Category: Travel

Canada Slim and the Distant Bench

Landschlacht, Switzerland, 21 October 2017 There are two distinct types of citizens in many countries: those who are native-born and those who are not. As formerly the former and of late the last two decades the latter, this change of status as a Canadian living in Canada and then as a Canadian living in Asia and… Continue reading Canada Slim and the Distant Bench

Canada Slim and the Injured Queen

Cernabbio, Lago di Como, Italia, 1 August 2017 We disembarked from the lake steamer, the wife and I on vacation, eager to visit the Villa d´Este and Villa Erba. The day would make me consider the role of women in the world and especially the role of my wife in my own. The Villa d´Este, originally called… Continue reading Canada Slim and the Injured Queen

Canada Slim and the Quest for George Clooney

Landschlacht, Switzerland, 28 September 2017 Celebrities ARE different. They get more public attention and media exposure than we do. They usually have far more wealth than we do. Some achieve celebrity status through their successful careers in sports or entertainment or politics. Some become famous due to media attention on their lifestyle, wealth or controversial actions,… Continue reading Canada Slim and the Quest for George Clooney

Canada Slim and Our Lady of St. Petersburg

Landschlacht, Switzerland, 23 September 2017 It has been a hard year for my heart in my dual roles of teacher and barista. In the former role, I have been disappointed that my preferred profession of choice, teaching, has sadly not been as busy lately as I might have hoped. In the latter, I have been saddened by the… Continue reading Canada Slim and Our Lady of St. Petersburg

Canada Slim and the Road into the Open

Cadenabbia di Griante, Italia, Monday 7 September 1840 “We leave Cadenabbia in a day or two.  I go unwillingly. Above: Mary Shelley (1797 – 1851) The calm weather invites my stay, by dispelling my fears. The heat is great in the middle of the day and I read a great deal to beguile the time….… Continue reading Canada Slim and the Road into the Open

Canada Slim and the Apostle of Violence

Landschlacht, Switzerland, 14 September 2017 “History is little more than the register of the crimes, follies and misfortunes of mankind.” (Edward Gibbon, The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire) Above: Edward Gibbon (1737 – 1794) “I believe that are monsters born in the world to human parents. Some you can see. And… Continue reading Canada Slim and the Apostle of Violence

Canada Slim and the Forgotten

Landschlacht, Switzerland, 30 May 2017 Marriage ain’t easy. “My successful marriage is built on mistakes. It may be founded on love, trust and a shared sense of purpose, but it runs on cowardice, impatience, ill-advised remarks and low cunning. But also: apologies, belated expressions of gratitude and frequent appeals for calm. Every day is a… Continue reading Canada Slim and the Forgotten

Canada Slim and the Great Expedition

Landschlacht, Switzerland, 25 May 2017 We live in an age where we take for granted many things and we only seem to question things when they don’t happen as we think they should. We live in an age where we casually accept what is, without questioning how it came to be. The older I get,… Continue reading Canada Slim and the Great Expedition

How to Train a Dragon: Canadians in China

Landschlacht, Switzerland, 23 March 2017 The further away a country is, the harder it is to know and understand that country. China is such a country. So it is with caution that I express my opinion of the events that have so far transpired with China and its relations with the rest of the world.… Continue reading How to Train a Dragon: Canadians in China