Fake Sister City Plaque Becomes Viral Landmark

0:00Imagine getting a birthday gift that's full tourist into thinking its legit history. Three years back, Stephen Jenkins scored this engraved plaque for his 42nd birthday, mounted on his new fence in Fairfield, a neighborhood in Victoria. It thanks the spot from a fake sister city in Egypt, called Amher, for support during the ever given ship stuck in the Suez Canal five years ago. That massive container ship wedged in the Canal on March 23rd, 2021, blocking global trade for six days straight. The plaque calls the fence a magnificent gift from Egypt, celebrating their made up bond and Fairfield's non-existent help. It even drops a so-called ancient proverb that's really lyrics from Taylor Swift's all too well. Jenkins' buddy, Andreas Klesley, crafted the whole thing as a heartfelt prank, not some mean gotcha. He's it-tited on at first, but Jenkins loved it so much they screwed it down for good. Klesley went extra by pinning a fake Google Maps spot for the memorial, roping in friends for glowing five star reviews to sell the bid.

1:03Now it's blown up online with nearly 30 reviews from strangers, most hyping it as hidden history near the art gallery and Craig Derock Castle. One joke's about getting stuck in the alley like the ship, while a hater grives about no gift shop and bad fun. Tours are showing up, like some Germans who cracked up when clued in. Jenkins calls it the best present ever, and get this. Highs 45th birthday hits, Sunday, same day the ship finally broke free five years back. Prings like this stick around, turning a backyard fence into accidental landmark gold. You've been listening to Vancouver News today? AI-powered local news.