We decided to visit our friendly neighbors to the north for AM's birthday. We left on 2/9 and returned 2/13. We pretty much loved every minute of it and can't believe what a difference crossing the border makes. I mean, same continent, same language; how different can it be right?
First of all my American compadres, be thankful you only pay a small amount of sales tax (or if in OR, none at all!). The Canadians pay provincial tax and then a federal goods and services tax (GST) on EVERY freaking item in the land. They are pretty heavily taxed (around 15% per Canadian gov't sites NOT including income taxes) which sucks when you are a tourist and the American dollar is weaker than the Canadian dollar. Everything was/is more expensive there. Buying gas? It'll cost you at least $1.07 per liter. 1 gallon is equal to 3.785 liters, making the gas price $4.04/gallon. Yuck.
Life is also slower in Canada. Literally. Max speed limits everywhere were no more than 90 kmph which is 56 mph. I guess if you followed the speed limit you would technically limit your gas consumption but thats another story so lets skip that discussion for now.
Pretty much everything is written in English and French including many of the traffic signs. Say what? (Parole ce qui ?) We were under the assumption that BC was not one of the French speaking provinces and for the most part I believe that to be true, but it did seem that there was a large number of French people all over the areas we visited so I guess that is the reason for the dual language signs all aboot. Honestly, the dual language sign isn't all that weird. I mean, hello.., travel through most of the Central Valley in CA and you have your dual language billboards, but it did seem strange to see French sign-age rather than Spanish. Moving on...
No censorship on TV. Cool. Even on channels as mundane as Food Network, there were disclaimers at the beginning of the show advising if coarse language offends you, please change the station. hahaa! Food network? What the #%@*?? Late night television also has plenty of extra skin for viewing even on 'educational' shows.
As some of you are aware, Canada is well known for its nationalized health care plan. Having spent many hours researching international health plan systems while back at Fresno State, I found it really interesting to see first hand. (I know- kinda nerdy. Deal with it.) There is NO privatization of health care there at all. Even independent ambulance companies don't exist, they are all listed as "emergency transport vehicles". There are hospitals and clinics everywhere and they all show they are part of the Royal Canadian Health Centres, etc. All Canadian citizens receive 100% free health care services thus there is also no health insurance accepted in Canada. Services are rationed which can make for very long waits for elective services and other procedures. All the government sponsored programs show that for the most part it seems as though that 15% tax everyone pays there is being used responsibly. Nice to see.
Canadians really do love hockey. THEY REALLY LOVE HOCKEY. Greg bought himself a throwback LA Kings Jersey before leaving and every time he wore the thing strangers stopped him on the street to engage in hockey talk. EVERY TIME.
We could go on and on about the neat little things we saw while there but instead check out some photos from the trip. We are so ready to go back up and explore, explore, explore. We want to try to head to Whistler for some snow play and then maybe trek around other parts of Canada to see the sights. It's very clean and beautiful and pretty much everyone we encountered was friendly and helpful. With any luck we plan to make a trip back up this year before the passport requirement goes into effect for land travel through the border. After that, I guess we have to suck it up and pay the fees which can only be justified by planning some overseas travel. haha. I guess we will start saving now!
US/Canada Border. This is the peace arch memorial.
Welcome. (yep in French too)
Freaky Scientology protest on 2/10/08. Somewhere Tom Cruise was shivering.
Vancouver Aquarium, 2/10
In awe of the Beluga whales
Belugas are cool. (and social!)
Dolphin exhibit.
The fam
Granville Island, Vancouver. 2/11/08
Granville Public Market (very similar to Pike Market in Seattle except all indoors and mostly food)
Enduring the freezing rain for yet another pic!
The pier at Granville Isl.
Belly at the Canada Place. Below is the "Canada Place". Looks cool but it's super boring.
Ferry Terminal, Tsawassen Point, BC. 02/12/08
There's that hockey jersey. (We're in line to drive into the ferry headed for Vancouver Island)
Waiting to get on the ferry.
Pretty sign. Have no idea what the garden looks like since it was about to close. oh well.
The touristas in front of the Parliament buildings in Victoria.
Belly and Greg
Inside the Royal BC Museum and in front of John Lennon's yellow submarine car.
Belly, 02/12
Belly once again showing off her photography skills.
Doors to the Parliament building.
The Harbour. Victoria, BC
The Royal BC Museum
More shots of the Parliament bldg.
Headed back from Swartz Bay, Vancouver Island via our ferry.
The Lookout. 2/13/08
Views from the Lookout.
About ready to get going back home.
More shots from the Lookout.
Bel and her ma.
Us in line. again.
US border crossing.
"I don't want to leave."
We'll be back! Winter Olympics 2010 here we come!
