We sauntered up to the financial district and found Chevron's local office before a quick walk around an interactive exhibition that filled us in on the history of the British Colonies of Upper and Lower Canada. A far catchier name than plain "Canada", in my opinion.
Today we did the tourist thing, taking in all the sights from the steam powered clock to the steam powered brewery. We introduced Hannah to her office and also found the Chevron barge out in the bay, where boats and sea planes can fill up for very reasonable prices with the additional benefit of Techron. I had to physically restrain Hannah from swimming out to it.
I haven't been here 24 hours yet, but in fine British-abroad tradition I've already made some sweepingly general observations:
- Canada is like the USA, but a bit different.
- Everybody smokes! Well, probably one-in-200, but coming from the Californian heartland of non-smoking, where lighting up is social as well as personal suicide, it's a bit of a surprise.
- It's really cold. British summer cold. I'm wearing all the T-shirts and shorts I brought, and both pairs of flip flops, and I'm still freezing.
- Everyone is still very beautiful. It must be a West Coast thing.
- Maple syrup and ice hockey.
Under the maple leaf. I don't know what was wrong with the original flag.
So...Canada was on the right side in the US so-called war of independence...then it decided to be its own country...but the Queen's still in charge...
We decided a nice hot bath was the best way to warm up after that.
This morning, more fully prepared.
The door to mummy's new office.
Beer made from steam. Pretty tasty, but Pete couldn't manage it all.
The beautiful voices...I must go to them...
Hopefully, one of these will soon be our apartment.
I think we'll fit in fine around here.
