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Post by Deleted on Jul 1, 2009 14:45:09 GMT
Actually, the last time I went (2 years ago?) there was a lot of wind and some of the still burning stuff wafted onto the crowd. Always an exciting moment! (It's better when there is some wind because they shoot off so much stuff that if the smoke isn't carried away, it starts blocking the view.)
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Post by lagatta on Jul 1, 2009 15:20:32 GMT
I'm reading over the NYT thing about what Canadians miss (note that this is in the US, and what they might miss elsewhere would be somewhat different). "Canadians defer. We save our loonies and don’t jaywalk. It’s illegal, eh". CERTAINLY doesn't apply in Québec!
Agree about the healthcare, though why on earth aren't teeth covered?
imec might kill me, but I think the bookshop owner is utterly, raving mad about Winnipeg winters. Our winters are far less rigid than those on the Prairies, but I curse them every day.
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Post by Jazz on Jul 1, 2009 15:42:38 GMT
I read the NYT article and wonder, who writes these things? 'Canadians defer. We save our loonies and don't jaywalk'" NOT in Ontario....'cautiously, quietly, demurely Canadian'...oh my god.
Winnipeg winters? You couldn't pay me to winter in Winnipeg. But, I am totally grateful for our Medicare and our 'mosaic', rather than 'melting pot'.
Imec, don't worry if it rains on the 14th...Paris is the most beautiful city in the rain. I would spend hours walking, the palette of greys and purples of the rain is is unforgettable.
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Post by imec on Jul 1, 2009 16:48:51 GMT
I get a kick out of the Winnipeg Winter bashing. I travel to Toronto at least twice per month from September to April. While it is undoubtedly, statistically colder in Winnipeg, I and my boss (who lives in Edmonton) always find it colder in Toronto. It's so damp! And the wind off the lake blows right up Bay, York and University streets (where I usually spend most of my time).
As for Montreal, not quite as cold, but it's the snow that'll kill ya. (Montreal is the 38th snowiest city in Canada - Winnipeg is the 85th).
As for jaywalking - they don't call Toronto's baseball team the Blue Jays without good reason.
The real downsides to Winnipeg are the Mosquitos (made worse by the would be "environmentalists" who oppose insecticide spraying - despite overwhelming evidence of it's safety) and the poor drivers (without a doubt the most frustrating place in Canada to drive).
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Post by lagatta on Jul 1, 2009 19:07:13 GMT
True, we get a fair bit of snow, but it is all cleared away from the streets and pavements.
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Post by imec on Jul 1, 2009 19:40:02 GMT
True, we get a fair bit of snow, but it is all cleared away from the streets and pavements. And without the help of the armed forces too...
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Post by lagatta on Jul 2, 2009 14:18:20 GMT
For non-Canadians, imec is referring to the armed forces being called in to clear a Toronto blizzard. However, the armed forces WERE called in, and rightly so, when the very severe ice storm about a decade ago hit western Québec and eastern Ontario (the area including Montréal, Ottawa and Kingston, and surrounding towns, villages and farms). That was a very severe weather emergency and a sign of "wacky" or extreme weather and climate change, as the many cm of freezing rain were caused by warmer weather than usual and several other factors. People and many livestock died, and many areas were without power for weeks. In a poorer country the death toll would have been very high.
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Post by imec on Jul 2, 2009 14:35:06 GMT
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Post by bixaorellana on Jul 2, 2009 14:53:39 GMT
So much destruction ...... but so much beauty, too!
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Post by imec on Jul 2, 2009 15:00:21 GMT
So much destruction ...... but so much beauty, too! Ironic, isn't it.
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Post by bixaorellana on Jul 2, 2009 15:01:39 GMT
So much destruction ...... but so much beauty, too! Ironic, isn't it. No, honey, I think it's frozen water. ;D
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Post by imec on Jul 2, 2009 15:22:40 GMT
Smartass ;D
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Post by Deleted on Jul 2, 2009 20:05:19 GMT
Ice storms are rare in France, but we have had a few from time to time. The consequences are always catastrophic in terms of trees and power lines.
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Post by lagatta on Jul 2, 2009 22:51:43 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Jun 20, 2011 0:45:56 GMT
It'll soon be Canada day again. This year I'm heading for the Capital, (just for a change). Will take pics and post them up on here.
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Post by lagatta on Jun 20, 2011 13:21:46 GMT
Here the 1st of July is above all moving day!
Tomorrow, the Summer Solstice, is also National Aboriginal Peoples Day and there will be an event at the Botanical Gardens. If I'm not too busy with work I'll definitely cycle there tomorrow.
Deyana, won't the young Royals be on hand this year?
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Post by Deleted on Jun 21, 2011 0:03:12 GMT
I think they will, Lagatta, but in Ottawa?
I should have explained, by 'Capital' I meant the Capital of NB. i.e. Fredericton. Yes, I remember from the time I spend in Montreal, moving day is always on July 1st!
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Post by Deleted on Jun 22, 2011 18:42:43 GMT
Looks like we're off to Nova Scotia next week, so may very well stay for Canada day in Halifax.
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Post by Deleted on Jun 22, 2011 20:08:47 GMT
I went back to the beginning of this thread and discovered that "Québec Day" (sorry to write that in English!) seems to be coming up tomorrow. Lagatta?
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Post by Deleted on Jun 30, 2014 17:36:43 GMT
Happy Canada Day, everybody (demain)! On the Centennial, as a baby ballerina, I was supposed to perform in one of the ceremonies but my parents whisked us all off to Germany for four years, so I missed the whole shebang. Here are some memories. Je me souviens.
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Post by lagatta on Jun 30, 2014 18:43:33 GMT
K2, it is "La Fête nationale du Québec" which is of course la Saint-Jean, with all the Summer Solstice implications of a great bonfire, partying late into the night, drinking, funny tobacco and sex. Ah, la jeunesse!
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Post by Deleted on Jun 30, 2014 18:46:43 GMT
That's cute. Okay, I know that I could look this up, but how was the date of Canada Day chosen?
(Okay, I looked it up anyway, so you don't have to answer.)
In such an ethnocentric country as France, I am at least proud to know that the Belgian national day is July 21st (just one week after Bastille Day, so easy to remember). The Luxembourg day is some time around the end of June, but most of the other surrounding countries, I have no idea, except for Germany which has its day on October 3rd.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 1, 2014 15:13:11 GMT
Happy Canada Day to all our Canadian friends!!
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Post by Deleted on Jul 1, 2014 16:03:06 GMT
It's really the only day of the year most Canadians can indulge in a little nationalistic pride. Sadly, for what once was, not so much for what is happening right now (I'm looking at you, Christy Clark, Rob Ford, and Stephen Harper!).
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Post by mich64 on Jul 1, 2014 16:40:19 GMT
Happy 147th Birthday Canada!
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Post by Deleted on Jul 1, 2014 17:19:26 GMT
Okay people, how do you celebrate? Backyard barbecues, fireworks, people parading in silly costumes? Or have you taken it up a notch to jumping on the backs of grizzlies, wrestling covered with maple syrup, slapping each other with salmons?
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Post by htmb on Jul 1, 2014 18:33:55 GMT
Lizzy, I like your little flag waving emoticon guy. Happy Canada Day, friends!
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Post by Deleted on Jul 1, 2014 18:57:45 GMT
Thanks, htmb. Kerouac, you're right on the money. By July our igloos have melted, so we frolic in the open air. There are usually fireworks, though they are well thought out affairs that last from 10:30 - 11:00, and everyone walks home in an orderly fashion afterwards. We have four summer holidays that work out to long weekends. May - Victoria Day; July 1st - Canada Day; August 1st - Provincial Holiday; and September - Labour Day. Although there are the vagaries of the weather and the different locales, they're all celebrated in roughly the same way - outdoor feasting and beer chugging. If deyana or mich answer, they're probably spending it with their families. lagatta and I, the single gals in the city, probably don't do much that's different. My Dad flies his Red Ensign on this day. Here's a test for you all: How Well Do You Know Canada
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Post by htmb on Jul 1, 2014 19:05:16 GMT
Obviously, not well enough. 10 correct. :-(
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Post by Deleted on Jul 1, 2014 19:14:52 GMT
I think that is outstanding for non-Canadian! I have friends who only got 14 and they were educated here. Plus, the test is quite central-Canada heavy. No real history questions outside of Quebec/Ontario. A Sleeman's for htmb!
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