"Canadians AND Bacon"

So, after nearly eight years of living in Ottawa I will soon be officially bestowed with Canadian Citizenship. This comes after 71 calls to mostly polite Francophone women at Immigration and Citizenship Canada, 4 sets of forms, nine different types of photo-identification, three medical exams, a little over a thousand bucks, and one Citizenship test where I may have proved to be one of three people in Canada who knows the exact date Nunavut became a territory. I would say that it's been hard-fought, but everything is relative. I didn't have to cross the dessert under cover of darkness on a donkey or shimmy through any snake-filled tunnels or anything. I have always been proud to be an American, even when it wasn't so easy to be so. I certainly miss a lot of things about the States and "back home." BUT, there will be another day to talk about that. In honor of my upcoming Canadian Citizenship, and to serve the title of my blog (which makes no sense....I just couldn't resist putting 'bacon' in it), I give you:

Why I Love Canadians.....

Ernest Hemingway, in his poem,"Why I Like Canadians" said, "I like Canadians, they are so unlike Americans, their cigarettes don't smell bad, their hats fit, and they actually believe they won the war."

Well, Hemingway I am not, and I'm not so sure about their hats fitting any better....and I have my own feelings about whether or not they were even in the war..... But I, too, like Canadians.....

1. Because they have their own bacon and we know how I feel about bacon. Here, however, it is referred to as back-bacon rather than Canadian Bacon. (Minor Detail, as it still tastes LIKE BACON) :)

2. Because I get to be a Conservative again. Just when you think you're a liberal, move to Canada and realize those Democrats are NOTHING!!

3. Because the beer, quite frankly, ROCKS. And so does the drinking prowess of the Canadians who partake of it! I particularly advise visitors NOT to challenge the Franco-Ontarians from the North! I've seen them drink frat-party amounts of beer (per person), bowl three games, and head to the Elgin Diner for the "hangover breakfast."

4. Because Autumn is incredible. This might not be a quality of the Canadian people, but I can't resist counting it as a reason! The other seasons, compared to the Western U.S. don't overly excite me, but you haven't seen Fall until you've seen it in New England or South-Eastern Canada. The leaves turn such vibrant colors that the trees look like they're on fire! I actually started plucking them and sending them home to Idaho in envelopes so
people would believe me! (That might not be entirely acceptable to customs, but I'm sure they have bigger plant export problems from Canada to worry about!)

5. Because they know how to dress for the cold, these Canadians. Idaho is not exactly a balmy oasis. Winters in Idaho can be atrocious! But the length of Winter here is something to bear. (Imagine if I was further North, I live an hour from the U.S. Border.) However, have no fear, Canadian coat-detection is here. Canadians can spot a "good coat" from 50 paces. I came here wearing a 30-lb, down-filled parka with ear flaps the size of my head and I was FREEZING. Every Canadian I met could tell me what was wrong with my coat. "No wind resistant outer layer, too loose on the body, cold air breeches everywhere." They should have a manual.

6. Because they have pride in their fellow Canadians. If it was a Canadian who first thought of putting a dual-tip on the cotton swab they would know it! When you come from a country of300 million people you fail to realize how achievements of your fellow-countrymen matter, particularly if you're an American who's pretty much convinced your fellow-countrymen did just about everything notable there ever was. But Canadians.....they know and will repeat on demand the feats accomplished by Canadians. Did you know the zipper; basketball AND rollerskates were invented by Canadians? For more Canadian inventions: http://www.geocities.com/SouthBeach/1708/cdnthing.html

7. Because they have pretty money and coins called "Loonies" and "Toonies". When I'm in Idaho my nephew Zach holds up the $1 coin and says, "What's this called Aunt Kari?" And I saw proudly, "Loonie!" and then the same with the $2 coin and I say, "Toonie!" and then he speeds it up, "Loonie, Toonie, Loonie, Toonie" and he throws his head back and laughs like he might never recover. They don't laugh at money in Canada, but it's still pretty cool to go through your pocket change and realize you have twenty-four bucks!

8. Because they are the founders and proliferaters of that gift we call "Poutine". (bow your heads) See Photo! I no longer remember the Kari that existed before she had poutine. (bow your heads) Poutine is a French-Canadian food made with French Fries, Mozzarella Cheese (preferably curds...known as "squeeky cheese" in Idahoan), and Brown Gravy. You won't find it much in Western Canada, but if you're ever in Ontario or Quebec it's a must-try. If you're in Idaho, my sister Sherrie makes a pretty good version (with Idaho potatoes no-less). If I start my own religion, Poutine will have a sacred role to play. We haven't even talked about the maple syrup. (bow your heads)

9. Because some of them (many of them in my region) speak French. I won't get into the politics of being in an officially bilingual country, but it's amazing to hear people speaking French on a daily basis. I even know a few words....enough that when I go home I can say, "Hello Big Apple, Cheese, and Fish, I am the driver of the big truck, how are you, where is the bathroom?" and people sigh, "Wow, that's awesome." And it is!!!

10. Because they put up with me. It can't be easy. :) They let me in!!! Merci Boucoup Canada, Je suis le conducteur du gross camion. Gross pomme!!