Listeners: David, 22 years later, in Canada
“As an expat, you crave a connection to your homeland, and listening to these is like curling up under a warm blanket.”
David's been a Junkees Snack Champ from across the Pacific, sending Cheezies, Coffee Crisp and Crispy Crunch (2022), then more recently in A North American Episode.
He was born in Melbourne, travelled from Africa to Canada and found it hard to leave.
Here's David!
Why did you move from Australia to Canada?
It was never my intention to move to another country. After backpacking through Africa, I came to Canada to work and recoup some money in order to continue my travels via South America.
However, shortly after arriving on Vancouver Island I met a girl.
22 years and two kids in, I’m happy to report she is still putting up with me.
After 10 years on the west coast, mainly in Vancouver, we moved to the Toronto area in 2013 to be closer to her family.
I do miss the west coast, however we are close to the Great Lakes (Superior, Michigan, Huron, Erie, and Ontario) which could easily be mistaken for oceans.
I’m still yet to see South America.
What do people in Canada say when they find out you're Australian?
Although I’ve lived here for almost half my life now my Australian accent is still very strong, so it doesn’t take people long to figure out I’m not from these parts.
Luckily for me, we (Australian’s) still seem to have a very good reputation around the world and in this country, so the reaction is always positive.
The conversation almost always includes the obligatory question of “why would you leave Australia?”, quickly followed up with “I would love to go, but . . . the spiders!”
Where do you listen to The Junkees? Have you recommended them to any Canadian friends or told people there about Australian podcasts?
I’ve been listening to The Junkees, The Debrief, and Somehow Related since their release.
As an expat, you crave a connection to your homeland, and listening to these is like curling up under a warm blanket.
As a proud Australian and Melbournite, I’m constantly sharing all the things I love about Australia with my Canadian friends and family, whether it’s the pods, TV shows like Fisk, snacks such as CC’s (THE best corn chips), and Aussie Rules (carn the Hawks!)
What's something about Canada that's very hard to know or understand unless you live there?
The amount of weed stores!
Canada legalized cannabis back in 2018 and now there appears to be a ‘cannabis dispensary’ on every corner, selling everything from dried flower and pre-rolled joints to vapes, edibles and drinks, (or so they tell me).
The Canadians seem to have a very relaxed attitude when it comes to weed; perhaps due to the amount of weed they are consuming
What are some crazy things you’ve seen? How’s the mood at the moment?!
I’ve never seen the county so united as it is now.
Since His MAGA-Sty declared his intent on making Canada the 51st state, rage is the new Canadian mood, with Canadians boycotting American products, refusing to travel to the US, and even going as far as renaming the americano coffee as the ‘canadiano’!
Take that Mango Mussolini.
If you're listening to our shows from abroad, get in c0ntact to share your experience with us, like David and Lucas did!
Email hi@nearly.com.au