V is for VANUATU and VANCOUVER

I cannot believe we're almost at the end of Round 4 of ABC Wednesday. My theme this time is "Destinations," in case you haven't noticed, and I've been saving Vanuatu for some time now. So far, I've used destinations that I have actually been to, but I must admit I'd never even heard of Vanuatu until a few months ago.

Here is the story. My friend Cathy was on disability for several months while she underwent some medical treatments. She regularly received her cheques from our provider in Michigan, USA. One month when her cheque didn't arrive, she phoned long distance to have a new cheque made up. Many months later, what should arrive in her mailbox but the missing cheque. It had been sent to none other than Vanuatu, a group of islands off the northwest coast of Australia! I googled the name and saw that it's a gorgeous tropical place full of white, sandy beaches and palm trees - a veritable paradise for honeymooners and tourists. I'm sure Cathy's mail had a wonderful voyage, but she would have preferred it to arrive in a more timely manner. Here's a copy of the enVelope.


Now I must use VANCOUVER this week because it is my home town, a place where I was born and where I've live most of my life. I'm sure you all remember only a little over a year go when we were hosts for the Olympics and the town went wild with excitement when both the Men's and Women's Canadian hockey teams won GOLD medals! Well, let me tell you about the excitement raging in the streets, restaurants, bars, homes, and - well, EVERYWHERE right now as the VANCOUVER CANUCKS hockey team vie for the STANLEY CUP. If they win, they will bring the cup back to Canada, where it originated and where it belongs!

We are vieing against the Boston Bruins, who last won the cup in 1972, but since the Canucks entered the league in 1970, they have never won it. You can read about it here on Wikipedia. Tonight is Game #6 and the Canucks are leading 3 games to 2. If they win tonight in Boston, they win the cup and will fly home victorious! If not, the final game will be on Wednesday here in Vancouver. Both teams desperately want the cup and both teams have been playing hard, forcing the two goalies to stay alert to their utmost ability. You can be sure that whichever team wins, there will be victory parades and victory parties while the other team will go home to drown their sorrows.

BELIEVE IN BLUE!
GO CANUCKS!

Update: They're gonna win at home on Wednesday!