Well it has been a day!

 Well it has certainly been a day (or two). Since yesterday, I have walked/hitched a ride from Crofton to Nanaimo. There I caught the ferry to the mainland. From there I took a bus to the skytrain, and then the skytrain to the Best Western Hotel. Today I was up at 5. I sat in my motel room where I had internet and I networked all morning. (Social services back in Ontario, etc,..). I then took a taxi to the airport, a plane to Toronto. A bus to Brampton and then the GO train here into Guelph. To say I am exhausted would be an understatement. I am still homeless,... but I am home.

Now if I wanted to I could write about all the bad stuff I went through in the past 2 days. And believe me ~ it was horrible. I would not wish on my worst enemy what I have been through. But instead, I would rather talk about the people of Canada. And to say ~ they are awesome. I could not have done all that I did over the past few days without the help of so many people. Not just my angels, but strangers. 

When I walked to Nanaimo I was picked up by a really nice kid. (ok probobly 30'ish but to me thats a kid). Just out of the goodness of his heart he saw me and stopped. Then heard my story and then drove me to the ferry himself. He not only drove me - he bought me breakfast. He really was a kind person. 

When I got to the ferry, a cop sat down with me and showed me all kinds of support when I got to Vancouver. He let me know where to go (take the skytrain into the city) and where NOT to go. He chatted with me for about 20 minutes!

I was really turned around on what to do and where to go when we boarded the ferry. A really nice woman showed me everything. And then what to do once I got off. I am not familiar with Vancouver at all so she was really quite helpful.

When I got to the Best Western, I only had a debit/Visa card which I knew would be trouble. They couldn't accept it. I nearly fell to the floor and wept. But I called around for help. And Kirk used his own credit card for me to book a room at the Best Western. I was so grateful I could have cried. Not many people would do that. AND I called him on Vancouver time so he was already in bed. He still helped.

Just navigating all the trains I had to take was confusing. Luckily I am a friendly person and will ask people. So many took the time to tell me which direction to go,... one woman even took the time to walk with me to make sure I got to my gate. People saw me struggling with my luggage and walker and so many stopped to help. All the way back home to Toronto I would have been absolutely lost had it not been for the kind people who helped me. Noone said no when I asked. Right up until I got here to the motel where the clerk at the front desk carried my walker up the stairs because there was no elevator. 

THIS is where I love Canada. Forget all my ranting and complaining about the government. Thats a whole different entity. I am talking about the every day people in our country. From Toronto to Vancouver I met with so many great and kind people. Not just a few. MANY. I don't know if I would have got the help and kindness I did if I lived in a different Country. But here in Canada? People are brilliant and I am proud to be one of them.

I may be homeless and down and out but I can still find gratitude when so many people cared to help me. I never would have made it back home here if not for the brilliant folks in this country. Polite? Of course we are polite. Always. But we are more than that. CanadiNare good people. 

Very proud to be a Canadian today.