Canada: Better Than the Bahamas

Living in Canada has far more advantages than living in the Bahamas. Most people would probably be surprised with that statement, but it is true.

The Bahamas is noted for its endless days of sun and mild weather. How boring! Variety is the spice of life and living in Canada is a veritable spice cupboard. For example, as April is drawing to a close, it is still snowing in Calgary. Next week the forecast is for 20 degrees Centigrade, with only a 50 percent possibility of another foot of snow. How exciting! In fact the weather office in Calgary has recorded snowfall in EVERY month of the year. The unpredictability of the weather offers the same high as watching to see if the lucky lottery numbers match your ticket numbers.

The Bahamas is almost insect-free. An occasional fly, stopping to rest on its journey from Haiti to Florida, or a few ants looking for lunch, are the only pests. In Canada, it is soon going to be Musk-E-Toe season. During the summer the country is held hostage by billions of blood sucking insects that prevent residents from risking sunburn or sunstroke by forcing them to remain indoors. Not only do they help us avoid heat prostration but the large ones can be shot and grilled on the Barby. How’s that for a big plus? Musk-E-Toe burgers will soon by competing with soy and tofu as an alternative food source.

The Bahamas are surrounded by turquoise colored warm water, with gentle waves lapping up onto endless sandy beaches. Again, seemingly lovely but very boring. Canada has coastal waters as well, but they are really blessed with crystal clear glacier fed lakes. On the one week in July that the lakes are ice free, hardy Canadians swim, water-ski and canoe in the frigid waters. A bracing five-minute swim stimulates the blood flow, invigorates the heart and tints the entire body a soft pastel blue color. A summer swim in Canada can conjure up the same excitement as falling off of a whaling boat in the Antarctic. A swim in the Bahamas certainly can’t claim that kind of thrill!

I rest my case. The Bahamas can only provide boring sun, sand, warm azure waters and an insect free holiday. Canada on the other hand can treat you to fours seasons in a day, new gourmet delights and the chance to witness your entire life flash before your eyes during a healthy summer swim.

If I had to make a choice, I would pick Canada. In fact, I am returning there next week to test my hypothesis. My mind is also coming with me.