Today is Thanksgiving in the United States … so I’ve been doing a lot of thinking about our American friends and family and the many American clients who have stayed with us at Saskatoon Executive Rentals in the past three years.

The great thing about running a short term rental business is that you meet people from all over the world. You also discover that we all have a whole lot in common … yet so much of the public discourse continues to focus on our differences.

So today, as we move into the holiday season, I wanted to share a top 10 list of things that our guests from all over the world have taught me.

1. There is nothing like seeing a kid play in the snow for the first time to make you appreciate living in a region with four distinct seasons.
2. Family gatherings … whether it be a wedding, a reunion or just a visit are good for the soul.
3. Grandparents universally spoil their grandchildren … with no apologies.
4. People who travel for work a lot appreciate home cooked meals.
5. Everybody has a story … things that make us sad, things that make us happy, things that make us proud.
6. People will often share those stories if you are willing to listen and share a bit of yourself.
7. If you treat people with respect, they do the same to you.
8. One of the most frustrating first world problems a traveller can deal with is an unreliable internet connection…. (lesson we learned early on).
9. Sea Salt and Caramel Tim Tams are one of Australia’s greatest exports.
10. It’s good to have friends and clients from across the country, the continent and the world … and I am thankful for all of you.

As part of a regular feature with this blog, I promised to keep people informed about upcoming events in Saskatoon. Here’s a couple of things to check out this week:

BHP Billiton Enchanted Forest

Runs Nov. 18-January 6 at the Saskatoon Forestry Farm Park & Zoo, 5:30-10 p.m. nightly
website: www.enchanted-forest.org

Festival of Trees

November 26-Dec. 2, 2017m Western Development Museum, 9 a.m to 9 p.m. daily

Chicago (musical theatre)

Nov. 24-25, 2017 – 7:30 p.m. showtime, TCU Place, 35 22^nd Street East, Saskatoon
Tickets: https://tcutickets.ca/Online/chicago

Events within walking distance of our rental house:

Saskatoon Potters Guild Annual Christmas Sale

Albert Community Centre, 610 Clarence Avenue South, Saskatoon, 9 a.m. to 6p.m. on Saturday and Sunday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
website: www.saskatoonpottersguild.com

U of S Huskies Volleyball vs Mount Royal Cougars

Nov. 24-25, 2017, Women 6 p.m. Men 8 p.m., Physical Activity Complex (PAC)< University of Saskatchewan

Website: www.huskies.usask.ca

U of S Huskies Women’s Hockey vs. Mount Royal Cougars

Nov 24, 8 p.m. and Nov. 25, 6 p.m., Rutherford Rink, University of Saskatchewan, 69 Campus Drive.

Website: www.huskies.usask.ca

 

 

Hi. My name is Theresa and I love to travel.

I love everything about it. I love booking trips… finding deals … imagining what it will be like … I love discovering new places … trying out new restaurants … wandering through local markets … finding cool little shops talking to interesting people.

But most of all, when I’m away, I love being able to live like a local. That’s the experience I want to provide for you.

Whether you are visiting family in Saskatoon, here for a short business trip or for an extended stay, I want you to EXPERIENCE this gem of a city in the middle of the prairies. I’ve lived in Saskatchewan all my life. I’ve lived in Saskatoon for 90% of that time … and I’ve lived in this neighbourhood for more than 40 years. So, I have a pretty good handle on what makes it special.

I also have a background in communications and reporting … so I know how to find out what’s happening.

That’s my plan for this blog. I’ll tell you what’s happening in and around Saskatoon every week … the touristy stuff and activities off the beaten path. I’ll give you a sense of the history of this neighbourhood and through this blog, we’ll explore together some of the great places to eat and shop, nightlife and my top five places to visit and things to do with your grandkids… and you’ll get a glimpse into my mind as I share some of my favourite podcasts, tv shows … you know things to check out when you’re chillin’.

My commitment to you is to give you something to chew on every blog … and I invite you to share your memories, questions and comments with me and other travelers, so that we can make your next trip to Saskatoon … or someone else’s … a truly memorable experience.

Until next time…