# I'm running away to Canada! (Seeking advice from locals) **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [September 1, 2002, 8:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-running-away-to-canada-seeking-advice-from-locals/126605 "2002-09-01T20:51:36Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 16\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![haardvark](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/b5ac83/32.png) [@haardvark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/haardvark)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2002, 1:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-running-away-to-canada-seeking-advice-from-locals/126605/21 "2002-09-05T01:50:10Z")
I am shilling for Kingston as a happy import and resident, not a Queen’s Grad. I’d never seen the place until I had put the finishing touches on my Master’s thesis (we moved 'cos Ms. 'vark had a job offer). Our esteemed colleague **Barbarian** ’s response has made me fearful that I’m coming across as a beer-soaked undergrad (Yaaah, Kingston’s kewl, dooooood) rather than an actual grown up employed person with marketable job skills and fresh breath. [sub]I was a beer soaked undergrad at a much better school than Queens…[/sub] 🙂 Although come to think of it I would sell up on that particular area too if I thought it was on your route… ---
**Author:** ![Intaglio](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/71e660/32.png) [@Intaglio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Intaglio)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2002, 1:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-running-away-to-canada-seeking-advice-from-locals/126605/22 "2002-09-05T01:58:17Z")
If I was going to runaway to Canada, I would go to Victoria/Vancouver, British Columbia, been there, loved it. ---
**Author:** ![CanadianSue](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/71e660/32.png) [@CanadianSue](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CanadianSue)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2002, 2:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-running-away-to-canada-seeking-advice-from-locals/126605/23 "2002-09-05T02:06:18Z")
You are definitely going to wrong end of the Country. Venture west I say! ---
**Author:** ![GingerOfTheNorth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/cdc98d/32.png) [@GingerOfTheNorth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GingerOfTheNorth)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2002, 9:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-running-away-to-canada-seeking-advice-from-locals/126605/24 "2002-09-05T21:20:41Z")
Funny, I was coming in here to tell you to stay away from the west., 'cause **Canadian Sue** used all the toilet paper. ---
**Author:** ![tisiphone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/bbe5ce/32.png) [@tisiphone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tisiphone)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2002, 9:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-running-away-to-canada-seeking-advice-from-locals/126605/25 "2002-09-05T21:53:22Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Fretful Porpentine \* > \*\*The Yukon, now _there’s_ an idea. Of course I’d have to toss the return ticket, but I have always wanted to do that. > > How many honey ‘n’ marshmallow sandwiches do you think I would need to survive? \*\* One ton. That’s what the Klondikers had to have on hand for the RCMP to let 'em in at Summit during the Gold Rush. One ton of supplies, packed up the Chilkoot, a hundred pounds at a time. That’s a lot of sammiches. On the other hand, we do actually have a genuine grocery-type store these here days. And the more fundamentalist Yukoners were certain that the World Was Coming To An End when McD’s opened up…oh, and we have the biggest Wal-Mart west of Grand Prairie. Decadence, I tells ya! Sheer decadence! ---
**Author:** ![mnemosyne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/c4cdca/32.png) [@mnemosyne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mnemosyne)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2002, 10:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-running-away-to-canada-seeking-advice-from-locals/126605/26 "2002-09-05T22:34:05Z")
If you’re in the Niagara region, and if you are a wine drinker (you don’t have to be an expert, just like the taste of different wines - or if you want to learn) I highly recommned stopping at a few of the fantastic wineries that the region has to offer. I have done parts of the wine route twice, and likely will again in a couple of weeks with family, and it is SO much fun. Although renting a car is recommended, you could also possibly (probably) rent a bike and visit the wineries in Niagara-on-the-Lake itself. There are so many amazing Ontario wines out there, particularly the icewines, which have won many MANY prizes locally and internationally. ---
**Author:** ![Sam\_Stone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecccb3/32.png) [@Sam\_Stone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sam_Stone)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2002, 6:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-running-away-to-canada-seeking-advice-from-locals/126605/27 "2002-09-06T06:53:11Z")
You should come to Edmonton and see the Gretzky statue, which is just off of the Gretzky avenue. While here, try one of our Gretzy burgers, at McGretzkys. If you hurry, you can get over to the Gretzky theater and catch the 18,475th showing of Gretzky’s 50th goal in 39 games. But if you want to get Gretzky’s autograph, you’ll have to go to LA. ---
**Author:** ![Feynn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/ecb155/32.png) [@Feynn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Feynn)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2002, 3:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-running-away-to-canada-seeking-advice-from-locals/126605/28 "2002-09-06T15:22:14Z")
I have to agree that you’re heading to the wrong side of the country and Sue did not use up all the toilet paper… even if she did we still have plenty of tree bark. ---
**Author:** ![Fretful\_Porpentine](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fretful_porpentine/32/2873_2.png) [@Fretful\_Porpentine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fretful_Porpentine)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2002, 3:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-running-away-to-canada-seeking-advice-from-locals/126605/29 "2002-09-06T15:35:38Z")
All right, y’all, I promise to go west next time. I’ve always wanted to go on a Great North American Rail Odyssey anyway, and if Amtrak goes under, this may be my only choice. Niagara-on-the-Lake is sounding more and more interesting. Now I just have to figure out how to get there. ---
**Author:** ![Dr\_Paprika](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr_paprika/32/3042_2.png) [@Dr\_Paprika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr_Paprika)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2002, 4:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-running-away-to-canada-seeking-advice-from-locals/126605/30 "2002-09-06T16:50:20Z")
I have heard persistent innuendo about Queen’s students and what they do to sheep. I think I know what “oil thigh” means. ---
**Author:** ![eunoia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eunoia/32/97_2.png) [@eunoia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eunoia)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2002, 11:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-running-away-to-canada-seeking-advice-from-locals/126605/31 "2002-09-06T23:13:42Z")
[Via Rail Corridor Pass](http://www.viarail.ca/students/en_etud_cart_corr.html) All of Canada that’s worth seeing, don’t listen to those Westerners, they’re just bitter that their votes are meaningless.😃 [Currency Converter](http://www.xe.com/ucc/) Our country is also presently at bargain basement prices. It’s kinda embarrassing really. You’ll want to email me, I won’t steer you towards frightful tourist traps, crappy poutine chains, and corny attractions. Be careful, there’s a ton of bad advice floating around from people posing as actual Montréalers. Tarheels also get a free beverage. (Another Kingston hijack!-----------\> toike oike) ---
**Author:** ![Northern\_Piper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/northern_piper/32/5304_2.png) [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2002, 4:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-running-away-to-canada-seeking-advice-from-locals/126605/32 "2002-09-09T04:02:31Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Fretful Porpentine \* > **Niagara-on-the-Lake is sounding more and more interesting. Now I just have to figure out how to get there.** I can’t find it in the on-line version of the ShawFest info pamphlet, but my hard copy says: > [@](#): > > There are daily bus and train services from Toronto to St. Catharines and Niagra Falls; from there you can reach Niagra-on-the-Lake by taxi or rental car. For bus schedules and fares, call Greyhounds Lines at 416-367-8747 or 1-800-661-8747. For train schedules and fares, call Via Rail at 905-685-9772 or 1-800-361-1235. > > Laidlaw Transit offers bus service three days per week between St. Catharines Bus Terminal and Niagra-on-the-Lake. Call 905-688-9600 for schedules and fares. I would just add that the Niagra Parks Commission has “People Mover” buses that run regularly between Niagra Falls and Niagra-on-the-Lake, a trip of about 20-30 minutes. So it sounds like if you get to either St. Catharines or Niagra Falls, you can get to N-on-the-L pretty easily, even without a car. Good luck and have fun! ---
**Author:** ![Fretful\_Porpentine](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fretful_porpentine/32/2873_2.png) [@Fretful\_Porpentine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fretful_Porpentine)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2002, 3:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-running-away-to-canada-seeking-advice-from-locals/126605/33 "2002-09-09T15:31:43Z")
Awesome! Thanks, **eunoia** and **Northern Piper**. (Although, having priced out point-to-point bus and rail tickets for most of the places I want to go, I’m not sure the savings on the rail pass are worth the decreased flexibility. Ah well, next time maybe.) One of the profs in my department says the best used book shops in the world are in Toronto – any recommendations? ---
**Author:** ![Sunspace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sunspace/32/1250_2.png) [@Sunspace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sunspace)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2002, 7:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-running-away-to-canada-seeking-advice-from-locals/126605/34 "2002-09-09T19:14:17Z")
Used books, you say? There are a number of somewhat-grungy used-book shops along the west side of Yonge north of College. I don’t know how they rate in terms of excellence though. Serious antiquarian booksellers? [This link](http://www.ramsaybooks.com/bookstore/dealinks.html) points to a list of booksellers across Canada. Scroll down for Toronto; there are quite a few. One interesting used-book shop is Seeker Books, on the lower level of a building on the south side of Bloor in the Annex, near the Blockbuster Video, between Spadina and Bathurst. I can always find unusual and interesting philosophical books in there. And there’s a hemp shop at the rear (no hemp ice-cream though). \ _New_ books… alas, the megastores have killed off a number of old bookshops in Toronto. However, specialty shops remain. Excellent SF bookshop: [Bakka Books](http://www.bakka.com/). Formerly on Queen Street, now on Yonge Street. Mega-excellent comic shop: [The Beguiling](http://www.beguiling.com/home.htm). Markham Street, south off Bloor, one block west of Bathurst (Bathurst subway). The original book superstore that started all the fuss: The World’s Biggest Bookstore. It was, when they started it. It still has a kick-ass SF section for a non-specialist bookshop. It is part of the Coles empire. Edward Street, west off Yonge one block north of Dundas (Dundas subway). Libraries: One of the best publicly-accessible SF research collections: the [Merrill Collection](http://www.tpl.toronto.on.ca/merril/home.htm). In the Lillian H Smith branch of the Toronto Public Library. South side of College Street, one block east of Spadina. The [Toronto Public Library](http://www.tpl.toronto.on.ca/uni_index.jsp) also has the Arthur Conan Doyle Collection. And the Osborne Collection of Childrens’ Literature. And the Art Room. And… And I’m not even going to get into the university libraries… \ ---
**Author:** ![StephenG](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/7feea3/32.png) [@StephenG](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/StephenG)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2002, 4:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-running-away-to-canada-seeking-advice-from-locals/126605/35 "2002-09-10T16:32:34Z")
What’s the sport of King’s? Queen’s,Queen’s,Queen’s! Put on your old Queen’s sweater, The dirtier the better, And we’ll all have another round of beer… Oh, I miss Frosh Week, but I feel so good coming to this thread. **haardvark** , nice plug. But how could you forget the Royal Hospital Museum? 🙂 The KBC is a fine establishment, and they were serving “Pooh’s Brew” (a honey nut beer sort of thing … quite good!) and “Raspberry Wheat Ale” which was nice, but a little too sweet and fruity for most of us. The Dragon Wings, sadly, were lacking fire … but the Horn o’ Plenty is still as good (huge!) as always. (Have we tempted you yet, **Porpentine**? Maybe if we ship you some so you can try it first?) There are a _lot_ of museums in Kingston, and the restaurants and small boutique-type shopping are also excellent. There is certainly no lack of beautiful people here (I love university campuses), and I’d be happy to show you around if you come. (That’s directed at **Fretful Porpentine** , but it’s an open offer.) Oh, and I have a car, too. 😉 Sorry for the hijack … now can we get back to Queen’s nostalgia? 😃 ::d&r:: ---
**Author:** ![GingerOfTheNorth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/cdc98d/32.png) [@GingerOfTheNorth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GingerOfTheNorth)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2002, 12:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-running-away-to-canada-seeking-advice-from-locals/126605/36 "2002-09-11T12:24:28Z")
While we’re speaking of Kingston, let me just add that I proudly performed with Maybe’s Men in some wonderful Gilbert & Sullivan musicals. Most recently was HMS Pinafore, which ran in Spring 2000. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-running-away-to-canada-seeking-advice-from-locals/126605.md?page=1)