Travel Reference
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I quickly made it to Sevilla in the morning and decided to stay at the Salesian
school.SincethestudentswereoutfortheholidaysandthatWorldExpo92wasbeingheld
in the city, the classrooms were converted into dorms. There were mattresses laid on the
floor. The toilets were overflowing and the heat created an intolerable smell.
Ihadastrangeexperience thenextmorning.BeingSunday,Iwokeupearlyandate
my rationed food rather quickly so I could make my way to celebrate mass in the cathed-
ral. As soon as I exited the school, I asked a passer-by for directions. Since he spoke no
English and 10 words of French, I used my terrible Spanish to ask. I managed to get my
request across for he led me to the cathedral. The man must have been of some importance
(like a bishop) for when two people passed him, they kissed his hand. Before mass started,
he invited me for breakfast in a small restaurant near the cathedral. We ate cheese and ham
toasted sandwiches and drank café leche. He then handed me 500 pesetas and gave me a
blessing. He said good-bye and walked away. I never saw him again.
The next morning, my intention was to start cycling to Morocco with a quick stop
to the Canadian High Commission, but plans changed. I did cycle to the High Commis-
sion and met Mr. Jean Marie, the High Commissioner. Suddenly a security guard (Rambo
as they called him) burst into the office and told me to move my bicycle from the lobby.
With the help of the Jean Marie, I moved my bike down to the basement staircase. The
staff bought me lunch and as we sat around chatting the phone rang. The chairman of the
Canadian pavilion of Expo 92 offered me a day pass and asked to meet me later that day.
Before I left, Jean Marie gave me a large Canadian flag (that I draped on my bicycle as I
made my way through Africa) which his receptionist asked me not to sell except “if there
was a threat of death, just hand it over.” That was a confidence booster.
Iranaquickerrandatthecentralpostoffice.IsentthemoneythoseSpanishwomen
gave me to STC-UK, I picked up a letter that was sent from my family, and sent my post-
cards, maps and film back to my parents to keep in storage.
I met the Expo chairman who presented me with a pass and a VIP theatre ticket.
I made it into Expo and was escorted to the VIP lounge. I should have left a note to the
Expo people that read 'Do not offer free food to hungry cyclists.' I ate all that was in front
of me…the olives, beer nuts, fruit etc. I didn't give anyone my name in case they com-
plained to the chairman. Then I was escorted to the theatre and watched the IMAX movie
on Canada: Her Land and Her People. As embarrassed as I am to write this, I had a revel-
ation here: Canada is beautiful! I was amazed at the footage and never realized the breadth
ofourlandscape. Afterthefirstshowing,Istayed forthenextshowing.Thistime, Ilooked
at the 2000 spectators. With all the oohs and ahhhs coming from the audience, I felt like
jumping up and shouting, “This is my country!!! Who wants to touch me? Who wants to
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