Don't get me wrong, I am a proud, red white and blue-blooded American. But, in the interest of disclosure, I happen to be half Canadian. My Mom (seen above!), Grandma, and Papa all derive from the Toronto area. And though I have never been to Toronto, I did get the pleasure of traveling with my Grandma and Papa to British Columbia.
It was the last trip I took with my Papa before he died later that summer, and I remember it fondly. We took a ferry from Anacortes, Washington through the San Juan Islands to Sydney, British Columbia. From there we took a double decker bus to Victoria. Home of The Empress Hotel and the Royal BC Museum. Living in DC, I have been to many a museum, and this one is one of the best. It features lifelike exhibits of Modern and Natural History. This museum is one of the few that truly has recreated the past and allows for an amazing glimpse into what life was like "back when."
I feel very fortunate to have had the opportunity to take this trip with my grandparents. I remember my Grandma and Papa teaching me poker on the ferry, my Papa taking the time to exchange his US dollars for Canadian (yes, we were only there for the day) and making my grandparents sit on the top of the double decker bus in the rainy, cold weather.
Still, as Canadian as my Papa was, he fully embodied the American spirit of hardwork and determination. As the Vancouver 2010 Olympics came to a close yesterday, it made me think about my trip to British Columbia with my Grandma and Papa, and it reminded me how proud I am to be half Canadian.
You made me cry!!!
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