The Timtam Slam

Notes to keep people up to date...

- the Timtam slam appears to be an Australian invention. Earl and Lois brought greetings from Brad and Di to me in the form of Timtams. I think I may have overdosed on timtams in the past so I was intent to share, and in this case I got a lot more enjoyment from sharing then if I kept them to myself. After church last Sunday, with a bunch of Canadians and another aussie, I gave the run down on slamming the Timtam and the intense sensory overload of yumminess they provide. I don't think the intense sensory pleasure bit was taken too seriously, but as the shared cup of milo rounded the table the facial expressions were reasonably similar. The psyching up stage, the intense sucking of hot liquid through the bikkie, and then the wide eyed stunned moment of yumminess as the biscuit erupts in their mouths. Some people were frozen and silent, one girl almost seemed like she was crying, but she gave it a big thumbs up. I think this would have to rate as the highlight single moment in Canada so far. Very amusing. There were some photos taken, however Heidi was leaving for Scotland straight after that so I have to wait a few more weeks for evidence.

- I have found a good local church. It's located just over the river in the city. It's very down to earth. It's located in an area of the city pretty similar to West End in Brisbane. Loads of migrants, homeless people, lots of gardens and people that ride bikes. Very green and slightly shabby but in the most homely of ways. I quite like it. The church is a Baptist church and is focussed on loving the surrounding community, welcoming anyone and everyone. It's very real and earthy, and I like that. They do a lot of community focussed stuff through the week, like teaching english, providing a really good quality meal for the homeless once a week, having open pottery lessons, providing gardens for anyone who wants one. So someone without the space at home, or a home for that matter for a garden, can have a garden. The music's not refined, but it is a wonderful noise. To me the focus of the church is to love everyone whether they like you or hate you, for the reason that that's what we've been called to do. I like.

-for Shaney's 'Reputedly, Canadian women are the world's finest ' comment... some are, some aren't. Much like Australia. I think the bunch you meet travelling are a small population type of the whole. This place is very multicultural, and being so culturally diverse and accepting is a large part of at least Vancouver's identity. I'm speaking purely form only being in Vancouver. Most of my closest friends are not from Vancouver, either from outside Vancouver in small hickvilles :) or immigrants.

-Canadian trivia- courtesy of Chris Mitchell- put a circle around the maple leaf of the Canadian flag and it looks like two people looking at each other.
also... Canada's the second largest country in the world.

- Dave and Esther had a baby... AMberly Petra Adema

My time is up.