Rue Sansregret: Full Circle

I attended a debriefing session for recently returned Uniterra volunteers in Montreal. It was an opportunity to discuss and share experiences and give program related feedback to the Uniterra team.

I was in the company of those who recently returned from placements in Sri Lanka, Vietnam, Bolivia, Peru, Senegal, Ghana, and Malawi.  I was the only one there who had been placed in Botswana. 

While we had a range of experiences, we agreed on one thing:  when you experience life in another country or culture, you do so on the tips of your toes -- making everything you see, do, hear, feel, and yes, even smell, that much more vivid and intense. 

I stayed, once again, at the gîte (bed and breakfast) down the street from Rue Sansregret -- the street (alley) I happened upon one mild November evening when I was in Montreal for my pre-orientation.  If you recall from my very first post, I noticed the sign when I was startled by a clown.  To me, it was more than a street sign. It was a sign that beckoned me to take a detour from my regular life to explore an unfamiliar territory.  Sometimes, when you reach life's crossroads, there is no parking allowed. Sometimes, you just have to choose one direction over another...

...without any regrets. 

I am so glad I took the path down  Rue Sansregret. 

Like the graffiti painted on the alley walls, it was a fun and colourful journey !

Celebrating winter, friendships, and birthdays

I have been back in Edmonton about 6 weeks now, and have managed to spend three weekends on out of town excursions with friends. 

I posted an item earlier about my weekend to Jasper with Lisa and Louie.  It seems the lure of the mountains was strong enough to draw me back for another weekend at the Jasper Park Lodge -- this time with Lorraine and Bin, with whom I celebrated Bin's birthday, my birthday, and the Easter long weekend.

I also caught up with Roxanne, Diane, and Andrea on a girls' spa weekend escape to Red Deer, where we stayed at a guest ranch and celebrated Roxy's milestone birthday (I won't say which one !). 

Here is some evidence of our shenanigans !




Birthday girl stoking the fire.

Flannel pjs, a blazing fire, a hot beverage, and the company of giggly friends
-- what a way to spend a wintery weekend!

Karaoke Queens.
I got high score with Karma Chameleon. 
The deer did pretty well, too.

Sparkly evidence of our trip to the spa !



We woke up the next morning to find beautiful horses staring through our kitchen window. 
Our hosts were away at Cowboy Church.  Uh huh - there is actually a church for cowboys !

Saying hello to our new neigh-bours.



 






The artist at work ! - Painting Easter Eggs at Jasper Park Lodge.

Was it weird that we were the only people there without kids, and managed to make the most mess ? Heck, no ! 
Do you like my earth-after-global-warming egg ?

Lorraine's tulip egg.

Exploring the frozen floor of Maligne Canyon.



Other worldly !



Entering an ice cave, beneath a frozen waterfall.  How cool is that ?!

Looking out from inside the ice cave.

Yup - they actually climbed this.

A sign that spring is on the way.



Beautiful Lac Beauvert.



Fancy birthday dinner.

Fine food, wine, and friends -- What more could a girl want on her birthday ?

Motho Ke Motho Ka Botho

I will be presenting tomorrow to my colleagues in Health Canada on some of my learnings from my year volunteering in Botswana.  I did a trial run with my small work team last week, and am excited to share my experiences with a broader audience. 

There is a saying in Setswana, "Motho Ke Motho Ka Botho" that roughly means "you are what you are because of other people", and I want to acknowledge that I was able to experience all that I did in Botswana because of the people here who allowed me to do so, by granting me a leave and covering my workload.  This is my way of saying, "Look what I was able to learn and achieve because of your support"...and to demonstrate that I did more on my year away than have pool parties and go on safari -- haha !

I will be presenting again next week to the Edmonton Branch of the United Nations Association in Canada, and again in May, to the Health Canada Human Resources Team.  Each presentation gives me a chance to focus on a different angle of my work in Botswana.

I am curious to know what kinds of questions people will have !



And I Say Hello...

I left Botswana Feb. 12, arrived home, Feb. 13, and was back at work Feb. 15.  After my first full week of work, my friend Lisa and her dog Louie took me to Jasper for a relaxing weekend getaway. It was a great chance to catch my breath and unwind.  Thank you !




Louie models the latest in mountain wear.

Main Street, Jasper.

Me -- back in my natural habitat !



The view from my 9th floor office on a snowy day.

The view from my 9th floor offfice on a sunny day.

My office cubicle is now clear, but was festooned in feather boas and Hawaiin leis when I arrived.

I'm Back...

I am back in Edmonton...and also back to my blog.  My friends in Botswana encouraged me to continue with my postings, to show what life is like here, in Canada.  It is a good opportunity for me to look at the familiar with new eyes.  I am still getting re-settled, so haven't quite got my act together enough to start sharing stories and pictures...but I will soon !  I left Botswana Feb. 12, after a series of sweet good-byes (which I will write about another time) and returned to Edmonton on Feb. 13, after a safe and uneventful journey.  I then reported back to my job on Feb. 15.  I am adjusting to the streamlined work environment and life at home, which for the moment is my old, childhood home.  I am bunking in with my father until my tenant moves out of  my house at the end of this month.  So, once I get properly resettled, I will resume writing about the continuing adventure....

Tips for Batswana Students Moving to Canada

I was recently asked to provide some tips for Batswana students moving to Canada.  Here's what I came up with, based on my observations of cultural differences.

1. Winter wear. Canadian winters can be long and cold.  You will need to have warm winter wear.  There is good selection in Canada, so you don't have to stock up here, but you do need to budget accordingly.  Invest in winter boots with a good sole.  Streets and sidewalks can get very icy.
2. Crossing the street. Don't jay-walk.  Cross the streets only at the marked crossings.  People get ticketed for jay-walking.  Remember when you first arrive to look in the opposite direction from what you are used to before crossing.
3. Invitations. If new friends invite you out for dinner, drinks, etc., don't assume that they will pay for (treat) you.  They may expect you to pay your own bill (go dutch).
4. Meals. Lunch is served earlier than it is here; usually at 12:00 pm.  People will often have a light lunch at noon and then a bigger dinner in the evening, at around 6:00 pm.
5. Greetings. You may notice that strangers don't greet one another on the street like they do here.  Don't be offended if someone doesn't return your greeting. If they don't know you, they may not feel comfortable talking to you.  Strangers tend to avoid eye contact, especially in elevators.  However, if you say you want help or directions, people are usually pretty helpful.
6. Addresses.  People are less formal, and will often ask that you call them by their first name.  Your professors may be a little more formal than other people, though.
7. Personal space.  People like to keep their distance and aren't as used to physical contact as are people here. 
8. Public displays of affection. It is not common for heterosexual men to hold hands or have physical contact with one another in public.  You will see couples displaying affection, though.
9. Dating.  It takes time to get to know people.  Don't be discouraged, but try not to come on too strongly.
10. Bartering.  It is not common to barter, particularly not in stores.  You can negotiate, though.

Pancake Plate Trivia - Answers

Emmah and Rodwell, my good friends

Lyric Tapa, celebrating her Canadian roots

Dad's pancake recipe, times 8 ! (for 25 guests)

Outdoor dining, at its best !

Kids Craft Corner - face paint, crayons, bubbles

Happy Canada Day !

Erin and Violet get the first round !

We had a great time entertaining friends and colleagues at our Canada Day pancake breakfast.  Friends came to the rescue with water after our street experienced a bursting pipe, and Violet called in reinforcements to help with a power breaker problem.  Both water and power were restored, Dad's pancakes went like hotcakes, and everyone loved the maple syrup.  I love this house for entertaining, and look forward to hosting more parties in the future.

Pancake Plate Trivia, 2012 !

1.  List 3 Canadian NHL teams.Oilers; Senators; Canadiens; Canucks; Jets; Maple Leafs; Flames

2.   List 3 uniquely Canadian terms.
Nanaimo bar; double-double; two-four; Eh?; poutine; toque; chinook; timbits (and more)

3.   List the 5 Great Lakes.  Which 4 share a border straddle the Canada / U.S. border ?
Huron; Ontario; (Michigan); Erie; Superior

4.   List the 10 Canadian provinces and the 3 Canadian territories.
British Columbia; Alberta; Saskatchewan; Manitoba; Ontario; Quebec; New Brunswick; Nova Scotia; Prince Edward Island; Newfoundland and Labrador; Northwest Territories; Yukon; Nunavut

5.   What was the coldest temperature ever recorded in Canada ?  Where was this recorded ?
-63 degrees Celsius; Snag, Yukon, Feb. 3, 1947

6.   List 5 famous Canadian musicians.
K'naan; Justin Bieber; Celine Dion; Shania Twain; Barenakedladies; Avril Lavigne; Nickelback; Nelly Furtado; Bryan Adams; Neil Young; kd lang; Sarah McLachlan; Leonard Cohen, Sum41 (and more)

7.   What is Canada's national sport ?
Lacrosse

8.   List 5 Canadian inventions.
Walkie-talkie; electric wheelchair; lacrosse; instant replay; telephone; zipper; blackberry smartphone; basketball; electric light bulb; five pin bowling; baseball glove; electron microscope; standard time; Superman; ice hockey; snow blower; IMAX; egg carton; duct tape; insulin; roller skates; snowmobile; canola (and more)

9.   Which Canadian coin ceased to be produced in May, 2012 ?
Penny

10.  How old will Canada be on July 1, 2012 ?
145

11.  What food do Canadians consume more than any other nationality ?
Mac'n cheese

12.  What was the last province to join confederation ?
Newfoundland

13.  What does the word Canada mean ?
Village or settlement

14.  Which territory is home to half of the world's polar bear population ?
Nunavut

15.  What is the name of the schooner (boat) depicted on the Canadian dime ?
Bluenose

16.   Approximately how many lakes are in Canada ?
3 million

17.  What percentage of the world's maple syrup is produced in Quebec, Canada ?
70

18.  What is the longest national highway in the world ?
Trans Canada Highway

19.  What is the longest street in the world ?
Yonge Street

20.   How many time zones are in Canada ?
Six

21.   How far is it across Canada from the Pacific to Atlantic coasts ?
8,850 km

22.  What is the shortest distance from Canada to Botswana ?
14,547.4 km

23   What is the approximate population of Canada ?
34 million

24.  What rodent had the greatest impact on the history and exploration of Canada ?
Beaver

25.  What is the Canadian $1 coin called ?
Loonie

26.  What is the Canadian $2 coin called ?
Twonie

Pancake Plate Trivia - Questions

Those who know me well, know I love to plan parties and events.  I will be hosting a Canada Day pancake breakfast this Sunday for about 30 people.  I will be using my dad's secret pancake recipe, and serving the pancakes with maple syrup (what else?).

I decided to write little Canadian trivia questions on the rims of the paper plates, with the answers to be concealed under the pancakes.

I would like to challenge you to answer the trivia questions.  Let me know what you come up with !  Answers to be provided July 1.

1.   List 3 Canadian NHL teams.

2.   List 3 uniquely Canadian terms.

3.   List the 5 Great Lakes.  Which 4 straddle the Canada / U.S. border ?

4.   List the 10 Canadian provinces and the 3 Canadian territories.

5.   What was the coldest temperature ever recorded in Canada ?  Where was this recorded ?

6.   List 5 famous Canadian musicians.

7.   What is Canada's national sport ?

8.   List 5 Canadian inventions.

9.   Which Canadian coin ceased to be produced in May, 2012 ?

10.  How old will Canada be on July 1, 2012 ?

11.  What food do Canadians consume more than any other nationality ?

12.  What was the last province to join confederation ?

13.  What does the word Canada mean ?

14.  Which territory is home to half of the world's polar bear population ?

15.  What is the name of the schooner (boat) depicted on the Canadian dime ?

16.  Approximately how many lakes are in Canada ?

17.  What percentage of the world's maple syrup is produced in Quebec, Canada ?

18.  What is the longest national highway in the world ?

19.  What is the longest street in the world ?

20.  How many time zones are in Canada ?

21.  How far is it from the Pacific to Atlantic coasts ?

22.  What is the shortest distance from Canada to Botswana ?

23   What is the approximate population of Canada ?

24.  What rodent had the greatest impact on the history and exploration of Canada ?

25.  What is the Canadian $1 coin called ?

26.  What is the Canadian $2 coin called ?