I’VE BEEN twelve days in Vancouver on the day this article gets printed.
I like Vancouver.
I love Canada!
***
The people here are so COVID-protocol compliant that they have been masked down for a while now.
On the bus, for example, it’s just mask optional.
In their word, “mask recommended.”
Versus required or mandatory.
***
When I walk to the park, or while in the park, I don’t have to wear my mask on.
It’s in my pocket.
For “just in case.”
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But the old people are so good.
They walk down the sidewalks, all alone, and with their masks on.
Not taking chances.
Which I really admire.
***
I’ve been around British Columbia.
And it is so much fun going around confident that at least 99% of the population is already vaccinated.
I’ve been to experience the new attraction called the Skywalk in Malahat.
We had to take a ferry from Vancouver (Canadian mainland) to Victoria (Vancouver Island) for that.
***
While in Victoria, which I visited twice in the past, we went to the steps of the Parliament this time.
(Victoria is the capital city of British Columbia, for those who don’t quite know Canada.)
On display were teddy bears, toys, coloring books, and other children’s stuff offered by visitors to pay respects to the 215 children whose remains were discovered sometime in May.
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The story of the 215 children is quite tragic.
These were remains of First Nations children who went to a residential school, and never left.
Or never went home.
Or however you want to say that.
***
Bottom line, they died, and were buried in a mass grave somewhere in Kamloops.
The residential school was closed in 1978, so who knows how long ago these children died.
Still, my heart breaks.
#everychildmatters
#alllivesmatter
***
My friends in Vancouver have been feeding me.
Since I’ve arrived, I have already attended two birthday parties.
And been treated to a restaurant meal at least three times.
I have lived in two households.
And I have many standing invitations.
***
My high school friend from Dumangas has requested that I visit her family.
She even “demanded” that I stayed for three months.
As if I can be contained for that long.
From a mid-July schedule, we postponed to a mid-August because the Canadian-American borders were restricted until Aug. 9.
***
My friend works at a nursing home.
She was deemed unsuitable to host me immediately because of her work with the vulnerable elderly population.
So I had to stay for three days with her friend, who I became friends with also during my last two or three visits.
The three days was the necessary wait for me to make sure that I am COVID-negative from my airport entry swab.
See why I love Canada?
They’re so proactive about protecting their population.
***
My COVID test came back negative.
But because there was a birthday celebration coming, I just finished my three days, and added one more night.
I mean, I could have gone home to my high school friend’s after the party, but I got drunk and wasted.
***
The day trip to Vancouver Island was on the fourth day.
It was a fun trip.
Hours of driving, and hours on the ferry.
But people were going for their holiday breaks.
And I’m just in for the ride.
***
On my own, I could probably spend more than $200 on that trip.
And then, there’s the anxiety of travel.
Instead, I just paid $150.
And the $50 was basically just for my order of sashimi (like $19), and a bottle of plum wine (like $25).
***
I am grateful that I’m fed by our kababayans in Vancouver.
I really appreciate how they include me in their holiday trip plans.
They save me a lot of money.
But if I am to pay my way to dinner, you can bet I’m gonna order the more expensive stuff on the menu.
***
Sashimi and plum wine, come on!
I mean, they really look special when all the other orders are bento boxes of set meals, and paired with Coke or hot tea.
And they ask me, “You don’t eat rice?”
And I say, “Only poor people eat rice!”/PN
