Oh, Canada: Five Little Things I Noticed While in Canada
On December 1, 2022, I traveled to Mississauga, Canada, and spent a month with family and friends.
During that time, I thought I would post a few entries.
That did not happen.
I came back to Croatia on January 2, 2023. I spent a few days in Zagreb, then went to Makarska, excited to sleep in the place I have called home for the last year.
And here we are. Or here I am, sharing a list.
Because after being away from writing for over a month, a list seems like the easiest way to segue back to writing, and to this life, I’ve started to build here.
Five Little Things I Noticed While in Canada
December was a grey month in the Greater Toronto Area
I am still a pluviophile - lover of the rain. But now, I also appreciate feeling the sun's warmth on my face. And there wasn’t much of that in December. Maybe there never was; maybe December in Mississauga has always been grey. It was never really a thing I noticed. Until now. Huh.
Oh, it seems December and parts of January were very cloudy! Check out this tweet:
When I returned to Croatia, the first thing I did after picking up my luggage was coffee on a patio, soaking up the sun. Not a cloud in the sky! Joy.
That brings me to my next point…
Canadian coffee culture vs. Croatian coffee culture
Not fair to compare. It’s apples and oranges. But I will compare.
The first time I ordered a coffee during my visit, I ordered a favorite: medium americano. I looked at it and thought, do I need this much coffee? I did not. I drank one-third of it.
The next time I ordered a coffee, I went the espresso route. The cafe offered it to me in a to-go cup. I said: I’m staying. The staff responded with: we only use paper cups. Huh.
Yes, in a previous life, I was happy/content to drink the medium americano and to drink the coffee out of a to-go cup.
Coffee has taken on a different meaning for me in Croatia.
It means: slow down, be present.
It means: you don’t need much.
It means: stay awhile.
It felt so good to touch the people I love
I appreciate technology. I appreciate that over the last year, while living in Croatia, I have been able to text, call, and facetime my family and friends in Canada.
Touching the people I love
I missed: hugging them, standing next to them, and feeling them next to me. Who would have thought? Not me.
And so when I saw the people I loved, I gave out as many hugs as possible. Yes, it made me feel better. It was my favorite part of the trip.
Over stimulation
I returned to Makarska, thinking about my visit and how best to summarize it if anyone asked. And the word ‘overstimulation’ came to mind.
There was so much of everything. Big stores, lots of aisles, many options; highways, three/four-lane roads, traffic, lots of it. You name it; there was a lot of it.
Yorkdale Mall, Toronto
Yes, all this existed a year ago. Yes, I was raised on this. Yes, this was my normal. But this time, most of it felt a bit much. Not all of it. But some of it. And by the end of it, I was overstimulated.
So far, I have not experienced overstimulation in Croatia. Maybe it will happen one day. But for now, my senses are managing just fine.
I’ve fallen in love with the life I’m creating for myself
Is it Croatia? Is it the Adriatic? Is it the mountains? Is it the coffee?
Possibly.
But I never want to say it’s the things outside of myself that have made me fall in love with my current state of affairs.
That can all be taken away.
I’ve done an excellent job building a foundation I’m proud of. One rooted in a strong sense of self and inner peace.
I love what I have created over the last year. I’m excited to build on this Adriatic Adventure.
I am looking forward to continuing to appreciate the little things and marvel at the big stuff.
Let the Adriatic Adventure continue…
So now, because of Catholic guilt- I will attempt to create balance in the world - or at least in my head - and mention six things that made me smile over the last couple of weeks.