Snakes In The Ball Pit => Yay, I get to talk about me! => Topic started by: Sherman Tank on April 13, 2016, 08:41:46 pm
Title: Hello Canada
Post by: Sherman Tank on April 13, 2016, 08:41:46 pm
I'm just visiting Canada for the first time and so far, as an American who lived in England for several years, the experience has been really strange. I feel like I'm in some alternate timeline North America where the American Revolution never happened. Everything's the same except there's pictures of the Queen on clips and every one is being incredibly, suspiciously helpful. Seriously, the airport customs agent who stamped my passport was a beautiful brunette who actually looked happy to see someone who needed their passport stamped.
Oh, and there are still payphones here.
Title: Hello Canada
Post by: Isfahan on April 13, 2016, 09:13:30 pm
based on this description I imagine an American visiting Canada for the first time is like a rescue pet being adopted
I've technically visited Canada before, but it was for high-school ski trips near Quebec City, so I'm not even sure that counts.
Title: Hello Canada
Post by: Boots Raingear on April 13, 2016, 09:25:09 pm
Oh hi there!
Title: Hello Canada
Post by: Sherman Tank on April 14, 2016, 10:40:16 pm
So maybe it's because I live in the shitty donut capital of the USA (southern California), but Tim Horton's chocolate glazed donuts are really, really goddamned good.
Title: Hello Canada
Post by: Sherman Tank on April 14, 2016, 10:48:48 pm
Also, how is poutine not a thing in the United States? Oh my God aside from mini-tacos it is the perfect drunk food.
Title: Hello Canada
Post by: Agent (gobble, gobble) Coop on April 15, 2016, 07:39:05 am
Also, how is poutine not a thing in the United States? Oh my God aside from mini-tacos it is the perfect drunk food. Big Ole Pear Shaped Sherman Tank, April 14, 2016, 10:48:48 pm
Come to picturesque upstate New York, where Mountain Dew and a bag of Bugles is a balanced breakfast, and every diner in town will serve you up hot fresh poutine like it's going out of style
(Note: quality of poutine varies excessively from diner to diner)
Title: Hello Canada
Post by: Emperor Jack Chick on April 15, 2016, 11:43:40 am
Also, how is poutine not a thing in the United States? Oh my God aside from mini-tacos it is the perfect drunk food. Big Ole Pear Shaped Sherman Tank, April 14, 2016, 10:48:48 pm
yeah we got poutine in spades here in the land of ports
Title: Hello Canada
Post by: Nifty Nif on April 15, 2016, 02:11:59 pm
Also, how is poutine not a thing in the United States? Oh my God aside from mini-tacos it is the perfect drunk food. Big Ole Pear Shaped Sherman Tank, April 14, 2016, 10:48:48 pm
It really depends on the hipness of your region. Out here in the rust belt, we also get poutine-like dishes, but usually they're called Hangover Fries and the emphasis is more on the gravy (and usually meat fixins) than cheese curds. Granted, we do have some bomb-ass donuts over here with out any frou-frou bullshit and they actually cost what donuts are supposed to cost ( > $1).
Title: Hello Canada
Post by: Lemon on April 15, 2016, 07:46:21 pm
Yup, there's plenny of good poutine in the US but only in certain areas. I feel like I have a lot of conversations about poutine these days.
Also, Boots is gonna fucking hate you when he sees you said something nice about Tim Horton's.
Title: Hello Canada
Post by: Victor Laszlo on April 15, 2016, 08:04:38 pm
My first time in Canada, the customs/immigration folks were stereotypically polite on our way in. We were an eclectic group, two Americans two Australians and a Brazilian. Canada was very welcoming. We got on the bus to go into town and the Brazilian guy for some reason had a Canadian $20 bill which he dutifully slid into the automatic fare box thing and then stood there, waiting for change. The bus driver pointed out the sign that says no change is to be given, which was of course upsetting. It was a 45 minute ride into the city. The bus driver had us sit in the front of the bus, and every time somebody got on at a stop, he stopped them from putting their fare into the box and asked them to hand it to my friend, explaining that he had accidentally overpaid. 100% of the bus riders did this without hesitation, and by the time we got to Victoria Paolo had all of his money back. No bus driver I've ever encountered in the US would have gone to that much trouble to get a foreign guy his money back.
Then, while wandering the city, the Aussies ran out of cigarettes. I don't recall the specifics, but apparently the types of businesses that you buy cigarettes in is different in Canada? We struck out at a couple of places and were standing on a street corner trying to figure out where to go when someone crossed the street to get to us, and said "Excuse me, do you all need to buy cigarettes?" She then helpfully pointed out the two closest businesses to buy them. She actually crossed the street to help strangers buy cigarettes. Who does that?
Everyone we met was friendly and welcoming, like disturbingly so, even the San Francisco-level amount of panhandlers in Victoria BC in 1999. One panhandler gave us directions after we declined to give her any money. Then it was time to go home. Canadian customs on the way out somehow became convinced that we had made the trip to smuggle cigarettes back to the US, and spent fifteen minutes loudly repeating variants of "yeah right, where did you hide all the cigarettes?" at us. We spent the ferry ride back to Friday Harbor talking about how disconcertingly polite and helpful everyone was, and also drinking beer. We were a little drunk when we finally got off the boat, but honestly it still felt just like home when the US immigration official at the dock grabbed her gun while cursing at us to stay behind the line until she told us to cross it.
Also, Boots is gonna fucking hate you when he sees you said something nice about Tim Horton's
So we're on our own for poutine pretzels then? Just kidding, I love you, Boots!
Title: Hello Canada
Post by: Sherman Tank on April 15, 2016, 08:58:38 pm
Also, Boots is gonna fucking hate you when he sees you said something nice about Tim Horton's. Lemon, April 15, 2016, 07:46:21 pm
In fairness to him, everything I tried from there besides this one kind of donut was pretty bad.
Title: Hello Canada
Post by: Boots Raingear on April 15, 2016, 10:02:48 pm
I decided to keep it to myself. I'm growing as a person.
But seriously, those donuts are just as garbage as the rest of their menu.
Title: Hello Canada
Post by: Sherman Tank on April 17, 2016, 11:51:59 pm
I'm back in San Diego now.
My biggest takeaway was that nobody said "Eh" in my presence, and only one person had anything vaguely resembling a stereotypical accent (he said "about" in that funny Canadian way).
Title: Hello Canada
Post by: Boots Raingear on April 18, 2016, 07:29:31 am
Yeah, you would have needed to venture more towards rural Ontario to get that.
Find somebody who ends their sentences with "eh" and you've found somebody who's lost a cousin to a snowmobile accident.
Title: Hello Canada
Post by: goombapolice on April 18, 2016, 10:14:48 am
I wish I could visit Canada :(
Title: Hello Canada
Post by: Silent Liver Disease on May 10, 2016, 01:59:53 pm
Spent a weekend in southern Ontario about a month ago. I will agree that Canada does seem like something out of an alternative timeline novel, but in an overwhelmingly positive way. Toronto really showed me what Baltimore and other American cities could be if we all calmed down and made some common sense reforms. Public transit that seems to work, widespread bilingualism, diversity without segregation, metric, no pennies!
Title: Hello Canada
Post by: Corn Syrup on May 17, 2016, 08:12:40 am
That's an easy assumption to make when visiting any city and spending your time at the places where people go when they visit a city. Toronto's transit system is (as it is in many North American cities) a slow, crowded, unreliable nightmare for the people who need to use it on a daily basis.
Title: Hello Canada
Post by: Sherman Tank on May 18, 2016, 01:42:44 am
Forgot to mention another F Plus crossover thing: I drank quite a lot of Downtown Brown in Ottawa, specifically because of that one Wikihow episode.
Title: Hello Canada
Post by: Silent Liver Disease on May 20, 2016, 10:23:14 am
That's an easy assumption to make when visiting any city and spending your time at the places where people go when they visit a city. Toronto's transit system is (as it is in many North American cities) a slow, crowded, unreliable nightmare for the people who need to use it on a daily basis. Boots Raingear, May 17, 2016, 08:34:10 am
Good point. I wouldn't be able to really judge overall from one weekend. However, I can tell you Toronto is light-years ahead of Baltimore.
I think the issue is really a legacy of racial tension. Even though Maryland is a Democratic stronghold (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Political_party_strength_in_Maryland) and a liberal state on most issues, the inner city (majority African-American) and the surrounding suburbs (majority white) are very disconnected and designed to stay that way. The only somewhat reliable systems (Amtrak and MARC) are oriented for commuters to DC and the military base to the northeast. We have one North-South light rail that largely serves as a shuttle from the airport and the sports stadia/convention center to the suburbs, and a patchwork of disorganized buses for anyone going anywhere else. If you're a tourist, a university student, or a suburbanite looking to spend some money at the Inner Harbor, you have more (http://baltimorecollegetown.org/shuttle/) options (http://www.charmcitycirculator.com/content/about) that are free and better organized.
Sorry for the rant. I love my home, but I hate the way that we sweep our problems under the rug and pretend they don't exist. I like your city a lot, too.
Title: Hello Canada
Post by: Schumin Capote on June 03, 2016, 03:27:20 am
Maybe I've dealt with a weird subset of Canadians (mostly from Calgary and Quebec), but it seems like no one hates Canadians more than other Canadians. Is this an accurate observation or just a weird aspect of Canadians who immigrated to America?
I've been considering going to Vancouver in July. Any recommendations for places to go or things to do there? It seems like there are some decent museums, though the music scene is surprisingly lacking. Not sure if I'm going there at the wrong time or just haven't come across the right resource to find indie/electronic concerts? Even local shows or just something super Canadian would be fine, since I just want to see some things I can't see at home. I'm looking forward to seeing trees and the ocean, since I'm trapped in the desert.
Title: Hello Canada
Post by: Boots Raingear on June 03, 2016, 07:40:08 am
Maybe I've dealt with a weird subset of Canadians (mostly from Calgary and Quebec) Schumin Capote, June 03, 2016, 03:27:20 am
You have.
Title: Hello Canada
Post by: chai tea latte on June 03, 2016, 11:13:07 am
I've been considering going to Vancouver in July. Any recommendations for places to go or things to do there? It seems like there are some decent museums, though the music scene is surprisingly lacking. Not sure if I'm going there at the wrong time or just haven't come across the right resource to find indie/electronic concerts? Even local shows or just something super Canadian would be fine, since I just want to see some things I can't see at home. I'm looking forward to seeing trees and the ocean, since I'm trapped in the desert. Schumin Capote, June 03, 2016, 03:27:20 am
come to Vancouver! And yes, the music scene is awful. Venues close at like 1, too, and afterparties aren't usually worth it. There's always small shows though so if you really can't find anything on Facebook let me know and I'll shoot you some places to check out.
The Art Gallery is really nice, and so is the Museum of Anthropology, which is in an absolutely gorgeous part of town up by UBC. Our public transit system, as much as locals rag on it, is pretty great.
You should go to one of our beaches! Wreck (the clothing-optional beach) is the most remote and consequently the nicest but there's 4 other ones so just pick what's nearby.
Have our sushi at some point, we're really really good at it. Kojima on Commercial and 4th is my favourite for their lunch special.
The Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden is a must-see imo. There's two halves, one free to go to and the other which has some architecture and bonsai is a $10 donation. Get dim sum for lunch afterwards or breakfast beforehand.
Here are three other Ultimate Vancouver Experiences: Hike up Grouse mountain and record your 'Grouse Grind' time Buy quasi-legal cannabis (it is not hard and the police don't prosecute) Go to a beach and a mountain in the same day
And remember!
Title: Hello Canada
Post by: Schumin Capote on June 05, 2016, 02:14:56 am
It's strange that Phoenix somehow has a better music scene than Vancouver. I've been able to see some good Canadian bands lately in Braids, Jessy Lanza, and Junior Boys, though I'd love to see Lydia Ainsworth and Marie Davidson. Thanks for the recommendations, I definitely want to see the art gallery and the Museum of Anthropology. The latter seems to have an exhibit on the Papuan origins of Mac Tonight (see image below). Is Science World worth seeing or is it more geared towards kids? The Chinese Garden and Grouse mountain sound interesting. I'm also thinking of going whale watching or on some sort of boat tour for the novelty of being on a boat. It was 114 F/45 C today, so escaping the heat for a few days sounds nice.
Title: Hello Canada
Post by: chai tea latte on June 05, 2016, 01:09:54 pm
It's strange that Phoenix somehow has a better music scene than Vancouver. I've been able to see some good Canadian bands lately in Braids, Jessy Lanza, and Junior Boys, though I'd love to see Lydia Ainsworth and Marie Davidson. Schumin Capote, June 05, 2016, 02:14:56 am
A combination of archaic liquor laws and expensive taxis (almost as expensive as parking!) means nothing stays open late, and although we're one of the two Official Canadian Stops on big American tours the non-top 40 acts are priced out of the downtown core where lots of entertainment happens. There are a billion dives with live music (340 is a good place to see punk shows) but we're increasingly a haves/have nots city.
Thanks for the recommendations, I definitely want to see the art gallery and the Museum of Anthropology. The latter seems to have an exhibit on the Papuan origins of Mac Tonight (see image below). Is Science World worth seeing or is it more geared towards kids? The Chinese Garden and Grouse mountain sound interesting. I'm also thinking of going whale watching or on some sort of boat tour for the novelty of being on a boat. It was 114 F/45 C today, so escaping the heat for a few days sounds nice.
whale watching is fun but it's not exactly the season for it I think? Being on a boat is cool and the tours only fire after they see a whale in the water. Hit Third beach and you might see one too. Science World is incredibly packed with kids but still really cool. It's good to go if you've got some other adults with you and don't mind kids but even better if you go during one of the 18+ Science World After Dark events (which, hey, have beer and wine!).
Check the totem poles at the MoA as well as the Bill Reid sculpture (a family friend runs the Bill Reid Gallery downtown which is also really nice. Sun-Yat Sen is really, really nice on a hot day.
Title: Hello Canada
Post by: Schumin Capote on June 25, 2016, 03:00:26 am
I am preparing for my trip to Vancouver next weekend and I'm already coming across some subtle differences. Parking structures/garages are called parkades and you guys have holidays I've never heard of like May long weekend and October long weekend. When looking for things to do at Grouse Mountain, I came across two events that I am struggling to decide which is more Canadian:
World Famous Lumberjack Show
Owl Interpretive Sessions
I am looking forward to observing the subtle differences between our two great nations.
Title: Hello Canada
Post by: chai tea latte on June 25, 2016, 03:03:11 am
I am preparing for my trip to Vancouver next weekend and I'm already coming across some subtle differences. Parking structures/garages are called parkades and you guys have holidays I've never heard of like May long weekend and October long weekend. When looking for things to do at Grouse Mountain, I came across two events that I am struggling to decide which is more Canadian:
I've been to the Lumberjack Show, it's actually lots of fun. You could also detour to the Pumpjack, which is downtown, but it's a pretty different vibe.