Is Canada a different country?

[jackfaire]

Now before I get blasted. Yes I know it is a different country and a different culture etc.

What I want to know is that I am thinking of taking a vacation this year for the first time in 5 years. I would like to go to another country but Mexico would be too expensive and take too much time to get to. I am closer to Canada but I want to really feel like I am in a foreign land.

From people who live there, here, and have been to both. What do you think is that different enough for my first excursion to a foreign land?

[Crazedclerkthe2nd]

As a canadian now living my south let me first say my wife was surprised at the differences between our countries as she always thought they were pretty similar.

But there are plenty of things you can get there, for example:

- Beavertails (fried pastry things that are so yummy)
- Kinder chocolate
- Nanaimo Bars

That either aren't available at all in the U.S. or are not available widely.

You won't find too much football fandom in Canada, but there is plenty of Hockey, Skiing and Curling.

It's highly dependent on where you go. Most places in southern Ontario are very similar to U.S. cities and probably wouldn't feel that foreign.

Going out west (Alberta or B.C.) is a good option as there is some fantastic scenery and natural parks out there but if you are really looking for some unique Canadian culture I would suggest either the french speaking province of Quebec (Quebec City has a personality all its own, but it's touristy enough that most places you go you will encounter english speaking or bilingual people) or the Canadian east cost. The maritime provinces are great, especially Prince Edward Island and Nova Scotia.

The ultimate would of course be Newfoundland, that province is like a whole other country even to other canadians! It's a fair bit north, but well worth the trip if you can make it. Spectacular scenery there too.

[Greenday]

- Beavertails (fried pastry things that are so yummy)

Quite similar to churros actually. Just shaped differently. Cinnamon sticks.

[Amanita]

There's also Nova Scotia- Halifax is a small city, but pretty. We really come alive in the summer, but be warned. It does get rather hot and humid during the summer months.

[joe hx]

Interestingly enough, the first United States Constitution - the Articles of Confederation - pre-approved Canada to be a state.

Canada acceding to this confederation, and adjoining in the measures of the United States, shall be admitted into, and entitled to all the advantages of this Union; but no other colony shall be admitted into the same, unless such admission be agreed to by nine States.

sources:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Articles_of_confederation
http://www.law.ou.edu/ushistory/artconf.shtml

[Boozy]

Interestingly enough, the first United States Constitution - the Articles of Confederation - pre-approved Canada to be a state.

Then they started sending these offers directly to the mailboxes of Canadians. "Based on your postal code, you have been PRE-APPROVED! Don't wait - take advantage of these savings immediately!"

[Rapscallion]

Then they started sending these offers directly to the mailboxes of Canadians. "Based on your postal code, you have been PRE-APPROVED! Don't wait - take advantage of these savings immediately!"

Had me giggling out loud there

I've been to Atlanta, Chicago, Toronto, Hamilton, Quebec City, through Pittsburgh, through Niagara, and a few other places. Architecturally speaking, most of the older places are more interesting, and the newer ones more modern (yet blander). From this perspective they're very similar.

Attitude wise, it's calmer in Canadalandialand. Even the border agents are a touch more laid back. They don't take crap, but they're less likely to wonder if I've got a bomb in my beard. It's ... less antagonistic, I guess.

Many, many similarities exist, but there's a greater feeling of ease to the north.

Rapscallion

[jackfaire]

Many, many similarities exist, but there's a greater feeling of ease to the north.

Rapscallion

Sounds like the kind of place for me I am a very laid back kind of guy.

[muses_nightmare]

If you like outdoorsy kind of stuff northwestern BC is great, I'm from a small town up north. It really is beautiful up there.

Or if cities are your thing Vancouver is awesome (I love this place, and I live here ) and there are quite a few other places around Van that you can travel to within at the most a couple hours. Victoria is just a ferry ride away.

I also lived in the Okanagan, which was pretty nice. Lots of wineries and that kind of stuff there. I only lived there for about a year, so I can't say everything that's around there (I will say the casinos are pretty awesome, okay shameless plug of my old workplace lol).

I don't know a lot of the Eastern part of Canada, Though I did visit Ottawa when I was in grade 8. Pretty interesting city, lots of history (as it's the Capital and all :P)

[jackfaire]

Or if cities are your thing Vancouver is awesome

Would be kind of surreal going from Vancouver to Vancouver.

[crashhelmet]

Go to Nunavut and take pictures of all the people in pink camo

CH

[lordlundar]

To appreciate what's different about Canada from the US, you have to stay away from the cities. Those are most easily influenced by the states. Small towns have their own uniqueness to them, and then there's places which have few people visiting each year, which shows just how different it is. The cities, not early so much.

[muses_nightmare]

Would be kind of surreal going from Vancouver to Vancouver.

It really would, makes me want to do it. I always forget there's another Vancouver.

[jackfaire]

It really would, makes me want to do it. I always forget there's another Vancouver.

So do a lot of people.

If we say we are from Vancouver people assume we mean BC

Then we quantify it by saying oh no I mean in Washington and people are like,

Oh DC! *facepalm*

It's even on tshirts

Vancouver (not BC) Washington (not DC)