One of the reasons we travel is to challenge our perceptions of the world.

And where we come from can have a lot to do with the way we see things.

Several years ago, I worked as a seasonal interpreter at the Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center in Great Falls, Montana.

A friend of mine came from Canada to visit.  I had to work, so I gave him and his wife passes to the center and invited them to drop in.

My friend was what he termed a “ten dollar Canadian.”  I don’t know the details of obtaining a Canadian citizenship, but my friend had originally been a resident of Scotland.  He came to Canada when he was younger and claims that he paid ten dollars to apply for citizenship.  Thus, he could speak with equal fervor about both haggis and hockey.

When he and his wife arrived, I encouraged them to begin their tour with the introductory movie.  From there they went into the exhibit area.  I didn’t see them again until a couple of hours later after they had completed their tour.

I eagerly asked them what they thought of the place.  My friend said in his cheery Scottish accent, “Ach aye, it was tickety-boo.”  This was high praise indeed – a popular Canadian phrase meaning that something was just perfect.

Then he shared a meaningful look with his wife.

Lewis and Clark. Supermen?

My friend turned to me and said, “To be honest, we’re a little relieved.  We thought you worked at the Lois and Clark Interpretive Center.”  I looked at my friend quizzically and he said, “You know… Superman.”

As a “10 Dollar Canadian,” my friend had no frame of reference for approaching the subject of Lewis and Clark.

So next time you encounter something that challenges your view of the world, just smile and say…

“It’s all tickety-boo!”