Welcome to 2020!
Winter is different this year. Janet and I are playing at being Canadian snowbirds for a bit. Lazily whiling away a month in Panama City Beach Florida. Far from our Toronto digs.
We relax on the balcony, enjoying our view of the pure, white sand beach. Stretching across the horizon, the moody gulf waters toss and turn beneath a pale blue winter sky. There's a pleasant sea breeze. White caps. The thunderous, crashing waves.
It's a temperate 16 to 22 degrees Celsius. With lots and lots of white sand, instead of snow. I swim in the gulf when it's sunny. Otherwise am in the hot tub or pool. It's cheap and very nice, if not rather surreal, for us as lifetime Canucks, escaping the winter deep freeze.
We've always travelled a lot. Retirement has certainly made it easier for us to score some great last minute deals. This year, our winter travels have taken us to Japan. [LINK] And now the US. Cuba's next. In-between the occasional visit home. [LINK] And of course, come the nice weather, it's back to Land o' Lakes Ontario. [LINK]
So ironically, here we are now, two Canadian lefties. Plunking ourselves down for a month in Republican Florida's 2nd Congressional District Seat. During the age of Trump. In a land divided. As impeachment hysteria builds. It's highly uncertain what happens next, to say the least.
Picture this: The Donald won here by a landslide in 2016. The GOP want to defund the Department of Education. Repeal the Affordable Health Care Act. They oppose a ban on semi-automatic weapons. And don't tolerate protesters or town hall meetings either.
Panama Beach City is as Trump Republican as it gets, for us at least! The subtle hints that we are deep in Trumpland south are everywhere! On t-shirt, book and magazine racks. On radio and TV. In casual conversation.
Quite frankly, we're waaaaaay out of our usual comfort zone. Like raging socialists in right wing la la land. Think Doug Ford's Neo cons are strictly looney tunes? Ha!
Sadly, it's become very, hard for us, as everyday Canadians, to wrap our head around the local politics south of our border. So much so, that we don't visit the US much anymore.
Next month is quite different. Another reality. Or way of seeing things. We're off to the 25th anniversary of the Toronto Friendship School, in Santiago de Cuba. [LINK]
Highly doubt we'll run into any Trumpster's there, eh!
Stay tuned for more of my travel blogs and updates from on the road, in the daze ahead. And check out my photos and travel notes. I'm posting them regularly on twitter @
COMMENTS
So ironically, here we are now, two Canadian lefties. Plunking ourselves down for a month in Republican Florida's 2nd Congressional District Seat. During the age of Trump. In a land divided. As impeachment hysteria builds. It's highly uncertain what happens next, to say the least.
Picture this: The Donald won here by a landslide in 2016. The GOP want to defund the Department of Education. Repeal the Affordable Health Care Act. They oppose a ban on semi-automatic weapons. And don't tolerate protesters or town hall meetings either.
Panama Beach City is as Trump Republican as it gets, for us at least! The subtle hints that we are deep in Trumpland south are everywhere! On t-shirt, book and magazine racks. On radio and TV. In casual conversation.
Quite frankly, we're waaaaaay out of our usual comfort zone. Like raging socialists in right wing la la land. Think Doug Ford's Neo cons are strictly looney tunes? Ha!
Sadly, it's become very, hard for us, as everyday Canadians, to wrap our head around the local politics south of our border. So much so, that we don't visit the US much anymore.
The long and short of it all?
We aren't saying boo as we trip about. Just breath deep. Smile a lot instead.
It's been fairly easy! Happily, most everybody is very pleasant and nice to us. That's what matters most, on this relaxing January escape to warmer climes. While we just enjoy the gulf's natural splendour!
We aren't saying boo as we trip about. Just breath deep. Smile a lot instead.
It's been fairly easy! Happily, most everybody is very pleasant and nice to us. That's what matters most, on this relaxing January escape to warmer climes. While we just enjoy the gulf's natural splendour!
Next month is quite different. Another reality. Or way of seeing things. We're off to the 25th anniversary of the Toronto Friendship School, in Santiago de Cuba. [LINK]
Highly doubt we'll run into any Trumpster's there, eh!
Stay tuned for more of my travel blogs and updates from on the road, in the daze ahead. And check out my photos and travel notes. I'm posting them regularly on twitter @
COMMENTS
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