A short while ago I did a little travelling. I ended up with some time off and decided to head out to Toronto, I've always wanted to go to a Blue Jays game. Though it's one of those things I can check off my list, it was actually relatively boring in my opinion. I just can't get into baseball for some reason, although on the other hand a couple girls I coach volleyball were playing last Sunday and I found myself more invested in the game.
I did a few other touristy things while in Toronto like going to the zoo and up the CN Tower, but two of the highlights included going to Niagara Falls and the Royal Ontario Museum (ROM). The Falls were absolutely stunning and it was amazing to take that in, but at the same time it was kind of fun to be the only Canadian on the day tour.
I was the only one to acknowledge knowing some of the history of the area, like passing Laura Secord's home or the War of 1812 in general, even though there were Americans on the tour as well, I guess it's not something they focus on in school.
And don't worry I held up the Canadian stereotype as I grabbed a water for someone who had become quite sick on the drive, then waited every time we stopped for everyone else to get off the van before getting up. Eventually a lady from Turkey told me, during the wine tasting included in the tour, that she wasn't going to get her sample until I did, which I thought was very sweet.
Now, you may be wondering why the museum was such a thrill, which can partially be explained through having studied history in school, but was made a highlight because someone from my hometown of Admiral actually works there currently.
The older brother of one of my classmates throughout school is actually completing his Ph.D. in Paleontology and works at the ROM. In fact my earliest memories of him are of a little boy who was obsessed with dinosaurs. At the age of about 10 he could pronounce any dinosaur name exactly, while any other 10-year-old would be struggling to get out anything other than the easy ones.
One of the best parts of the trip, however, was the food which was absolutely amazing. From butter chicken to falafel to Jamaican patties, the latter being something Corey suggested.
This column, though focused on my trip, is actually my roundabout way of saying goodbye to Corey. My holidays in fact came quicker than I was planning because he was leaving for home, for good. He in fact would be going back to Toronto and saying goodbye to Carlyle.
Corey had been here for a year and I learnt a lot from working with him.
Before he left I asked if he was going to write a goodbye to the readers, but he smiled and said he would relish his time here without making a big thing about it.
Overall he told me that Saskatchewan was an experience, that it was a unique place with interesting people and that his year here was good. It came with ups and downs, but overall he was happy to have experienced the prairies and its people.
So, on behalf of myself, the newspaper, and the community I wish Corey the very best in his future.
