Weekend getaway planned TRAVEL consultant Gaby Dohmer and holistic health counsellor Sthia Lohs are host- ing a Womens’ Getaway for Mind, Body and Soul Thursday, Sept. 7 to Sunday, Sept. 10 at the Kingfisher, six acres of waterfront: property, seven km south of Courtenay on Vancouver Istand. The inspirational and moti- vational weekend — includes workshops, yoga classes and seminars led by Lohs, a Bicom- bioresonance therapist. Spa treatments, outdoor pursuits and relaxation are also part of the getaway agenda. For more information and to book a reservation call 984-0148. Art on view WEST. Vancouver’s Travel, Time International is get- ting into the art business. _. Pilar Izzard; wife of artist Daniel Izzard, has estab- lished an art division as part of. her agency. She became executive director of -the Canadian: Institute of -& Porteait “Artists: (CIPA) in “1999, The non-profit society “encourages the appreciation Of fine: art. portraiture and ‘now’ has-30 artists in their , _ organization. ; Travel: Time’s current xhibit.. Today’s —Portrait’s - Tomorrow’s Legacy i is on view t the agency’s offices (2405 - Marine Dr., West Vancouver) ~until | ‘Sept: : 30.: For more : information call Pilar during office i hours at. 922: 3474. “Visit ‘Athens, “Messina, Rome, Monaco, Barcelona and Madeira . . enjoy carefree days at sea ‘TRAVEL Sunday, September 3, 2000 - North Shore News - 21 Caragua strikes a deep chord Jordan Junck Contributing Writer GRANADA, Nicaragua: Time slows down, or at least it loses relevance around here. The pace is unhurried where bicyeles and horse- drawn carts are as common as cars. People go to the daily market in the morn- ing, work and siesta in the afternoon and gather in the town square in the evening to converse and watch the goings-on. A slight tone of bohemia settles in this city as crafts are made by hand, artis abundant, and live music is played in the square and street. Spanish colonial architecture stylises the buildings as the dichotomy of bright pastels and subtle earth tones team with ceramic tiles to warm the streets and reflect the festive nature of its residents. I was able to visit Granada three times while in Central America. Each time I was greeted with something new and inter- esting. The first time a Norwegian theatre group was performing at the foot of the main church, followed by live music in the town . centre. The second time | arrived for a parade on the main street with floats and costumes celebrating a religious holiday. The third time I was in Granada I took time to explore a little. A parade was coursing through the street and I followed to the town centre. Fireworks and traditionally dressed children swirled around to Jocal music as an effigy of the Virgin Mother was passed around and filed into the main church for a mass. The main square was filled with music, people, hawkers, and travellers all mingling breeze and affected all whom it touched. An open-air market is for locals and tourists alike, as there are few refrigerators produce is traded daily. Catering to every want you can search out anything from the most obscure to common items found in North America. Barter, trade and persuasion are called out with the confusion that is omni-present. Heat and odour compound the assault on your senses as sanitary is not the standard and it keeps the walk through very interesting, I picked myself up a carved out bull horn with a reed planted at the tip as my noise maker for the evening and New Years, after a brief barter { paid about “Cinco Cordobas” or about 60 cents for my treasure. Las andering the streets and shops, visiting the art galleries and ruins, walking the waters edge of de Nicaragua there is always something to appreciate as your pace slows to savour the flavours i local life. Lago de Nicaragua borders Granada and is home to an active Volcanic chain which includes Isla de Ometepi, and other small islands which you can tour through and stay on or can view from Granada. As I let the pace of Granada absorb me, [ was hard pressed to motivate and carry on my travels, but some friends were on their way to meet me and I hed to get going. As [ rattled away on an old " school bus I looked back and through the dust and exhaust, I wiped the film from the window and promised myself to return. Perhaps rent a flat and slow the pace to a linger, perhaps paddle around . the islands, s perhaps j just escape and enjoy the city again. jaciludes: up to 5 liters of oll filter, chassis lubrication and 10 point inspection. « 3 Most makes and modela.®: Nov. 25, 2000 peeerure promis Hn ' includes: Our, gre. waits, , service. and ® convenien' Photo Jordan Junck to evoke a rich atmosphere which rode lightly on the evening WANDERING the streets of Granada, Nicaragua there is always something to appreciate as your pace slows to savour the flavours of local life. ee & Cadillac Cabs eth 987-7171 2$. free round of golf per. person/day: ‘Pre-booked tee times’