Canadians Choosing Canada JE 1
BC Ferries - Departure Bay to Tsawwassen, BC
Meet the Bairds. Janine and Jan Baird are travelling from Ontario, revisiting destinations they have loved as they start to travel again, namely Vancouver Island. We shared a ferry and travel motivations.
I completed my west coast tour on Vancouver Island and arrived to BC Ferries early, got settled quickly on the boat and made my way to the outdoor deck to grab a seat and bask in morning sun. I love riding the ferry – any ferry – any boat on the water to gaze and reflect, watching for sea creatures and dreamy shorelines. I also enjoy people watching, imaging where people are from and trying to read how their day is unfolding.
As other passengers arrived, I noted a young couple finding a seat and of the beautiful, sunny orange jacket that the young woman wore (looks flourescent pink in the photo). Moreover, I noticed her deep smile, like I was witnessing someone on their inaugural boat ride – her joy resonated with my own.
After a walk around on the Spirit of Vancouver Island Ferry, I grabbed a coffee and sat outside in the sun, only to find the orange-jacket passenger doing laps, her smile still radiating. On her second tour, I stopped her – inspired to share how her smile inspired.
Me: Excuse me, I just had to share how I noticed your giant smile and amazingly bright, joy-orange coat. Clearly you are enjoying this experience.
I explained to her who I was, my journey and that I was talking to other travellers about their adventures and why they chose Canada for their travel
Her: Oh thank you. I am so happy to be on the ocean. We are from Ontario and I work in health care. We believe Canada is safe for travel again and with health care available to us across the country, we wanted to come back to a place we have loved.
Janine and Jan had not travelled for 2.5 years and her smile reflected joy for travel, rest and relief for time off, love of the ocean and island living. Their choice reflecting rest, adventure and staying safe re: health care access and a sentiment that Canada is safer for now, for travel.
Moral of the Story:
Orange – the color of joy, hope and happiness.
Travel – the color of joy, hope and happiness.
#connectingpeople
#coastalsalish