Humpty Dumpty sat on a wall,
Humpty Dumpty had a great fall.
All the king’s horses and all the king’s men
Couldn’t put Humpty together again.
It started last Tuesday night.
I realized I was mad. Kicking mad.
I was sick of grief. Tired of feeling responsible for too many people’s emotions. I was dangerously ready-to-throw-punches-into-the-wall mad. In between I cried, usually a kind of angry ugly crying. Clearly, all the King’s horses and all the King’s men were out of town on other business.
No one, including myself, seemed available to put me back together.
It was not good. It was very clearly not good.
Some people smoke when they feel like this. Others run a marathon. Some people tackle a fish. Even more go shopping, drink heavily or watch endless TV.
Moi? I need a trip. Stat.
Even more than that? I need a good hotel…a really fine hotel.
Call me shallow. I don’t care.
Besides, given what I’ve just told you, do you really want to push me on this?
I wanted to play tourist, lounge in a big ol’ bubbly tub, eat at amazing restaurants and wander around a city without a care in the world. But we only had the weekend and we didn’t want to spend a lot of time traveling.
There was only one solution…we needed to get to Victoria’s Fairmont Empress, hang out in the Bengal Lounge and slurp back, what is now my favourite cocktail, the Green Park.
I should probably admit now that I’m a bit of a Fairmont junkie. I like playing smart lady when I enter those Olde Worlde lobbies. Many of their hotels were originally built by the Canadian Pacific Railway in the late 19th and early 20th centuries during the heady beginnings of our country and the dream of a sea-to-sea railway. All of this history lends them drama. The hallways filled with black and white photos of yesteryear’s celebrities affords them a gravitas that newer hotels simply cannot match.
We’ve made it an informal mission to stay at every one to the grand Canadian hotels. I don’t think there’s many left that we haven’t visited (and yes, I have a particular fondness for the Chateau Frontenac. Who wouldn’t?).
At each one, I get in touch with my Inner Downton Abbey self.
Victoria was dressed and ready for our visit. She was festooned in pre-Valentinian splendor. Twinkly red and pink lights wound around the trees, shining against the misty sidewalks. We took in the always-fabulous Royal BC Museum and did a first visit to Craigdarroch Castle (more Downton Abbey Angst Alert), along with many stops at the aforementioned Bengal Lounge where we sipped pre-and-post-dinner cocktails. We listened to the fabulous Lust Life Jazz Band on Saturday night and Kristina Helene on Sunday night.
Saturday night we ate at Camilles. It was good.
Sunday night we dined at Cafe Brio. It was outstanding. As in, amazing. I have never bit into a better gnocchi and I’m including over two months in Italy in that comparison. Divine toothiness delicately dressed in a saucy perfection and served with a piece of salmon that could not have been more perfectly cooked.
Am I gushing? I think I’m gushing.
Yesterday afternoon, as our ferry pulled away from the shore, we agreed that we had been very very smart to go on this vacation from our lives. I’d gone from wanting to punch walls and grinding my teeth to running my fingers on brass rails, lingering in leather lounge chairs, breathing in the season’s first sugary froth of cherry blossoms and listening to jazz that lifted my life back to an art form.
Thank you Victoria for delivering what any decent doctor would prescribe; a perfect Valentine’s weekend, one week ahead of schedule.
I’m restored and prepared to behave like a grown-up again. I promise…
I’m so glad you were able to get away and indulge in some Fairmont pampering. But I have to wonder…am I the only person in the world who hasn’t watched Downton Abbey? Now that I’m back in civilization, it’s on my to do list!
Michele, yes, I do believe you are the only person alive who hasn’t watched Downton Abbey.
But, given that you were busy in tropical climes with salt-rimmed glasses of tequila, beers with lime and rustling palm trees as a soundtrack, I guess we could say you probably weren’t missing too much 🙂
Still, now that you’re back in Toronto, I’d suggest starting at season one and doing some serious binge-watching.
Hey! The next time you stay At the Hotel Fort Garry you have to call me! The last time I was in the Empress was when I was about 24 years old! Yikes. I do love the old buildings. Winnipeg has plenty!
Hey Kathleen, the last time I was at the Ft. Garry, I had a wonderful time at the Ten Spa. I was there for my friend’s wedding. And now, dear God, she’s dead. Lindor died from the same brain cancer that is now killing my friend here on the Coast.
Which is one more ridiculous reason to try to enjoy and savour every minute we can.
And yes, I will definitely let you know the next time I’m in Winnipeg. It’s a lovely city.
My last weekend’s stay at The Hotel Fort Garry (another CN hotel) in Wpg was marred only by the wedding I was there to attend. Could have stayed in that room all afternoon.
I know what you mean Bruce. I love the Ft Garry too. It’s like entering another world of luxury.
Sounds like a perfect much needed and well deserved break from the BS reality sometimes throws at us. I loved your Downtown Abbey reference. It had me giggling at the thought of which character you’d be channeling.
Hey Sarah, I think before I left I felt pretty dowager-like! I don’t think I completely shook that feeling either…although going away definitely helped me lighten up.
Bravo…brava…congratulations…and, way to go girl!! You, are without a doubt, one of the kindest, most understanding, compasionate persons I’ve met, and in this lovely post, maybe, embraced, the “Serenity mantra” (prayer ?). The one about having the serenity to accept what you can not change, the courage to change what you can, AND, the wisdom to know the difference…. It felt so good to read your comments and, that weekend holiday sounded simply, perfect. Carry on!!! (I know….too many commas…
Thanks for your belief in me Sophie. I sure didn’t feel like I was St. Francis or whoever it was that wrote the Serenity prayer…though you’re right that in the end the result was the same. I think I finally clued in that I needed to grasp the wisdom part and take a breather. I really appreciate your kind words…
I need a trip too! I’m not near to punching walls but I’m getting antsy. After all, it’s been a whole 2 months, 4 weeks & 1 day since I got back from Iceland. That’s ages!
You really are the most sensible person I know. I think I will follow your lead.
Elinor. You are in real trouble if I’m the most sensible person you know! Yikes.
I know what the urge to travel is like…that whole antsy thing is very real. This weekend’s trip felt a little more like I was going to start screaming and never stop if I didn’t change my surroundings. Simple solution to a ridiculously complex and very messy situation…get out of Dodge!!
Oh Colleen, I know exactly what you mean! Fortunately for me we now live within reasonable driving distance (under 100 miles) from some fine hot springs. One, Quinn’s, has a chef from New York in residence, and while that doesn’t necessarily guarantee great food, this person delivers. We were there last Sunday…and I definitely came back to work more relaxed.
It’s crazy eh Mandy? But the old ‘change is as good as a rest’ saying is a well-known cliche for a good reason.
So glad you have a good ‘doctor kit’ within easy driving distance.