a nomad kind of.

through local eyes a local perspective

canada.

melissa, in their own words.

https://www.instagram.com/p/Bj7Rh0SgD74/?taken-by=bymelissaclaire

 

where are you originally from?​
canada

people

how would you describe the people in your country?
kind

on a scale of 1–10, how well do people in your country speak english?
10

what’s a common word or expression people use in your country?
sorry

how do i say hello, thank you, please, and sorry in your language?
like that for english canada; in french: bonjour/merci/s’il vous plait/désolé(é)

what do people in your country usually do for fun?
a mix of relaxing and partying!

food

what’s the best local food to try? anything unusual?
poutine and ketchup chips; frozen maple syrup (we make a small indent in the snow, put a stick down, and then pour maple syrup – like a lollipop)

what local drinks would you recommend trying?
canadian beer/whiskey; a caesar

what’s a typical breakfast like in your country?
eggs, pancakes, french toast are common on weekends, as well as canadian bacon. children typically eat cereal or toast with jam and fruit. breakfast varies a lot because canada is so multicultural. but maple syrup on pancakes/french toast is heaven. we also love brunch.

culture

what’s the best festival to attend?
canada day

which sports are people in your country most passionate about?
hockey

what’s the craziest thing someone can do in your country?
polar bear dip

what activities or experiences would you recommend to visitors?
winter sports, camping

are there any local customs visitors should be aware of?
be polite; hold the door for the person behind you, etc

places

what are some of the most incredible places to visit in your country?
rockies, east/west coasts, northwest territories, nunavut

is there a lesser-known place you’d recommend? maybe a secret spot?
well, a lot of people don’t know where canada is

where can visitors find the best beaches?
cottage country, west coast

if i’m staying for less than a week, which city should i choose?
montreal, vancouver, or toronto

country

how would you describe your country in one sentence?
vast and diverse

how many days would you recommend spending in your country?
you would need many weeks to see the whole place because it is geographically massive and everything is far apart.

when’s the best time to visit?
any time of year is nice, depending on your preferred weather. fall is nice for the colours. winter for winter sports, summer for warm weather and outdoor activities.
can you give interesting trivia about your country? (could be about anything!)
we have two national sports – hockey and lacrosse; we have 6 time zones; 80% of the world’s maple syrup supply comes from canada

what is your country’s most popular stereotype/cliché?
canadians are super nice and say sorry a lot; we live in igloos and have pet beavers/polar bears

travel

do you travel often? what’s your favorite place so far?
yes, all of them are great – a new and unique experience every time

what’s your most memorable travel story?
i couchsurfed across europe solo for 3 months

what do you love most about traveling?
i like to educate myself about the world, push my own limits, and constantly challenge my assumptions

about melissa

instagram: @bymelissaclaire
website/blog: http://www.bymelissaclaire.com – personal brand photography and copywriting
e-mail: melissa@bymelissaclaire.com