Baltimore to Halifax

Pearson Airport, Toronto, Canada. 8pm, 9/8/18

I was surprised when he kneeled down next to me.   Nevertheless, I pointed to the bottle he held in his left hand in such a manner to appear that I knew the difference between the two offerings when, in fact, I did not.

Amazingly, I had been bumped up to first class and the steward was offering me a choice of wine.  On bended knee no less as I shook off the thought that I didn't belong here.

The seats were wide and comfortable and the flight was to be just over an hour.  A perfect way to start my return journey to SeaBrook, my country home in Nova Scotia.

And even better, I had with me, the perfect companion -John Le Carre, in his novel "Our Game". Which much to my amazement and delight I had never read. Not even once.

I love to travel. Not totally sure why. I have some theories but I'll save those for another day. Although, this time, my love has been sorely tested.

Toronto is a huge busy airport. It took me 1 1/2 hours to get from the Baltimore arrival gate to the departure gate for Halifax.  You walk and walk and then stand unmovingly in line and then walk some more. Through seemingly endless lines of customs and security. And of course, you have to climb up the long escalator which is not moving while the down escalator flows smoothly.

Thank the Lord! I am young enough to do this with such grace and ease and nary a complaint.

And indeed all went well other than having to surrender my two organic apples to customs (I knew I was raising a red flag when I answered yes to the question about bringing in food) but I got to keep my carrots and muffins and nuts and a good thing that is as the gate attendant tells me there will be no meal on the next flight).

Enough trivia.  My most profound and revelatory thought here in Toronto?

How multicultural both travelers and staff are in this great airport, and how we all get along in spite of the effort and stress involved.  With an admirable degree of consideration and courtesy displayed amongst all us strangers.

Yes, this is Canada famous for politeness. So different from the fame its southern neighbor is garnering these days.

Maybe there's a lesson here for my angry, old, white countrymen south of the border who allow their leader to incite them to the benefit of no one but himself.   A lesson. no doubt, far easier to absorb for those of us who are fortunate to be able to explore beyond our borders and to see who and what's actually there.