But it turns out that all restaurants in the airport shut down during Christmas eve. In fact, almost all of Vancouver shut down. So we spent most of christmas eve wandering the city like lost puppies. Eric didn't seem to mind. He just flew in from Saskatchewan where the temperature has been -30 celsius the past two weeks, so he loved that snow was nowhere to be seen in Vancouver. He was jumping and laughing like someone who has been granted parole after a decades of imprisonment.
We were lucky to find that the Keg Restaurant was still open. It was 9:15pm and the kitchen was closing at 10, so we quickly ordered some food and drinks. I ordered a top sirloin steak... medium (brown on the outside and pink on the inside is perfect) and some heavenly double baked potatoes on the side. It was a perfect Christmas eve dinner. I devoured everything in minutes...
After dinner, we then drove back to the airport to pick Kevin up. As usual, his flight was delayed due to snowstorms, but I didn't mind waiting at the airport and watching people leave or arrive from all parts of the world. I saw an extremely long line of filipinos and their big balikbayan boxes, waiting to board a philippine airline flight to Manila. We - as a people - never travel light, and it occured to me that I could possibly fit in one of those ridiculously huge boxes and get home for free.
I saw some Chinese couple getting off an airplane. They were wearing shorts and slippers, and I was silently giggling at the thought of them walking out the airport in the middle of winter.
Kevin finally arrives and I felt extreme happiness that I am spending christmas with people that I love. Sure, I'm not with my family but the Kenyans are my favorite people so I won't miss this for anything. We went back home and showed them around our apartment (which took about 30 seconds). We were all sleepy yet we ended up staying up until 3am just talking and catching up and laughing. I went to bed and realized that my cheeks hurt. I haven't laughed so hard in a while that my facial muscles have had little practice in the laughing department. For the first time in weeks, I had a restful sleep and happy dreams, instead of the usual they-are-coming-to-get-me nightmares.
I woke up Christmas morning with sounds of the guys opening their stockings. Finally! I can legally open my presents, which have been taunting me the past few days. Ben got a wine fridge and a Star Trek movie from me. The Kenyans got watches and dress shirts. I got the best present from Ben - a tablet and pen!!! I am soooo excited.
Tonight, I am having my margarita while the guys are having beer as we wait for Christmas dinner to finish baking - lamb, potatoes, salads and creme caramel. It's definitely a way different christmas - no lechon, no huge christmas tree, no family... but it's still awesome.
xox,
Katrina
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