Cherie Thiessen - Travel Writer

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Lorenzo

"Letter from Africa"

Today I received word that our South African friend, Lorenzo, had died. The call came in the morning, in the middle of an icy blast of wind that encircled the shivering house, and just as the sun began to climb over Fernwood hill.

His wife and constant companion, Jane, informed me in a controlled, steady voice. He had died at 5am South African time. She didn't ask for compassion and she certainly didn't need my tears so I banished them to that waiting place. A part of me already expected that phone call. I new because the day before a large bird had flown into the front porch - a crow.

"Light a candle", Jane said.    more...

"Letter from Pender"

So I was cursing this slow driver in front of me, riding his bumper and preparing to give him the finger when it suddenly hit me.  I can't afford to do that sort of thing on Pender Island.  People on an island have a way of coming around again.  The fellow I swear at today may be fixing my toilet tomorrow.  The kid who's jaywalking in front of me might be one of my husband's students.

Have you any idea of what it's like to never be able to give vent to your frustrations on the road?  To have to be a nice motorist all the time?  Not to be able to cut somebody off, terrorize a grandmother, shake your fist at a kid?  And imagine having to be nice everywhere - not just on the road.  I mean smiling when you buy the milk, when you pick up the newspaper, when you go for the mail, because wherever you go, people are going to know you.    more...

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