Trip Report: You Know You're In Canada When.....

You know you're in Canada when you come to these booths operated by Canada Border Services and you have to show your passport to gain entry. (This is the land crossing from Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan to Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario.)

 

You know you're in Canada when you see Shoppers Drug Mart stores on every other street corner. (They are as ubiquitous as Walgreens and CVS in the United States.)

You know you're in Canada when you see Tim Horton's instead of Dunkin. 

You know you're in Canada when you see Petro-Canada and ESSO gas stations.

You know you're in Canada when you see Canadian Tire stores. They really have no American counterpart, selling not only tires and auto parts but also outdoor equipment such as kayaks and tents and some even sell groceries.

You know you're in Canada when you see Bell telephone stores and payphone booths. A remnant of the former American conglomerate Bell System. Florida used to have Southern Bell and later Bell South.

You know you're in Canada when you see Canada Post/Postes Canada branches.

You know you're in Canada when you see Roots stores full of outdoor leisure apparel, much of it with Canadiana logos.

You know you're in Canada when sporting goods stores such as Sport Chek are jammed with hockey sticks!

You know you're in Canada when you see Dollarama stores.

Last but not least, you know you're in Canada when there are A&W restaurants everywhere and you can stop and get some poutine (pictured here without cheese curds...yuck!) Bonjour au Canada, everyone!