We have arrived in Winnipeg, Ontario for two-weeks of study at the Canadian School of Peacebuilding run by Canadian Mennonite University.  We were sent by MCC along with eight Egyptians from partner organizations.  It has been a full and enriching time thus far, and we will be sure to write about the courses in more detail soon.  But for now permit us to share a few observations about a homeland from which we had been absent for over two years:

Canadians are Friendly
We have spent so much of the last 2+ years writing about the kindness of Egyptians.  Before arriving in Winnipeg we wondered what it would feel like to again move about Canadian society.  We are happy to say that we have been amazed by the polite friendliness of Canadians.  The warmth here seems to come in more reserved and subtle ways, but it is most certainly there, and has been a most striking feature of our return home.
  
Evening outdoor meal with fellow students.
Taking in the greenest time of year during the longest days of the year.

Quiet and Spacious
"Are the streets always this empty?" Wanda asked our cab driver as we made our way from the airport to the University Campus.  "Yes," the driver replied, relating to our surprise having himself recently immigrated from India.  We simply cannot believe the wide streets and ample sidewalk space.  And who knew traffic lines were not purely decorative!?  No honking, no shouts of bread vendors, few people in the streets… we feel a world away from Egypt.


The old criticism of Winnipeg is that it is frigid in the winter, and mosquito-infested in the summer.  We can definitely attest to the latter, though at least the mosquitoes here have only a fraction of the stealthy quickness of their Egyptian brethren.

The Colour Green
Canada's most defining trait must be its natural beauty.  Flying over Quebec, Ontario and Manitoba I could almost not believe the endless sprawl of lakes and trees.  What Egyptians would give to have even a 1/100th of the fresh water we enjoy!  Indeed June is a fine time to be in Canada, as leaves seem to blanket environs wherever we look.

Regardless of the mosquitoes, we have loved Winnipeg.  The extensive green spaces and forests here are simply amazing.  Frequent encounters with gorgeous white-tailed deer only add to the city's beauty.

Vehicles are Huge
In Egypt the cars are usually small, dusty and pockmarked with dents.  The SUVs and trucks in Canada look like they could eat their Eastern counterparts for breakfast (or at least take their oil).  Where are all the motorbikes and people crammed in microbuses?  Some of the automobiles in Winnipeg are downright Brobdingnagian in appearance!

A wonderful boat ride on the Assiniboine River, helping all the 
Egyptians to feel a bit more at home.

Canada is diverse
We often tell our students about how diverse North America is.  But I think over the months and years we came to forget just how assorted Canada's population really is.  It seems like every land is represented in the city of Winnipeg alone.  We have already had a number of fun Arabic encounters, and people's initial bewilderment at our speaking Egyptian Arabic is priceless. 

Wanda and our new friend Mona.

On our first night in Winnipeg we went with the other Egyptians to Shopper's Drugmart to buy a few things.  Upon entering the large store I quickly went to the back to ask the pharmacist a question.  Immediately when I saw her I thought "she looks Egyptian."  When she replied to my question her English accent struck me as completely familiar.  And when she finally came closer I saw her nametag said Mona- a common name for women in Egypt. 

"Hadritik Masriyya (Are you Egyptian)?" I asked her as she emerged from behind the counter.  "Aywa (Yes)," she replied, with a perplexed smile on her face.  We began to talk, and were eventually joined by all eight Egyptians who were in the store.  It even turned out that the pharmacist and one of the Egyptians with us had lived in neighbouring homes in Shobra, Cairo!  It was a happy encounter that everyone relished greatly.  Only in Canada!