ADDRESSES Generally
speaking, roads in built-up
areas in Canada are laid out on
a grid system, creating
"blocks" of buildings.
The first one or two digits of a
specific address refer to the
block, which will be numbered in
sequence from a central point,
usually downtown. For example,
620 S Cedar Ave will be six
blocks south of downtown. It is
crucial, therefore, to take note
of components such as
"NW" or "SE"
in addresses; 3620 SW King St
will be a very long way indeed
from 3620 NE King St. Where a
number is prefixed to the street
number, this indicates an
apartment or suite number in a
block at the same street
address.
BEARS Be aware of the
dangers posed by bears. Most
people blow a whistle while
walking in bear country to warn
them off. If confronted don't
run, make loud noises or sudden
movements, all of which are
likely to provoke an attack.
Leave the animal an escape route
and back off slowly. If you have
a pack, leave it as a
distraction. If attacked,
climbing a tree or playing dead
may save you from a grizzly, but
not from black bears. Fighting
back only increases the ferocity
of an attack.
ELECTRIC CURRENT
Electricity in Canada is
supplied at an alternating
current of 110 volts and at a
frequency of 60Hz, the same as
in the US. Visitors from the UK
will need transformers for
appliances like shavers and hair
dryers, and a plug converter for
Canada's two-pin sockets.
FLOORS The first
floor in Canada is what would be
the ground floor in Britain; the
second floor would be the
first floor, and so on.
ID Should be carried
at all times. Two pieces should
suffice, one of which should
have a photo; a passport and
credit card are your best bet.
MEASUREMENTS Canada
officially uses the metric
system, though many people still
use the imperial system.
Distances are in kilometres,
temperatures in degrees Celsius,
and foodstuffs, petrol and drink
are sold in grams, kilograms or
litres.
PUBLIC TOILETS Rare
even in cities, but bars,
fast-food chains, museums and
other public buildings
invariably have excellent
facilities.
SENIOR TRAVELLERS For
many senior citizens, retirement
brings the opportunity to
explore the world in a style and
at a pace that is the envy of
younger travellers. As well as
the advantages of being free to
travel during the quieter, less
expensive seasons, and for
longer periods, anyone over the
age of 65, often 60, can enjoy
the tremendous variety of
discounts on offer to those who
can produce suitable ID. VIA
Rail and Greyhound, for example,
offer (smallish) percentage
reductions on fares to older
passengers; while the majority
of museums and similar
attractions give at least fifty
percent discounts for seniors.
VIDEOS If you purchase
a prerecorded video in Canada,
make sure it's been recorded on
the PAL system, or else it will
be useless back in Europe. Blank
videos can be used in either
continent without any problem.
