The bike-a-thon, which took place ten days ago already, was a success! Over three hundred people participated and raised around $73,000--praise God!
Since then, I have also spent a week in Quebec with my family. I have a new appreciation for the French Canadians and their culture, though the Quebec mosquitoes bite as vigorously as the Ontario ones! Besides some random trivia (my brother informed me that we passed 223 vehicles between exits 26 and 13 on Highway 30 in Quebec), I also learned that the busby--those tall fur helmets which seem to have become a British signature piece--originally came from France. The French general Napoleon, a short man himself, had his soldiers sport these towering head-pieces to render them taller and more formidable. When they defeated Napoleon, the British brought the fashion back to their home country.
I find it interesting how cultures interact and shape each other. I also find it interesting how people maintain their distinct cultural identity even as they copy and borrow from other cultures. While some things may seem rather strange, different cultures can have a lot to offer each other. For example, when I watched the change of the guard at the Citadelle in Quebec City, my mind kept trying to make me laugh by pretending that the busbies were wigs. However, when I thought about it, the busbies actually have some good strong points: In the heat of battle, the height of the hats gives some confusion about where the soldier's head is if you are aiming for it. Also, the 'misplaced' chin strap is positioned to protect the soldier's face from sabre lashes. The fact that you cannot see the soldier's eyes is another good tactic. So perhaps respect is more in order than ridicule!
