Obama in TZ on Canada Day, eh?

Photo Credit:ITV.com (ITV Ltd.)

I know I am a couple days late on my Canada Day post (Bad Canadian!) but it’s not because I don’t value the day or because I’m not proud to be Canadian, because I am. Our Canada day “celebrations” were different this year, being in Tanzania (we were in TZ last year for Canada Day too, but honestly I can’t remember what we did – other than sweat as we were still getting used to the heat here in Dar). We didn’t really go anywhere or do anything special this year either, mostly because Obama was in town. It was kind of ironic that the US President was visiting Dar es Salaam where we happen to be, on Canada Day. It kind of stole the thunder for the day. The whole city basically shut down. Several major roads were closed, many people didn’t (or couldn’t) work because of the President’s visit. So we just took Ezra to daycare for the morning as usual – thankfully his school is the opposite direction from town, and the upside was no traffic that morning. 🙂 While Ezra was at school we decided to take a few hours and relax at the beach and after that we just came home and hung out. My hubby attempted to get to the office the next day (yesterday) but had to wait about half an hour while the road was closed and Obama eventually passed. So at least he can say he “saw” Obama (more accurately he saw the President’s car along with his fleet of about 20 other vehicles pass at about 60 KPH). I will say I am very thankful for Obama’s visit if for no other reason than we got many of the potholes in the roads fixed. I just wish the President would have been passing by our street on his visit, so they could pave our road or at the very least leveled it! Oh well. I choose to be thankful that at least the potholes in the major roads are fixed, for the time being. It just shows that it’s possible! If Obama visited every year, in a few years this city would be like a different place 😉

Ezra enjoyed his Canada Day stickers and we just enjoyed each other’s company. I also skyped with some family on Monday so that was nice. All in all, although we didn’t do anything “official” for Canada’s Day, we had a nice day.

I am very thankful to be where we are but I am also very thankful to come from where I do. Canada is a wonderful country. We are blessed in so many ways and I just hope that we continue as a country and as individuals, to use our blessings to be a blessing to others around us and around the world.

What did you do for Canada day this year?

Why are you proud to be Canadian? – here’s my list…

Top Ten Reasons I’m proud to be a Canadian

1. The good reputation (polite, considerate, generous, nice and any other “good” thing you can think of).
2. As Canadians we enjoy one of the highest “qualities of life” in the world.
3. We are a blessed country, filled with natural resources and beauty.
4. “Free” healthcare and education. (I know we pay for it in our taxes but I still appreciate not paying school fees or paying to receive treatment).
5. Multiculturalism – Toronto is the most multicultural city in the world and Canada is home to immigrants from all over the globe.
6. Peace and safety.
7. Maple syrup, need I say more?
8. We have four distinct seasons (I’m not a winter enthusiast but I do love the changing of seasons and I miss that).
9. Tim Hortons – While I’m not the biggest fan of their coffee I still enjoy the establishment (mostly the Timbits), meanwhile when we were in Canada my Kenyan Hubby became addicted. 😉
10. The term, “eh” – it’s uniquely Canadian and I have to say, in my humble Canadian opinion (not wanting to offend our American friends) it’s better than “huh.”