I spent 10 days in Canada: Edmonton and Cold Lake (both in Alberta) to be exact. I went for three reasons:
First: to see my very old friend Judy who was my neighbor when our kids were very young. Judy and Harry adopted a number of children from around the world, I think 8 in total. When I arrived to stay with Judy her husband was very sick in the hospital and he passed away three days after I returned to Ajijic. To a very unusual and committed human being: HARRY, REST IN PEACE!
Second: Sister Shivani, a Brahma Kumari based in India, was doing a speaking tour across the country in seven major cities. The numbers of people attending were just amazing: 5,000 in Toronto, 2,500 in Edmonton, BK Place in Vancouver…just unbelievable for an Indian Spiritual organization. The BK’s have been in my life for over 40 years. It was great to see a number of my friends who were traveling with Sister Shivani.
Third: I then travelled to Cold Lake, Alberta which is about four hours north of Edmonton, to stay with my old next-door neighbors from Newfoundland, Linda and Frank. They were wonderful hosts, cooking me great meals. They wouldn’t let me help with anything (such lovely friends) …we just hung out! Cold Lake is a very pretty little town with a Canadian army base!
Canada has become very difficult and very expensive. I bought three ice cream bars from the corner store which cost me over $15 (just crazy). People also seemed very suspicious. Canada Customs were difficult, wanting to know why I was living in Mexico. The taxi drivers who are immigrants for the most part were being harrassed. For me that was sad, because I was involved in writing the first Multicultural Policy for the government many years ago.
So, I was very happy to get back to Mexico, and the town of Ajijic. CLICK HERE to enjoy a video of Plaza de Ajijic, which is about one minute from my doorstep!
The Nomadic Intern 
Hi Betty,
Glad that you had a nice time on your vacation. I’m sorry to hear about the prices in Canada. I understand as we are facing that here in New York as well and especially in Woodstock. Everyone is raising their prices, there is no consumer protection, and no one can afford to live in the United States anymore. All of the real estate is being purchased up by corporations so there is no place for anyone to live.
It’s nuts! I can’t imagine a way forward now. It just seems that the world is Koyaanisqatsi.
We are trying to get out of the USA not that I think I’ll be safer anywhere but America is now AmeriKKKa. Christians are now haters of everything and don’t have a Christian bone in their body. Our President is well there are no words. Personally, I can’t imagine the world surviving this human addiction to greed. Greed and wealth is what is now valued over human life. There is no God. God has been replaced by GREED.
Sorry for the long rant. A little slice of life. I took an acting class to deepen my writing. It helped me tremendously as I am able to approach writing from different perspectives now . My acting teacher cast me in a play that she co-wrote and so I now have my acting debut on November 1st and I’m getting paid. It’s funny how life works. Just as I found my community, my family of artisans, we have to leave.
Such as life. Sending you love and a hug and let us pray that things get better faster or that they end quickly. xoxoxo Kathy