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.
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