Americans and Canadians culture Q&A Thread.

[Aladora]

Our hearts are with you. It makes the Calgary floods of 2013 look like a mudpuddle. Hopefully you and yours stay safe.
Question: Is there any route out on the mainland by going south through the States? We're hearing of hundreds and hundreds of trucks full of eastbound cargo stranded with no plan. Would something like that be viable?

As of right now, there is no land route into or out of Vancouver. Period. All highway access to the Port of Vancouver is cut off. The Coquihalla, which is the main connector between the Lower Mainland and the Interior is going to be closed for weeks, if not months. All rail services to and from the Port of Vancouver are also stopped right now.

I should add, that there is no alternative route to the rest of Vancouver Island by road other than the Malahat. There has been talks for years and years about getting one but it has not happened yet. There is one tiny ferry route but it can only carry approximately 19 vehicles and 150 passengers. With 9 sailings per day, that means a maximum of 171 vehicles per day. They did add overnight sailings to help stranded people but that only took care of 320 vehicles. To put it into perspective, the Malahat route sees 20,000 - 30,000 vehicles per day.

The only other alternative way would be to take the ferry from Victoria to Vancouver (90 minute sailing time) and then take a ferry from Vancouver to Nanaimo. (2 hour sailing time) Plus waiting for each ferry would mean that a drive that would normally take maybe 90 minutes would end up being an all day trip and cost a couple of hundred dollars for the ferry fares alone.

 

[prairie_girl]

You weren't the only one.

I thought it was just a typo lol

 

[lisaviolet]

She said that the Feds removed the testing requirement for short trips (72 hours) for them to be able to do that so that is what they are attempting today.

I was just going to post about the change with short trips and dropping testing. I just didn't think they had released a date. I didn't know it went immediately into effect.

Due to this, hopefully it does.

 

[lisaviolet]

My husband's uncle works for Broadway and lives in West New York, NJ and has a view of the skyline but obviously works in NYC nearly everyday. He's lived there for decades at this point. While he's from the Midwest I don't know that he could ever see himself living anywhere else at this point though he still comes back here every now and then. We've visited him a few times there it's def. a different pace; everything is going so fast. Last time we were there we got to see NYC a few days before Christmas. So beautiful. The year we went Saks Fifth Avenue had a Snow White display for the 80th Anniversary of the movie (to bring it back to Disney)

The amount of detail done is just amazing (these are just a few I took a ton of photos)

View attachment 622823

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View attachment 622827

Is he single?

Just love the windows. Been lucky enough to have gone a couple of times during the Christmas season.

https://www.disboards.com/threads/nyc-christmas-beautiful.2356174/
I went to find this when I saw your shots. I don't know what I was doing on the disboards on Christmas day, I definitely was not at home doing that. I am thinking I was in Williamsburg, Virginia that year.

I see Photobucket has pretty well stolen my pictures!

Canadians: Is there a USA destination you'd like to visit if you haven't already? Do you have a favorite spot in the USA.

NYC is my favourite including surrounding areas including Montauk (The Affair was a joy to watch knowing it), Fire Island, but I also love Southeastern Virginia - specifically Williamsburg.

I also love places that have strict mandates for signage - yes weird I know. A la Hilton Head Island and Long Island.

My family is in Southern California but I don't have a love for it - unlike you.

I have travelled extensively in the US, the most kissing spring on the way to Florida. And border areas of Quebec - NY/VT/NH/ME - I went to school a half an hour from the border so we were always off somewhere - especially North Conway, NH. And still go back


But so much I want to see -

New Orleans
Austin
San Antonio
Block Island
More of the coastal areas of New England and Mid-Atlantic states.
Curious about Salt Lake City.

....no desire to travel in Canada....

Sorry Disneylover, totally screwed your quote. And making it seem harsh. Ouch. And am way too lazy to fix it.

But question -

Have you travelled many places in Canada? So curious.

And I understand Florida.

And quite frankly travelling around Canada, even some place local like Muskoka, can be more money than Florida. Which is so ridiculous.

We’d love to visit Newfoundland. And explore more of BC & the Yukon. And visit the NWT.

Tough to really say what our favorite place in Canada is! We really liked Jasper NP, PEI was great, Nova Scotia/Cape Breton was great, enjoyed Toronto, Ottawa, Montreal, and Vancouver.

Wow! You have travelled more than most Canadians. (I am assuming you are American based on Annette's question).

 

[Buzz Rules]

Thanksgiving is bigger in terms of food quantity, parades, and the amount of arguments on who will win whatever sports game. Crazy shoppers will leave celebrations early to stand online for “unbelievable deals” for Black Friday. I only did that once and never will again. Oh, and the YouTube clips from the annual Black Friday sales is more than enough of a reason to stay home and enjoy time with the family. Small/local business weekend is always a hit and most people take off Cyber Monday if they can. We do a turkey for Thanksgiving and a ham for Christmas. The President usually gives a Thanksgiving Day speech that most ignore and kids love watching the dog show before parents start watching football.

 

[declansdad]

Thanksgiving is bigger in terms of food quantity, parades, and the amount of arguments on who will win whatever sports game. Crazy shoppers will leave celebrations early to stand online for “unbelievable deals” for Black Friday. I only did that once and never will again. Oh, and the YouTube clips from the annual Black Friday sales is more than enough of a reason to stay home and enjoy time with the family. Small/local business weekend is always a hit and most people take off Cyber Monday if they can. We do a turkey for Thanksgiving and a ham for Christmas. The President usually gives a Thanksgiving Day speech that most ignore and kids love watching the dog show before parents start watching football.

I was in Miami a few years ago on Christmas Day, I was surprised at how many people were out and about in the Bayside Market area by 9 am.

 

[ronandannette]

...And quite frankly travelling around Canada, even some place local like Muskoka, can be more money than Florida. Which is so ridiculous.




Wow! You have travelled more than most Canadians. (I am assuming you are American based on Annette's question).

Right?!? That's why we've spent many vacations over the years in California or on cruise ships while the Maritimes remain on our bucket list. (Before life as we knew it ended) we could fly from YYC to either LAX or MIA for less than YYZ and for about half the price as getting to somewhere like Halifax or St. John's.

 

[OnceUponATime15]

Whoops, edited because I read that as CFL!

I did the same thing last night… lol.

 

[Buzz Rules]

FYI, CPL:
https://canpl.ca/

 

[bcla]

As of right now, there is no land route into or out of Vancouver. Period. All highway access to the Port of Vancouver is cut off. The Coquihalla, which is the main connector between the Lower Mainland and the Interior is going to be closed for weeks, if not months. All rail services to and from the Port of Vancouver are also stopped right now.

I think routing through the United States has been an option, although that would generally require having specific travel documents. Not sure if maybe that and other regulations might be waived by US and Canadian border agencies. And there's talk about some convoluted ways to get to Alberta.

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/bc-landslides-trucking-alternative-routes-1.6251759​

Some drivers and companies will be able to route trucks through the U.S., though according to Earle, that comes with its own administrative process and hurdles.​

​

Stefaniuk said if he can get his truck off Highway 7 in time, he'll consider going back to Vancouver Island, driving north to Port Hardy, taking the B.C. Ferries route to Prince Rupert, then driving across to Edmonton on Highway 16.​

​

It's a long detour that will add roughly $2,500 in ferry cost, but at least the ground fish will make it to the pet food processing plant before it expires.​

 

[Aladora]

I think routing through the United States has been an option, although that would generally require having specific travel documents. Not sure if maybe that and other regulations might be waived by US and Canadian border agencies. And there's talk about some convoluted ways to get to Alberta.

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/bc-landslides-trucking-alternative-routes-1.6251759​

Some drivers and companies will be able to route trucks through the U.S., though according to Earle, that comes with its own administrative process and hurdles.​

​

Stefaniuk said if he can get his truck off Highway 7 in time, he'll consider going back to Vancouver Island, driving north to Port Hardy, taking the B.C. Ferries route to Prince Rupert, then driving across to Edmonton on Highway 16.​

​

It's a long detour that will add roughly $2,500 in ferry cost, but at least the ground fish will make it to the pet food processing plant before it expires.​

I was reading somewhere this morning that border services are dropping the testing requirements for people crossing into the US in order to get back to their homes in Canada.

https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/canada-lifts-pcr-test-requirement-bc-floods-mudslides
The route mentioned in the article will work if they take the ferry to Nanaimo here on Vancouver Island, however if they come into Victoria and then drive to Port Hardy, getting over the Malahat is the issue. As I mentioned somewhere, the only land route from Victoria to the rest of VI is the Malahat and right now it is closed from 6pm-6am and open for 1 lane alternating traffic every 30 minutes from 6am-6pm. People were waiting for hours to get over the Malahat yesterday only to not make it before the 6pm closure. They are also asking people to only travel that route if it is for essential purposes.

 

[bcla]

I was reading somewhere this morning that border services are dropping the testing requirements for people crossing into the US in order to get back to their homes in Canada.

https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/canada-lifts-pcr-test-requirement-bc-floods-mudslides

The route mentioned in the article will work if they take the ferry to Nanaimo here on Vancouver Island, however if they come into Victoria and then drive to Port Hardy, getting over the Malahat is the issue. As I mentioned somewhere, the only land route from Victoria to the rest of VI is the Malahat and right now it is closed from 6pm-6am and open for 1 lane alternating traffic every 30 minutes from 6am-6pm. People were waiting for hours to get over the Malahat yesterday only to not make it before the 6pm closure. They are also asking people to only travel that route if it is for essential purposes.

We took the ferry from Nainamo back in 1986 and 1988, but used a different route on a visit in 2015. I seemed rather far from Victoria, but we were sightseeing so it all worked out. However, at this time I'd think that ferries will be full, although there might also be issues with vehicles missing reservations.

 

[Aladora]

We took the ferry from Nainamo back in 1986 and 1988, but used a different route on a visit in 2015. I seemed rather far from Victoria, but we were sightseeing so it all worked out. However, at this time I'd think that ferries will be full, although there might also be issues with vehicles missing reservations.

Depending on how fast you drive, Victoria to Nanaimo drive time is usually between 1 1/2 and 1 3/4 hours. Not that bad and a pretty lovely drive! The ferry between Nanaimo and Vancouver is either 1 1/2 hours or 2 hours depending on which terminal you are going to.

A number of years ago I was stuck at the ferry terminal on the Vancouver side and there was a 3 sailing wait to get to Victoria (every other hour ferry = 6 hour wait!). There was no wait to go to Nanaimo so I grabbed that one, drive back to Victoria and got home ages earlier than if I had waited!

 

[Disneylover99]

Sorry Disneylover, totally screwed your quote. And making it seem harsh. Ouch. And am way too lazy to fix it.

But question -

Have you travelled many places in Canada? So curious.

And I understand Florida.

And quite frankly travelling around Canada, even some place local like Muskoka, can be more money than Florida. Which is so ridiculous.

I’ve never been west of Winnipeg. I’ve travelled to all the Eastern Provinces many times. Not in well over 20 years though. My kids would love to travel through Canada, so maybe we will at some point.

Growing up I spent some summer holidays in Nova Scotia/Newfoundland. And winter holidays in Florida. Loved both type of trips back then, but I think as I’ve gotten older, my weary old bones just really long for warmth and palm trees
.

 

[kanne323]

We've never been but I look forward to the chance. It's one of the few places left we'd love to see but haven't.

Americans: Is there any Canadian destination you'd like to visit if you haven't already? Do you have a favorite spot in Canada?
Canadians: Is there a USA destination you'd like to visit if you haven't already? Do you have a favorite spot in the USA.

For us it's southern California. Love, love, love everything about LA and the beach cities, all the way down to San Diego.

ETA: I typed that wrong - I meant to ask what places in the US Canadians would like to visit.

While I've never been west of Toronto, I've visited Canada nearly every year of my life (except the last two)- Quebec City/Levis, Charlevoix, Montreal... various bits of NB (a lot of quick day trips there)... and a few trips to Toronto. But my favorite trip was two years ago, to PEI (loved everything from Charlottetown to Basin Head; didn't get to the western side of the island.) I'm planning to be in NS in 2024 for a cultural event in the southwestern area (hoping to add a few days to explore more of the province, too.) I do have a lifelong goal of visiting Newfoundland & Labrador at some point... my long long ago ancestors settled on PEI, survived the expulsion, and migrated to western Newfoundland, where my grandmother was from. And I'd also love to visit Banff, and maybe more out west... someday.

I thought of a question, it’s not culture related, but I’m still curious…

Without Googling, do you know who Terry Fox is?

Yes.

 

[ronandannette]

While I've never been west of Toronto, I've visited Canada nearly every year of my life (except the last two)- Quebec City/Levis, Charlevoix, Montreal... various bits of NB (a lot of quick day trips there)... and a few trips to Toronto. But my favorite trip was two years ago, to PEI (loved everything from Charlottetown to Basin Head; didn't get to the western side of the island.) I'm planning to be in NS in 2024 for a cultural event in the southwestern area (hoping to add a few days to explore more of the province, too.) I do have a lifelong goal of visiting Newfoundland & Labrador at some point... my long long ago ancestors settled on PEI, survived the expulsion, and migrated to western Newfoundland, where my grandmother was from. And I'd also love to visit Banff, and maybe more out west... someday.




Yes.

Y'all come out and see us sometime, y'hear!

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

So my husband was supposed to be off all day Wednesday but noooooo the Canadians moved their Tuesday 9am meeting to Wednesday 9am. With that being the day before American *wink wink* Thanksgiving you'd think they would know that and not schedule anything majority won't be attending the meeting since they will either be off and unable to join or they will be actively traveling because hello it's the day before Thanksgiving, not even sure why they would do an important meeting like that what's the point if most won't be attending. And now my husband is taking off a bit early tomorrow since he'll have to work now Wednesday morning.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

Boston’s Christmas Tree for display on the Boston Common arrived from Nova Scotia a few days ago. Footage shows a couple of fun flags and the reporter mentions how the friendship started over a hundred years ago.

https://www.wcvb.com/article/2021-boston-common-tree-for-boston-christmas-tree-arrives/38290905

ETA: This year marks the 50th time a tree has been donated and commemorates 104 years of friendship between Nova Scotia and the people of Boston.

The tree is an annual gift from Nova Scotia to the city to show appreciation for Boston's help after the Halifax Explosion in 1917. This will be the 50th year that Nova Scotia has gifted a tree.

On Dec. 6, 1917, two ships collided in the Halifax Harbour, causing a devastating explosion that killed nearly 2,000 people and left hundreds more severely injured and homeless. Boston then dispatched a train full of supplies and emergency personnel within a day of the disaster.

 

[Buzz Rules]

Congratulations Montreal on winning the Canadian Championship and a 2022 CCL spot.

 

[Buzz Rules]

Canadians pick three words that describe Americans. Americans pick three words that describe Canadians. Only polite answers please.