Oh Canada

It's another almost full day at sea. There's more Bingo with Brian and the kids in the morning. Watching people play Bingo is like watching paint dry. I have earned a free Bloody Mary from the Cruise Director as I am the quickest to raise my hand to be called on to check the Bingo machine to make sure everything is Kosher before the game begins. Woo hoo - let's hear it for long arms and quick reflexes. Bring on the drying paint.

Julia and I head up to the gym to stretch a bit and work on some Tae Kwon Do forms in front of the mirrors. Taeguek 4 on a moving ship isn't easy. The gym is full - which is a bit surprising. The gym has been full the whole cruise. People trying to work off all that eating, I suppose. It's also one of the warmest places on the boat, as the open air pools and even the covered pool areas are cold. I am struck by the presence of television monitors on the treadmills (like the ones at the gym at home): the treadmills face out to the ocean. The monitors obscure the amazing view. Why would you choose to watch TV with such a spectacular view in front of you? Head scratcher, that.

Back to the lounge and some more ballroom! An hour of review of all the dances to date, and since we've missed all lessons but one, it's almost all new to us. I have a fantastic time - and really enjoy myself. Brian is very indulging. Cute Italian (half nekkid talent show act) crewmember happens to be teaching the Zumba class next. Why, yes, of course I'd like to stay for it, thanks! I dodge in an out of the masses - most of whom are rhythmically challenged. Halfway through getting repeatedly hit on the floor, I decide I've had enough.

We get lunch and I force the kids to go to the nature talk by Nature Guy Mike. Nature Guy Mike lives off the land in Alaska. Very natural, Nature Guy Mike. But I swear he either dyes his hair or has plugs, and his face has a certain Barry Manilow quality. His talk topic is of native peoples - of which he is not, by the way. He tells some interesting stories, and basically asserts that women need to take back the managing of the planet as the men have screwed it up. I take a wee nap during the talk - a fact that doesn't escape Aidan, who is not happy that I have dragged him here.

As we are leaving the ship early tomorrow morning, everyone needs to be packed by tonight. No small feat for the kids as their closet is a disaster. The packing extravaganza Part II begins and with all 6 of us helping (me directing/barking orders) we get it done quickly. A buffet dinner at the food court is next - we will miss the dining room tonight as we are docking in Victoria this evening. We only have a few hours tonight in Victoria. The signs and flags in the buffet remind us (again) that it's Canada Day. We've been counseled, several times throughout the day, that Victoria will be crowded (with more than just the two docked cruise boat tourists) and that walking into to town and back is our best bet (Technically, we've been counseled to purchase shuttle tickets from the cruise line excursion desk. The walk to downtown is about a mile and we decide that walking is better aka cheaper.)

After finding our way on to Canadian soil, we set off to find the downtown area and a visitor's centre to get some information on what, if anything, is still open. It's 8:30 pm by now - and the ship departs at 11:30 pm- not a lot of time in Victoria. Brian wants to see "The Castle." I have no desire to walk the 3 miles (yes, miles....I don't do km) and be back in time to see the fireworks for the Canada Day celebration. There is some discussion about what Canada Day actually signifies. I'm sure wikipedia knows. I do not. I'm pretty sure it's *not* Independence. I have to be a little careful here, as I am related to some Canadians. I have to balance a fine line between mocking and appreciating the country - don't want to start a family feud or anything, eh?

As far as I can tell from (probably) beautiful Victoria, BC - Canada Day is about dressing up in red and white - or just wearing a full size Canadian flag if you can get your hands on one - and walking around the streets drinking, smoking and hanging on to your friends. The streets are full with very loud and drunk young Canadians, proudly sporting their country's colors (and writing all over themselves in red lipstick.) There are some families who have come out to stake a place to watch the fireworks, but it mostly resembles a rowdy Rose Parade route on New Year's Eve circa 1989. Julia doesn't like all the people smoking - nor do I - and the crowds of drunken people are overwhelming when trying to keep ahold of a squirmy 8 year old. Brian and Colin take off for "The Castle" (a big stone house, I'm told later) and the three younger kids and myself make our way through the crowds and back to the ship. No real sightseeing. No souvenir shopping. Just weaving through the drunk people. I haven't been able to get ahold of the Dulacs - cell phone coverage? Not so cheap and easy in Canada - and I'm guessing that they are out here somewhere. [They end up staying for the fireworks. They have a different experience than we do: most of their kids "appreciate" the sight of drunk, half-dressed girls wearing "Kiss Me, I'm Canadian" ripped shirts.]

Back on the ship, we get some dessert and sit on the wrong side of the boat to eat it - we miss most of the fireworks. We're told that they weren't all that great. Not like Disneyland fireworks or anything. We head to bed for our last night in our cabins. Back to land tomorrow. It's gone by too quickly, and I'm very sad to say goodbye to the constant supply of food.