My summer of 2019 began with a day of history. On June 21, 2019, from my post in the Caribbean, I sat and waited for it all to happen: the Accessible Canada Act became law. It was definitely worth the wait. When it was done, I wept for joy, looked skywards and thanked God for this very special day. I toasted the Trudeau government, Prime Minister Trudeau and Minister Qualtrough, but most of all I raised my glass to my dearly departed friend Chris, who would have been so proud to share those precious moments. Finally, Canada had done right by Canadians with special needs.
A month later, Mom and I headed off to sweet St. Lucia for our annual ten-day getaway. At least once a year, I force myself to take a vacation away from my office, and this is it: no emails to read and no ringing phones to interrupt my peace and quiet. I can actually hear myself think and breathe, read a book and listen to the sounds of nature.
Day One on Our Balcony
On the morning of July 18, day one, Mom and I sat together on our balcony at about half past nine. I asked her what she could see. Mountains, she said, and the ocean in front, with the yachts. I could hear the doves, and a slight breeze was blowing through the palm trees. It was a warm day, and we thought we might have some rain.
The next morning, I sat on the balcony by myself while Mom had her shower. I could hear the birds, the air was fresh and cool, and I thought I could hear some boats out there on the water. I told my recorder that I was really enjoying what I was doing: just sitting, listening and recording.
Doves on the Lawn and a Kiskadee in the Palm
On July 20, a Saturday, Mom told me that the doves were feeding on the lawn. I wondered out loud what they were looking for. Worms? Mom thought it could be little insects, or little droppings from the trees. Whatever it was, she said, they seemed to be enjoying themselves.
Then she spotted a kiskadee going into the palm tree. Kiskadees live in the palm trees, she told me. We did not hear this one going “kiskadee,” though, only the doves. We had also seen a few cats that morning.
On Sunday, July 21, Mom told me about a ginger cat with a white belly on the lawn. Somebody picked him up and then put him back down. The boats were very near the shore, and I wondered whether they were selling fruits. Not yet, Mom said. We had a nice breakfast, although the cocoa was not the best. That’s okay. Two doves were on the lawn, picking at their worms. It was a nice, quiet day.
Where Are the Birds?
This trip, the birds kept us guessing. On July 22, Mom had not seen any birds moving at all, and I wanted to catch one singing before I stopped recording. “Come on,” I said. Then the breeze started to rise, the butterflies were around, and at last Mom saw the doves coming.
On July 23, at ten minutes to nine, Mom watched gulls circling over the ocean. We wondered why. Maybe they were attracted by fish, I thought. Otherwise, there was not a bird in sight, no dogs, nothing at all. “Maybe we’re too early,” Mom said, so I decided that tomorrow we would try a little later.
The next morning, I got an early start at about half past six. Mom was inside saying her prayers and getting things ready for the day, so I sat alone, listening to the sea rumbling away and to the birds.
Crab Holes, but No Crabs
On July 25, the bay was full of boats, and nobody was stirring. On our way back from breakfast that morning, we found two crab holes in the grass, but no crabs. “No crabs out, no birds out,” Mom said. Everything was quiet. I wished the breeze would come out a little, but it was so still.
One morning that year, I woke up to Mom telling me that she had found a crawling bug on the floor close to our front door. I have always been petrified of crawling insects. It did not matter that she told me she had killed the poor thing. I walked around very gingerly in my slippers after that!
Our Final Morning
On July 26, the final day of our visit, the usual boats were in the bay, and we were getting a nice breeze. But no birds were out yet. “Where are my birds?” I asked. “Take it easy,” Mom told me. “It’s still going to be a nice day.” So we relaxed and got ready to go.
I closed my diary with a promise: “2019, and we’ll see you again in 2020.”
Life Without the Internet
Being without the Internet in St. Lucia is both a drawback and a relief. A relief, because I do not have to keep up with emails. A drawback, because I cannot keep up with the latest news, follow my favourite sports teams or chat on FaceTime with friends and associates. As they say, one cannot have it both ways, and that is what makes life interesting!
Looking Back
I could not keep my promise. In 2020, the pandemic changed everything. It had always been our tradition for me to spend the summer with Mom and for the two of us to spend ten wonderful days in sweet St. Lucia every July. Unfortunately, not that year. By August 2020, I had not seen Mom since early January, and I had to settle for hearing her voice across the miles when we chatted by phone.
In January 2022, I wrote about how much I longed to see my sweet St. Lucia again: warm, friendly and welcoming, with its melodious music, yummy cuisine, sandy beaches and birds to treasure.
My podcast, Curb to Cabin Canada, is about what actually happens to blind and low-vision passengers when they fly, and each episode follows one part of the air travel journey, from the curb outside the terminal to the seat in the cabin.
Previous trip: England 2019
Next trip: Hawaii 2020
All of my trips: Travel Diaries
Donna J. Jodhan, LLB, ACSP, MBA
Global Leader In Disability Rights, Digital Accessibility, And Inclusive Policy Reform
Turning policy into progress for people with disabilities.
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