High heels and low lives

Vancouver, it seems, is not a city for high heels.

All day, women pass me by in practical flat shoes, trainers, low heels.

The Gorgeous looks at my new shoes with a mixture of distrust. To me, with a chunkier than average heel and a Vivienne Westwood inspired stub toe, these are *practical shoes*.

"Maybe you should get some runners..." she suggests, as I lay, my feet battered and sore, rubbing toes and carefully checking blisters.

I am not prepared for this, this west coast style where I am sent to interviews in high rises with ocean views, offices which are housed in log cabins nestled alongside beautiful coves, smiles and sunshine. I sat in a lounge this afternoon, 12 floors up waiting for my interview and pinching myself that the view of mountains and ocean was real, that this was my life now. Sat on the patio of the Kerrisdale sailing club last night, a glass of local Pinot Gris in my hand, watching windsailors framed against the sunset.

I have no regrets, and I have no expectations. This is all so new to me. London, where I could escape unseen, now seems a million miles away.

But I will not lie, it has been an uneasy unfurling. I had a panic attack in a busy street Saturday, overwhelmed by unfamiliar accents and wide open sidewalks. I feel like I am in a parrallel universe half the time, all this should be so familiar but is not, my hometown seems to have developed. 9 years has gone by for all of us, in buildings and development, seperations, deaths and unfulfilled dreams.

But it is a new start for all of us, I am finding ways of fitting in, of dodging the crazies who take my buses

"Oh dear, you are from England...?" The lady sat beside me, with the knotted hair and cat hair laying like accusation on her sleeve; pronounces it with a slight drawl, In-gu-lannnd...

"Do you, you know, live near the king?"

And I have to stifle a giggle. I am finding my own way. The Actor has called, wondering when he can see me. (Tomorrow - I am giddy!)

My employment agency has kept me busy with 5 interviews in 3 days, and I have already been called back in for a 2nd interview.
Things move quickly here.

You just need to be wearing the right shoes.