We drive over the Malahat. They have added bright orange posts between the north and south bound lanes of this coastal mountain highway, to prevent turns on and off it in dangerous places. As we come to each of these, I remember the fatal accidents: here, two motorcyclists; there, three members of a family in … Continue reading Surrounded by My History
We had a hard time finding coffee. In March 2020 it was because nothing was open. So novel that I took a picture. March 2020 We’d arrived two days before and all seemed normal. Restaurants were open but there was hand sanitizer on the counter, and only every second table was being used. Yes, there … Continue reading Two Trips to Tofino: Pandemic Progress
“I’m heading home.” But what does that mean? It’s a fundamental question for me right now. Sometimes I solved it by putting air quotes around “home.” Other times I avoided it altogether by specifying: back to Canada, back to Barbados. Which way is the plane facing, when I’m going home? I thought Canada, my home, … Continue reading Home After a Year— or After a Month?
“We killed the flu!” A friend who loves data posted a graph of the year over year numbers for influenza. There was a precipitous decline this year. Apparently masks, social distancing and hand washing don’t just inhibit transmission of Covid-19. He analysed data from the States but the same trend is apparent in Canada— seasonal … Continue reading Slacking Off, Tightening Up: It’s Not Safe Yet
First, let me admit it— my blog has never really been about travel. Yes, I travelled, but even a post about the row houses of an English town or driving in India turned into an essay on national character. Many of my posts are deeply personal reflections on my heart, my life and the state … Continue reading What’s a Travel Blog without Travel?
I really have been meaning to post the last of the Tofino photos. It’s been nearly three weeks, and it’s not like I’ve been busy. Yet so much has happened that I feel like I need to add a disclaimer— these are from a while ago, I have actually been staying at home, practicing appropriate … Continue reading Not Going Anywhere
As I went through the door of the spa, I saw the sign: Closed at 6 pm today, until further notice. The resort had just announced that the restaurant would have limited seating, and the stools had been removed from the bar. My first thought, I’m embarrassed to now say, was that I was glad … Continue reading My World Is Getting Smaller…
I walked down the driveway, and the wolf followed me. He slipped into the narrow space between the garage and the fence. We knew there was a wolf in James Bay, the area of Victoria where my sister lives. Its presence in this urban environment was unheard of, so had been all over the news … Continue reading Where the Wild Things Are
I don't know if she heard me in the night, or if she just drew conclusions from my puffy eyes the next morning. "So," she said. "Why are you still having such bad days? Maybe you should go and get some more counselling." I understand the friends and family members who are tired of my … Continue reading Why Aren’t You Over It Yet? A Year Later
Approaching each other, we do the sidewalk dance: I go left but the other person goes right, then I go right as they recalculate and go left. And I-- with luck we-- laugh as we work it out and pass by. It's not as clear cut as an escalator (stand this side, walk the other) … Continue reading Home Again with Different Eyes
Brave Travels 