The Joys of Visiting Southern Canada.....

I am approaching 1 year in the North. That said the first 6 months were in Goose Bay, while the past 6 months were in beautiful Iqaluit. My family and I are enjoying a couple of weeks vacation down in sunny southern Canada, I thought I would reflect on some of the things that I find fun, fascinating and strange.

First....the sun....it seems brighter down here, and certainly stays out a lot longer. When you have lived through the artic winter with the sun hiding most of the day, the sun shining brightly is one of the first things that stands out, and actually hurts your eyes just a little bit.

Secondly the malls. We have taken the opportunity to visit multiple malls, and big box stores....everything from Rideau Mall in Ottawa, to Stone d. Mall in Guelph. Combine that with Walmart in both Ottawa and Guelph, and numerous other big box stores....you would think that we were huge shoppers. Well aside from my daughter who has spent a bunch, really I find the malls crowded, and much too busy. The quicker I could get out, the better!

Hotel Rooms......well we are at the stage in life where we would rather pay more to enjoy the comforts that should come with hotel rooms. But we are still learning. We have stayed in hotels with 2 beds in one room....not cool. We have stayed in hotels with two rooms, one with a bed and two hide a beds...better but not great. The winner hotels like Embassy Suites in Ottawa and Staybridge Suites in Guelph. Two bedrooms, one with a king bed, and the second with two double beds, a living room, a kitchen, and two baths. That is the cats meow, and the way to travel with a family. Cambridge Suites in Halifax qualifys as well. That is true comfort with two teen/young adult childern.

Family....it is great to visit with family, to answer questions as to what is going on and how we survive.....really it is not that different. While we certainly have it a bit colder, Guelph has experianced more snowfall in the week we have been here then Iqaluit has experainced all winter thus far. There are trade offs.....I'll take the cold if I don't have to live with the rush rush rush, the many many people, and the cars and 8 lane highways.

We have basically a week left for this round of holidays.....looking forward to our move tommorow to Halifax......and Amys friends and concert.

Life is good!