Home  >> Stories  >> The Tale Spinner #2019-05

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IN THIS ISSUE

• In this Heroic Story, WestJet goes beyond the call of duty
• Kate Brookfield sends her account of a week in Granada
• Tom Telfer attended three of the Queen´s garden parties
• Barbara Wear warns of new ways of stealing credit information
• Catherine Nesbitt reminisces about ancient memories
• Catherine Nesbitt and Tom Telfer suggest interesting sites

Pat Garland from Ontario writes about

HEARTS IN THE AIR

In November of 2004, I got a call from my father´s doctor at 8:00 a.m. to get to the hospital in Brampton, Ontario, as soon as possible. My father had turned very ill. Driving myself was out of the question; it would be too slow.

The quickest train would get me there at about 5:00 p.m., so I decided I had to fly. Now, I´m not thrilled about flying. I booked a 10:00 a.m. flight to Toronto with WestJet Airlines, which I had never used before, but they told me I had to be at the Ottawa airport by 9:00 a.m.

We got caught in awful traffic on the highway and before I knew it, it was 9:15. I called from my cell phone and they told me if I wasn´t there by 9:30, I would miss the 10 a.m. flight. The next flight to Brampton was three hours later, at 1:00 p.m.

Driving further, we got caught in construction, and in the meantime, I got another call from my Dad´s doctor, saying I had better get there as quickly as possible. By this time I was a wreck - it was now 9:30 - and called back to WestJet, told them my story, and they said they would see what they could do.

I finally arrived at Ottawa airport. As I hurried toward the counter, a WestJet rep asked if I was Pat, and told me not to worry, they had delayed the plane. Then they gave me a discount for the flight! They rushed me through security, and put me on the plane before anyone else with a flight attendant to sit with me.

When I arrived in Toronto I walked off the plane worrying about how I could get to Brampton the quickest. Immediately, another person from WestJet met me with my luggage and asked which hospital I was going to.

They took me to the bus stop, had someone get on with me and made sure I got to the right hospital within 30 minutes from getting off the plane. I arrived in my Dad´s room and lost him 15 minutes later. Had it not been for the wonderful care and compassion from the staff of WestJet, I wouldn´t have been able to see my Dad and have him know I was there with him.

All too often we hear the complaints people have about corporate behaviour, but we seldom hear about the good things people do. I want to convey my deepest thanks for WestJet´s nearly unbelievable service.

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Kate Brookfield describes

A WEEK IN GRANADA

Granada is a country named after the largest of a group of small islands situated between the Caribbean and Atlantic Oceans. (Google for more detailed information). It is known as the Spice Islands because of its former plantations producing mainly nutmeg and mace, but also other spices. We needed a break in the sun to celebrate the end of my husband´s chemo treatment and to cheer our spirits after a trying time with surgery and medical appointments.

We chose Granada because Michael found a good price for a direct flight from Toronto to its capital, St. George´s. Not having to transfer or spend time in long line-ups at airports was definitely a main factor, especially after our experience last year going to Barbados and changing at Trinidad!

Another plus was not having to enter the USA. Also, Michael had a former research student from Granada and they started a project that for various reasons never got completed. The final reason was because we had never been there, and a week in the sun seemed a great idea.

I was very impressed with the excellent service with the Sunwings flight. If this article gives readers an idea to go to Granada, check them out for cheap flights, comfortable seating, and very little of the trolley disturbance found on other airlines. Admittedly, it was an older plane, but had more leg space than is found in the latest planes. On-board movie entertainment was limited to the one shown on the drop down screens. But these days, most people have their own devices. I read a book on my ipad, as described in last week´s Spinner.

In brief, we had a wonderful week in the sun. The island is mainly one huge volcanic mountain, St. Catherine´s, with winding roads around the coast and a few roads into the interior. At one time, the island was mainly plantations, but now it is mainly dense rain forest growth in the centre, with villages on the coastal roads.

In one week, we could not do everything, but we did a lot. We visited the spice factory and the cocoa factory and the most popular beach at Grand Anse, as well as the National Museum, where we learned about the slave trade, and their fight for emancipation and their original African culture through artifacts.

We soon got the hang of using local public transport, which worked very well.

Michael´s former student was pleased to see us and took us to his farm, where he grows citrus and cacao trees, and drove us up the eastern coast road. He also took us to meet his wife, who is a teacher, and we visited her classroom. When I asked permission to take a photo, they seemed surprised that I would ask, and even more surprised at our laws about privacy.

We did not take a holiday package with Sunwings as we prefer to choose our own accommodation with airbnb. The place was called "De White House," a large two-storey house facing the sea. In retrospect, it turned out to be not such a good choice because of the isolated location. We needed to buy supplies for our self catering and there was no shop within walking distance. So our first task was to get the local bus to the nearest village of Gouyave.

The "buses" on the island consist of SUVs, which take up to 20 people. They have five rows of seats with pull-down side seats. In a way, it is a very good way to have 20 people in one vehicle instead of 20 vehicles on the road. When people enter the bus, they greet all with "Good Morning," and all in the bus return the greeting. The driver is helped by a conductor, who sits near the door and holds his hand out of the window to see if anyone wants the bus to stop. When passengers leave the bus, they pay the conductor. It took about 15 minutes and cost 2 Eastern Caribbean dollars (EC $) to go to Gouyave, about four miles away along a very winding shore road. The journey to the capital city of St. George´s took 45 minutes and cost 4 EC.

Another reason for our disappointment with our accommodation was the fact that is was not as described "within walking distance of the beach." When the taxi dropped us at the house, the first thing we saw was a heap of soil piled high on the side of the road, right in front of the house. A couple from Edmonton, already in residence, told us that during the last week they had suffered the noise and dust from a constant flow of lorries dumping soil from an excavation site behind the house. Apparently, the plan is to level the soil on the slope to the beach.

On our first day, we had the noise of cement mixers directly in front of the house and driving back and forth to the construction site with that annoying warning screech when in reverse drive. Like everywhere these days, Granada is being developed, for good or ill? Not exactly the peace and serenity we expected. However, the rest of the week there was no action at the construction site but plenty of noise from the traffic speeding along the road. We did like our accommodation, the host and hostess were very pleasant and helpful, our neighbours from Edmonton were good company, and we soon got used to looking above the soil pile to the beautiful skyline of palm and almond trees with the view of sea and sky beyond.

De White House

I did swim in the area near our house, but access was down a steep path making it hidden from the road and nobody else swimming. Although Michael came with me, there was nowhere in the shade for him to watch me, and I did not feel very safe. The tide was going out and there was a shelf at the shore line so I kept getting thrown into the breakers. Once I got past the breaking waves, it was a very pleasant swim until I had to get out and was thrown like flotsam on the shore line!

We soon got used to getting the local buses to the capital city St. George´s, the beautiful beach of Grand Anse, or to the nearest village. On one return journey, I talked with a lady who lived near us. The next day, when we were out, she came to our place with a big bag of fruit: limes, bananas, oranges, starfruit, and a strange fruit that at first glance, I thought were new potatoes. It turned out they were gold apples. The host told me to be careful eating them as the centre core had sharp thorns. I had the water boiling for potatoes, so I cooked them and we had stewed apple instead of new potatoes with our chicken that night.

The following day, when Raymond came to take us to his farm and a tour of the island, he brought coconuts, oranges, bananas, and a bag of sorrel. I had seen them selling this red plant and asked the seller what it was. He said sorrel is for making a cold drink. When we stopped for lunch later that day, we had a cold sorrel drink. It was the most refreshing drink I have had. Some people like to add rum to it, but it was delicious without the rum. Now I am on a mission to find Caribbean sorrel drink in Canada.

Granada is a Commonwealth country with Queen Elizabeth II as Head of State. The people all speak English to tourists, but between each other they use a patois that seems to be a mixture of French, English, and Creole spoken at great speed. The coins look very much like our Canadian dimes and quarters with the image of Queen Elizabeth on one side. My friend on the bus had visited England as they do not need a visa, but it is harder for them to visit Canada and the U.S. because of the cost and time taken to obtain a visa.

In summary, Granada (pronounced Granaayda) is a beautiful island, with beautiful friendly people who love visitors and speak English, lots of fresh fruit, good beaches and sunshine every day. The guide had the title "Lymin in Granada." Lymin is enjoying the island, the sun, the sea, the fruit, the people ... and just doing what you want when you want! The rest of the guide advertised all the places of interest and restaurants on the island.

Tom Telfer describes

ROYAL GARDEN PARTIES

It is a grand occasion when the Queen hosts a Royal Garden Party. I was able to attend three: two at Buckingham Palace and one at Holyrood Palace in Edinburgh.

About 8000 attend each party, held once a year.

Gentlemen must wear a business suit and ladies must wear a hat and white gloves. No cameras are allowed.

Most of the attendees are chosen to attend. Each year, mayors are asked to choose folks who have spent several years as volunteers in organizations in their communities.

Everyone lines up and hopes that the Queen will stop to chat. Her secretary walks in front of her and asks someone to give their background, and then they are introduced to the Queen.

You enter by the front gates and walk through the Palace out to the back garden, which is 39 acres in size. Several tents are set up, where tea and cakes are served.

It is a very memorable event.

ED. NOTE: I asked Tom how he managed to attend three of the garden parties. Here is his explanation: I have had a pen pal in England since I was 12. My Dad put my name in a stamp collector´s magazine in a pen pal column. A teacher in England cut out the names and gave them out to the students. I visited England 20 times and my pen pal came here 16 times.

Buckingham Palace reserves a few places at the Royal Garden Parties for members of the Commonwealth. I applied to Ottawa for an invitation.

Your chances of speaking with the Queen are very slim. With 8000 guests, we were not able to chat with her.

Barbara Wear forwards this article about

NEW WAYS OF STEALING

A friend went to the local gym and placed his belongings in a locker. After the workout and a shower, he came out, saw the locker open, and thought to himself, "Funny. I thought I locked the door."

He dressed and flipped his wallet to make sure all was in order. Everything looked okay - all the cards were in place.

A few weeks later, his credit card bill came - a whopping bill of $14,000!

He called the credit card company and started yelling at them, saying that he did not make the transactions.

Customer care personnel verified that there was no mistake in the system. They asked if his card had been stolen.

"No," he said, but then took out his wallet, pulled out the credit card - and yes, you guessed it. A switch had been made. An expired credit card from the same bank was in the wallet.

A thief had broken into his locker at the gym and switched cards.

The credit card issuer said since he had not reported the card missing earlier, he would have to pay the amount owed them.

How much did he have to pay for the items he didn´t buy? $9,000!

Why were there no calls made to verify the amount swiped? Small amounts rarely trigger a warning bell with some credit card companies. It just so happens that all the small amounts added up to a big one!

SCENE TWO:

A man at a local restaurant paid for his meal with his credit card. The bill for the meal came, he signed it, and the waitress folded the receipt and passed the credit card along.

Usually, he would just take it and place it in his wallet, but this time he actually took at look at the card, and lo and behind, it was the expired card of another person.

He called the waitress and she looked perplexed. She took it back, apologized, and hurried back to the counter under the watchful eye of the man.

All the waitress did while walking to the counter was wave the wrong expired cart to the counter cashier, who immediately looked down and took out the real card. No exchange of words - nothing!

She took it back and came back to the man with an apology.

Make sure the credit cards in your wallet are yours. Check the name on the card every time you sign for something and/or the card is taken away for even a short period of time. Many people just take back the credit card without even looking at it, assuming that it has to be theirs.

SCENE 3:

Yesterday I went into a pizza restaurant to pick up an order that I had called in. I paid by using my Visa check card, which of course, is linked directly to my checking account.

The young man behind the counter took my card, swiped it, then laid it on the counter as he waited for the approval, which is pretty standard procedure.

While he waited, he picked up his cell phone and started dialling. I noticed the phone because it is the same model I have, but nothing seemed out of order. Then I heard a click that sounded like my phone sounds when I take a picture.

He then gave me back my card but kept the phone in his hand as if he was still pressing buttons. Meanwhile, I´m thinking, I wonder what he is taking a picture of, oblivious to what was really going on.

The it dawned on me: the only thing there was my credit card, so now I´m paying close attention to what he is doing. He set the phone on the counter, leaving it open. Abut five seconds later, I heard the chime that tells you the picture has been saved.

Now I´m standing there struggling with the fact that this boy had just taken a picture of my credit card. Yes, he played it off well, because had I not had the same kind of phone, I probably would never have known what happened.

Needless to say, I immediately cancelled that card as I walked out of the pizza parlour.

All I´m saying is, be aware of your surroundings at all times. Whenever you are using your credit card, take caution and don´t be careless. Notice who is standing near you, and what they are doing when you use your card.

Be aware of phones, because many have a camera phone these days. Never let your card out of your sight - check and check again!

Catherine Nesbitt forwards some

ANCIENT MEMORIES

My Dad was cleaning out my grandmother´s house (she had died recently) and he brought me an old lemonade bottle. In the bottle top was a stopper with a bunch of holes in it. I knew immediately what it was, but my daughter had no idea. She thought they had tried to make it a salt shaker or something. I knew it as the bottle that sat on the end of the ironing board to "sprinkle" clothes with because we didn´t have steam irons. Man, I am old!

How many do you remember?

Headlight dimmer-switches on the floor of the car; ignition switches on the dashboard; trouser leg clips for bicycles without chain guards; soldering irons you heated on a gas burner; using hand signals for cars without turn indicators.

Older Than Dirt Quiz: Count all the ones that you remember, not the ones you were told about.

1. Sweet cigarettes (candy?)
2. Coffee shops with juke boxes
3. Home milk delivery in glass bottles
4. Party lines on the telephone
5. Newsreels before the movies
6. TV test patterns that came on at night after the last show and were there until TV shows started again in the morning.
7. Peashooters
8. 33 rpm records
9. 45 rpm records
10. Hi-fi's
11. Metal ice trays with levers
12. Blue flashbulb
13. Cork popguns
14. Wash tub wringers

If you remembered 0-3 = You're still young
If you remembered 3-6 = You are getting older
If you remembered 7-10 = Don't tell your age
If you remembered 11-14 = You're positively ancient!

I must be positively ancient but those memories are some of the best parts of my life.

SUGGESTED SITES

Catherine Nesbitt sends this link to rare historical photos:

https://bit.ly/2UrP9zv

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Catherine also forwards the URL for a video of the White Rock Pier collapse in a December storm:

https://bit.ly/2RXVuWw

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Tom Telfer shares this link for a video of the "bluest lake water in the world" in Banff national park:

https://bit.ly/2WnqnCn

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The Story of Electronics employs the Story of Stuff style to explore the high-tech revolution´s collateral damage - 25 million tons of e-waste and counting, poisoned workers and a public left holding the bill:

https://bit.ly/1gFvntk

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A California city sets up a "goat fund me" page to acquire goats to munch through acres of vegetation that could fuel wildfires. Maybe BC should try some goats in our vulnerable forests this summer:

https://bit.ly/2FRi2B7

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