Day 83 - Standing On Guard, Eh?

I've been reflecting today.  Canada Day is a special day for me.  It was on Canada Day when I was 18 that I got the Bars and Maple Leaf tattooed on my arm.  I miss the festival atmosphere.  I miss barbequing with our family and friends and watching some fireworks.  I guess it's a good thing to broaden your horizons, but days like today make me ache for home.  To everyone at home, we miss you all.  Happy Canada Day, Eh?

If you're not aware, I've traveled quite a lot for work and pleasure.  I've been all over the US, Canada, countless tropical paradises and am now starting to get a lot of push-pins in Europe as well.  All this leads me to an even stronger belief that Canada is the best place on Earth.  I'm sure the fact that I am Canadian is colouring my opinion, but the fact remains that there are millions of immigrants from all over the world that would agree with me.  In typical Canadian fashion, it would be rude of me to disagree.

We're a solid people.  Dependable.  When foreigners see a Canadian flag, there is respect there.  They don't respect us because we're a military superpower, they respect us because we don't need to be.  We're the white hats, the peace keepers, the aid givers.  We're loyal to our friends, yet thoughtfully independent.  Our fortitude comes from a quiet place.  

For my non-Canadian readers, I thought you might enjoy some cliche Canadiana.  Yes, we like back bacon and maple syrup, but who doesn't?  Yes, we like beer and rye whiskey but again, who doesn't?  Okay, I admit I'm not a fan of rye.  Don't kick me out of the Canadian Club...haha, get it?  I think Canadians and non Canadians will get a kick out of this...

All in all, I think we should be proud.  We're not perfect, but we're close enough, eh?

Lesson for the day.  Patriotism and travel often don't mix.  I find it hard to be away from home today and I'm here willingly.  There are Canadians on foreign soil all over the world, but not necessarily the nice places like we've been going.  The men and women of the Canadian Forces, doing what they can to preserve not only our freedoms, but the freedoms of the people in the nations they are deployed to.  Being away so long gives me new perspective so I tip my hat to you all.  Really...thanks.

Nighty Nite.

Ian