CANADA: Someoe educate me please

[civic09]

Hello gentlemen, and no the title is NOT bashing canada. I was to Ontario while I was a young-mid age teen to see Niagra Falls. Can some of the Canadian members tell me about what there is to take in, to see, and do, as I may go on a vaca with the g.f. this late spring. Probably going to take my grandmother on real dads side with me, as I said in other bad post here, she is now doing good. She has alheizemers and getting better. Trying to spend a ton of time with her. Anyways; what is the weather in Canada like, and do you folks in Canada have grocery stores like GIANT EAGLE, etc? Does Canada have COSTCO, SAMS CLUB, and others? Give me a idea on what I am missing and what I should try to see when I go, as I will be going to Quebec, and then to Manitoba provinces.

adam

 

[silverrat]

You can google any city you are going to and find out what retail stores are where.

 

[sciphi]

Use a major credit card for purchases when/where you can. The exchange rate is usually much better than cash. Check what the foreign transaction fee is before going, however. Usually it's 1-3% of the purchase, but can be higher.

The weather in southern Ontario is basically what the Northeastern US has. Hot, humid summers and cooler winters.

 

[civic09]

Thank you both Sciphi and Silverrat. I know that Canadians love their hockey, so thats a plus. Thank you both for the advice,

adam

 

[Clevy]

K. Ontario is the exact same as the united states. You won't get culture shock til you get to Manitoba. It's a bit backwards there and unless you are in a major urban area(Winnipeg) you will wonder if you hit the twilight zone and went back in time. If you plan ongoing to Manitoba from Ontario do it in the summer. Northern Ontario is known for serious snowstorms.
I have lived all over this great land. Pm me if you have questions

 

[Oil Changer]

Originally Posted By: civic09
Thank you both Sciphi and Silverrat. I know that Canadians love their hockey, so thats a plus. Thank you both for the advice,

adam


They just have a terrible time trying to beat the Wings!

 

[civic09]

Thanks Clevy, and dumb question: isnt Edmonton in Manitoba province? Should know better. I plan to go there in probably late May, the way things are looking and we'll be in southern Ontario.

adam

Oil Changer, the PITT PENGUINS, seem to have a tough time in the past couple of years beating the Red Wings in the regular season. Red Wings are a by golly good team!

 

[Clevy]

Edmonton is in Alberta. 2 provinces over. I am in Saskatchewan. Right in between Manitoba and Alberta.

 

[civic09]

I gotcha, shows how much geography I know/have. Thanks Clevy. How many provinces are there total? Think 10 or 11 right?

adam

 

[John_K]

Originally Posted By: Clevy
K. Ontario is the exact same as the united states. You won't get culture shock til you get to Manitoba. It's a bit backwards there and unless you are in a major urban area(Winnipeg) you will wonder if you hit the twilight zone and went back in time. If you plan ongoing to Manitoba from Ontario do it in the summer. Northern Ontario is known for serious snowstorms.
I have lived all over this great land. Pm me if you have questions


Was surprised a few years when I crossed through Niagara Falls and went to Hamilton, ONT. Canada looked the same. Remember seeing an A&P. Expected another country to look different.

John

 

[bluestream]

If you are going to Quebec first and then to Manitoba, be prepared for a long drive through Ontario. I would guess 15-20 hours, I hope you are flying...

 

[civic09]

Yeah, I am flying

thanks guys

adam

 

[01rangerxl]

Quebec is largely French speaking, so be prepared for that. In the part of Quebec I went to almost everything was spoken or written in French. It was also very rural, so there were not a lot of US retail chains there. That's true for rural parts of the Northeast US too though. I'm sure the urban areas look practically the same as urban areas here though with most of the same chains. I've only seen rural areas in Canada.

The people in Quebec are like French rednecks. I saw a shotgun holding up a mailbox and an old F-350 with a French flag front license plate.

The most important thing is that you try "poutine." It's basically French fries covered in cheese and gravy served in a bowl.

 

[civic09]

I read up some and saw that, so thank you for that info 01Ranger.


thanks again 01Rangerxl


adam

 

[rjundi]

I have visited three provinces in Canada and honestly felt I was maybe in another us state. Differences yes, but nothing drastic.

 

[OVERKILL]

Originally Posted By: 01rangerxl
Quebec is largely French speaking, so be prepared for that. In the part of Quebec I went to almost everything was spoken or written in French. It was also very rural, so there were not a lot of US retail chains there. That's true for rural parts of the Northeast US too though. I'm sure the urban areas look practically the same as urban areas here though with most of the same chains. I've only seen rural areas in Canada.

The people in Quebec are like French rednecks. I saw a shotgun holding up a mailbox and an old F-350 with a French flag front license plate.

The most important thing is that you try "poutine." It's basically French fries covered in cheese and gravy served in a bowl.


This.

Montreal and Quebec City have a good amount of English people and those that aren't, at least most can speak it, so if you don't know French, it is probably best to keep to those areas.

 

[civic09]

Thanks for the info folks.

 

[uc50ic4more]

Originally Posted By: 01rangerxl
The most important thing is that you try "poutine."


Should be on everyone's "bucket list"!