What Do Canadians Get for Their Tax Dollars?

The view from the cafeteria at North York Hospital

In Canada, we pay our government income tax every time we get paid. Many of us complain about the amount of dollars deducted and the large percentage of money taken from us.

A recent experience taught me this - our tax dollars are put into excellent use for Canadians by our government. I am happy to pay the taxes!

A concert in the atrium of the Steinberg Tower at  North York Hospital

Last week, Y., a close family member of mine was admitted into the North York General Hospital in Toronto. I was with him and the following was the treatment he received within 24 hours after admitted into the hospital.

1. 10:30 a.m. - We had a meeting with the specialist and the nurse assigned to look after Y. The doctor  explained his diagnose, treatment plan plus the prescribed medications to us.  He explained clearly to the patient about the treatment plan and what he would do:                                                                                                 
2. Phase 1 – getting well       Phase 2 – stays well

A decorated fridge in the patients' dining room

2. 2:30 p.m. – Y. was taken down for an ultra sound of his stomach – He had to drink four cups of water starting at 1:30p.m.  A porter came and took Y. down for the ultrasound. As he was waiting, he was feeling very uncomfortable as his bladder was filling up  I went and told the nurse about it. The nurse understood his situation and treated him very gently and patiently. Y was so happy as he described the whole experience: " Since I have been admitted, the nurse and everyone has been so nice to me.I feel like being treated like a king!”

3. 3:15 p.m. - After the ultra sound examination, Y was taken for a chest X ray right across from the ultra sound dept. to find out the other medical issue he was experiencing.
4. 4:00 p.m. - I accompanied Y. back to his floor where the hospital dietitian was waiting to see him. Y. was so happy! That was what we were talking about as he has lost almost twelve lbs in the past 4 weeks!

Christmas tree decorated with crafts made by patients

5.The hospital dietitian met Y. in his room and gave him an extensive consultation explaining to him what he should eat and to avoid based on his current health condition. She cleared a lot of his worries and myths Y. has learned previously.

 Recommendations from the dietitian:

A.  6 cups of liquid a day, any liquid counts, 1 cup with each meal and I cup in between meals, that would be 6 cups.

B.  Can eat anything with higher calories.

C.  Food to avoid or watch out for  – peppermint, chocolate, citrus juices, onions, garlic and tomato products

D. Y.'s ideal body wt should be between 68 - 72 kgs.

6. Besides the above special care provided by various specialists, Y's blood pressure was taken three times a day and his daily blood tests were closely monitored.

Can you imagine how much all these special tests and care provided by a team of medical staff would cost?

Recently a Canadian couple flew to Hawaii for a vacation. The woman was six month pregnant and the baby was born prematurely while she was on holiday. After they came back to Canada, the couple received a hospital bill totaled more than $950,000.00!

We feel so fortunate to be Canadians receiving universal health care! Never would we complain about paying for taxes again after learning what we get for our tax dollars from our hospital when we are sick!

R.T.
Toronto

The Umbrella Movement at Occupy Central, Hong Kong - A Fight for Universal Sufferage

Occupy Central, Hong Kong

In Hong Kong for a day waiting for a connecting flight, I thought of having a relaxing day, sipping coffee at the posh coffee lounge and writing my blogs at the airport hotel.

However, I was in Hong Kong, a world famous city, I wanted to look around.

A Yellow Umbrella - Symbol of the Umbrella Movement in Hong Kong

The Occupy Central has been in the Asian news a lot lately and I wanted to visit the site.

I got on the shuttle and asked for directions getting to the site where a demonstration has been staged for almost seventy days demanding universal suffrage for Hong Kong residents.

    

I took the subway to Admiralty Station

This was the first time I took the MTR on my own – Hong Kong’s subway system. It is modern, clean, efficient and convenient. The MTR can practically get you anywhere in Hong Kong, Kowloon, the New Territory as well as the Hong Kong International Airport with a very reasonable fare.

(How I wish we could have the same efficient subway system in Toronto!)

The hotel shuttle bus dropped me off  at the City Gate Plaza and it was a short walk to the Tung Chung Station where I took the subway to the Admiralty Station.



  

Protesters expressed their thoughts on paper, not spray painting

 As soon as  l got off the train, there were public announcements informing passengers that due to the current situation, a few bus routes were re- routed.

 On the walls of the subway station outside, there were posters and flyers from the demonstrators. 

Tents were set up in rows in Central Hong Kong as far as the eyes could see

Standing on the walkway overlooking the occupied central site, I saw a great number of tents below.

The tents were set up neatly in rows leaving walkways and passages for pedestrian traffic.

One of the many messages expressed by demonstrators

Tears started to swell in  my eyes as I  walked and  began to take in the scale and meaning of this protest.

The numerous heart felt messages left on the site by demonstrators were everywhere expressed in words, in symbols and the art work they have created.













 It was not ten, or hundreds of  emotional  teenagers and students doing something off the top of their heads.

A great number of messages were left on the walls of the Occupy Central site

But the desires and cries of thousands demanding for a right to vote and their voices to be heard.

I felt sad for the Chinese people who have been living under dictatorial governments for over 5000 years, never having the taste of real freedom .

Top Poster: I am a student standing up for Hog Kong.     Bottom Poster : Mom & Dad, Don't worry about me.

While the Greeks had free political discussions and elections since ancient time, a quarter of the world's population is still under the thumbs of a handful politicians.
 

The Berlin Wall was removed; U.S.S.R.was dismantled; yet thousands were crushed at the 6-4 demonstrations in the Tian Man Square. When will the Chinese people have a taste of democracy?

Inspiring messages from great current and past activists and politicians

Clear instructions on recycling and sorting of waste material

Following the examples and ideals of historical non violent and peaceful demonstrations, the Umbrella Movement demonstrators have been incredibly well  behaved and disciplined.!

 Comparing to the demonstrators and protesters in the west, which often cause very destructive damages to neighborhood properties and businesses resulting in injuries for many.

I did not see any signs of destruction to cars, store windows smashed, stores looted nor garbages thrown all over the place.

 Instead, I saw law and order.
A recycling community sprung up on site.

Composting helps to reduce waste and garbage on site

There were posted instructions teaching protesters how to sort and recycle their garbage and compost vegetable and fruit peels.

 An organic garden was being cultivated using the compost material as fertilizer for the plants in the garden.

A library has been set up on site for protesters to borrow books

There was a library of books for demonstrators to cure their boredom.

A tank made of recycled water bottles

A powerful piece of art work - a military tank made from recycling water bottles of various sizes stood hauntingly in the Occupy Central site reminding people of  the demonstration in the past.

People of differing opinions exchanged and discussed their views calmly

There were no yelling, screaming exchanges between people with differing opinions on this movement. 

Only calm, civilized and polite political discussions taking place between demonstrators and visitors to the site.

No spray paint nor vandalism; only slogans written on banners

Instead of graffiti of profane language written or sprayed painted on the walls of the Occupy Central site,
there were banners of slogans of the movement hanging down from the walkway balconies

Surprisingly clean washroom at the Occupy Central Site

The Umbrella Movement demonstrators' restrain, self discipline and their respect of  public properties extended to every aspect of the Occupy Central site including the public washrooms!

There was no mess, no vandalism, nor any graffiti anywhere!

Tents set up in front of  a HK  Government building

I admired the courage, the tenacity and the tremendous restrain displayed by the students, the protesters and  volunteers in this demonstrations.

I cannot imagine with such a large number of  demonstrators, there was so much respect displayed towards government buildings and public properties.

Hats off to the Umbrella Movement folks!

I sincerely hope that both the protesters and the Hong Kong government can come up with a win-win solution to resolve this crisis and set an excellent example to the world of how China  is capable and mature enough to handle the desires of its people.


R.T.
Occupy Central Site
Admiralty Station Area
Hong Kong
Dec. 2, 2014

Staying at the Regal Airport Hotel, Hong Kong

Entrance - the Regal Airport Hotel, Hong Kong

I was glad that Jacob, my travel agent in Toronto booked me into the Regal Airport Hotel for a night as I needed to catch a connecting flight in Hong Kong to Canada the next day.

I cannot imagine staying at a hotel with a better location than the Regal Airport Hotel as it is connected to the Hong Kong International Airport via a walkway. Since I was traveling alone with a few pieces of luggage, I was worried initially about the hassle of getting to and from the airport.

Free coffee and cookies to welcome hotel guests

I was delighted to find out I did not even have to get out of the airport at all. No line up, no taxi cab necessary! Pushing my language from the arrival area and walking only for a few minutes, I arrived at the main reception area of the hotel!

Within about fifteen minutes of my arrival to Hong Kong,  I was checked in, my luggage looked after and I was free to roam around the shops in the hotel and at the Hong Kong Airport.

 The Regal Airport Hotel is a beautiful  luxurious place. The day when I arrived at the hotel, there were free coffee and Christmas cookies set out elegantly in the lobby and outside its restaurants to welcome arriving guests.  What a nice thoughtful gesture!

A  spacious lobby with comfy chairs for guests to relax

It has a spacious lobby furnished with  comfortable sofa chairs.

Guests could relax, read or text in the lobby or they could choose to dine in one of the three restaurants located on the first two floors serving Japanese, Chinese food or enjoy drinks and musical entertainment in a bar/ lounge.

Guests could dine in one of the three restaurants at the Regal Airport Hotel

If I wanted to, I could have spent the whole evening or the next day  relaxing at the hotel, enjoying all the facilities and services before boarding the flight home.

I waited for the free shuttle bus outside the hotel

 There was a free shuttle bus taking hotel guests to the City Gate Plaza, about 8 minute car ride away. The shuttle bus came every half an hour.

Desperate to walk around and get some exercises, I took the hotel shuttle and visited the mall.

I took the hotel shuttle to the plaza - an 8 minute ride

What a disappointment it was for me!!! All the shops at this mall are huge American or European brand name stores selling  overly priced merchandize. 

The Citygate Outlets Mall is a beautiful mall

 I know Hong Kong makes beautiful fashionable items such as clothes, purses and accessories.

I was hoping to buy some locally made quality things during my visit this time.

Stores are catered mainly to tourists only

The City Gate Mall is a beautiful mall!
Unfortunately, the City Gate shopping mall appears to cater to tourists with deep pockets with a taste for foreign famous brands. That was too bad for tourists like me looking for reasonable priced authentic items made in Hong Kong.

Comfortable and nicely appointed room at the |Regal Hotel

I boarded the last shuttle bus  from the mall and went back to the Regal Airport Hotel.














Exhausted, I was glad that I had a clean comfortable room where I could rest my head, have a good night sleep and be refreshed for my journey home the next day! 

R.T.
Regal Airport Hotel
Hong Kong
Dec. 2014

Mailing my Parcel at the Hong Kong International Airport

After spending a month in Cambodia, I left Phnom Penh stopping in Hong Kong to catch my connecting flight back to Canada.

The two hour flight from Phnom Penh was uneventful.  In fact it flew by before I even realized it. I love flying on Cathy Pacific – the crew all dressed impeccably, very warm and polite. Plus, the airline always feeds you!  I didn’t expect  to get a full lunch served on a two hour flight but we did and I enjoyed it!

Tourists receive a lot of helpful information at the HK Tourism Board

The plane landed in the Hong Kong International Airport.  Within minutes after   going through the Hong Kong custom, I was able to pick up my two pieces of luggage without any difficulty at all. Wow!  That was efficient!

I had my questions answered by polite staff at the Hotel reservation Centre

I was supposed to mail a document to Korea when I was in Cambodia. But my Cambodian friends suggested that I should do the mailing in Hong Kong as it would be much cheaper and more reliable. 

I was glad I listened to my  friend’s suggestion. 

When I inquired about hotel and mailing information at the Hong Kong Hotel Association booth, I found the staff very  helpful and friendly.

 

 I mailed my important document at the HK Airport Post Office

 
The nice people at the booth directed me to the Hong Kong Airport Post Office located on the 7^th floor of Terminal 1.

 The gentlemen working at the Post Office also assisted me with my questions,  advising me what to do, lending me their scissors, glue stick and helping me to have my document delivered at the fastest,  most reliable and economical way.

  

It only took me a short while after landing in HK,  cost me less than U.S.$20.00 to send my important letter via HK ‘s Speed Post to South Korea.  If I had done it in Cambodia, I would have spent hours fighting  my way in the traffic congestion, cost more than US $60- 80.00 without knowing when the mail would be delivered.

A great place to shop and feed your hunger, the Hong Kong International Airport is a modern, clean, and convenient place which also provides excellent services  to travelers. 

Its staff is friendly, always ready to answer questions and assist tourists.  E.g.  I mailed my document, had my watch fixed, exchanged my travelers cheques to cash, did some Christmas shopping for my family and walked to check in at the Regal Airport Hotel, all within two hours and without leaving the Hong Kong Airport building! 

Regal Airport Hotel, Hong Kong

After staying in a hot country for a month,  I love being in Hong Kong!  The temperature was  a comfortable 16 degree C.  It felt so good to be wearing my winter clothes and without being drenched in my own sweat  constantly!

I missed my husband already!  Walking by the hotel lounge and hearing the sound of jazz music  playing, I immediately thought of my dear husband and wished that he was here to enjoy this as he is a great jazz fan. 

Another 30 hours, I would be home to see him! Praise God!

R.T.
Hong Kong International Airport
Hong Kong
Dec,. 2014

Coffee, Icecream and Bakery Cafes in Phnom Penh, Cambodia

While I was in Cambodia, I was hosted by a local church and ate my meals most of the time with my host.


However, there were times when we did go out and tasted some of the local dishes and tried some of the popular eatery.

Brown Cafe. - A great place for coffee and working on internet projects!

A little taste of home for me!

  A favourtie place of mine is the Brown Café , (a coffee place very similar to the Starbuck set up) where I could order my usual coffee or fancier hot drinks while escaping from the searing temperature, enjoying the air conditioning and checking my emails or using the free wi fi to do my work.

 Later on, I went with my friends again and tried something different,  my friend and I l enjoyed it for the second time. 

Surprisingly delicious Egg Benedict served at the cafe!

I tried some of the pastries such as egg tarts and cookies, not bad at all.









But what I really enjoyed was the breakfast served at this café. I had Mini Benedict - Toasted soft brioches, sauteed spinach, sliced Salmon, two poached eggs covered with Hollandaise sauce. Yumm--yummmy.

Looking out from Costa's while pecking on my computer

 I tried the different breakfast items on the menu.
They tasted great!













Another coffee place is called Costa –a  similar set up  serving  fancy coffees and pastries but a little pricier, therefore less crowded.

Excellent pastries served in a Phnom Penh bakery cafe

For someone like me, who is used to working and living in a cooler climate condition, it was a little taste of home for me sipping my coffee and pecking on my computer doing my writing – the most favourtie thing for me to do!

A local ice cream and soda shop

 Our Cambodian host took us to a local ice cream café where we were served delicious ice cream with local favours such as durian, mango, jack fruit and coconut. 

Phnom Penh served the most delicious and fresh coconut ice cream

The ice cream was served in a hollowed coconut bowl sitting on a pretty glass with wafer sticks. The durian and coconut ice cream was fresh  with much fragrant taste. The tastiest ice cream I had ever tasted!

A nice restaurant serving delicious local Khmer dishes

My last night in Phnom Penh, Principal Lawrence treated us to the Malis Restaurant, a classy Cambodian restaurant serving delicious local dishes. 
 ( No. 136, St. 41,  Norodom Boulvard, Phnom Penh. I am writing this down so that I will remember where to go when I revisit Phnom Penh next time. )

Delicious and fresh pastries could be found in Phnom Penh

Sitting in a beautiful setting, served  with delicious genuine local Khmer dishes and eaten among good friends with warm hospitality in a foreign country – what could be more enjoyable and fitting for a farewell dinner?

A tinge of sadness came over me towards the end of our dinner.  Cambodia can start growing on you having visited it for a couple of times.   I sincerely hope that I will be able to visit this country again, serving the people and working with the school staff with my loved ones by my side!

R.T.
Phnom Penh,
Last night in Cambodia