Picture of the Week: Maple Toffee
If you spend time outdoors and the temperature is below zero, you deserve a treat. At least, that’s what Canadians seem to think and it’s probably why maple toffee is so popular.
Canada’s trademark sweet is …
Canada is Huge
At school, I learned that the three largest countries in the world were Russia (and at the time, the USSR was larger than current-day Russia!), Canada and China. As a kid, it was hard to comprehend how big these territories actually were. But as a new Canadian, the country immediately struck me as humongous.
Macau Becomes the Las Vegas of Asia
Las Vegas spent decades as the undisputed king of the gambling block, but this has changed in recent years, with Macau passing the Vegas Strip in gambling revenues taken in during 2006—and never looking back. …
Winterlude 2012 in Ottawa
On the opening day and despite the very chilly wind, Confederation Park and the nearby portion of the Rideau Canal were packed. Confederation Park always has a nice collection of ice sculptures: small ones around the fountain and bigger ones around the park. You can even see sculptors, wearing thick gloves, at work with chainsaws and other power tools.
Picture of the Week: On The Rink
There is a little park in our neighbourhood, and each year the community puts up a homemade outdoor ice skating rink, also used for hockey practice by the kids. I snapped this picture when walking back from the supermarket, as a teen was lacing up his skates before hitting the ice.
The Phone Quest
One of the first things I had to do when coming home, along with doing loads of laundry, was to get a phone.
Well, technically, I have a phone. Two, even: a landline (primarily for telemarketers to call) and a cell phone that I never use because I haven’t bought minutes in ages.
Of a Flight Back Home
The trip back home was tiring. It always is. I sometimes dream of flying door-to-door but it’s not going to happen as long as we live in Ottawa. Our airport sucks: it is barely bigger than a Wal-Mart and it has very few direct international flights. We always have to transfer in the U.S. or in Toronto.
Welcome Winter
We are heading home. The trip is over. Winter is starting… for us. Am I sad to leave? Always. A little bit. But to be honest, I don’t mind it that much.
Playa Del Carmen
Playa Del Carmen is a circus.
Walk in the main street and dodge restaurants, tours and hotels offers. Decline to hold the baby tiger or the little iguana for the picture. Walk straight, ignore people, because even a polite “no gracias” won’t be enough.
Isla Cozumel, The (Ghost) Town
Like I said yesterday, we are a bit out of our element here. Cozumel mostly caters to the “all inclusive” crowd and people tend to stay in their hotels where they lounge by the pool, drink and sleep.
The World Through My Eyes
