I was in high school when the US invaded Iraq and around that time I went skiing in Quebec with a friend. We spent the weekend in the city and, while exploring,

I was in high school when the US invaded Iraq and around that time I went skiing in Quebec with a friend. We spent the weekend in the city and, while exploring, accidentally got caught up in what felt like a pretty big protest against the American invasion of Iraq. Looking back it was actually a fairly small and very tame protest but I was just a kid and it was totally unexpected so it was scary. And it really changed my worldview. It was my very first time ever leaving the country and I hadn’t expected Canadians, of all people, to be “anti-American” in any way. It was also the first time it had occurred to me that what the US was doing could even possibly be wrong. The thought had not even crossed my mind. It’s important to have a friend who will tell you when you’re being an asshole.