Found in Translation
My English knowledge was equivalent to that of a
country "pumpkin" when I arrived in Vancouver in May of 1979.
I was a young bride from Switzerland. With me I had two suitcases full
of clothes. And a dictionary.
Not all my language problems could be solved, not all culture gaps bridged with the dictionary.
My physician raised his eye brows when I requested a "recipe" for my birth control pills. It was not possible to order a "season-ticket" for the Vancouver Sun.
Our first camping trip brought us to Harrison Lake. We watched a young couple launch their boat. The man smiled at us and said, "Nice day, eh?" Five minutes later, we, my new husband and I, received an invitation for a boat ride. Unheard of in Switzerland! At their cabin, our new Canadian friends asked if we wanted to stay for a bonfire and some "hot dogs." Shocked, I looked at my husband who laughed and explained that were offered wieners.
We learned Canadians don’t necessarily raise rabbits for food and we should give up the search for a juicy horse steak...
Published in The Canadian Immigrant, 2005 www.thecanadianimmigrant.com
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