When I was in Victoria in June of this year shopping at the market in the Fernwood neighbourhood, I got into conversation with one of the cashiers. When I told her that I was visiting from Saskatoon, she told me the following joke. “My West Coast friends don’t get it,” she said, “but another friend who is from the prairies does.”
A couple were at the airport waiting to go on a winter holiday, dressed in their t-shirts shorts. The wife looked over at another couple who were dressed in parkas and mukluks. “I wonder where they’re from,” she said to her husband. “Go and ask them.”
“You’re the one who want to know,” he said. “You ask.”
So, she went over and said, “Hello. I was wondering, where are you from?”
“Saskatoon, Saskatchewan,” they said.
The wife smiled and went back to her husband. “So where are they from?” he asked.
“I don’t know,” she replied. “They don’t speak English.”
I got it, and thought it quite funny, because I’ve had the experience of being on the telephone with someone from the U.S. and when I say my location, they are struck dumb for a moment or two and often stutter.
Anyway, that’s my prelude to talking about another city that love. I’ve lived here continuously for more than 44 years, and for a few years before that while going to university. I have deep roots here, friends, favourite places and activities. In this blog I’m posting photos of a few of those places and activities.
Going by the calendar, the sights begin in January – cold and snow, but magnificent at the same time. They key is not to consider yourself trapped by the weather. There are plenty of events and activities.
After months of cold and snow, however, spring does come as a welcome relief for people and other creatures.
