It could have possibly happened when I lived on the west coast, just one state south of the border, in Washington, as a young child.
It could have happened when I lived on the east coast, just one state south of the border, in New York, as a kid.
It could have happened when I dove into Lucy Maud Montgomery's Anne of Green Gables, landing on a farm on Prince Edward Island.
I'm not quite sure exactly when it happened.
But, at some point it did.
I fell in love with our neighbors to the north. I fell in love with Canada.
Was there any love lost for my home country? As a child, absolutely not. However, I vividly remember my Canada curiosity.
Could I have both? Live here, love there? And what exactly was it that I loved so much?
Truthfully, when this affinity struck, I don't believe I had ever even been north of that map line.
As a kid in New York, we once went to Niagara Falls, but I couldn't tell you what side of the Falls we were on.
While living in a number of locales across this country, I have not travelled much - I leave that to my baby brother and his wanderlust. But, when I did finally travel the wee bit I have, I headed north to British Columbia in '95 and 2000. And instead of a remembered childhood love of the then abstract place on a map, Canada, I looked around and breathed deep. As much of a tourist as I was - and yes, I did indeed do the typical tourist activities - it felt more like stepping out into a favorite corner of my backyard. It was comforting, fresh, natural, and of course, a visually stunning feast for the eyes.
It's been thirteen years since last visiting and I dream of going again. In the meantime, I think I'll keep exploring that remembered childhood love through words woven across a printed page.
This post was inspired by The Cartographer of No Man's Land: A Novel
by P.S. Duffy. Angus enlists in the Nova Scotia WWI regiment and travels to Europe to search for his missing in action best friend and brother-in-law. Along the way Angus discovers more than he ever wanted to know. Join From Left to Write on November 14th as we discuss The Cartographer of No Man's Land. As a member, I received a copy of the book for review purposes.
by P.S. Duffy. Angus enlists in the Nova Scotia WWI regiment and travels to Europe to search for his missing in action best friend and brother-in-law. Along the way Angus discovers more than he ever wanted to know. Join From Left to Write on November 14th as we discuss The Cartographer of No Man's Land. As a member, I received a copy of the book for review purposes.
I always say, everything is better in Canada! LOL Though I might feel differently if I lived there...
ReplyDeleteA little bit of the grass is always greener elsewhere? I'm lucky to live with city, country, ocean and mountains all close by, but still think I'm also lucky to have visited that li'l tiny bit of Canada! :>
DeleteBC is lovely...great post! We lived there for a bit and it's just north of me, 3 hour drive.
ReplyDeleteHi Amy!
DeleteI lived in your neck of the woods over three decades ago and have loved every time I've been back to visit. Though, it's been quite awhile since the last time there. It's gorgeous! :>
I have never been to Canada and regretted not visiting when we live in central NY. We were so close and yet I never made the trip. One of these days!
ReplyDeleteHope you can find your way there one day. There are many other Canadian locales I'd love to visit...after I get back to Vancouver & Victoria again! :>
DeleteI've never visited Canada, either - but this book was an exciting way to get an inside look!
ReplyDeleteI loved the aspect of this book that felt so Canadian.
ReplyDeleteI grew up in VT very close to the Canadian border, though I do want to go back, because as a teen we drove up there when we were 18 to drink and didn't take the time to truly visit.
ReplyDeleteAh, I see you've found your muse again!!! You write so well my friend. I have never visited our neighbors to the north, but I must go there! Montreal is calling me!
ReplyDelete