Alive

Yesterday I felt like an 80-year old, every move hurt and it was even difficult to find a position laying down that didn't. Today, I feel like a young 30-year old again. I had proper breakfast - one bagel: other half with cottage cheese (that's raejuusto in Finnish) and other half with a slice of ham (and no, I don't use butter or any spreads) and two big cups of hot tea. The bagel was very nice, but there's nothing like a hot cup of your favourite tea. Comfort and good taste, all in one.

After the breakfast I did some ashtanga, slowly my muscles are starting to flex again and I feel more and more human. Later I sat on the sofa drinking my tea and watching a bit of TNG on Spike, when the eagle flies by. Difficult to explain the whole experience - I felt so uplifted after that that I could't sit still anymore.

You see, for the previous four days when I have been fasting I haven't been able (or willing) to go out that much - call of the nature was quite strong and sudden at times... and when you gotta go, you gotta go! So I was happier staying closer to the powder room. But today: the weather was nice, I was feeling alive and happy, so I decided to go and visit Granville Island, the little island on Falce Creek that is famous for it's large indoor market. I took my bag and my camera and started walking - about ten minutes walk from us on Sunset Beach there's a ferry stop for a ferry that will take you to Granville Island in under five minutes.

I hadn't really intended to buy anything, just to have a look around, but you can guess what happened. First I came across a baker - and in this land where bakery is not the form of art it is in Europe, you need to use every opportunity to try a new baker in the hopes of finding something magnificent. Haven't tried out the bread yet, but I keep hoping. Secondly I came across a bison farmer - organic low fat meat, and two steaks totalling over a kilo cost only $15. (So that's for dinner.) Then I found a place that sells fudge, and I had to get some of that, too... er, for Dragon of course who loves fudge!

And then - what I was really hoping to find - I found the lady who hand-makes the most wonderful bags. I've been thinking about this since I saw the bag Matt had bought for his wife. I've been looking for a new handbag for ages, and this - and purse to match it, of course - is just what the doctor ordered. The lady is called Lin Crane and she uses kimono and other fabrics to create these beautiful bags that come in all shapes and sizes. Fantastic, I'm really happy I found her.

But the market - this place has everything. I mean everything. Organic this and that, clothes, books, food, jewellery, fabrics, clothes... I would have spent a lot more time there if I hadn't become hungry. And at this stage I'm still cautious for what I'm eating, so I wanted to come home.

Check out the new photos of my trip. I'm no longer just talking about food, I'm also photographing it!

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