Merry Christmas!
Here we are, December 12 and the snow hasn't really come! I thought I could let you in on the joys of snowmen and snowball fights but there hasn't been enough to make a shop of popsicles. I am sure there will be plenty soon, a white Christmas is the idyllic scene we think of for a North American Christmas, here's hoping...
As you probably know I consider myself quite observant, by no means the most but I enjoy a little deduction or summation here and there. So here are some things you should know about Canada.
1. There are signs everywhere. At the entrance to our street on one corner there are eight. Only bikes can turn and some parking information, the street sign and 5 others. There are so many signs here that when you try and park a car in the city you spend a good five minutes each time deciphering the myriad of potentially conflicting signs on your side of the road and then have to ascertain which is the most important sign to obey. This still may not guarantee you leave the park ticket free but you have to try. The highway has 100's of signs competing for your attention, most advertise the same fast food restaurants over and over...
2. The banking system seems to be quite 1990's. No internet transfers or automatic payments? Long queues at the bank to deposit and withdraw money? Many, many stores without 'interac' or 'chip n pin'.
3. The phone companies are in cahoots. You pay for incoming calls to your cell phone!? Contracts are 3 years long?! You pay for caller ID and for a message service. Bah humbug. At least the company I chose has a cute dog as a mascot. I would have chosen the mexican wrestler mascot company if I didn't already have a sim for the other one though.
4. Everybody else looks quite cool (no pun intended) in the bad weather. I look like a giant three year old including the very pink cheeks. Groan!
5. Christmas has definitely become 'happy holidays'. No mention of where this magical happiness comes from and no little manger scenes about the place either. The decorations this year seem to be blue and silver, more a winter theme than a Christmas theme. The lit up polar bears look quite cool and maybe a glowing baby Jesus might look a but alien but 'the reason for the season' is no where to be seen in the mall or streets with decorations that I have seen. You can count on the carols being decidedly religious and 'Oh Holy Night' seems to be everyone's favourite. I really love that hymn, the thrill of hope that causes a weary world to rejoice and the soul knowing its worth are reasons to celebrate!
Pictures to come!
