Meeting Jasmine - "Shopping in Swan River" - February 16 & 19, 2003
It seems now that the first thing I think about when being assigned work out of town is "Great! Who can I visit?" Now if the office knew the real reson I don'tmind the road trips<giggle>
This trip would be to Swan River, Manitoba, where Jasmine, a Masquerade member, now lives. Swan River is a small town of about 7,000 people about 5 1/2 hours north of Winnipeg. So after a few phone calls and once travel plans were confirmed, I let Jasmine know and headed to Swan River on Sunday, February 16, 2003.
I got to Swan River about 5:30, got my room and all settled in, then called Jasmine and arranged to meet her at her place. Being that Swan River was such a small and remote place, Jasmine was so happy to have someone to talk with openly. After meeting her at her place, with both of us in guy-mode, we headed off for a bite to eat at KFC! The restaurant was empty, giving us a quite place to chat.
Funny thing this CD/TV/TS thing is. Even meeting what is really a total stranger for the first time, it almose feels like we've known each other all our lives. Well, in a way, we have known the same or similar feelings and lifes problems, so perhaps that is why we are able to relate to each other so well. Because we understand each other more so than most others.
Being so far away from Winnipeg, with only a few friends in Swan River for support, Jasmine was feeling very isolated. So after dinner we went back to her place and got onto her computer. We did a little surfing, and I bookmarked a few sites for her, Masquerade, Shandi's site, my site, and TG Chat, places she could visit and feel connected to the community. Plus, we set her up with a Hotmail account so she could freely communicate with others, and in this way, stay informed as to what is going on. Keeping her "In the loop!" of the activity in the TG world:-) It was after midnight when I left, and we made plans to meet again the next evening, with me as Sabrina*S*
As luck would have it, my work plans didn't work out, and I was sent to Dauphin, an hour and a half south, toward Winnipeg!! I contacted Jasmine by phone and made arrangements that I would drive back to Swan River for a visit Monday evening, and since I would be going as Sabrina, I was very excited!
So Monday evening, I put on my red sweater, black leather skirt with the front side zipper, black hose and boots, tossed on my jacket and headed out the door!! While changing in the motel, I hadn't noticed the weather getting bad, lots of blowing snow! Determined to visit Jasmine, I hit the highway and after only a short distance, noticed the road was becoming drifted over with snow and I had to drive slower and slower due to the reduced visabilty! After an hour, I started thinking that being on the highway in a snow storm wearing high heels and a skirt wasn't the best place for me, so I turned back and headed to Dauphin, feeling very sad the whole way, that I had let Jasmine down, since I knew she was looking forward to another visit! When I spoke to her on the phone, she was understanding, so I felt better!
Wednesday, February 19, 2003, was to be a travel day back to Winnipeg, so I made arrangements with Jasmine that I would come up for one a visit during the day! She was so happy, and so was I*S*
When I got dressed in the motel, I looked in the mirror, at my reflectionand thinking "The long skirt has to go! I gotta wear a mini!*S*" Wearing the red sweater, pleather mini, black hose and boots, I put on my jacket and headed for the door!! I got to Swan River about 11:30, and the first place I stopped was the Royal Bank on Main St. to get some cash from the bank machine. When I entered the building and got in line, the guy behind the lady using the machine turned, saw me standing there, stepped abck banging into the wall telling me to go ahead*S* (See, being a girl has it's advantages*S*)
When I got to Jasmine's place, I parked in front of the town office, and walked into her building. I knocked on the door and when Jasmine (in guy-mode) opened the door, her first comment was "WOW!" I thanked her for the compliment*S*. She quickly made a call downstairs to the coffee shop to tell her land lady were were on our way and off we went.
We got into the coffee shop where Jasmine bought me a soft drink and herself a coffee, and introduced me to herfriend Gail, and Gail's daughter. They joined us at a table, and while we chatted, a neighbour of Jasmine's arrived and sat with us! There was only two other women at another table, and all a very nice experience.
After coffee we headed out to do some shopping. Jasmine kept commenting about how the town would be talking about seeing her out with a "gorgeous redhead" (Her words and a direct quote!) Our first stop was to Saan. We browsed the store a bit looking at skirts with the help of one of the clerks, then Jasmine introduced me to her friend Daphne.
Our next stop was to Liquidation world, which I drove to since it was quite a distance to walk in heels. It was so cool walking about the store in a small town, feeling so comfortable too. Jasmine purchased a few items, then off we went to visit the drug stores. Our first stop was at Whites, where I bought some lip gloss and a concealer stick for Jasmine to use on her beard. She had some things to pick up at Sears, so we walked across the street, with cars stopping everywhere to let us cross!! After she picked up her parcel from Sears, we walked next door to Pharmasave and again browsed the cosmetics selection. I picked out an eye shadow pallet and bright red nail pollish, then stood waiting at the counter.
Now this part is cool. The clerk is at the back of the store serving a customer at their post office, right beside the dispensary where the pharmacist is working. I'm standing at the counter in my mini and heels, and the pharmacist, who knows the clerk is busy right there beside him, walks up to the front of the store, picks up a newspaper, places it and a coin on the counter and stands there waiting. All the while, he can't keep his eyes off me, yet doesn't say a word. Now he had to know the clerk was busy, so why waste time at the counter????
After I paid for my purchase we left, and as we walked to my van Jasmine was joking about the pharmacist's eyes popping out of his head!! I can see why though.The girls in that town don't know how to dress. Jeans and sweatshirts seem to rule in Swan River!<LOL> So seeing a girl in a mini skirt would certainly be noticed. I wouldn't doubt you could read about it the next day in the town newspaper!!!
Our final stop was to the town office, where Jasmine wanted to introduce me to her friend Merle, who has become a good friend and big help to her since she moved to Swan River. As luck would have it, Merle was available and able to meet with us right away! She was happy to see Jasmine and seemed very supportive too. We didn't have too much time to visit, so our visit was very brief. After leaving the town office, we walked to my van where we stood a moment for hugs and to say our good byes. I drove off and enjoyed the sunshine as I drove the country roads back to Winnipeg.:-)
Thanks for reading my story,
Sabrina
E-mail me at sabrina_markes@masquerade.ca
Member of the Winnipeg support group - "Masquerade"