Canadian Impressions (first of three parts)

Canada is one of the few countries in the world that have fascinated me ever since. One thing that really comes to mind when I think of Canada is the maple leaf – the Canadian emblem. Of course, if you think of something Canadian, it is not only maple tree that comes to mind but also salmon. However, it is the maple leaf that really led me to fall in love with Canada. This happened years ago when I saw pictures of Canadian autumn in National Geographic magazines showcasing the grandeur of maple leaves magnificent in colors of red, orange and gold. I guess that was the reason why among the four seasons, I love autumn best. The first real maple tree I saw was in Australia years ago. They really looked splendid in various colors. Still I look forward to experiencing the Canadian autumn. Well, I keep my fingers crossed.

Tourism magazines describe Canada as a land of superlatives. A land of stunning beauty and vast distances. Yes, there are greeneries everywhere and lots of space. Just imagine, the average population density is 2.6 people per square kilometer. That’s quite a lot of space. The distance of travel by car between one province to the next can stretch to one day. The country is blessed with huge lakes, deserts and towering mountains (many of which are still covered with glaciers on top even at summer).

British Columbia (the place I visited) is situated on the West Coast, surrounded by the oceans on one side (the Pacific, Arctic and Atlantic) and on the other side, the towering Rocky Mountains that extend up to the US border. British Columbia, which has Vancouver as one of its major cities, is home to North America’s second-largest Chinese community. Added to this are people from India and Japan, not to mention our very own Filipinos who have long migrated to Canada and made British Columbia their home.

The impact of Asian presence in Vancouver or any part of Canada is very much felt and seen. They have totally immersed themselves to and assimilated the Canadian way of life. On the other hand, they have also contributed much in enriching Canada’s culture through the integration of their own culture and values.