… Oh Canada. Lovely place, fantastic people (well the half that don’t count the French as their true lineage anyway), clean cities and awesome mountains. But that National Anthem – frankly, it’s rubbish. Still, it could have been so much worse, our major supplier could have been in the US and that’s not a trip from hell, it’s a trip to hell. Four hours in customs, full rubber glove body search and a whole bunch of attitude that forgets we were the victims too.
Three days of meetings await, with non optional waffles, possibly a couple of small beers and a bit of late sightseeing in the rather fetching city of concrete that is Ottawa. I was delighted to learn that the Canal system was not only built by British Victorian engineers but it’s express purpose was to shield the city from hostile American takeovers. The hotel we stay in resembles some kind of Disneyworld monstrosity housing fake gables, turrets and the odd crenulated gargoyle. But any country that has the beaver as a national emblem gets my vote every time. I never tire of endorsing those proud Canadians sporting their double entendre’d aquatic rat with a simple “Nice Beaver“.
Anyway enough of this, the hedgehog shall remain unpickled until the end of the week unless time allows for an entry cataloguing the horror of a four puncture commute. I may need a couple of stiff drinks first, I honestly thought that a tree in Hyde Park was going to be my bed for the night.
But I’ve written loads lately so read that nonsense, it swells my shallow ego no end to see the hit counts 🙂
Enjoy the trip!
Canada, eh? I bet they drive you mad within the hour, eh?
I quite like the Canadians. They have much of the US service industry ethic without the almost perpetual urge to go to war with someone. Getting there however on Air Canada does not add to my love of the country what with that airline being locked into some kind of mid 80s plane/food/tv thing that makes it a loooooong 8 hours.
I’d better pack actually otherwise my ambassadorial role for the firm could be someone compromised by a business casual outfit of Bemuda shorts and Russian whaling hat.
But presumably the plane had it’s “full quota” of engines this time???
…and I know you loved the full cavity search…. you smiled too much 🙂
The plane was still deficient by 2. In both directions. How we envied all those with a ticket for a proper plane. Still we were fed an afternoon snack of prawns, scones and chilli sauce (all on the same plate at the same time) which almost made up for it.
I learnt lots about the history of Canada as well and I now see there’s yet another reason for the French to hate us. Cheered me up no end that did.
Pingback: I want my life back » Blog Archive » The quarterback is toast!