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Published: August 23rd 2010
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Yes we are at last back in Canada getting some long overdue doses of clean fluffy white beds, prancing pansies and fruits in suits all washed down with as much ice wine tastings permitted per customer. Oh Canada Oh Canada what we would do without you?
Getting out of Africa was a relatively easy though long process from Johannesburg to Cairo then on to London where we spent a few days with Clarissa’s sister Hosanna, her step-daughter Cammie, and both Clarissa’s and Hosanna’s dad - Richard. We walked a lot, we ate a lot, also talked a lot (as expected) and it was definitely hotter than our last visit - remember the ‘adverse’ January weather in London? With a dose of family love under our belt and more than a couple of goodbye tears from Clarissa we headed over the Atlantic back to visit Karin and Danielle and their new house! Also on the radar was Toronto Pride and a visit to our lovely Quebecoise mates Genevieve and Lily via a quick drop-in on the perpetual motion Cunninghams of Ottawa - Linda, Paul and the kids.
I can’t decide what the best part of being back in Canada was,
or even what the best experience I have ever had in Canada is, but the comfort and generosity provided by our friends there always blows my mind. Is it Canadians in general, or just these particular Canadians that seem to be able to give 5 star treatment to anyone who they let through their doors and into their hearts? We feel so blessed and grateful to be able to drop in, stay a day (or a week); borrow a car (or two); drink (everything and anything) and eat (a lot) together; share stories and music; consume maple syrup in every conceivable form on top of and inside every conceivable foodstuff; swim in rivers and dance on streets, and to top it all off to be able to laze a morning away under the most amazing soft, clean, white fluffy beds with soft, clean, white, fluffy sheets. Thus starved of all things soft, clean, white and fluffy whilst travelling over the last 4 months (a notable exception was at Adien’s - maybe she’s Canadian too?) we returned to a heroes welcome with loads of affection, a whole lotta football finals, a heat wave, waterfalls and ice wine.
In keeping with
our aim to visit amazing things whenever we can we took a 2 day dash down to Niagara Falls with Karin and Danielle. Perched beside these beautiful falls is an odd town more like a theme park than national park. Thankfully the cheesey nature of Niagara the town is easily washed down by 1000s of litres of water tumbling just outside our hotel room window, topped off with some very healthy doses of vineyard visits with the obligatory sips of the original nectar de Canadien - ice wine. We returned to a Toronto heat wave and a two day Pride Parade.
With two raucous parades over two days the city gets a huge financial boost and offers to all who attend one very long queer celebration. How special it was to be able to dance and prance under a rainbow flag while fellow country-folks cheer and wave. It made a stark contrast to so many countries in Africa where death hangs over sexuality and where one’s love is monitored by the state and military. Really, can this place get any better?
Oh yes it can … rugby mates!
After 5 days in Toronto we headed north towards
Ottawa for an overnight catch-up with Linda, Paul, Ally, Katie, Tom and Mojo. Quite a few things had changed since my last visit with the Cunninghams. I’m not sure where time goes once it has gone but it sure makes a difference in a physical sense. Dads get smaller, sons get bigger; snowflakes come and go; hair disappears and youthfulness arrives; loved ones pass on. But thankfully warm hospitality and an open door remains eternal in the Cunningham house.
Just when we thought things couldn’t get much better we saw it - the beavertail shop in Ottawa was OPEN! This tasty fried pastry shaped like a beaver’s tail is an Ottawa winter special now made year round in a small shop near the Byward Market. The girl behind the counter was surprised that I wanted one for breakfast and also that I wanted Nutella on it but I explained that I had travelled 1000s of kilometers across four continents to find this shop open and it didn’t matter what time it was. It was as amazing as ever and made the 2 hour trip to see Genevieve and Lily in Briebeuf so much sweeter.
The Toronto heat wave
had followed us north and after we arrived we went straight to the river beach with Genevieve and floated around while we caught up on nearly two years of time and space. As usual the conversation with Gen and Lily was continual, challenging and animated, the cottage bed soft and cosy, the hospitality incredible, and the leaving very, very hard. We wish we could sit and chat with you guys every weekend but I guess will have to settle upon bi-annual visits - next time it’s your turn!
Thus ended our flight out of Africa and back into the world we know with the beautiful people we love. Thank you all so much for holding us so tenderly and welcoming us so warmly, we will not forget it.
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Mom
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Wow!
Wow! I just spent some time reading through your blogs. You guys are the most amazing people on the planet. I am in awe of your spirits (and stamina.) Keep the blogs rolling-they are great.