Yesterday was one of those tough freelance writing days. I left Sechelt at 9:30 a.m., walked onto the ferry, took the 257 Express bus and a quick ride on the Canada Line and by noon I was at the Blue Water Cafe in Yaletown.

I was hosted by the German National Tourism Office for a lovely lunch with a bunch of other media-types. I struggled through a roasted squash soup with a garnish of duck proscuitto, perfectly cooked Arctic Char on a bed of risotto with leeks and finished with a sorbet trio that took mango intensity to dizzying new heights.

Christmas in Germany has always been on my bucket list. I just love the idea of those twinkly markets filled with artisanal toys and other beautiful things that are made by hand instead of mass-produced in some blank factory. The wish is going to have to remain on the to-do list for at least another year, but I found out that we have a new German market here in Vancouver. I’ll be checking it out this weekend.

It was fun seeing all the usual suspects at lunch and so, maybe it wasn’t too much of a struggle, though the lunch didn’t really wrap until before 3 pm.

Luckily, I had just enough time to get to my Pink Lime Spa appointment for a manicure, pedicure and express facial.  Yes, this sounds expensive and probably a little strenuous, but I’d booked it through Groupon, so it was $67.00 instead of the usual $135.00 and I managed to keep on top of my email in spite of the rigors of having my hands, feet and face massaged and indulged.

Don’t let anyone tell you that freelance writing isn’t hard. I worked it yesterday. I really did. Thank goodness I had a chance to relax at a movie…Morning Glory was a fun romp. Harrison Ford was great as a curmudgeon and Rachel McAdams was hilarious in her role as the over-eager executive producer.

I can only hope next week isn’t so rough. Until then, I remain Colleen Friesen – Hardworking Freelance Travel Writer At Large.