Mailing List Archive

On Thu, 5 May 2022 at 08:57, Nanog News <news@nanog.org> wrote:

> *10 Do's + Don'ts for Visiting Québec*
> *NANOG 85 Meeting Will Take Place Jun. 6 - 8 in Montréal*
>
> We are delighted to cross international borders in our mission to grow,
> inspire + profoundly build the Internet of tomorrow!
>
> Montréal is Canada's second-largest city and is known for its melting pot
> of diverse culture, established universities, enthralling art, food,
> history + festivals. It has been called one of the world's "happiest
> locations" as an estimated 45,000 immigrants relocate to the city every
> year.
>
> For those who don't call Québec home, we have prepared a list of cultural
> "Do's and Don'ts" to help you quickly acclimate + thrive in this foreign
> destination.
>
> *READ MORE <https://www.nanog.org/stories/10-dos-dont-of-visting-québec/>*
>
>
> I have lived ten minutes from Quebec and two hours from Montreal for a
long time, I have never encountered either item 1 or item 2. Of course,
there might be a place that won't take a credit card, but your credit card
company will charge you a fee and be happy to use a terrible exchange rate
as will restaurants if you pay in US cash.

Consider getting cash from your bank account at an ATM at a bank once you
land although there are fees there as well. If you are a TD bank customer,
TD is a Canadian Bank and that will eliminate a fee.

As for culture, smoked meat, bagels (they are different) and poutine should
be on this list.

I think I have actually heard « tire-toi une bûche » before! But it was as a child, visiting our annual Fête du Voyageur historical re-enactment, and certainly not in any normal day-to-day setting.
I’m just happy that an American author (who quite likely has never been to Montreal), writing for an overwhelmingly-American audience, recognized that we have separate cultures in the first place.

Meanwhile, one thing I haven’t seen mentioned anywhere yet is ArriveCAN[1] and/or eTAs[2].
If you’re trying to enter Canada right now you must use the ArriveCAN system before you get to the border, or you’ll likely be denied entry. That means doing it before you get on the plane, not after you land.
Anyone entering Canada using a Canadian or American passport should not need an eTA (Electronic Travel Authorization, sort of an e-visa), but pretty much everyone else does (e.g. passports from Mexico or anywhere in the Caribbean, in this case).

Absolutely check this out for yourself, links are below, I am not guaranteeing in any way the accuracy, nor the durability, of what I’ve written here.

References:
[1] COVID-19: Use ArriveCAN to enter Canada - Canada.ca<https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/diseases/coronavirus-disease-covid-19/arrivecan.html>
[2] Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) - Canada.ca<https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/visit-canada/eta.html>
General info: Visit Canada - Canada.ca<https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/visit-canada.html?outside>
Official landing page: Welcome / Bienvenue | Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development Canada / Affaires Étrangères, Commerce et Développement Canada (canadainternational.gc.ca)<https://www.canadainternational.gc.ca/>

I already wrote all of this up for a conference based in Ottawa, that sees a large qty. of int’l visitors from around the world: BSDCan 2022 - Travel<https://www.bsdcan.org/2022/travel.php#mozTocId145341> Travelers from the US generally don’t have the kind of issues at customs I’ve described there.

-Adam


P.S. ArriveCAN is a pain to Canadians, too, I can’t just pop across the border for shopping trips whenever I want any more without planning for it in advance. Yeah, I know, first-world problems…

Adam Thompson
Consultant, Infrastructure Services
[MERLIN]
100 - 135 Innovation Drive
Winnipeg, MB R3T 6A8
(204) 977-6824 or 1-800-430-6404 (MB only)
https://www.merlin.mb.ca<https://www.merlin.mb.ca/>
[cid:image002.png@01D8614A.053D7EA0]Chat with me on Teams<https://teams.microsoft.com/l/chat/0/0?users=athompson@merlin.mb.ca>

From: NANOG <nanog-bounces+athompson=merlin.mb.ca@nanog.org> On Behalf Of J EMail
Sent: Friday, May 6, 2022 8:00 AM
To: Nanog News <news@nanog.org>
Cc: nanog@nanog.org; nanog-announce@nanog.org
Subject: Re: 10 Do's + Don'ts for Visiting Québec + Register Now for N85!


On Thu, 5 May 2022 at 08:57, Nanog News <news@nanog.org<mailto:news@nanog.org>> wrote:
10 Do's + Don'ts for Visiting Québec
NANOG 85 Meeting Will Take Place Jun. 6 - 8 in Montréal

We are delighted to cross international borders in our mission to grow, inspire + profoundly build the Internet of tomorrow!

Montréal is Canada's second-largest city and is known for its melting pot of diverse culture, established universities, enthralling art, food, history + festivals. It has been called one of the world's "happiest locations" as an estimated 45,000 immigrants relocate to the city every year.

For those who don't call Québec home, we have prepared a list of cultural "Do's and Don'ts" to help you quickly acclimate + thrive in this foreign destination.

READ MORE <https://www.nanog.org/stories/10-dos-dont-of-visting-québec/>


I have lived ten minutes from Quebec and two hours from Montreal for a long time, I have never encountered either item 1 or item 2. Of course, there might be a place that won't take a credit card, but your credit card company will charge you a fee and be happy to use a terrible exchange rate as will restaurants if you pay in US cash.

Consider getting cash from your bank account at an ATM at a bank once you land although there are fees there as well. If you are a TD bank customer, TD is a Canadian Bank and that will eliminate a fee.

As for culture, smoked meat, bagels (they are different) and poutine should be on this list.

Having lived in and continue to spend as much time in Montreal as I can.
This list made be laugh, especially for a group where most of us do a lot
of travel.

Other then no right on red. Montreal like any other city. Don't be an ass
and enjoy yourself.



On Thu, May 5, 2022, 9:56 AM Nanog News <news@nanog.org> wrote:

> *10 Do's + Don'ts for Visiting Québec*
> *NANOG 85 Meeting Will Take Place Jun. 6 - 8 in Montréal*
>
> We are delighted to cross international borders in our mission to grow,
> inspire + profoundly build the Internet of tomorrow!
>
> Montréal is Canada's second-largest city and is known for its melting pot
> of diverse culture, established universities, enthralling art, food,
> history + festivals. It has been called one of the world's "happiest
> locations" as an estimated 45,000 immigrants relocate to the city every
> year.
>
> For those who don't call Québec home, we have prepared a list of cultural
> "Do's and Don'ts" to help you quickly acclimate + thrive in this foreign
> destination.
>
> *READ MORE <https://www.nanog.org/stories/10-dos-dont-of-visting-québec/>*
>
> *Register for NANOG 85 Today!*
>
> Join us in person or virtually for NANOG 85. Don't miss your chance to
> experience hours of ground-breaking industry talks, a legendary keynote
> speaker, opportunities for networking + more.
>
> *REGISTER NOW <https://www.nanog.org/events/nanog-85/>*
>
>
>

------- Original Message -------
On Friday, May 6th, 2022 at 13:59, J EMail <70ford500@gmail.com> wrote:

> poutine should be on this list.


God no ! 
There are many great things about Canada and Québec .... but poutine most certainly is not. A culinary abomination that deserves to be confined to the history books.

?I’m a Minnesotan, the land of Powder Milk Biscuits, and thus an honorary Canadian. I can attest that poutine is indeed wonderful, and I would say essential to withstand the viciously cold northern winters. It originated in Quebec, and is still very popular there, and also throughout Canada. Importantly, poutine is a critical infrastructure component for network administrators. I would go so far as to say that it is the only food that can serve all North American Network Operators as universal sustenance.

https://www.britannica.com/topic/poutine

“It has become a symbol of Québécois and Canadian cuisine and culture.”

-mel

On May 8, 2022, at 7:31 AM, Laura Smith via NANOG <nanog@nanog.org> wrote:

?
------- Original Message -------
On Friday, May 6th, 2022 at 13:59, J EMail <70ford500@gmail.com> wrote:

poutine should be on this list.


God no !
There are many great things about Canada and Québec .... but poutine most certainly is not. A culinary abomination that deserves to be confined to the history books.

On 08/05/2022 15:28, Laura Smith via NANOG wrote:
> but poutine most certainly is not. A culinary abomination that deserves to be confined to the history books.

It is but the refined variant of 'cheesy chips & [british] gravy' and
no-one will convince me otherwise, especially at 3am following four
hours of swearing, sweating and more swearing in a data centre.

Poutine uber alles.

--
Tom

On 5/8/22 11:34, Mel Beckman wrote:
> ?Importantly, poutine is a critical infrastructure
> component for network administrators. I would go so far as to say that
> it is the only food that can serve all North American Network Operators
> as universal sustenance.

You misspelled pizza.

--
Jay Hennigan - jay@west.net
Network Engineering - CCIE #7880
503 897-8550 - WB6RDV

As a Quebecer, I think it's my duty to say that good Poutine *is *good.
There are plenty of bad poutine (like any other food) in Montreal but
definitely something to try for anyone here for NANOG.

For a portuguese style poutine : http://mapoulemouillee.ca/

And for something a bit more mass-market : https://labanquise.com/en/

These two are literally right in front of each other ;)



On Sun, May 8, 2022 at 10:30 AM Laura Smith via NANOG <nanog@nanog.org>
wrote:

>
> ------- Original Message -------
> On Friday, May 6th, 2022 at 13:59, J EMail <70ford500@gmail.com> wrote:
>
> > poutine should be on this list.
>
>
> God no !
> There are many great things about Canada and Québec .... but poutine most
> certainly is not. A culinary abomination that deserves to be confined to
> the history books.
>

I will add that card cloning is common enough in Canada that one should
take precautions, particularly if just using the magnetic strip instead
of tapping or chip/code. Don't hand your card to anyone to allow them
to swipe either, no matter how nicely they offer.

If you are not from Canada and do not speak French but have an English
accent that could be from another part of Canada, you may get an
atittude from some service workers.. just explain that you're not from
Canada and the attitude will clear right up.

It's a wonderful city, just use your head.





On 2022-05-08 08:11, jim deleskie wrote:
> Having lived in and continue to spend as much time in Montreal as I
> can.  This list made be laugh, especially for a group where most of us
> do a lot of travel.
>
> Other then no right on red.  Montreal like any other city.  Don't be an
> ass and enjoy yourself.
>
>
>
> On Thu, May 5, 2022, 9:56 AM Nanog News <news@nanog.org
> <mailto:news@nanog.org>> wrote:
>
> *10 Do's + Don'ts for Visiting Québec*
> /NANOG 85 Meeting Will Take Place Jun. 6 - 8 in Montréal/
>
> We are delighted to cross international borders in our mission to
> grow, inspire + profoundly build the Internet of tomorrow!
>
> Montréal is Canada's second-largest city and is known for its
> melting pot of diverse culture, established universities,
> enthralling art, food, history + festivals. It has been called one
> of the world's "happiest locations" as an estimated 45,000
> immigrants relocate to the city every year.
>
> For those who don't call Québec home, we have prepared a list of
> cultural "Do's and Don'ts" to help you quickly acclimate + thrive in
> this foreign destination.
>
> *READ MORE
> <https://www.nanog.org/stories/10-dos-dont-of-visting-québec/>*
>
> *Register for NANOG 85 Today!*
>
> Join us in person or virtually for NANOG 85. Don't miss your chance
> to experience hours of ground-breaking industry talks, a legendary
> keynote speaker, opportunities for networking + more.
>
> *REGISTER NOW <https://www.nanog.org/events/nanog-85/>*
>
>
>

------- Original Message -------
On Sunday, May 8th, 2022 at 21:31, Stephen Fulton <sf@lists.esoteric.ca> wrote:

> If you are not from Canada and do not speak French

I speak French, but the European one.

I struggled to make myself understood because I was speaking with the "proper" accent and mannerisms (e.g. rolling of R's), both of which are brutally murdered by French Canadian speakers.

So I switched to speaking English. Worked out well, and I never saw the "chip on shoulder" that Stephen alludes to (although I'm aware it exists, having been briefed by Canadian friends).

    Yeah, you'll get that more in Quebec city =D

    In Montreal, you should be fine with English, even more in the city
center where the meet is scheduled.

    If you're a world traveler do not expect the same experience as old
European cities...  but it can pretty good.  The old Montreal and
"Plateau" is where its at, if you're willing to pay those prices.

    It is in June, so weather should be fine.

-----
Alain Hebertahebert@pubnix.net
PubNIX Inc.
50 boul. St-Charles
P.O. Box 26770 Beaconsfield, Quebec H9W 6G7
Tel: 514-990-5911http://www.pubnix.net Fax: 514-990-9443

On 5/8/22 18:50, Laura Smith via NANOG wrote:
> ------- Original Message -------
> On Sunday, May 8th, 2022 at 21:31, Stephen Fulton<sf@lists.esoteric.ca> wrote:
>
>> If you are not from Canada and do not speak French
> I speak French, but the European one.
>
> I struggled to make myself understood because I was speaking with the "proper" accent and mannerisms (e.g. rolling of R's), both of which are brutally murdered by French Canadian speakers.
>
> So I switched to speaking English. Worked out well, and I never saw the "chip on shoulder" that Stephen alludes to (although I'm aware it exists, having been briefed by Canadian friends).

It appears that Laura Smith via NANOG <n5d9xq3ti233xiyif2vp@protonmail.ch> said:
>
>------- Original Message -------
>On Friday, May 6th, 2022 at 13:59, J EMail <70ford500@gmail.com> wrote:
>
>> poutine should be on this list.
>
>God no ! 
>There are many great things about Canada and Québec .... but poutine most certainly is not. A culinary abomination that deserves to be confined to the history books.

I dunno. The foie gras poutine at Au Pied de Cochon, on R. Duluth in the plateau, is pretty darn tasty.

R's,
John

Definitely try the smoked meat sandwich I recommend asking for 'medium fat'
used to visit Montreal frequently pre pandemic

On Sun, May 8, 2022 at 9:22 PM Randy Bush <randy@psg.com> wrote:

> once upon a time at an ietf in ville de québec, i was out to dinner with
> a crew of fellow researchers all french, well one belgian. i can
> usually read a french menu, but was having serious problems so sought
> help from my dinner companions. they were struggling with the same
> parts i was.
>
> randy
>