I’d like to thank YOU, Canada!
Dear Canada,
Thank you for ushering in an excellent New Years Eve for this weary traveler. Yes, I was disappointed that my only outgoing flight from London had to be on Air Canada, and therefore I had to censor my Canada-themed jokes during the 9.5 hour plane ride. (My chuckling had to be silenced with my hand during your odd-pronunciations of words during take-off instructions and landing, and I had to swap the title of “Canadian Tuxedo” to “Latvian Tuxedo” when I saw a gentleman boarding the plane wearing jeans with a matching jean-jacket—to avoid insulting anyone near me.)
After the manhandling and curt treatment by United Airlines on the way to the UK, and the chilly reception of pub workers, Underground attendants, museum personnel, we were surprised to find the people in the entire Vancouver Airport to be friendly, helpful, calm and jovial in the 90 minutes we spent there. Steward staff were patient, kind and calm. The woman who frisked (yes, FRISKED not PATTED) at the security checkpoint was sweet, and gentle. The man who searched and emptied the entirety of the contents of my carry-on bag made jokes about the scone that I had wrapped inside of one of my scarves, and kindly told my mother that she looked like my older sister. Imagine JOKES at security! A U.S. Customs Official made conversation about his experiences with the health-care practices in Canada, how much beer costs (a whopping 7 Canadian dollars for a 40!), as well as good places in the airport to grab a bite to eat.
So I would like to take a moment to thank YOU Canada for showing us that even though we are airport travelers, foreigners, and yes, Americans, we also deserve to be treated as equals, as friends.
And I vow during this 2010 that I will seriously consider integrating “Latvian Tuxedo” to my everyday vernacular, as well as stand up to those around me if and when a Canada-themed joke is near.
Cheers,
TanMadge
