It was an unconventional Thanksgiving as my mom and I visited our friendly neighbors of the north – Canada. A 90 minute ferry ride landed us in Victoria, BC offering visitors a city experience, but with a small town attitude. Getting lost is not a worry because the minute you open a map a stranger approaches you offering their guiding service - Even if it is a homeless guy who asks for a small fee.
Not veering far from its British roots, Victoria is surrounded by world renowned gardens, cobblestone streets and English pubs. Double Decker buses wander through the streets and at high noon, tea is offered in almost every restaurant and hotel.
The city is softly outlined by ocean bays with tall ships floating in the marinas. Yet the prime waterfront real estate viewing the snowy peaks of Washington’s Olympic mountain range is occupied with hotels.
The quaint small town atmosphere is almost extinct as tourism invades the city. It is always the small hidden gems that receive the most impact. Whether it’s an island in Thailand or a remote coastal town of Alaska a tradeoff occurs with the gain of economic viability – the community and culture slowly disappear. Yet remnants of the past will always remain because they are appealing to outsiders. I am an outsider to the places I travel and I appreciate the beauty they have to offer.
The Planet Magazine is the quarterly student publication of Western Washington University's Huxley College of the Environment. Founded by students in 1979, it is the capstone course for students enrolled in Huxley College's undergraduate environmental journalism major. The magazine's mission statement, as articulated by its student editors, is as follows: "We are dedicated to environmental advocacy and awareness through responsible journalism." 
