Finding My Own “Cherry on Top”: A Journey to Joy in Canada

On July 6, 2025. I etched that date into my mind, not just because of the warm summer air or the glorious sunshine, but because it marked a first-time experience that felt like a quiet, yet monumental, celebration of my new life in Canada. It was the day I went cherry picking.

For so long, my days in the Philippines were defined by a different kind of stability. A predictable routine, a comfortable job in a corporate office, and the familiar warmth of my family and friends. My life was a well-oiled machine, efficient and reliable. While it was a life I was grateful for, a part of me always yearned for something more—a chance to step outside the familiar, to embrace the unknown. When I finally decided to leave it all behind and start a new chapter in Canada, I did so in pursuit of a different kind of warmth—one that came from new experiences, from the cold of a Canadian winter, and from the quiet confidence of building a life for myself in an entirely new country, thousands of miles away from everything I had ever known.

This transition hasn't been without its challenges. The initial months were a whirlwind of paperwork, job applications, and the constant hum of a new language and culture to navigate. There were days when the homesickness weighed heavy, when the distance felt like an ocean I couldn't cross. I would find myself scrolling through old photos, longing for the familiar faces and the chaotic energy of Manila. But then there are days like July 6th, days when I am reminded, with a clarity as crisp as the Canadian air, that I made the right choice. It's on these days that I feel a sense of profound joy and gratitude, a validation that the leap of faith I took was worth it.

The Journey to the Orchard: A New Landscape of Possibilities

The day began with the familiar rumble of a tour bus, a common soundtrack to many of my recent adventures in Ontario. We were a group of strangers from different walks of life, all bound for the same destination: a cherry orchard in the bountiful Niagara Region. The bus meandered through the picturesque landscape, a green patchwork of farmlands and vineyards that stretched out beneath a vast, blue sky. This was a side of Ontario I was still getting to know—a place known not only for its world-famous waterfalls but also for its fertile soil and bountiful harvests.

As we traveled, I found myself thinking about how different this journey was from the ones I'd taken back home. In the Philippines, a long bus ride often meant navigating the energetic chaos of city streets, the vibrant colors of roadside vendors, or the lush, tropical scenery of the provinces. Here, the landscape was one of serene order—long, neat rows of crops, manicured fields, and the gentle, rolling hills of the Niagara Escarpment in the distance. It was a visual metaphor for the new life I was building: a sense of calm and structure, a welcome change from the vibrant, but often unpredictable, rhythm of my past. Each mile we traveled filled me with a growing sense of anticipation. I had seen cherries in grocery stores, of course, but I had never seen them growing on a tree, never mind having the opportunity to pick them myself. The hours of travel melted away as the scenery captivated me, a living, breathing postcard of Canadian summer.

Arrival at the Orchard: A World of Ruby Red

Finally, the bus pulled into a dusty gravel lot, and we stepped out into the glorious summer afternoon. The air was thick with the sweet, earthy scent of ripe fruit and the subtle hum of bees. We were at a family-run farm, and in the distance, I could see the promise of our adventure: rows upon rows of cherry trees, their branches laden with clusters of brilliant red orbs. I was immediately struck by the sight. The trees were not the towering giants I might have imagined. Many were dwarf varieties, their branches hanging low and heavy, making the fruit easy to reach. This made the experience feel even more accessible and inviting, a place for everyone, from small children to eager adults, to get their hands on the fruit.

We were handed our baskets and given a brief set of instructions by a friendly farmer. "Respect the trees," he said with a warm smile. "Don't break the branches, and fill your basket to the brim." A wave of excitement washed over me. I felt like a child on a treasure hunt, about to discover something wonderful. The farm was alive with activity. Other groups were already scattered among the rows, their laughter and chatter echoing through the orchard. I took a moment to breathe it all in, to ground myself in this new, simple reality.

The Simple Magic of Cherry Picking: A Connection to the Land

Walking into the rows of cherry trees was like stepping into a fairytale. The leaves created a dappled canopy, casting a cool, shifting shade on the ground. The cherries themselves were the stars of the show, a vibrant crimson against the deep green foliage. They hung in perfect little bunches, some a deep, glossy red, almost black, and others a brighter, more brilliant ruby. The deeper the color, the sweeter the flavor, I learned, and I made it my mission to find the most perfectly ripe ones I could.

I reached for my first cherry. The cool, firm skin felt perfect between my fingers. I gently twisted it from its stem, and a sense of profound satisfaction washed over me. It was such a simple act, yet it felt deeply meaningful. Back home, my food came from a market, a grocery store, a vendor. It was a transaction. Here, I was a part of the process, a participant in the harvest. I was connecting with the land in a way I never had before. My basket began to fill, a colorful mosaic of red and dark maroon. I couldn't resist. I tasted a few as I went, a delicious perk of the "pick-your-own" experience. The first one burst with a flavor that was nothing like the cherries I had bought in a plastic container. It was intensely sweet, with a delicate hint of tartness that made my mouth water. It was the taste of pure summer, of sunshine and Ontario soil. It was the taste of a memory in the making.

As I picked, I watched the other people around me. A young family with a toddler, who giggled as he tried to grasp a low-hanging cherry. An older couple, working together in quiet harmony, filling their basket with care. I saw joy in all of their faces, a shared sense of wonder at this simple pleasure. It was a beautiful thing to witness, a reminder of the connections that can be found in the most unexpected places. In a world that often feels fractured and fast-paced, this moment was a gentle pause, a reminder of the simple, universal joys that connect us all.

An Abundance of Experiences: My Canadian Life

The time flew by, and soon my basket was full, a heavy and beautiful testament to my labor. As we made our way back to the bus, I felt a deep sense of accomplishment. It wasn't just about the cherries in my basket; it was about the entire experience. It was about the bus ride through a new landscape, the sweet scent of the orchard air, and the simple, joyful act of picking fruit from a tree. This experience, and others like it, has cemented my feelings about the path I've chosen. Canada is not just a place where I work and live; it's a place where I'm constantly discovering new things, where I am building a life rich with diverse experiences.

Leaving my old life behind was a brave and difficult decision. There are still moments of doubt, but they are fewer and farther between. Every time I get on a bus to a new destination in Ontario, whether it's to see the stunning fall colors in Algonquin Park, explore a new city like Ottawa or Montreal, or, in this case, pick cherries, I feel a renewed sense of purpose. I realize that I am not just a person who left my home; I am a person who is building a new one, one new experience at a time. The cherries I picked that day didn't just taste delicious. They tasted like courage, like resilience, and like a future full of promise. They were the perfect “cherry on top” of my decision to start a new life here. And as I ate them, one by one, I knew, with absolute certainty, that I had made the right choice. My journey continues, and I am excited to see what other "first times" await me on this incredible adventure.