It's silly how much we make fun of our northern brethren. We belittle them for their goofy words and funny stores. We chirp them for their unique holidays and endlessly upbeat personalities. We refer to the country as a whole as "America's Hat." It would seem that we're not very fond of them. And those Canadians just play right along, laughing good-naturedly but refusing to get even the most remotely angry. What an interesting country...
I spent yesterday in Canada. It's so bizarre to think that I live nine miles away from an entirely different country. A completely unique and independent and self-contained COUNTRY! We have to present proper documentation and observe new rules and the whole production. It's always a little off-putting to cross the border in less than two minutes. I mean, it's not like crossing state borders. There are so many different rules and customs that take effect immediately upon paying the entry fee. It gives me a most unbelievable feeling, as if I'm skirting the law or something. It shouldn't be so easy! I'm awestruck...
It's interesting to note the similarities in step with the differences. American stores lumped together with the Canadian corporations. Funny money abounding. Poutines. Interprovincial highways providing high speed transit...
But amid all the zaniness, the people are still people. At the end of the day, no matter how odd they may seem, they are just like me. People. Humans. Families that live and love. This is a prevailing idea no matter the background. I've been to a few places around the world, and I've discovered that the ability to love and be loved is not unique to the American experience or to all English speakers or to all white people. It's a natural HUMAN instinct. The people in Mexico love just as much as those in Italy. Families thrive in Canada and Kenya. I'm sure I'm going to come to the same conclusion in a few weeks in Turkey, just as I did this summer in Germany...
We are all so different. But we are so very much alike, when we get down to the basics. Shouldn't it all be basics?
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