Oh, Canada

I went on a cruise last month with my sweetheart up to Alaska and stopped in Prince Rupurt, Canada on the way.

I was all ready to cross the boarder into this different country. I had some walking shoes on (oh yeah, I look good when I'm a tourist!) and my passport. Not just any passport, I had a passport card. That is the way to go when travelling to Mexico and Canada.

I went to Mexico once with my sister when I was nineteen. We stayed at a five-star resort in Acapulco and it was so divine laying by the pool, allowing mutations in my skin cells where I was lax in the application of sunscreen, and having Pepe bring me drinks (virgin, of course) to stay cool. The only problem with Mexico was that I wasn't the best student in my Spanish classes. Luckily for me, my sister served an LDS mission in Orsono, Chile, so she spoke for us. After a week there, I started to understand what they were saying, but I was very shy about speaking the language.

Well this was not the case in Canada! I had, what some call, "The Gift of Tongues." I not only could understand what the fine people of Canada said, but I also was able to speak the language. I was also able to pick up on the written language quickly, as well. Miracle of Miracles!

One of the first places I saw was Pizza Hut. Well I wasn't so surprised at being able to read the sign since I just figured these people like a stuffed-crust pizza just like any American. Of course they would import a Hut here. I didn't think anything of being able to read that sign.

Then I saw a Safeway and I was so excited! I saw the sign and knew what it said!! I knew this was a Safeway grocery store. Not only was it a store I was familiar with, I could read that there was a pharmacy inside. I was shocked that I could read Canadianish, or whatever the language is called...perhaps Canadianese?

Then we went inside and I could understand what they were saying! And I asked a question, in what I thought was English coming out, but apparently I speak fluent Canadianese because the worker in the store knew what I said (maybe she understands English?) but I just assume it is the Gift of Tongues, being able to speak and understand a new language.

Interesting enough, they have the same magazines and trashy tabloids in Canada. I assume you can't read them, since you probably don't have The Gift, like I have...unless you speak Canadianese?

All jokes aside...in Prince Rupert there is a hotel called Crest Hotel. When I saw it, I couldn't help but think about the Crest Theatre in Seattle and how I've always called it The Crusty Theatre since a date in high school. I wonder if people, or rather young people, call it the Crusty Hotel...