I DID make it home to Canada :) No problems in the airports at all - everything was fine. Once I arrived back on Canadian soil, though, the customs people weren't all the hospitable. They basically told me that I'm just a visitor here and then they sent me over to the "secondary screening" section, where they asked me a few more questions and stuck all my luggage through the scanners! I guess they don't like the fact that I stay somewhere else :(
My parents, however, were very happy to see me. My Dad was so happy to see me, he even gave me 5 bucks to buy a vanilla latte at Fourbucks before we even left the airport! Ah, a taste of home.
The next day, it was off to the forest where my sister and her family live for the newly inaugurated annual Canada Day campout! It was so nice seeing my cousins and some aunts and uncles, as well as a lot of my sister and bro-in-law's friends and in-laws. Of course it goes without saying that it was wonderful to see my nephews again after being away for so long! I love those boys, and I'm so proud to see what nice young men they're all becoming, all with such personality!
It was a bit overwhelming being so surrounded by so many people as soon as I landed. Normally when I come, I spend a few days "hibernating" before I really see many people. The hibernation helps me get a bit of perspective on life back in Africa and helps me sort of figure out what to say when people ask, "So how's Africa"? But I think I managed ok, and I really enjoyed the time to just sit around the fire, strolling around the camp area, while still being close enough to my sister's house to enjoy a hot shower and a real bed (very helpful in overcoming the jet-lag!).
It was also fun to go see the Canada Day fireworks, though it was SO cold! I was wearing 4 layers, plus a wool toque, and was still freezing! But I enjoyed eating some serious junk food, drinking yummy coffee, chatting with good people, playing with sweet little kids... all in all, a very good few days!
Since then, I've gone hunting for a new passport, which should arrive in time for a road trip to the US next week! I've also wandered through a mall or two, which has been slightly eye opening. People here must be freezing all the time, as they're wearing very small clothes!
I've also been a bit shocked by things like recycling - I keep forgetting to separate my garbage! And the fact that it stays light outside until nearly 11pm at night has also been throwing me off a bit. I've also been a bit shocked my how "connected" people are to their gadgets. iPhones and smartphones and iPads and iWhatevers are EVERYWHERE. And everyone is always fiddling with them. I thought people in Africa used their cell phones a lot... but people here are bringing it to a whole new level! Funny what a girl notices after being away for a year, eh?
My parents, however, were very happy to see me. My Dad was so happy to see me, he even gave me 5 bucks to buy a vanilla latte at Fourbucks before we even left the airport! Ah, a taste of home.
The next day, it was off to the forest where my sister and her family live for the newly inaugurated annual Canada Day campout! It was so nice seeing my cousins and some aunts and uncles, as well as a lot of my sister and bro-in-law's friends and in-laws. Of course it goes without saying that it was wonderful to see my nephews again after being away for so long! I love those boys, and I'm so proud to see what nice young men they're all becoming, all with such personality!
It was a bit overwhelming being so surrounded by so many people as soon as I landed. Normally when I come, I spend a few days "hibernating" before I really see many people. The hibernation helps me get a bit of perspective on life back in Africa and helps me sort of figure out what to say when people ask, "So how's Africa"? But I think I managed ok, and I really enjoyed the time to just sit around the fire, strolling around the camp area, while still being close enough to my sister's house to enjoy a hot shower and a real bed (very helpful in overcoming the jet-lag!).
It was also fun to go see the Canada Day fireworks, though it was SO cold! I was wearing 4 layers, plus a wool toque, and was still freezing! But I enjoyed eating some serious junk food, drinking yummy coffee, chatting with good people, playing with sweet little kids... all in all, a very good few days!
Since then, I've gone hunting for a new passport, which should arrive in time for a road trip to the US next week! I've also wandered through a mall or two, which has been slightly eye opening. People here must be freezing all the time, as they're wearing very small clothes!
I've also been a bit shocked by things like recycling - I keep forgetting to separate my garbage! And the fact that it stays light outside until nearly 11pm at night has also been throwing me off a bit. I've also been a bit shocked my how "connected" people are to their gadgets. iPhones and smartphones and iPads and iWhatevers are EVERYWHERE. And everyone is always fiddling with them. I thought people in Africa used their cell phones a lot... but people here are bringing it to a whole new level! Funny what a girl notices after being away for a year, eh?
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