Uu Kanata, salagijauquna!

Tuesday, July 1 was Canada Day in Canada, which is why I've posted the last line of the Canadian national anthem (Inuktitut lyrics). I can't pronounce any of it, but I'm impressed by the sheer number of "A"s and "U"s.

Canada Day is like July 4th in the U.S., except 3 days earlier and 100% less independence from England.


Jen and Shelton had a picture taken with a couple of high ranking members of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police and three other officers (obviously undercover). It's the hard work and dedication of these fine gentlemen that allows Vancouver to remain safe.



Both Shelton and Hughston got maple leaf temporary tattoos. This may or may not classify them as enemy combatants according to the Patriot Act.


Shelton also got a little quality time with a oscillating fan. She was doing the whole "Luke, I AM your father" bit. Oddly enough, this may be the first time she's ever seen a fan like this. Many places in Vancouver don't have central air. In Atlanta, a plastic fan like this would melt into a sticky puddle in our house if it didn't have central air.





Jen went with Shelton and her friends to see the fireworks. There were a lot of people down by the water to watch them, but the fireworks show didn't start until 10:30pm because that's when it gets dark, so Hughston slept at home and I watched the fireworks from our porch.

After 15 minutes or so, the fireworks just sort of stopped for a bit, and people started wandering off, but Jen was insisting "No, no, we can't leave yet. There hasn't been the Grand Finale." But people wandered off just the same and no Grand Finale ever came. Jen was horrified, and I totally sympathized with her. After all, it's hardly a proper fireworks show if the last thirty seconds don't consist of as many explosions as the previous 15 minutes. But, of course, this is chauvinistic thinking. In Canada, that would be way too exciting and too much excitement is considered impolite.

Oh, Canada, we stand on guard for theeeeeeee!