There are obvious differences between Alberta and BC. And perhaps obvious tensions as well. Having grown up in Calgary, but lived in Vancouver for the past 5 years, I would say that I thrive in the West Coast lifestyle, but haven’t forgotten my roots. I love biking to work, living on the ocean, a healthy lifestyle and an emphasis on quality local goods. I miss the friendliness of Albertans, the snow (I loathe the rain), and the sun. Other than that, I don’t think too much about the differences between these provinces and had hardly considered any sort of rivalry. That is, until this past weekend. I brought my B.C. born and bred boyfriend home for a family wedding, meaning he met my ENTIRE extended family (about 40 people) for the first time. Here’s what happened:
1. BC Boy Forced to Admit Alberta Also Beautiful
“I had no idea this drive was so beautiful” “What mountain range is this?” “Wow, these mountains are so BIG”. Even my open-minded boyfriend has fallen prey to the idea held by many Vancouverites that PNW beauty stops at the border and gives way to a barren prairie wasteland. Yes, the Rocky Mountains extend into Alberta, yes the skiing is also great, and yes, Highway 1 through the Banff National Park is way prettier than the Coquihalla.
2. AB Parents Scramble Trying to Feed a Vegetarian
I expected a few jokes and comments about my boyfriend’s diet, but I could never have imagined how much they would struggle to feed him. For about three days my parents just named every item in their pantry that wasn’t meat- whether it constituted an actual meal or not. “Oh look, we have chickpeas!” “Your father bought strawberries” “I think I have a portabella mushroom somewhere I could BBQ you instead of a steak?” Eating vegetarian isn’t something I even notice in Vancouver- especially because he still eats fish and eggs, but I may as well have told my family that he has three arms. By the end of the wedding, I would introduce him to a cousin and the conversation would go like this: “Hey cousin Pat, this is my boyfriend”. “OH I HEARD- THE VEGETARIAN”.
3. BC Boy Realizes Albertans Don’t Like BC Either
I’ve come to notice that a lot of people in Vancouver feel that BC is far superior to any of the prairie provinces. Fair enough- after all, I did choose to move here and I plan on staying. But I don’t think that these Vancouverites realize that it works both ways. You couldn’t pay most happy Calgarians to move to Vancouver. In fact, while BC’ers may think Alberta is full of red necks, oil riggers, and politically incorrect conservative hicks, Albertans can be equally repulsed by the pretentious, hippie, kale-eating, yoga-loving loving liberal crybabies that they perceive the majority of Vancouverites to be. A few comments like “BC born and bred eh?” that were obviously not complements threw my poor boyfriend for a loop as he realized for the first time that not everybody wants to live in Vancouver.
4. I Realized How Polarizing the Politics Are
I’ve gotten by relatively unscathed at Christmas and thanksgiving over the past 5 years by just avoiding unpleasant conversation. No, I don’t think ignorance is a good approach when it comes to important political issues. However, I also know I’m not going to change the mind of my 70-year-old uncle about his beliefs surrounding reproductive rights over cranberry sauce and turkey. I choose to spend my holidays getting my family time in and avoiding too much conflict. This trip made me realize that that’s increasingly difficult. When introducing my boyfriend to the father of the groom, the first thing he said was “Vancouver hey? So are you part of the 44% that oppose the pipeline then?” Another uncle later said “You just wait and see, we will get it built one way or another regardless of what BC thinks they can do about it”. Cue nervous laughter from my boyfriend and I and a comment about needing to find a washroom… I’m realizing that in such a tense political climate neutrality is not an option. We aren’t just talking about preferences, we’re talking livelihoods and provincial and national economies. I guess I’ve got from now until thanksgiving to figure out my stance and how I’m going to communicate it!
5. BC Boy Gloats When Calgary is Just as Country as He Always Joked
I’m constantly insisting that Calgary isn’t all cowboy hats and bull riding. That Stampede is 10 days long and we have a few country bars but that the idea that Calgary is overly redneck is absurd. Still, my boyfriend asked if I was planning on taking him cow tipping over the wedding weekend…
I was excited to show him how normal of a city I grew up in and was pleased when the weekend went seamlessly and the wedding was absolutely perfect- classy, beautiful, and so much fun. Nothing “hick” about any of it. Until the MOH speech was about how the bride is a modern day cowgirl (it was brilliant by the way- not a dry eye in the room). And both bride and groom were surprised with a cowboy boot glass of beer (adorable). And the father-daughter dance and mother-son dance were both to country songs (sentimental and so sweet). And everyone knew the same line dances on the dance floor (gym class, hello!). And about 30 other things that I’m forced to admit are just part of growing up in Calgary. So I guess what I’m trying to say is yes, boyfriend, you’re right. I guess Calgary is just a little bit country.
6. BC Boy Feels -30 Degrees for the First Time
After a wonderful night in Banff on the way back to Vancouver, we woke up to -30 degrees and a diesel engine that wouldn’t start. We had to ask strangers for jumper cables and a boost, which of course they happily helped with (I love Albertans). During the process, we both realized that my boyfriend had never felt weather so cold. I love Vancouver, but I think that’s HILARIOUS.
Jokes aside, it was a learning weekend for everyone, especially me. I’m so grateful I got to grow up and experience somewhere so different from where I live now, and I’m equally appreciative that as an adult I get to choose to live in a city as wonderful as Vancouver. Both Alberta and BC are my homes, and I’m lucky to get to share them with the people I love. I’ll always have values that align more with those expressed by fellow Vancouverites, but I’ll always be shaped by the kindness and unity of Albertans. Oh, and I’ll never stop making fun of Vancouverites for using umbrellas when it snows.