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What? Canada is becoming Communist?
Things you have been told people say, but you never think you will hear with your own ears in a remote marina in South America.
75+ countries, 8+ years of full-time travel and not once have I visited a communist country, but I do know a thing or two about them. I will never pretend to be an expert, however I have held a lot of space with people who have lived in communist countries and those who have fled. Communism as it manifests is bad.
Will’s parents were born in Cuba and in their teens they left because of the communist regime. His mom never saw her father again and it was years before she and her sister saw their mother, my MIL was just 16. My FIL left Cuba, then went back to fight against the regime with the Bay of Pigs, was captured and imprisoned for two years, returned to the US and was permanently injured in the Vietnam war. He almost died. During our first year of travel Avalon interviewed my MIL about her story for a school project. Her words were haunting and her heart broken for her beloved Cuba. This is all I will share about their story as it is their story to tell, not mine. However, I thought it was important for context. I do understand what communism is, the dark and sad underbelly of it has touched people I love.
One morning last week I made small talk with our new marina neighbor as he sauntered down the dock to check himself and his family into Colombia. We discussed homeschooling and his disdain for it, their 3 months onboard as new sailors and then I asked “how long do you plan on being out here?” His response as he entered the marina office and before the door closed in front of me, “forever, Canada is becoming too communist for me.” The glass door wobbled back and forth and I stood their dumbfounded before I proceeded on to my destination. Did I really just hear a middle aged man speak such completely inaccurate information in front of his two impressionable teens and to a complete stranger? I sure did.
We have been out here traveling for a very long time and after a 5 minute conversation we can tell who will last and who will be home in under a year. We can tell who is here for enlightenment, growth and exposure to other cultures. And we can tell who is out here to suck the life out of any local they meet in a developing country, complain it is not like home and only surround themselves with people from their country or continent. But, in all these years we have never met anyone who has left a westernized country because they think it is going communist. I laugh out loud a bit when I write this because that statement sounds so ridiculous. All you have to do is Google what Communism is and one can deduct Canada is far, far from it.
I understand there is an immense lack of global historical education in North America, but with YouTube and all the social media at our fingertips one should clearly know what Communism is and the steps within a government that can lead to a country adopting it. I remember the day I sat with a family member and they compared the enforcement of wearing mask that protect people to the genocide of the Holocaust. I was dumbfounded and did my best to educate this individual on the Holocaust. We spent an entire school year studying the Holocaust and visiting camps in Europe, believe me when I tell you that the 7 million who died would have been grateful if all they were asked to do was wear a mask to protect others. Google is our friend, we can learn so much about so much by just searching before we open our mouths to complete strangers.
I am not going to go on a thorough explanation of communism and how it is not coming for us in the form of more liberal leaders in the United States and Canada, but what I am going to say is that communism does not allow anyone to sell it all and take off on a boat to sail the world, not even close. So, if indeed Canada was becoming too communist Mr. “I’m out of here,” would likely still be sitting in his home (if he was still allowed to own it) brainstorming his best strategy to get himself and his family out with a bit more than the shirts on their back before it was too late. He would not be spewing inaccuracies along the dock in Cartagena, he would be dreaming of that life of freedom.
I share this today as a reminder to all of us (me included), just because someone says it, that does not mean it is true. Whether it is a blowhard walking on the dock next to me in Colombia or Aunt Gerdy in Idaho and her commentary on how dangerous xyz country (that you are about to visit) is. Google and find the answers for yourself. Where is your next big adventure?
Would love to hear my Canadian audience weigh in on this one in the comments.
*this will be a topic discussed in greater detail on one of our future podcasts.
Avalon at Hero Round Table
This was her very first, BIG speaking engagement and it could not have been for a better mission. Heroism with Hero Round Table! This is what happens when you leave the normal of the masses and create your own normal…your kids grow up authentically as who they are meant to be and they are good humans. Empathy is natural, we just beat it out of the young with all the blah, blah and more blah.
To watch Avalon the magical you can click this link and go to 2:00:55 minutes. She shares her thoughts on human connection and empathy. Please give her some love in the comments over on YouTube. This will likely be the first of many.
NYC Girls Trip! We love boys, but no boy allowed.
We are considering offering our first USA trip and our first Ladies Only in the spring. If you are interested in joining us in NYC please give us 2 minutes of your thoughts on this quick survey. If you want to be on the early registration list email us.
Thank you for being here. Thank you for your contributions. Drop your comments below. Ask those questions. What do you want me to chat about here?
xoxo,
Jessica
To learn more about us, our mission and our business you can visit us at WorldTowning. To view our most recent group trip offerings head on over to WorldTowningvoyages.com. If you are interested in booking a coaching session in an effort to realize your travel dream, schedule it here. If you want to follow the travels of our WorldTowning family, you can find us on YouTube, Instagram, Facebook, TikTok