University, Pony's, Zumba,,,or was that Yoga?

Since arriving in Guelph on the 25th, we have been busy happy in our Nana and Papa rolls.  I thought I would provide you with a little bit of information around the area.  The city of Guelph has a population of 120,000 mind you when University is in session that could bring the total up considerably.  Guelph is somewhat of a university town.  The University of Guelph is widely known for its Veterinary, Agricultural, Engineering, Biological and Physical Sciences studies.  The university is situated in the central part of the city and takes up 330 hectares.  On this land site is also the famous 165 hectare Arboretum.  There are hundreds of different plants and trees with walking trails throughout the campus.  If I had gone to university, Guelph University has always been a favourite of mine with its old students halls etc.

The Biltmore Hat factory is also in Guelph.  Many different styles of hats have been made in the Biltmore Hat factory.  The Fedora hats for men from the 30's and 40's, was made right in here in Guelph.  They do make some hats for women as well.  But the probably the most recognizable hats that are made at Biltmore is the Stetson that the RCMP proudly wear with their dress uniform, the Red Serge.

There are many parks in Guelph, but the only one that I have personally visited is Riverside Park.  This very large park has an old carousel and a small train for the kids to ride. Weather the kids are big or small, they all enjoy their ride.  As you can see from the pictures here that small kids and big kids LOVE riding this old beauty!

Alisha obviously enjoying her ride:

Papa?  Not so sure?

 



Yesterday Riki (my daughter) asked me if I would like to join her in her Zumba class.  For those of you who do not know what Zumba is, it is a fitness class that is a combination of latin dance moves and aerobics.  Had I Googled Zumba before I said yes, I should have clued in to what was in store of me.  I tried aerobics in the 70's and 80's but found the pace was way to fast for me, even at that young age.  But agreeing to go,  I put on my "yoga" pants and tops, slipped my hot sweaty feet into my running shoes (which have never yet been worn) and off we went.  The class was in an old warehouse, which had a large roll up door.  One of the ladies in the class tried to roll open the door at the start of the class, but it was  locked.  I take my place next to Riki and Barb (Riki's mother-in-law) at the back of the class (thank goodness) and the music started.  I kept my eyes on the front of the class where the instuctor was starting her moves.  The first song was quite slow and I thought, "oh this is not bad at all".  I soon realize there is no air flow in this room, no air conditioner or fans.  Song number two comes on and all of a sudden we are hippity hoppiting, left and right, then boxing the air and jumping down into squats,,, then hippity hoppiting left and right again, Or was that right and left???  After almost crashing into the poor young girl on my right, I realized that I was supposed to be going left and not right.  Sheesh!!!  The instructor had changed directions!  Now we are shaking our belly and boobys,,, now squatting,,,, lunging,,, and stepping left and right,,,right and left again,,,,, YIKES!!  I lasted exactly 25 minutes!  At which point, I almost tripped over Riki when I said "I am fine, but will be waiting out in the truck for you". 

As I sat waiting for Riki and Barb in the truck, I came to the realization that this Zumba with its fancy moves is just not for me.  It wasn't for me in the 70's when it was called Aerobics and 20 plus years later it is still not for me.  I am much more into connecting with my spiritual mind and physical body.  I guess that is why I much prefer practising Yoga than to jumping around on a concrete floor like a monkey!

Stay tuned for more of our Bogus Adventures....

Lori and Ray