I am so fortunate to have traveled internationally every year during this decade. That streak began in the spring of 2010 with my first international plane ride to Vancouver, British Columbia. This year my decade of traveling continued where it began, with a Trip to Vancouver, British Columbia. This trip to Canada was combined with a trip to the Seattle area for my sister-in-laws wedding.

There have been many times in which my husband and I have traveled internationally on a red eye flight. It is never easy, but it is the most affordable option for us when we travel across the Atlantic. This year was different since we were traveling in the same time zone. Although our flight left in the evening it didn’t involve us having to sleep on the plane, which was nice.

Although my husband and I do use ride share apps from time to time we prefer to take cabs to the airport. When we left for our flight to Canada we took at cab to LAX. When we arrived at LAX, we dropped off our bags and went through security. Before boarding our flight, we ate at a restaurant called Osteria by Fabio Viviani, one of our favorite contestants from Top Chef.

Once we were on the plane, we realized that we wouldn’t be sitting together, which was annoying but there wasn’t much we could do about it. This was the first of several little issues we would have with Air Canada over the course of our trip. On the plane ride up to Vancouver I re-watched “A Star is Born”, the movie I consider to be the best of 2018.

I love going to visit new places but it’s also nice to go to places you’ve been to before to fill in the gaps of what you missed the first time. When I went to Vancouver in 2010 the entire trip had a dark cloud over it because my grandmother passed away two hours after I arrived. This year I wanted to wipe the slate clean and have this trip be my enduring memory of Vancouver.

Even though it had been nine years I felt like I had just been there as my husband and I walked through the airport.

The difference is in 2010 I was in awe of the airport and now it not only felt familiar, but it also wasn’t as big a deal because I’ve been to so many international airports since then. Although not as quick as other countries getting through immigration and customs in Canada was easier and more efficient than in the United States. It’s a shame that no matter who is President the country that makes you feel the least welcome upon arrival is the United States, no matter where you are coming from or where you were born.

Once we were through immigration and customs we got a cab to take to our hotel in Downtown Vancouver. Just like with the airport it was amazing how familiar the ride from the airport to Downtown Vancouver felt despite the fact nearly a decade had passed.

Once we checked into the hotel we settled in and got ready for bed.

We had planned our trip so that we could wake up the next morning ready to see the city.

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Here is a description:

Justin Gomez and his sister, Terri, have never been close. Separated by nine years and distant in adulthood, Justin and Terri have little in common, except for the love of her three children. In the days before they embark on a road trip to visit the father that once abandoned them and their now deceased mother, both Terri and Justin are dealing with unexpected changes in their lives. Justin surprisingly realizes he might want more than a series of one night stands after a first date goes unexpectedly well. After a lifetime of being a strong type A personality, Terri is forced to confront the reality of the end of her marriage. As they hit the road, with Terri’s children in tow, they find themselves forced to rely on and confide in each other following a devastating event. Confronted with memories from the past and challenges from the present, Terri and Justin must dig deep and unearth the truth about themselves and their parents in order to build a new family based on their love for each other.