September, 2019
As previously noted, Canada is a beautiful country. I say that having seen only seen a small part of two Eastern provinces, but I don't expect the rest would disappoint. And Canadians are an interesting people. I have lived in and visited places in the US where total strangers will smile and say hello as you pass them on the street. Here in Ontario, and even more so in Quebec, most won't look you in the eye let alone speak. That might be seen as a coldness, but it's belied when you start a conversation and see how quickly these folks warm up.
Canadians as a nation are sometimes tagged by us in the States as having an inferiority complex and, as such, are often the butt of our jokes. But what some see as inferiority may be something else entirely — civility. I wonder if we've become so jaded that we simply don't recognize it when we see it. People here will often hold a door for you. In heavy traffic they'll let you pull out in front of them. And how about this: In almost a month living in Quebec and Ontario I have been tailgated only once. Once (it was a BMW — I know, big surprise)! Drive two miles an hour below the speed limit in Nashville and half the drivers on the road will try to climb into your trunk. And then there's the issue of turn signals. We all have them but Canadians actually use them.
Speaking of highways and byways, one not-so-nice feature of Canada is the roads. Teeth-rattling, bone-jarring roads. Potholes and patches are bad enough, but when the patches on the potholes have patches, you know you're in for a rough ride.
I get it, Canadian winters are hard. But that's not exactly a secret. Governments, national and local, should be budgeting funds for road repair. Many funds. It's clear that some work has been done and you'll occasionally hit stretch of good smooth asphalt, but you can be sure it'll be a short one.
Travel tip: Eastern Canada is gorgeous. The people are great and there's lots to see and do. But If you plan to drive here, rent a car.
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