I was once a proud Canadian

What is it about a jacket anyway?

Back in 2016, every time I wore C-A-N-A-D-A on my back, I’d start a conversation – it didn’t matter where I was. I had my Canada jacket on and that somehow pulled people towards me: I was a tourist magnet for strangers, and why I always wore it while traveling. People would start conversations out of nowhere: “hey, you’re from Canada, were you on the team?” I’d laugh, flash a big smile “of course!”, I’d say jokingly. Depending on my mood, I’d like to fool the stranger, often an American, who then would ask “which sport did you play?” I’d play along, and say “ah, figure skating, Vancouver 2010!” I’d give them a wink hoping they’d realize the truth, secretly admiring the compliment as I found it so funny. My jacket became a magnet for conversations: with strangers at Starbucks, ticket counters, on trains, in getting my luggage tucked while looking for my seat, with bus drivers, on a walk at a park, eating at restaurants, exploring a museum. I would carefully preserve, one of m…