MY TRIP TO.....

Canada house was open in 1925 by King George V. It is a very grand building on Trafalgar Square and boy did I get to see its lobby in great detail as I waited for someone to show up!!


I walked with a sense of pride. The sort of feeling I get when I step off the plane into Pearson's International Airport. But then I waited and waited and waited some more only to find out that the only way to get a social insurance number is by sending a form and ID off to Ottawa. EEEEeeerrrr!

I'm sad to report that although beautiful this building is, it is without some purpose. The man with all the answers that anyone with a question was suppose to see was on fire drill training. I sat in the former lobby of the building (that you see now) for over an hour with no one around and when he turned up I knew as much as he did!


You don't need a passport to get in. In fact there is a small art gallery inside the new entrance so anyone who can pass a metal detector test, and prove that their camera, MP3 player and phone are exactly that, can get in and sit around for as long as they like.


And as for being in Canada! Ha! If Canada wants to alter the building in any way they have to ask for permission from British Heritage!! That's right British law protects the building. I over hear this being said during a tour of three probably very wealthy men that passed by. The man showing them around said that they wanted to whack a maple leaf above the door but had to ask permission first! He also said that they didn't have a purpose for the former grand lobby (these photos). That's why its covered in leaflets justifying the war in Afghanistan I guess!

Well mystery solved. After 8 years of living in England I now no what lurks within the walls of my embassy. Let's put it this way. If I ever needed help from my country in any event that most other Canadians needs the same help.... this place won't be able to help us. :(