There’s no place like home.

Iamthewalrus

Wow. Surely you realize that in the second largest country in the world that what you experienced doesn’t represent the entire country. I can walk around the corner to a convenience store (called corner stores where I am) and pick up wine. There are miles and miles of trails in forests and ravines surrounding me, I use a kettle every single day as does everyone else I know. There are hundreds if not thousands of song birds in this country. It is perfectly normal to miss home and your routine when on vacation but making such generalizations is very narrow minded. Sorry, but I find most of your post offensive.

I think you are looking to be offended.

BlessedArt

I have to admit, I didn’t much understand the bit about the songbirds and figured it was just the OP feeling homesick lol. Canada is one of the planet’s greatest wilderness countries. The biodiversity is unbelievable.

In the three locations we stayed there were no songbirds.

We guessed it was because there were eagles and turkey vultures.

We were however fortunate enough to be in a sky garden in Vancouver to see a hummingbird.

Not sure where you were in BC but you can buy wine grocery stores all throughout Vancouver.

Not at all, but as I said Canada is massive. You sound like you were in a quite limited area so you shouldn’t espouse about an entire country. That is like me travelling to the UK and going to just the Highlands and then saying I didn’t get to see any theatre or going to a small village in the Cotswalds and then saying they don’t have supermarkets in England.

Love Canada. Visited 3 times. Toronto to Quebec in the autumn, beautiful drive, interesting towns and people.
Drove from west coast to east coast. Spectacular again. All places visited people very friendly, helpful when looking for accommodation with great recommendations. Then drive from Toronto to New York city. Loved New York, even the buzz and constant tipping.
Favourite though is Japan. So respectful of others, could do with some of that in UK. Arrived at first hotel very late in evening. Asked at reception if dining room still open. No, but he got the chef to do some food for us and not a sandwich, actual meal Everyone willing to help at train stations, harbours, waiting for boats. Bali was as depicted, very serene, really relaxing
The only food bought on any of the trips was in restaurants of all types. I missed nothing.

I love Bali,too but I wouldn’t describe it as ‘serene’ Depends where you go I suppose. Very lively mostly and quite crowded. A lot cheaper for us than travelling round our home country and that is why so many Aussies go there ( noisy ones in particular !)

mokryna

CarrotTop Did you know that when you walk into a local shop, doctor’s surgery, etc., always greet everyone with ‘Bonjour, Mesdames Messieurs’ clearly. Also, when asking an assistant for something, whether in a small shop or a big store ‘Bonjour’ is always well appreciated before asking any question.
I miss this nicety when I shop in small shops in England, the assistants look as if I have gone mad because I have forgotten where I was., although it is in English.
When we leave a small shop in France we say ‘Au revoir’ followed by ‘Merci’ even if we haven’t bought anything, it’s just being polite, in France. 🇫🇷

I'm in France at the moment and it seems to be slowly dying out ... or maybe everyone is surprised that an English woman offers this courtesy!