for a Queen Sized bed Suite, Room 343, which included complimentary breakfast and free WiFi.

Upon our entrance of the suite, we noticed it was cold inside, almost as cold as the 5-degree February weather we had just escaped.  No problem, we thought - we turned on the room heating system and settled in.  It was a clean and attractively decorated room, with a bathroom that invited a nice warm shower.  A hotter-than usual shower setting is what we needed to offset the cold room. So, we indulged in this after watching t.v. for 30 minutes.  

It was to our dismay that we soon learned the room was still cold; what a contrast in temperature, from a hot shower to a bedroom that was still cold! 

The air from the heater was only slightly warm after one hour.  A phone call to the front desk gave rise to a smirky response from the tired-sounding front desk clerk, who replied that I should have started at a lower heat setting first and then gradually move it up to high after 30 minutes. { Oh yes, I SHOULD have known to do it this way}.  And so we persevered under his instructions.  The next 30 minutes of igloo living seemed like frozen hell, at 1:30am.

Finally, with a bit of frustration boiling over, I went to the front desk and tried hard to inquire "nicely" about a portable space heater.  Oh, what's that, they have all been taken?  Ok, I then asked for an extra set of blankets.  Sheepishly handed over.  Wow, what initiative! Customer service initiated by myself.  This tired front-desk clerk was not about to use any energy to come up with suggestions, like the ones I just conjured up.

Back to the room...

And so, our tired minds and bodies gave in to sleep, under heavy layers of blankets which barely fought off the cold around us.  We were able to sleep until the time to enjoy the complimentary breakfast which was waiting for us in the morning. In fact, we barely just got in. Actually the toast-eggs-bacon-and coffee was super!  That, I can say was the best part of the hotel stay!  

Talking to the new - and much different - front desk clerk this next morning, I mentioned our frigid reception.  He was most apologetic and conceded the fact that management had had some previous similar complaints about the night clerk as well.  In fact, just that same morning, the night clerk had been observed hanging up on a guest who had telephoned to give some constructive feedback!  The morning clerk also said that he would have also suggested moving us to anothe room, if it were him attending to us.

--- 

We won't be visiting this hotel for a while.

---

A month later, I dropped in in the afternoon and talked to a South-Asian-looking front desk gentleman, inquiring if they had received our written feedback.  

Wow, what an apathetic response.  I might as well have been talking to a robot.  I pulled out the hotel receipt to show the date and hotel room, and he didn't even pretend to take any notice of it.  He just said, yes, all feedback is read by management, and any training issues on a specific individual would be looked into.

Sorry, Ramada Hotel Metrotown, your chance to exonerate yourself was lost.

Diversion First on Social Networking, then : How to Internet Tether Your Iphone 4 to Windows 7

Diversion from the "Real Topic" first: Social Networking Thoughts


Interesting, many of the cell phone plans are now starting to include "Unlimited Social Networking" - in this instance, for Rogers Canada, they mean zero data is used against your data plan when you browse or use the phone app to "Update status, send messages, connect with friends and share photos using Facebook ™, Twitter ™, MySpace ™, Bebo ™, Flickr ™, Photobucket ™ or LinkedIn ™. This is actually a very nice idea, since it has been definitely proven that Social Media is NOT a fad that is going to fizzle out. If anything , it's going to grow and evolve and merge with new technologies on the horizon. Just look at how the concept of "Facetime" - aka video calling face-to-face on the iPhone has attracted people to just even consider switching specifically to the Iphone 4. 

Naturally, you may still be wondering... so what is the big deal with "Social Networking" anyway?  After you watch this video, then you will immediately see the impact it has had already on  YOUR life.




How about the news that car company Daimler has launched a car-sharing project that incorporates live online and quasi-Twitter technology? It has been called "high tech hitch hiking" . Here's another one, also car-related: a group of university students are developing a "caravan tracker", where groups of vehicles travelling together are equipped to share information with each other, such as fuel economy competition, landmark chatting, route sharing. Read about the this type and more, of social networking of cars here. So how about this (my out-of-the-blue idea): having on-board GPS, wireless cell/data connectivity on your camera or cell phone camera- with "Unlimited Social Networking" feature of course such that when you take a picture, your pictures will not only be uploaded to your Twitter space and/or Facebook photos, but the camera will recognize faces for auto-tagging, and also it will let your Facebook friends and Twitter followers know where the picture was taken?




 
Hmm, I just asked my teen daughter if she had any idea about marrying social media with technology. She just shrugged her shoulders, and she exclaimed, "I still think the telephone is best social networking tool!" And THAT, MY FRIENDS, IS STILL THE TRUTH, lol !


The Real Topic: Another type of Networking: Iphone 4 Tethered to Laptop- Windows 7


\Ok, actually, what I wanted to write about also in this article was how I just learned to tether my Iphone 4 (OS 4.0.2) , NOT jailbroken, to my Windows 7 laptop computer. This is very handy to know when you are somewhere out about town where there is no open WiFi connection and you are in dire need to access a website in full screen to get information for that next meeting, without dealing with the little screen keys of the Iphone. For example, I had tethered my Iphone to my laptop, so I could use my laptop to update my blog at http://yagottaknowthis.blogspot.com with this article!! Fortunately, there is a way to use your Iphone 4's data plan to surf the net with your laptop. A warning for you though, make sure your Iphone 4 has a good allowance of data plan if you are going to do this tethering often.


1st Step : Iphone 4: Settings, General, Network, Internet Tethering: ON, select for Bluetooth on also 

2: On you Iphone 4: go to Settings, General, turn Bluetooth: ON (if not already turned on). Bluetooth will trigger to show as discoverable, looking to pair with another device, eg. your laptop! 

3. On your Windows 7 laptop: Click on the circled Windows logo on left corner, choose Devices and Printers, Add a Device. This is when Windows will start to look to pair itself too with all available hard-wired and wired/ ie. Bluetooth connections. It will find your Iphone in 20secs to 1 minute, or so.

4. When Windows finds your Iphone, right-button-mouse-click on the graphic picture or text of your iphone (see picture), and then choose "Connect using... Access Point".

You will soon see a "... Tethering" blue band across the top of your Iphone.


 
Now go forth armed with this knowledge to do this. even if just for the fun of it. 

Eric
Business Solutions Specialist

Little Significant Observations - Travel Tips in Manila, Cities in Philippines

I recently came back from the Philippines, where I attended my uncle's funeral activities.
During my almost-two-weeks there, I took public transportation for the first time. Usually, I'd have a personal driver take me around.

Some observations for you if you're there for personal or "business trip" reasons:

- how to take or ride the jeepney around town. Btw, jeepney's look like the over-extended trucks with a low metal canopy behind. They have two length-wise benches for seating. It's hard to describe, so here's a picture.  You hop in, squeeze yourself some sitting space on the bench. Then you fish out your 12pesos or whatever payment, and you say "bayad" (sounds like "buy ahhd") .  You give it to another passenger who is sitting at arms length away from you , towards the front of the jeepney. That passenger will then pass on your coins to the front, and so on, until it reaches the driver and/or his assistant. It works!

- another mode of transportation: the "FX" taxi . It's an airconditioned SUV type , a lot more comfortable than a jeepney.  However, you still share the ride. These fx taxis are usually located in a group at "the terminal". You buy a ticket at a booth or desk nearby after you announce to the attendant where you are going. Then you present your ticket to the driver.  By the way, the similar ride to the fx taxi is "the van". It's not a "suv" fx, but "a van". I myself was almost tricked into spending more time and more money on a tricycle ride when I asked a motorcycle / tricycle driver where I can find the fx to go to a particular place. He said he will take me there, 5 minutes. Then a passerby who overheard our conversation said no, just walk 50 meters to get "the van" to the same place.  I looked at the motorcycle driver, who shrugged his shoulders and said , "well, an FX is different from a van".  I later found out that the process of paying to board an FX or "a van" was the same. Get more tips here. Picture included.

- then, there's the "tricycle" transportation. It's a motorcycle with an attachment for passenger(s) to sit beside. Well, actually, you CAN put more than just one passenger here. In fact, I've seen as many as 5 people on one! To ride one, you hop in, tell them where you're going, and you pay after you arrive. It will usually be around 10 pesos, maybe more. The drawbacks: you get to breathe in the exhaust fumes of your ride and other vehicles nearby at your positioned level of seating. It can get very loud. You are subject to the elements, especially rain if there is no plastic screen placed in front of you between the driver and the cart you are sitting in. View a tricycle here.

Ok, so I haven't covered the LRT or overhead rapid transit train. I never took it. But I'll let you know when I do!

Cheers!

Eric C
Business Solutions Specialist

Stanley Park Bicycle Tire BlowOut! Desmond Niles Mobile Bicycle Repair

My Sunday bicycle ride with my two daughters was going well - early summer morning ride, cool, beautiful scenery at Stanley Park, Vancouver, BC- its awesome bicycle path at the seawall. Then, at the totem park area, one of my daughters' front bicycle tire became flat.

Yeah, it was a bit of a downer, but we took it all in stride. This was a good opportunity to slow it down even more, and we took out the grapes, strawberries, and bottled water. We had a small picnic in this gorgeous part of Stanley Park, with the buildings in the background, and the famous greenery of Stanley Park on either side of us.

I took out my trusty Iphone 4, surfed the internet and Googled "mobile Vancouver bicycle repair". One of the top search results was a third-party directory site that listed "Desmond" with his phone number . Remember, this was a Sunday. Desmond answered, explained it would take him between 45 to 60 minutes to get here. Perfect!

What I didn't know was that Desmond's mobile bicycle repair service was really a mobile shop. He arrived with his bicycle and and pack of tools on the back of his pedal-powered bike. He had cycled from Victoria Drive near S.E Marine Drive area, which is about 14 km !!

Upon closer inspection, Desmond discovered that there was hole on the inner tube at the bottom of the valve stem. Ouch! He explained that this was not going to be an easy patch-up repair, which he would normally do. He would have to purchase an inner tube from a nearby bicycle shop. So I said sure. But then he revealed that he forgot to bring cash nor his credit card to buy this. And I also explained that I had just remembered I forget to bring cash, but yes, I did bring my debit bank card . So, my daughter and I walked with him for 20 minutes to bicycle shop, and then we returned to the totem pole area of Stanley Park.

It was a very quick repair by Desmond. I took this opportunity to learn more about Desmond and his mobile bicycle repair service in Vancouver. His history: he was a bicycle courier in London (his native city is Gloucestershire), came to Canada in 1998. He has 2 very young children. In Vancouver he was a glass/ window installer, having worked on highrise buildings in Vancouver, ie. Shangri-La. But really, as he explained, his passion was in everything bicycle, and he had wanted to get away from the corporate game and working for someone else. Desmond also explained that he feels very fulfilled in seeing that complete transformation from broken-to-fixed. As well, he enjoys being a part of the process in that he receives and appreciates the many thanks (and their referrals) from the many different people he meets.

Desmond Niles is a super friendly person, very personable and highly skilled at what he does: bicycle repairs.

Desmond's contact details: Call 604 565 6039
Email : nilesdesmond@gmail.com


Eric C
Business Solutions Specialist

Katrina Amurao, Neil Bellosillo, and " The Team ", Realtors in Vancouver, Surrey, Delta, Burnaby areas

I and my realtives have had the great pleasure of connecting with Katrina Amurao and her husband Neil Bellosillo, realtors in Greater Vancouver Lower Mainland (including Surrey, Delta and areas).

They are very informative, are patient and understanding to our house buying and selling needs.

Neil and Katrina have been providing us with professionally developed and highly researched reports about real estate activity within our area- I mean really detailed reports to view on the web, specific to our Vancouver neighbourhood in recent time periods, including average house prices, number and specific houses that sold over as well as under the asking price, number of days on the market, etc. And Neil Bellosillo's reports have been timely as he emails them to us, with the pictures and details of potential houses to buy according to our specific parameters we gave.

They have been very patient with us, understanding our personal situations and experiences when it comes to our buying and selling decisions... so no worries or "guilt" there.

As well, Katrina and Neil, twice a year, they rent out a whole movie theatre complex of 3 or 4 theatres, and they invite clients and their friends for free to watch a newly released movie. A donation in the form of non-perishable food items is requested by the movie-goers, and it all goes to the Surrey Food Bank. Katrina and the team also provide drinks, coffee and snacks!

We highly recommend them!

Here are Katrina Amurao's and Neil Bellosillo's contact information.

Iphone 4 - the Fuss, the Fun, the Funkiness

By Eric C.
Business Solutions Specialist

I've been around to the various shopping malls in Vancouver and Burnaby, observing the long line-ups at the Apple Store's as well as the crowds at the smaller wireless phone dealers that would carry the new Iphone 4.  The smaller ones like "Wireless Wave" (owned and operated by GlenTel) - I have a friend there Sophia Kong at the Brentwood Mall location (tel: 604-298-5208) - they have been constantly answering the question, "Do you have the Iphone 4" . Their answer for the last week has been, "No.... we're out of stock."  The next famous question: "What's with the antenna problem?"  The answer, "well, that can be fixed with the free bumper case, or with any case for that matter."

My question today during my visit was, "Can you tell me about the unlocked / locked situation with the IPhone 4 in Canada?"  They said that yes, all the IPhone 4's are shipped the Canadian outlets as unlocked, but once you go into a contract with one of the carriers, they become locked.  Upon my further investigation, I learned that the unlocked version, no contract, was around $700-850, and with a 3-yr contract, locked, the IPhone 4 was $175 .

Then my question, to myself was, is there a way to unlock the IPhone 4?

I found an article at http://www.livecrickett20.com/2010/08/08/the-ways-to-unlockjailbreak-the-ios4-and-the-iphone-44g/  .

So there you go. According to the author of the article at the above livecrickett20.com link, there are many ways, apparently, to unlock a IPhone 4.

If only I can now get my hands on one!


Eric C
Business Solutions Specialist

Banana Leaf Malaysian Restaurant, Vancouver: Our First Dining Experience

On December 5, we finally went to dine at Banana Leaf Restaurant, at 820 W. Broadway location in Vancouver.

This restaurant has had numerous awards for food and service, and I had been curious to see what the fuss was all about. Here is their website.

However, my experience with Banana Leaf was not a good first experience.

I wrote an email to Calvin Chong, owner of Banana Leaf, describing my experience. As my review, I copied and pasted the email below, along with their reply.




Email to Mr. Calvin Chong, Banana Leaf Restaurant:

Dec 2009.

Dear Mr. Chong,

I am an online blogger who likes to write about my experiences,
including my travels, or using certain products, or sometimes I write
about my dining experiences. Before I write and share my review with
my web audience, I wanted to bring my write-up to your attention.

On Saturday, my wife and 4 children visited Banana Leaf Restaurant for
the first time (at the 820 W. Broadway location). I've lived in
Vancouver for over 30 years, and I've dined at different restaurants,
including Malaysian restaurants, but this was my inaugural visit to
your restaurant.

We were seated at the back corner, a nice almost private setting.
There was a larger party of about 20 people beside us, so we knew it
was a busy night for your staff.

I found it unusual that we had to wait over 10 minutes for anyone to
get our initial drink order. In fact, I observed staff 4 times going
back and forth and attending to the party beside us bringing their
food during this time. So I took the initiative and got up to
approach the bar to talk to the person who seemed to be the manager to
bring to his attention that we hadn't been able to get our order in
yet. Immediately after I returned to my table, we were attended to.

The overall quality of the food was very good. We had ordered two
gado gado's, 6 chicken satay, a pineapple/chicken/sea food fried rice,
a nasi goreng and sambal chili fired okra, eggpland and green bean
dish. For desert later we had just one of the fried banana with ice
cream. Good presentation, tasty, just the right type of spiciness.
However, I suggest that your servers be safe in general and ask what
level of spiciness is preferred. One thing though, I found it odd and
interesting regarding the food portions. For example, I was expecting
larger food portions for the main dishes, and the desert I was
expecting to be just the regular size. It was the converse ,
especially with the larger-than-expected desert serving. A pleasant
surprise nevertheless, for the single desert order that served 6
people.

I have a couple of strong suggestions for the young male server who
attended to us. Firstly, he should not store the tray with dirty
dishes so close to the patrons. There was an empty 2-seater table
next to us, and that's where he put the tray of used dishes and
utensils, etc. Also, he should confirm with the people whether he can
take the plate away. What happened with us is that my wife and 2
daughters went to the washroom, and he dropped by our table. I
mentioned I wanted to order dessert. There was still 2 small plates
of food that my youngest daughter and my toddler son were still
finishing. Being young, they are slow eaters. Before I could say
anything, our waiter took them away and put them in the tray nearby.
Personally, I don't like wasting food, nor do I like to feel rushed.
And of course, with the tray of dirty dishes and our "stolen" food in
plain sight nearby, it was like, as the expression goes, "rubbing salt
in the wounds." On top of that, when my wife and daughters came back,
they complained that one of the toilets was out of order. I went to
the men's washroom and found it not as clean as I would have hoped,
with several used and unused paper towels all over the place. I
suggest you get a proper paper towel dispenser for sanitary reasons,
instead of piling them up at the corner of the wall by the faucet
where they will get wet.

Also, in hindsight, I'm curious to ask...was it so busy that the
busboy actually became our waiter? Is that why he didn't seem to have
the refined skills that a full-time experienced waiter would have?

Anyway, I invite you to provide your comments.

Thank you.

Eric Carlos
604-xxx-xxxx


Reply

From Teresa Yu, Banana Leaf Restaurants
to me, calvin


Dear Mr. Carlos,

Thank you very much for providing such detailed feedback on your recent
visit to Banana Leaf. All of us here appreciate your taking the time to
write us, for it is via comments such as yours that we know how we're
doing and where we can improve.

I'm very glad to hear that you enjoyed our food, but allow me to extend my
sincerest apologies for wherever the service was lacking. A large party
can, unfortunately, be distracting for our serving staff, but certainly,
you should not have had to wait 10 minutes to be served. Our servers
undergo continuous training and performance reviews. You can be assured
that your comments will be noted at our next meeting, as a reminder that
large parties should not divert focus from other patrons.

I'm very sorry as well that your dishes were cleared before you and your
family were finished. Our intention is never to rush or to waste. It is
common policy to clear a table of its dishes before serving dessert. Your
server most likely over-anticipated and assumed that you and your family
were finished with your meal by your mentioning of dessert. He definitely
should have asked first, however, and not given the impression that he was
rushing you in any way.

Our restaurant functions on a teamwork strategy, where all servers work
together to provide our patrons with the best dining experience possible.
Where we have been remiss, please allow me to apologize again and assure
you that all of your comments have been duly noted by our management
staff, from the large party issue, to the specifics of your particular
server, and the washroom situation. Thank you kindly for your valuable
feedback, and we welcome any further comments. We also very much look
forward to serving you again!


Sincerely,
Teresa Yu

--
Banana Leaf Malaysian Cuisine
Broadway: 820 West Broadway, 604-731-6333
Denman: 1096 Denman Street, 604-683-3333
Kitsilano: 3005 West Broadway, 604-734-3005

Mexico Travel Tips: What you need to know about vacationing

Our recent trip to Mexico was full of annoyances. So I'm sharing some observations and travel tips for those who are planning to travel to Mexico:

++ Renting a Car in Mexico ++
I got a great weekly rate with Hertz through my travel agent at Royal Club Vacations: US$79 /wk for a 5 seater compact car, the Dodge Attitude (based on a Nissan Sentra). Wow! So we arrive at Hertz at Cancun international airport. I produce my gold credit card MasterCard and advise the Hertz gal behind the counter that my credit card company will cover the collision waiver insurance. She smiled and and said, "Sorry, the rules are different in Mexico. We don't have an agreement with any credit card company. If you don't want to buy the optional insurance, then we require a US$1500 deposit by cash or your credit card as a pre-authorization."

I did a double-take in my thoughts and asked her, "you mean 1500 pesos, right?" My worst fear was realized when she said, "no sir, that's 1500 American Dollars." SAY WHAT? I ran to the payphone across the street and called the credit card company. They confirmed it's up to the individual car rental companies in Mexico to accept the insurance that we make available. Oh great. I ran back to the Hertz office and asked what would the situation be if I paid the extra insurance? After a minute of punching her calculator, she says my rate for the week would be US$189, and the damage deposit she'll require would be US$600. Ok, so from US$79 to US$189 to rent the car, and now my availability of funds is decreased by US$600 . How would you feel if your budget for your vacation was just shot down by over $700?

Anyway, no choice but to fork over my agreement to go ahead with this.

By the way, another tip: make sure you document every little damage that already exists on the car you are about to rent. That includes nicks on the windshield, any little dings or dents, scratches or chips on the body anywhere on the car... INCLUDING THE BOTTOM OF THE CAR. You see, on that federal highway 307 from Cancun to Playa del Carmen to Tulum and beyond, there are those numerous harsh speedbumps that can and will cause some damage to your car underside (and shocks) if you are not careful. When I returned the car after the week, the Hertz guy actually checked EVERYWHERE for damage and compared it to my damage pre-rental form.

Oh, and another tip, there are no gas stations along the road to the airport/ car rental office once you turn off from highway 307 to the airport. So make sure you gas up before you hit that exit sign.

That leads me to advise you also.... even at the government-owned green-colored Pemex gas stations, you must be vigilant and watch how much gas they put into your car, versus how much you tell them to pump. I told the gas guy "200 Pesos", but before I put the money into his hand after his pumping service, I got out and took a close glance at the pump machine. It was only 181 pesos!! Crazy!

^ ^ ^ ^ ^

Ok, another change in topic.

+++ The Tulum Experience: Travel Tips +++

We drove to Tulum from our resort at Playa del Carmen... it took almost 1 hour when driving at the posted speed limit, as we watched all kinds of cars, busses and big trucks pass us by. And twice, we saw police with their radar gun speed traps along the highway nabbing only a few of them. Anyway, DON'T always go at the speed limit number if it says "salida" beside it. That's the speed limit for exiting at the next exit.

If you are indeed heading for the Tulum ruins from highway 307 from the Playa del Carmen direction, watch out for the "Achaeologica Tulum" sign on your left, around 2 km just BEFORE you hit the town of Tulum and its little stores and bars and old-looking structures along the highway. We missed that street to the Tulum ruins and kept on driving. We had to ask the gas attendant for directions.

When parking at the Tulum ruins point of interest, there will be a guy or guys waving you in to the next available parking space. Yeah, they are helping you, in a way, but it was interesting to see that only 1/5 of the parking lot was full, so I already knew right away something funny was going on. These "parking" helper guys are actually salesmen who operate out of a tour information booth at the parking lot. They will ask you what your plans are after you visit Tulum, and that they have all these deep discounted promotions for you and your group for other excursions. Be wary ... yes, a lot of them are really discounted or even free... however, in all likelihood you will have to attend a "90 minute" timeshare presentation which will, as in our experience, take half a day since they take you on a tour of the resort(s) and the facilities. Also, you will be asked to put down a deposit to confirm your booking to attend. I warned you....

Also, if you are going to the Tulum Mayan ruins, then you should know about the train you can take from the parking lot to the actual ticket booth for the site. There will be people telling you that it will be around a 10 to 15 minute walk to go the 1/4 to 1/2 mile distance, and they you should take the train... and of course, you need to buy tickets to get on the train (I think it cost around 45 pesos?) It was a very hot and humid afternoon, and the shaded train car was inviting. So we bought 2 tickets (children are free). Lo and behold, the ride was so short, and maybe it would have taken 5 minutes to walk the approximately 2 blocks. Whatever.

Don't forget there is a beautiful beach at the Tulum site. You can swim there!! Bring a towel and bathing suit (wear it already --- no changing stations there!)


+++ Buying souvenirs, etc at the outdoor markets +++

Don't be afraid or shy to bargain with them. At the same time, be brave enough to walk away. I was looking at a spiderman mask for my son, and the seller wanted 250 pesos. I said 100 pesos, and he bantered and mumbled and mumbled and said no in so many words. So I looked at him with a "I cannot believe it" face and started to walk away. After a quick second he said, "okay, but let me ask my partner". He went around the corner for a few seconds and came back saying okay. Hmmm, good deal.

That's all for this writer's write-up about his experience in Mexico!

Eric C
Business Solutions Specialist

DQ and Fraser & 43rd Avenue Area - for snacks!!

After-school snacking had always been a favourite time of day for me during my elementary and high school days, which was a looong time ago. I went to St. Patrick's on Main and E.10th Ave until Grade 11, and there was "Juice Fried Chicken" on the corner there. It was still there until maybe 2 or three years ago (~2006?). There, I learned to fill a paper brown bag with their juicy greasy fries, put a few or several packets of ketchup, vinegar and pepper, close the bag and shake it . Out came the most tasty and tangy fries ready to be consumed by the mouthful.

Nowadays, I've been taking my kids to bubble tea and the occasional fries joint, at the Fraser and 41st/ 42nd area. There's the Church's Fried Chicken there. And there's the "Green Leaf Natural" bubble tea place. And oh yeah, a couple of sushi places and a Filipino dinery on the same block. Can't go wrong here. By the way, the Green Leaf bubble tea place uses natural fruits to flavour their bubble tea, none of the powdered stuff. If they run out (like they do during the summer some days, they will ask you if they can use the ice cream version. Try their cheesecake ice cream bubble tea too!)






Before, there was the McDonald's on 43rd and Fraser. Now, it's a new outfit - "Dairy Queen Chill and Grill" (or is it Grill and Chill)? Neat place! We went there with the kids, their great-grandmother (my grandma), my mom, cousin , sister and her kids on Feb 17th to celebrate my grandmother's 92nd birthday. Actually, we had gone to a little Vietnamese restaurant for dinner just before that. So it was at DQ where desert was the main focus. Great fun!! At first, the Blizzards we ordered were very watery. The manager that evening came out from the back and was very friendly and accommodating about our request for another batch to be made. No problem! He then remarked about the number of family members present, and that it was too bad we had just missed the DQ contest for having the largest group of family "dining" at DQ the same time.


Grandma Esperanza or "Mama Espee" had a grand time. You see the picture? She even treated herself to a Dairy Queen Banana Split! We became a rowdy bunch, I must say... from a 2-yr old boy to a 17yr old, no, 92-yr young lady, all high on sugared ice and milk!

This new Dairy Queen place has plenty of seating and is somewhat clean. I hope they will continue to keep monitoring cleanliness throughout the day - there's nothing worse than sticky old ice cream spots on the table and seats, ready to make you their next "tacky" victim. This was the case for the now-closed DQ on Victoria and around E. 34th Ave. It seemed that they were too busy to send someone out to clean up the tables.

Anyway, I have hope for this new Dairy Queen Grill and Chill.

I especially like the fact that $1 will go to Children's Miracle Network / BC Children's Hospital whenever a cake is sold, everyday!

There's a contest put on by famous blogger/ Twitter 'er Miss604. She'll give away four $25 DQ gift certificates. Details here.

Grand opening is March 7!

Liked at DQ Grill and Chill , Fraser and E. 43rd Avenue
- friendly manager, quick to make things right
- $1 will go to Children's Miracle Network / BC Children's Hospital whenever a cake is sold, everyday!
- cleanliness, (so far...)
- variety of burger and fries, etc, selections available
- plenty of parking at the back
- close to bus stops (Fraser , 41)
- close to other eateries: bubble tea, sushi, East Indian, Filipino

Disliked
- too new to find any, yet(?)

-----------

About Eric C.
A elite business marketing consultant

Senhor Rooster. Portugese Fine Dining Vancouver

Valentine's Day 2009-

I had called around the week before to some of our favourites: Seasons in the Park (Queen Elizabeth), Shaughnessy (Van Dusen), Tea House (Stanley Park) . But of course, with only the big day a week away, the earliest reservation we could get was at 9:00pm. Nah, too late for dinner.

So I went to the ol' trusty Google and typed in "romantic" "restaurant" "Vancouver" .

A myriad of choices, here and there. Somehow, "Senhor Rooster" stood out. Perhaps it was the slighty unusual and comical name. I trust it wasn't going to be a chicken place. There were some nice patron reviews. I called them up, and my 7pm reservation request was accepted.

Likes:
- lots of street parking available
- great ambience for a romantic dinner : candlelight, homey, warm colours
- the hostess surprised my wife with a rose
- very friendly staff. Our waiter took the time in the beginning to get to know us
- loved the live singing and music! The male keyboardist and female singer performed all types of songs - Abba, Stevie Wonder, Paul Anka, Sting, UB40 (I think that's what it was)
- we also loved the spacious dance floor. Yes, there was time for dancing!
- nice table layout - not too close to each other - gave a feeling of privacy
- our quail appetizer, sole fish dish and rib-eye steak were excellent. The steak especially impressed us. We asked for well-done, knowing that for most restaurants, it was going to be a hit-and-miss because almost all too often it seemed "well done" would bring us tough and chewy meat. However, the steak was savoury, juice and yes, well done.
- our waiter's patience and his great service attitude (see below).

Didn't Like"
- we were not told that "Bacalhau" cod dish was actually a *salted* cod fish. As soon as I filled my mouth with the fish and mashed potatoes, I almost gagged. Being caught off guard with such a bold salty taste was not the highlight of my dining experience. Sorry, but this dish was basically rejected. I don't mind salted foods, but with a large dish that was salty, I had to ask them to bring me another dish. Our waiter was very understanding. Kudos to him! Despite this, he was as courteous and friendly as ever throughout the rest of the evening

All in all, we enjoyed our evening, our first time at this restaurant, our first time to dine at a Portugese restaurant. Repeat, yes!

Link: http://www.senhorrooster.com/
Phone: 604-434-1010

Webcammax Virtual Webcam, plus Ustream.tv

Feb 5, 2009.

The scenario: I'd been looking into ways to do an online presentation, starring me live (with viewers seeing my not-so-famous face) via webcam and also for viewers to see my powerpoint slides. Furthermore, I wanted viewers to hear my voice without the need to dial in separately with the phone. It was important too for viewers find it easy to join in . At the same time, I didn't want to be limited by cost of service , for example, to pay $$ per month if I reached a certain number of people viewing my show. On average, the number of viewers would be around 30 people, with a potential audience limit of 100 people or even more.

There was Adobe Acrobat Connect, but while it was excellent at showing slides (with sharp graphics), the oral audio portion could only be done through telephone, eg. the participants had to dial into the conference bridge, toll free. Not only that, but at $39 per month or $395/yr for only up to 15 viewers or participants, it wasn't feasible nor practical for my purposes.

I looked into DimDim at DimDim.com. Actually, very good! Audio, webcam, and powerpoint slide broadcasting available. This would be an excellent web conferencing solution for those with a smaller audience. DimDim as a free version for an audience smaller than 21 people. From 21 to 100 people, it is $99 per year, and from 101 participants to 1000, it's $1,998 per year. I would certainly consider DimDim as a backup for conferencing with a smaller group of people.

It was during this time of researching that I came across Ustream.tv . I saw a couple of shows delivered by webcam and mic.audio - a coffeetasting show and a live radio dj hosting show. It didn't seem to limit the amount of viewers. It allowed interaction between the viewers and host by text chat, and there was the feature where you can have your own social networking links etc on the webpage showing your streaming video. And there is no charge to broadcast. Cool concept actually. So I got thinking- with no limits and fees, is there a way to also stream powerpoint slides? Yes, there is, by setting up a "virtual webcam". Since Ustream.tv broadcasts whatever is showing on your webcam (or your video camera that is integrated to your graphics card), you can also set up Ustream.tv to broadcast internally from a virtual webcam of whatever you see on your desktop.

So, why not stream your desktop as it plays your powerpoint slideshow?

This was when I looked into the virtual webcams out there. There was Manycam and Webcammax. Manycam was able to stream my powerpoint slides, but the quality as seen on the viewer end was not great. You can probably use Manycam if all the fonts in your powerpoint were larger 24point bold fonts, maybe.

Then I tried Webcammax. Ustream recognized Webcammax, and I set Webcammax to take a "video" of the the view of my desktop as the source. You can alternatively select your real webcam as the source. With Webcammax you can select an additional source if you want and do "picture-in-picture" style. I chose to just switch main sources between desktop and webcam whenever I wanted to go from using the virtual webcam to show whatever was on my desktop (powerpoint show) to showing myself on the optical webcam. (I didn't know I used my hands so much and moved my head around a lot, LOL!) . I found the quality of Webcammax's streamed desktop's powerpoint graphics and font to be significantly better than Manycam. I admit, however, that DimDim and Acrobat Connect still were superior in the quality of the broadcasted computer desktop graphics. Another important note: Webcammax did not once cause my screen to freeze. However, for some reason, I had a few problems with Manycam freezing my screen indefinitely and once causing my laptop to heat up quickly and shut off, judging by how fast the fan started to blow.

Costwise, Webcammax is $19.95 for 6 months, $29.95/yr, $39.95 for 2 years, and $49.95 bought outright. Very reasonable pricing. But okay, Manycam is free! However, what good is "free" if a product or service does not meet your needs? In fact, because Manycam caused technical problems, it was going to be expensive in the longrun in terms of viewer prospects who would have been annoyed and most likely would have tuned out as lost potential customers.

My review of these various products was focussed on what I needed to do: to stream on the web my powerpoint presentations, include my oral/audio live, and to be able to switch back and forth from powerpoint to live video of myself. The quality of graphics as seen by the viewers was equally important. Next, cost would be a consideration, especially in relation to the number of participants. I should point out that yes, there are a whole bunch of other features that were available, such as backgrounds, visual effects, etc, but then again, I was interested in only researching the relevant features for my purposes.

So here's my conclusive ranking.
In order of preference for doing what I wanted to do, effectively and with practicality:
1) Webcammax plus UStream.tv
2) DimDim
3) Manycam plus Ustream.tv
4) Adobe Acrobat Connect

* * * *


Eric shows entrepreneurs how to start and run a lucrative business from the comfort of their own home.

* * * *

The Secret - of Legally Shoplifting, with a Scanner

I've been meaning to "tell the whole world" about a little-known secret - well, fellow Vancouverites and okay, Canadian shoppers.

Three times, I've been on the *fortunate* end of getting things for free or at significantly reduced price.

Last year, I had picked up a can of baby formula from Safeway. It was on sale, and when you go through a regularly priced $21.99 can of powdered formula 5 times a month, a sale at $17.99 is always very good news.

After paying and heading out, I looked at my receipt as I settled into the car. Hmmm, $21.99! My lucky day! And I was saying this to myself like I had won the lottery. Sarcasm took no part today. With a big grin, I went to the Customer Service desk and told them about the mistake. A few minutes later, I walked out as if I had effectively spent $7.99 for the can of powdered formula instead of $17.99? How? I'll tell you another story first!

Today Feb 4, 2009. I went to buy a manicuring tool at London Drugs. I made a quick note of the $4.99 price tagged on the shelf and then dashed through the checkout counter with my payment. As I left the store, I glanced at the receipt. Whoo hoo! $5.99 ! So, you math whizzes out there, how much did I get back? I got back $6.71 ! I got it for free! It's interesting though, the person at the London Drugs Customer Service Desk happened to be a Sales Manager or Supervisor (I forget which title). He was about to give the difference I was overcharged, but then I mentioned the "Scanner...Code". He said, "Oh, you know about it!". And he promptly gave me the cash for the total price of the item, plus tax.


Many thanks to the "Scanner Price Accuracy Voluntary Code" ("SCOP") in Canada!
http://is.gd/isbb

Here's what it states:
If the scanned price of a non-price item is higher than the shelf price or any other displayed price, the customer is entitled to receive the first item free, up to a $10 maximum. If a Code of Practice problem cannot be resolved at the store level, please call 1-866-499-4599 to register your complaint.

So, Canadian shoppers, the next time you go through the doors of a major grocery store, look for the white sticker sign on the glass door or window nearby, headlined in bold "Scanner Price Accuracy Voluntary Code." Be mindful of the shelf prices (especially sale prices of course!). Do your best to check your receipt. You might walk out with a great bargain!

Eric C
An elite business solutions specialist

More information including a list of participating stores:
http://is.gd/ismy

(The contents of this blog is not meant to be legal advice. Please consult your lawyer.)

FAQ's

Who participates in the SCOP?

Nearly every major retailer in Canada participates in the voluntary Scanning Code.


If the store I am in does not have the sign do they participate in the SCOP?

Although all participating retailers are suppose to display the Scanning Code of Practice sign as shown above, not all do. See the link above for a full list of participating stores and chains.


Does Zeller’s particpate in SCOP?

No, Zeller’s does not participate in voluntary Scanning Code.


Will the cashier give me the product free without mentioning the SCOP?

It is likely that you will have to ask the cashier to apply the Scanning Code of Practice. If the store is a participant they must give it to you for free or $10 off if the priced scanned is higher than the shelf or other displayed price. If the store will not apply the code, call 1-866-499-4599 and register a complaint.


How about if I more than one of an item that scans in wrong?

If you buy three identical items you are entitled to the first item free, the following items will be adjusted to the lower price.


How about if I buy many different items that scan in wrong?

You are entitled to the first item free per unique UPC, so if each item has a different UPC each item is free. You are entitled to one item free per unique UPC code.


The product had a price tag on it does the SCOP apply?

No, the Scanning Code only applies to non-price ticketed items.


The displayed price was expired, does the SCOP apply?

Yes, if any displayed price for that item is lower than the price the item scans for Scanning Code applies.


The item was on clearance or sale-priced. Does the SCOP apply?

If the item is not ticketed with a price and the mark down was only by a sign or dsiplay than yes, the scanning code applies.


How about if the price that scans in for lower than the display price does the SCOP apply?

No, the Scanning Code of Practice only applies if the scanned price is higher than the shelf or any other displayed price (not tagged physically on product).


My item was more than $10 do I get it free?

No, if your item is more than $10 you will get $10 off the price of your item.

***

Code of Practice: Scanner Price Accuracy Voluntary Code

STATEMENT OF INTENT
Canadian retailers are committed to accurate scanner pricing. Incorrect prices can result in poor customer relations and legal sanctions. Consequently many retailers are now implementing a variety of procedures that were developed to help achieve and maintain accurate scanner pricing.

Code of Practice: Scanner Price Accuracy Voluntary Code 2002 The Scanner Price Accuracy Voluntary Code ("the Code") evolved from the collaborative efforts of Retail Council of Canada (RCC), the Canadian Association of Chain Drug Stores (CACDS), the Canadian Federation of Independent Grocers (CFIG), and the Canadian Council of Grocery Distributors (CCGD). These associations are composed of national, regional and local retailers selling a wide assortment of general merchandise, as well as pharmaceutical and food products.

This diversity in the Canadian retail environment underscores the advisability of a voluntary code that can be widely used.

The Scanner Price Accuracy Voluntary Code has been endorsed by the Competition Bureau.

PURPOSE
The purpose of the Code is to:

1. Visibly demonstrate retailer commitment to scanner price accuracy;
2. Provide retailers with a consistent national framework for dealing with scanner price accuracy issues; and
3. Provide the retail industry with a mechanism for consumer redress in scanner price accuracy cases, to be managed by the industry through an industry committee.

SCOPE
The Code applies to all scanned Universal Product Code (UPC), bar coded, and/or Price Look Up (PLU) merchandise sold in stores, with the exception of goods not easily accessible to the public (e.g. prescription drugs and behind-the-counter cosmetics), and individually price-ticketed items.

The Code does not apply in provinces or territories where existing legislation or regulation covers these concerns.

A retailer adopting the Code must abide by the policies outlined below.

Signatories to Scanner Accuracy

CACDS Supporting Companies:
Shoppers Drug Mart
The Groupe Jean Coutu (NB and Ont only)
Lawton Drug Stores
London Drugs
Lovell Drugs
Pharma-save (BC and Sask)
Pharma Plus

CCGD Supporting Companies:
Canada Safeway Limited
The Great Atlantic and Pacific Tea Company of Canada Limited
Loblaw Companies Limited
Sobeys Inc.
Metro Inc.
Thrifty Foods
Costco Wholesale Canada Ltd.
Co-op Atlantic
Federated Co-operatives Limited

RCC Supporting Companies:
Costco Wholesale Canada Ltd.
The Home Depot Canada
Canadian Tire Corporation Ltd.
Toys r Us
Rona
Wal*Mart Canada Corp.
Giant Tiger Stores Ltd.
The North West Company
Best Buy/Future Shop
2 Home Hardware franchisees

CFIG Supporting Companies:
Thrifty Foods
Overwaitea Food Group
The Harry Watson Group
Longos Brothers Fruit Markets
+ 1374 independent locations
1. THE ITEM FREE SCANNER POLICY
Retailers will implement an Item Free Scanner Policy as follows:
1.1 On a claim being presented by the customer, where the scanned price of a product at checkout is higher than the price displayed in the store or than advertised by the store, the lower price will be honoured; and

(a) if the correct price of the product is $10 or less, the retailer will give the product to the customer free of charge; or
(b) if the correct price of the product is higher than $10, the retailer will give the customer a discount of $10 off the corrected price.

1.2 Where the same error recurs in scanning multiple units of a given product during a given transaction, the retailer will correct the scanning error in respect of each unit of the given product purchased, but is obliged to apply the policy set out in 1.1 (a) and (b) in respect of only one of the units.

1.3 Paragraph 1.1 only applies after the final sale price of the purchased item has been displayed at the checkout, including relevant rebate, discount or promotional coupons.

1.4 To be eligible for the Item Free Scanner Policy, the product must match the product description on the corresponding shelf tag.

1.5 The Item Free Scanner Policy does not apply if the barcode or shelf label for a given product has been tampered with.

1.6 The Item Free Scanner Policy does not apply to a product where, in respect of that product, the law:

(a) establishes a minimum price (or specified price); or
(b) does not permit the retailer to offer a discount or a rebate.

2. CORRECTION OF ERRORS
2.1 Once a scanner pricing error is brought to the attention of the retailer, appropriate steps should be taken as quickly as possible to correct the source of the error.

2.2 When a retailer cannot immediately correct a scanning error in respect of a product, it will post a correction notice in a conspicuous place. Once such a notice has been posted, the Item Free Scanner Policy is no longer in effect in respect of the relevant product.

3. RETAILERS' RESPONSIBILITIES
3.1 Retailers will apply the Code, both in letter and in spirit.

3.2 Retailers will establish appropriate internal policies and procedures for maintaining a high level of scanner price accuracy.

3.3 Retailers will display the sign attached hereto as Attachment 1 at all store entrances or in a conspicuous location near the store entrances. Retailers will display the sign attached hereto as Attachment 2 at each checkout station within their stores.

3.4 Retailers will train staff on the Code generally and the Item Free Scanner Policy in particular.

3.5 Retailers will have copies of their current advertising material (e.g. flyers, etc.) available and readily accessible for customer reference.

4. SHELF LABELS
4.1 For those products that are not individually price-ticketed, a clear and legible label must be affixed to the shelf next to the product.

4.2 The shelf label (peg label, basket label) must contain an accurate description of the item and shall include the price of the item or, where the item is sold at a price based on a unit of measurement, the price per unit of measurement.

4.3 The price on the shelf label must be in at least 28-point bold type print, and product description in at least 10-point type print.

4.4 A sign for a given product within the retailer's premises which is not displayed with that product (i.e., is displayed elsewhere within the retailer's premises), shall comply with the minimum requirements described above and be at least 38.71 sq. cm in size.

5. CUSTOMER RECEIPTS
5.1 The cash register receipt provided to the customer for a transaction must contain, at a minimum, the following information:

* the retailer's name;
* the date of the transaction;
* the nature of each item purchased and/or any distinguishing mark (subject to the system's limitations); and
* the price and description of each purchased item

6. CODE MAINTENANCE AND ADMINISTRATION
6.1 A Scanner Price Accuracy Committee ("the Committee") will be created to review the Code on an annual basis and to recommend required amendments. The Committee should be composed of representatives of CACDS, CFIG, CCGD, RCC and the Consumers' Association of Canada (CAC).

6.2 The Committee should be responsible for keeping the Code up to date.

6.3 The Committee should meet at least twice a year in order to supervise national implementation of the Code and consider any recommended changes to it.

6.4 The Committee should create sector specific panels (i.e. Grocery, Drug or General Merchandise). Each panel should:

(a) be composed of representatives of the respective trade associations and the CAC;
(b) review any outstanding complaints arising from the Item Free Scanner Policy; and
(c) recommend ways of resolving the complaint and provide relevant direction to the appropriate contact person.

6.5 The Committee shall prepare an annual report for the Competition Bureau concerning the number of complaints received and their resolution.

7. CONSUMER COMPLAINT PROCESS
7.1 When a scanner price error occurs, the cashier will be authorized to implement the Item Free Scanner Policy.

7.2 A customer dissatisfied with the cashier's decision will be directed to the store manager or supervisor.

7.3 If the store manager or supervisor cannot resolve the dispute, the customer should be directed to a designated company representative.

7.4 The time period for considering a particular complaint should be left to the discretion of the retailer. However, generally complaints should be resolved as expeditiously as possible and, in any event, no later than one month after the error is alleged to have occurred.

7.5 In the event that the dispute between the retailer and the consumer cannot be resolved:

(a) either party may refer the complaint to the Scanner Price Accuracy Committee; and
(b) if the dispute remains unresolved it may, at the request of either party, be referred to a designated arbitrator on a cost recovery basis.

2007, Retail Council of Canada — The Voice of Retail

I'm Visiting Canada for the First Time. I Have Questions!

Now that Vancouver has won the chance to host the 2010 Winter Olympics, these are some questions people from all over the world are asking.

Believe it or not these questions about Canada were posted on an International Tourism Website.
Obviously the answers are a joke; but the questions were really asked!



Q:I have never seen it warm on Canadian TV, so how do the plants grow?(England)


A. We import all plants fully grown and then just sit around and watch them die.



Q:Will I be able to see Polar Bears in the street? ( USA )


A: Depends on how much you've been drinking.



Q:I want to walk from Vancouver to Toronto -can I follow the Railroad tracks? ( Sweden )


A: Sure, it's only Four thousand miles, take lots of water.



Q:Is it safe to run around in the bushes in Canada ? ( Sweden )


A: So it's true what they say about Swedes.



Q: Are there any ATM's (cash machines) in Canada ? Can you send me a list of them in Toronto , Vancouver , Edmonton and Halifax ? ( England )


A: What, did your last slave die?



Q:Can you give me some information about hippo racing in Canada ? (USA)


A: A-fri-ca is the big triangle shaped continent south of Europe ...
Ca-na-da is that big country to your North...oh forget it.
Sure, the hippo racing is every Tuesday night in Calgary. Come naked.



Q:Which direction is North in Canada ? ( USA )


A: Face south and then turn 180 degrees Contact us when you get here and we'll send the rest of the directions.



Q: Can I bring cutlery into Canada ?( England )


A: Why? Just use your fingers like we do .



Q: Can you send me the Vienna Boys' Choir schedule? ( USA )


A: Aus-t ri-a is that quaint little country bordering Ger-man-y, which is...oh forget it.
Sure, the Vienna Boys Choir plays every Tuesday night in Vancouver and in Calgary, straight after the hippo races.
Come naked.



Q: Do you have perfume in Canada ? ( Germany )


A: No, WE don't stink.



Q: I have developed a new product that is the fountain of youth. Where can I sell it in Canada ?( USA )


A: Anywhere significant numbers of Americans gather.



Q: Can you tell me the regions in British Columbia where the female population is smaller than the male population? ( Italy )


A: Yes, gay nightclubs ..



Q: Do you celebrate Thanksgiving in Canada ? ( USA )


A: Only at Thanksgiving.



Q: Are there supermarkets in Toronto and is milk available all year round?(Germany)


A: No, we are a peaceful civilization of Vegan hunter/gathers. Milk is illegal.



Q: I have a question about a famous animal in Canada , but I forget its name.
It's a kind of big horse with horns. ( USA )


A: It's called a Moose. They are tall and very violent, eating the brains of anyone walking close to them. You can scare them off by spraying yourself with human urine before you go out walking.



Q: Will I be able to speak English most places I go? ( USA )


A: Yes, but you will have to learn it first.



Please send this on to any Canadian (or others) who you think will enjoy it as much as I (and everyone else who has read this) did.

Tips and Advice: Travelling in Rome , Italy ; Montreux , Switzerland

Rome Airport (FCO)

- when arriving from international, be prepared especially in rainy weather, that you will be exiting the plane outside in the open elements, and then you will be boarding a shuttle bus on the tarmac to a bullding. So remember this when its raining or if it's chilly weather.

- a huge help was to know the word "USCITA" means "EXIT"! Very useful when trying to find the way out of the Metro Stations, the Termini Station, the airport building

- if you plan to take a quick trip to the Vatican (ie. you have a long layover in Rome), take the Leonardo Da Vinci Express train to Termini Station first. Make sure you get on the right one, because there are two types of trains from FCO airport going to Termini. There's one that makes several stops before Termini Station, and there's another one that's direct non-stop to Termini Station. At the railway station at FCO airport, buy a ticket (11 Euro on Aug 2008) at the ticket machine. Then look at the black sign with the destinations listed out alongside a number. You will see either "1", "2" or "3" . NOTE, the number corresponds to the track number, NOT THE TRAIN NUMBER. The track numbers are on signposts beside the track. The Leonardo Da Vinci Express Train will have a "DIR" beside "TERMINI"; ie. this means direct non-stop to Termini Station. It will be around a 35 minute direct ride. If you get on the wrong train (non-direct), you will be stopping at the many stations before Termini, and it will obviously be longer than a 35 minute ride.

- remember too that from Termini Station to FCO airport, look for "DIR" , for the non-stop train to FCO airport. This train is usually at BIN 23 or 24 (which means at "Gate" 23 or 24).

- if going to the Vatican with the same hand-carry bags from your air travel, be aware that the streets are your ancient stone/or/brink surfaces. If you have small wheels, you might end up almost dragging your bag on the ground here and there.

- by the way, my wife and I found the steets and sidewalks not as clean as we would like. The garbage bins are out in the open (not in the back alleys). If you are a particular person in the cleanliness arena, you might want to avoid wearing flip-flops (and roller bags with small wheels).

- flushing the toilet in public places: there will either be a rectangular push plate or a small metal cylindrical knob on the wall behind the toilet. The rectangle plate is easy to flush. Just push it. However, to flush using the button, I found that I had to somewhat be forceful in pushing it, and then I had to hold it down for a good 5 seconds to get the flushing action started. Also, be aware that some of the restaurants use the old fashioned skeleton key lock for you to use to lock your individual toilet stall door. I temporarily locked myself in because I didn't know how to unlock the door. To unlock, you will find the skeleton key still in the lock. Turn it only half way and then turn the door knob to open while you are the half-way mark of turning the key. If you turn the key the full direction, you will still be on your way to a semi-panick state of closterphobia.

- during our arrivals both times to Rome's FCO airport from Toronto and from Geneva, we found ourselves at the same area of the building after exiting the plane and shuttlebus. The path in the building divided : go left or go a little to the right. The signage for the left hallway said "Transit" and something else. The signage for the right hallway said "Passenger Service". If you're not too careful, you might think that the "Transit" might mean the way out to catch the public transit and metro or railway trains. THIS IS NOT CORRECT! This is for aiport transfers and connections. The Passenger Service sign is the one to follow if you want to exit the airport!... for example to catch the Leonardo Da Vinci Express train to Termini.

- For the Leonarda DaVinci Express Train, follow the "USCITA" signs (means "EXIT") within the airport, then look for the graphical pictures signs of a train. You will be looking for an escalator going down, then you walk for a bit , pass under a low ceiling, and then go up another escalator.

- you can catch the Metro trains from Termini station. The Line A or Line B Metro stations are serviced by underground SUBWAY trains (NOT street buses as some people might think if they see "METRO LINEA A OR LINEA B). When you know which station/ destination you want to go to, next determine which Line it's on - Line A or Line B. Then follow the signs to one of the 2 lines. Each Line A or B will then give you two choices, depending on which direction you want to travel. This may seem confusing at first, but you will get used to it.



Montreux, Switzerland

- ask your hotel if they offer the Riveria Card. This is a discount card that allows you to travel the buses in Montreux for free. It also allows 50% discount on the Railways, ferries and various local attractions, such as the aqua park and entertainment complexes.

- shopping centers are at the "Forum" at the Casino area and also at Vevey.

- most of the retail merchandise stores along Grand Rue are closed on Sundays

- Bus service stops or becomes very infrequent around midnight. Taxi cabs after that may be your next bet, but they can be expensive.

- at the Casino , there are no card games during the day. On Sundays, it opens at 11:00

- the Catholic church is located just one block up the hill from the Casino. The first mass service on Sunday is at 10:30am, held in French.

- we learned that instead of saying "carbonated" water, there they say "water with gas".

- it's very clean and safe in Montreux. We walked along the streets well past midnight on several occasions. There's hardly any traffic. And where there are groups of people on the sidewalk because of the night clubs, there is a police car parked nearby with police watching on.

- about the cleanliness: my wife took off her high heels because they were getting sore as we walked along the lake front paved walkway. Although she walked barefoot in the evening a good 15 minute walk, she was pleased to find out that the soles of her feet were not dirty at all!

- the night clubs in Montreux are "The Black Pearl" and "Imperial" and "Paradise". The one we visited was Black Pearl; it plays mostly European DJ-mix of techno hop. There were a only a few American hip-hop songs we recognized, but it was all good. It's mostly a youngish crowd too. The drinks cost 10 franks each, whether it was water, beer or Martini. In order to use a credit card, the minimum is 50 francs, but you can have a running tab. Just make sure your bartender knows this. It can be very busy at Black Pearl (it was very busy on Thursday when we went), and there were 3 bartenders (no waitress). Note there is smoking allowed in the bars, so be prepared to come back to your hotel smelling like a smoke room, if you're not used to it. We took a long shower when we came back, really noticing the smell of the cigarette as it washed off.



** some fun things to do like what we did:

- visit Chillon Castle where the famous poet Lord Byron was imprisoned and which inspired him to write "The Prisoner..." poem

- visit one of the several local "community" wineries where they offer wine tasting; we went to Chebrex and enjoyed their white, rose and red wines, made from charlaise(?) grapes/ pinot noir,(?), etc.

- go visit the "Tourism Montreux" building a few blocks on Grand Rue from the Casino. Inquire about the various excursions available from Montreux to the different areas around the country and beyond. We had an excursion
organized by our company / noni juice supplier Tahitian Noni International

- we went by chartered bus to Charmonix, France and experienced "La Mer de Glace" as well as the Aguilles du Apres Midi (you can see Mt. Blanc here). The "La Mer de Glace" is an interesting attraction. You take an old train from Chamonix up a winding mountain to Montenvers. From there, you take a cable car down a steep part of the mountain side to another landing spot. You then get off and walk *down* a lot of steps- approximately 400 steps to the glacier. This whole trip from Chamonix to the glacier takes around 45 minutes. At the glacier, you should be prepared to get a little wet and cold. A heavy/warm raincoat would be suggested. What you do is go into a series of tunnels carved into the side of the glacier, and in the tunnels glow in various pretty colors as they are lighted by L.E.D. lights. You see little rooms carved out of the ice, filled with different carved ice objects, like furniture and statues - one of which looked like a lion. Note again, it is cold here, and there are areas where it is dripping from the ceiling because the ice is melting (ie. from the visitors and their carbon-dioxide). Going back up the mountain to Montenvers is another story. Remember the 400 steps? Get ready to undergo endurance training in the thin high-altitude air! Luckily, there were resting stops along the way. By the way, if you want to buy water, drinks or snacks at the couple of places at Montenvers, they only accept Euro, not Swiss Francs. By the way, don't forget to bring your passports and visa (if appropriate) . The French border guards stopped our bus and boarded to inspect everyone's passports. In fact, they took around 12 of the 40 passports and disappeared with them in their office for about 15 minutes. There were a mixture of Japanese, Americans and Canadians in our group.

- take time to enjoy the lakeside walk in Montreux. There are various spots like benches, boulders along the way to sit and breathe in the fresh air. We enjoyed watching the ferry boats and also the fishermen at a couple of the piers. Apparently, the popular fish there is perch from the lake (Lake Geneva). You can dine on perch in a specialty dish at the restaurant at Casino Montreux.



Rome, Italy

If you ever are going to stay at the hotel "Primo Torlonia" / "Prime Hotels Villa Torlonia", it's a 10 minute walk from the subway station Policlinico. After you exit from the station, you will find yourself on the road "Regina ... Margherita". Turn right on this road and walk past an office/commercial complex on your right. Keep walking and you will get to a small gas station located on a circular street. Turn right on the first street after the gas station, and about 50 meters from here, you will get to the hotel. < Website: www.primehotels.it Tel 39-064402630, Va B. Eustachio 3/5/7a - 00161 Roma >

We liked the Torlonia. The staff knew English well, the rooms had air conditioning that worked, and best of all, the complimentary breakfast had a very wide selection of foods: pastries, cereal, fruits, dairies, bacon, scrambled egg, drinks, etc. All of this was in a richly decorated dining room area with carefully prepared table settings.

From the Primo Hotel Torlonia, we found a restaurant that was very reasonably priced and within walking distance. When we got to the hotel, it was already 10pm. This was open until 12 midnight. It was a Chinese restaurant called "Wok" . To walk to Wok (excuse the pun? alliteration? consonation?), we headed back to Regina Margherita road, turned right and walked about a minute. It was an interesting walk, because we passed an embassy (of a county in Middle East) that was heavily guarded by armed soldiers at the front gate. The food at Wok included Chinese, Malaysian and some Japanese food. A Canton fried rice dish, for example, cost around 3.50 Euros. Our meal of 2 fried rice, chicken with bamboo shoots, curry beef and mineral water was under 20 Euros, and we left very full.

Sea Haven Retreat, Lincoln City, Or

Coming soon!
Our journal about our experience in Lincoln City, Oregon, including pictures and videos.
Come back soon, by the end of the first week of September!
Thanks

* * * Meanwhile, enjoy our pictures HERE ... fun!

When We Don't Have Love...

I received this from my good friend, Vietnamese buddy, Hieu "Peter" Do .
He wrote this after doing some meditating. The recent events at Virginia Tech University prompted this.
* * * *
By Peter Hieu Do
hivado38@hotmail.com


When we don't have love, we can kill people like a Cho Seung-Hui in Virginia Tech University, where 32 students and staff members died innocently.

When we don't have love we can blow up buildings to kill thousands of men and women doing their daily business. Example, Twin Tower on 9, 11th.

When we don't have love we force people to leave their houses, to empty the cities and to rush towards wild forests in order to cultivate by their own hands. This operation of Pol Pot has killed almost two million Cambodians.

When we don't have real love we invade countries in the name of our own judgment in stead of other's : the United Nations, the Pope, allied Governments. That happened before, now and maybe in the future if we don't have our own decision to understand and to love our Enemies.

Sometimes we were so vindicateful that God sends us few signs to warn us : an earthquake, a tsunami, a volcanic eruption, a storm, a wild fire... People then understand : they gather together to share their love to each other. But this kind of love was just a social behevior, not an individual and a self controled willingness of real love.

Last tsunami in Indonesia, yesterday massacre in Virginia Tech School that let 33 killed, were occasions for people to show comprehension, helps, courageous acts, candlelight prayers, love-like hugs, ... It's heartbroken to see.

But this happened only when a disaster comes ! It forces people to love each other for just a few days !

After that, they restart to criticize each other, to fight each other, to kill each other, to invade suspected countries, again and again.

To have real love, real forgiveness, real peace, EVERYONE must possess in his own heart the real willingness to try, to do the first step of mutual comprehension, mutual visit, mutual share of foods, of material helps, of spiritual consolations, prayers. Then, the miracle will happen.

So, instead to invade peace life of people, you offer them first your smiles, you open first the conversation with them, you invite them first to come to visit you, to give them first some present they keep as souvenir of your comprehensive and warm attitude.

That the way you can change a Sadam Hussein, a Bin Laden, a Cho Seung-Hui ... in angels before they cause trouble to you !

Now, they all have hit you. Are you going to revenge on other innocent people ? It's very much too late !!! It's the worse thing you are doing.

Now, if you try to love them : they will vomit right on your face ! Why ? Because you didn't listen to what Jesus have said to you :

** "If someone strike you on one side of your face, extend the other so he can strike again".

** "How many times have I to forvive my friends, seven times a day ?" asked Peter. Jesus answered : "No, seventy-seven times seven !"

So, you must be ready to forget the mistakes done by your neighbor and ready to forgive him as many times as he needed.

That's the force of Love.

And there is no greater Love than to die for people we love. Jesus died for our sins, beacause He loved us. And his Death saves us.
Tuesday, April 17, 2007
2. EXAMPLES OF INTERACTION BETWEEN PEACE & LOVE

It's difficult to talk about peace to a soldier who receive order to kill, to a woman who is angry with her husband, to a boy whose textbook was destroyed by his comrade few minutes before...

It's also harder to talk about forgiveness in these cases.

Because they don't have any notion, any education about love, the origine and the principle of forgiveness and of peace.

So LOVE is the origine of the following chain reaction : forgiveness, peace.
Without love, no forgiveness.
No forgiveness, no peace.

If Cain loved Abel, he didn't kill him.
If Hitler loved the Jews, there weren't concentration camps.
If Americans and Japanese loved each other there weren't atomique bombs on Nagasaki and Hiroshima.
If Sadam Hussein loved his Kurds and his Shiites there weren't bad consequences for him and his family.

We can have a multitude of desastrous cases resulting from the absence of love in the World.

But where is love ?
Where can we find it ?

It is in your heart.
Love must start from you first. You must begin to create the first choc of love on your wife, your children, your neighbors, your enemies... before you can hope to receive any contre-action of your starting love.

* * * *


1.Interaction between Action and Reaction

A hand hitting a wall feels pain from it, more or less according to the force applied.

I moral issues, we face the same way : if you are kind to people, people will return you kindness; if you are rough to them, they will return you angriness and possibly hatred and maybe violence.

How about Love ?

Love is the origine of all good human behavior.

Love gives happiness, forgiveness, sacrifice, heroism and life !

The least thing Love can give is Peace...

The World doesn't have this minimum of Love and Peace !!!

You want to give to people a beautiful democratic life, and you don't have any sense of Love, of Peace, how could you succeed ? If you force the people to live demrocratically like you they will hit you by a contre-force.

This is a fundamental and of course, universal priciple of Action-Reaction .

The force that you exercise on people is called "war". Suppose you have won the war and you have peace, this peace is short, just enough the time for your enemies to prepare for you another war ! And if you have lost the war you create hatred from your countrymen.

Only one alternative you could choose : win your enemies by Love. Starting from you. Starting from your staff, from your contrymen, from your whole country.

When you and your countrymen love each other, people living around will imitate your example and you don't need to go in war : you have won it.

By Peter Hieu Do
hivado38@hotmail.com