A lady named Karen picked us up from the Calgary airport – which, by the way, is home to much friendlier custom agents than the Toronto airport. (No cavity search this time.) Karen works for Compassion International Canada. Let’s call her Compassion Canada Karen for the duration of this post shall we? Eh? Just for alliteration’s sake.
Compassion Canada Karen is now officially one of my favorite Compassion employees ever anywhere in the world. For a few reasons. Firstly, she fed me. She paid the check. I like this in a person.
Secondly, Compassion Canada Karen laughs at my jokes. This I also like in a person.
Thirdly, she taught us a lot about Canada, like, for starters, Canadians don’t have to pull their teeth out with pliers, however, Alberta’s government will not pay for a citizen’s eye exam under its universal healthcare system. It will buy you a sex change operation. Good to know. And, also, there are four political parties. And Canada is its own country but somehow still connected to the Queen of England. And Canadians eat both Canadian bacon and the yummy bacon too. Canadians call all fizzy drinks “pop.” Quebec is weird. Also, Canadians pay a lot of taxes: as much as 50%. Canada has a military with real guns and stuff and Canadians are angry at America for stealing their hockey players. These last two facts are not related to one another. I don’t think.
Fourthly, Compassion Canada Karen drove us an hour and a half to a small vowel-deficient town called Banff. Through lots of mountains. Not what Tennesseans call mountains. Real mountains. Lots of ‘em. Stunning mountains.
It was the perfect time of day for a drive.
The sun was low in the sky.
Everything looked painted. Too colorful to be real.
Once in Banff, we stopped at a gift shop/cafe and noted the irony of selling swimsuits emblazoned with hockey team logos.
And then noted the irony of a swimming pool on top of a snow-covered mountain. Is that irony or just weird? Or just painful? Someone call Alanis.
Anyway, no work today. Just a lot of flying and driving. Busy day tomorrow though: I’ll speak at three church services and then play a concert and hang out with Karen a lot more. I hope.
Um, wow. Gorgeous.
Lucky you! The pics are BEAUTIFUL, and I’d love to visit Canada some day. Enjoy and God bless you on your Compassion efforts!
Shaun,
Good for Karen. She is showing you REAL Canada. Banff is one of the most beautiful places on earth. I hope you enjoy. Maybe you are finished playing already, but what churches?? I would be there in a hearbeat!
Angel Smith Oshust
Former Tylerite
It is beautiful there, but that story. . . .OUCH!!!
We are at First Assembly Church (http://www.fachurch.com) in Calgary this morning for 3 services.
We are at Park Meadows Baptist Church in
Lethbridge this evening at 7pm.
Ooooh! I love Calgary! I have been to apallingly few international cities in my life, but I have been to Calgary and Banff was my favorite part of the trip! Can’t wait to hear more about it!
I went to Banff about a decade ago and it is beautiful. It’s also kinda weird because I live within 15 miles of Northwestern College as well. Anyways, those hot springs up on the mountain are really nice, and yes, the whole place looks amazing. We only drove through Calgary, but I saw some of the places where the shot Cool Runnings from my car.
Every picture I have seen of Banff looks like a painting, and these pics are no exception. I will have to visit there someday.
You seriously thought we pull out our teeth with pliers? Nasty. Karen was wise to take you to Banff. You may not have had such a glowing report of this country had she taken you on a road trip to Saskatchewan*. Way to go Karen!
*Disclaimer: yes, Sask. is beautiful in it’s own way, but really REALLY flat.
You’re in my town. Wanted to go hear you speak this morning but have sick babies and couldn’t drag em with me.
Banff is awesome. Glad you got to see it.
I am following you as you get ready for the new trip!! Love the update from Canada!!
Love Love LOVED the show in Lethbridge!
Thank you Shaun for using you gifts and talents to honour God and those less fortunate.
Keep on keepin’ on for Him!
Hey—this shlog-ing thing is pretty cool! I’m so thrilled that you enjoyed our little piece of Canada – but I can assure you, not even half as much as the Canadians you’ve met this trip enjoyed and LOVE YOU! Thanks Shaun & Ben for coming to Alberta in Feb. (gotta like those Chinooks – God must really love you whimpy Tennessee boys)! Please promise to come back soon. ** Disclaimer ** I can’t leave short voice messages and apparently not blog posts either! I’ll work on that.
Honeymooned in Banff – beautiful. Sounds like a great trip, for many reasons.