A man and his dog in Downtown Vancouver | Photo by aliphoto2007, Flickr
I come from a small island where summer lasts 365 days, the sun shines all year round, and life is calm and mellow. The grass is always greener on the other side of the meadow, so goes the famous saying. Leaving a third-world country to embrace the North American continent holds much promise – a flat hierarchy is more harmonious than a pyramidal one. Utopia, my brain echoes! But, I am going to do like the ostriches and hide away from disappointment.
Yes, I have been hit by culture shock after roaming the city. I have laughed, cried and surfed on the waves of optimism, but I have also buried my head deep in my pillow and hibernated over the winter months.
On Thanksgiving Day, recipes for the feast’s leftovers flooded my Facebook page – turkey sandwiches were a hot favourite. I could not help but feel a pinch in my heart while thinking of the homeless people in the city centre. According to my faith, Thanksgiving also means sharing. I am thinking of the long winter months and the courage of those people who will brace the winter chill and snow.
Yet, all human beings on earth or other planets (yes, there are probably other inhabited planets, but that’s another subject of discussion) have the same needs. I have witnessed such touching scenes along Granville Street, including images that have painted in my mind the message that we need only to share love. I saw a young man hugging his dog tightly in his arms, both of them sound asleep and not even caring that their woollen blanket had slid off. The world was in full swing around them, business flourished and the problems of the world continued on. Our eyes are acclimatized to these images and no longer hurt at such scenes.
Yet, a web of solidarity is woven in the midst of this colourful social mix. The contrast is sharp. The Canadian culture offers a beautiful example of support while lending an ear. The food bank is a blissful sight. The organization is so well organized. The long line-up of low-income users shows people of various cultural backgrounds. They delight in the products set out on the service tables. This is a place where continents meet and where the African-Canadian stands together with the Caucasian-Canadian without any judgment being cast. The freshness of the products, be it salads, breads (including pastries) and vegetables, is similar to what is offered in supermarkets. It is worth noting that many of the latter graciously donate their leftovers and surpluses. As I probe further, I discover that out of respect for cultural differences, a separate food bank caters exclusively to the Islamic community that consume halal products (meat purified by Islamic prayers).
The weeks have gone by since Thanksgiving. The countdown to Christmas and the New Year has started – fundraising too! Numerous organizations have set out boxes to collect new blankets and socks for the less fortunate. This kindness is an honorable gesture against the coldness of winter.
