My first Canada Day abroad and I didn’t really do anything! Most years I would be going to a party, checking out what was happening downtown or going to a cottage. And always finish the evening with some fireworks. This year, I didn’t plan a thing. I’m not entirely sure how it happened, I think it was just what was going on this weekend altogether that prevented me from really making a plan. Yesterday I went on a white water rafting trip. And so that meant Saturday night I had to be home early enough to go to bed at a reasonable hour. Although that didn’t even happen.
As pathetic as it sounds, I think I let it slip by because I don’t really hang out with many Canadians here. I didn’t even hear about any events in Seoul until this past Friday, and by then I already had tentative plans for Saturday.
Sitting on my bed now, I kind of miss being in Ottawa for Canada Day, it’s such a big event there, and so much going on it’s hard not to get into the spirit. Or I miss the Canadian things I would normally be partaking in right now, mostly Poutine and delicious Canadian beer. Or the free show at Jazz Fest they do every July 1st. Or climbing the City Centre building to watch the fireworks from my friends neighbourhood instead of having to go all the way to Parliament. Or the BBQ parties that we would have in the afternoon before going out. Or even those few years I worked at the souvenir store in the Rideau Centre, and would spend the better part of my day putting Canada flag tattoos on children.
Photo Source: NCC of Canada
So many memories. At least I did something fantastic yesterday. That kind of makes up for not having celebrated today. Now excuse me while I go drown myself in maple syrup and maybe watch the classic Canadian 80s teen melodrama Degrassi Junior High. I hope everyone back home has a great day!
Filed under: Canada
