Day: October 27, 2010

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Leaving on a Small Plane

I can’t believe that I’m flying east a week from tomorrow! I got an awesome deal on my tickets to Montreal from Penticton, but it’s going to be a bit of a circuitous route. To get there, I’ll be doing Penticton–>Vancouver–>Calgary–>Montreal. To get back, I’m doing Montreal–>Toronto–>Vancouver–>Penticton.

Flying directly from Vancouver to Montreal was several hundred dollars more and would have required very early morning flights. Funny how the longer route is cheaper and more convenient! I’m happy that I fly out of Penticton at 10AM (meaning I leave Osoyoos at a reasonable 8:30) and out of Montreal at 4:30PM. I’ll arrive at 11:30PM local time both ways. Long days, and jet lag’s a bitch, but this is the best flight itinerary I’ve ever put together.

Thankfully, I’ve been through all those airports except Penticton (which is tiny), so the trip should be easy. My layovers are all only just long enough to ensure that I’ll make my connection barring a huge delay, so I won’t have too much time to kill. I’ll have the iPod on me for entertainment.

I’m getting pretty excited about this trip and it will be very nice to see my family again after more than two years away!

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Ella Greek and Mediterranean Grill, Osoyoos

The only interesting dining option within a reasonable walking distance of the RV park is Ella Greek and Mediterranean Grill.  I decided to check it out today in the hope of discovering a little gem I could treat myself to once a week or so. I did!

The restaurant is tiny; more of a take out counter, but there are a few tables. The menu is Greek, but the cook is Syrian, so there’s a bit of fusion going on with the menu. I had the falafel sandwich which came with the thin pita the Lebanese (and Syrians) use as well as tahini, but which had feta, tzakiki, and cucumber, which the Greeks add. I’m also curious about the roasted red peppers I was convinced to try. They might be a Syrian thing; the Lebanese add marinated turnips. No matter where they come from, YUM!

The cook was super busy so we didn’t get a chance to chat long, but she said that she tried to make her falafel the way the Syrians do, which is the way I like them, lots of parsley, mint, garlic, and cumin. But the Osoyoos palate doesn’t support that. So, she makes them pretty plain, with sesame seeds for extra crunch and flavour. They’re tasty, but ho hum. At least, they are fresh; it was awesome to see her scooping out falafel balls, shaping them, and dropping them in the fryer.

The falafel sandwich wound up being huge; I had a hard time finishing it! At just under $7, it was reasonably priced for this part of Canada. The lack of zing made the sandwich one that soothed my falafel itch, but did not assuage it, so I don’t think I’ll be having it again even though it was excellent, with a great mix of flavours and textures. But I will definitely go back to try the dolmads, calamari, chicken souvlaki, salads and other wonderful treats on the menu!