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Experience the World From Home: A Week Inspired By Canada

Since schools are closed and travel is almost non-existent for most of us; we thought it would be fun to share some ideas for adventures in the home.  We’re calling it the travel addicts guide to experience the world from home.

Whether you are a foodie, are looking for things to keep the kids busy, feeling up for binge watching, or passing the hours through reading, we hope you’ll find something fun here to pass the time and of course experience the world from home!

Duration: 6 days

Countries: Canada

Reading and Watching: For both adults and kids

Activities: Geared to families

Food: Mix of simple and not for the faint of heart

Today I read an article that some people are renting out entire motels and vacation homes so they can continue to travel.  That’s incredible dedication.  We’re just staying home and lying low.

Rather than travelling the globe in real life which would be way too much excitement and risk for us right now.  We’ve been taking inspiration from our past trips to create posts to inspire everyone to experience the world from home with fun activities to do at home inspired by our past travels.

Come join us as we plan weekly adventures around the globe with the help of the local library, Pinterest, streaming services, and the pantry full of food we’ve collected over the past few weeks!

Experience the World at Home: Week 2 Canada

This week we thought we’d stick with a North American inspired destination and spend the week in Canada.

The Great White North, eh?

If only I had a dollar for every time someone said that to me….

Canada is the second largest country in the world covering 9.97 million sq km.  Now that’s big!  Ottawa is the capital city of Canada and is located in Ontario.  There are 10 provinces and 3 territories, however, the country is really broken up into about 6 regions that share language and cultural similarities.  It has two official languages English and French and in New Brunswick many people speak a mix of both, affectionately called Acadian.

Born and raised in Canada I’ve always loved exploring the country.  Canada has so much diversity region to region from changes in the landscape to language to food to culture and history.

So let’s get started on a week full of fun activities inspired by our travels through Canada.   Or as the French would say:  Allons-y!  Let’s go!

Monday - Pacific Coast

Ah yes, let’s start our Canadian adventure on the Pacific Coast.  There is so much to see and do in Brititsh Columbia from Vancouver Island to skiing in the Rocky Mountains to fishing and hiking on the coast and in the central region.  In summer a stop to one of the orchards is a must.  With so much breathtaking scenery it’s no wonder the provincial motto is Beautiful British Columbia.

Read

I head the Owl Call My Name by Margaret Craven

A Child in Prison Camp by Shizuye Takashima

Franklin the Turtle by Paulette Bougeois

Ghost Train by Paul Yee

Learn

7 Facts about British Columbia 

Entertainment

One Week – Movie of cross Canada journey

Continuum – Vancouver based sifi series

Activities

Create a Totem Pole 

Food

Maple Glazed Salmon

Grilled Asparagus

Tuesday - Prairie Provinces

Do the Canadian prairie’s drum up visions never ending wheat fields, grain elevators, and living skies?  Or maybe they strike a chord in your imagination for skiing in the Rocky Mountains or searching for polar bears in Churchill?  The Prairie provinces are comprised of Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba sitting in the North American Great Plains.  They are also known as Canada’s bread basket and home to a weath of natural resources.

Read

Who Has Seen the Wind by WO Mitchell

Shi-shi-etko by Nicola I Campbell

Wild Berries by Julie Flett

Learn

Did You Know?  The History of Louis Reil

Entertainment

Corner Gas – drama about daily life in Saskatchewan

Heartland – drama about life on a ranch

Activities

Create a dream catcher

Food

Homemade bread 

Eat with honey or jam

Homemade Cinnamon buns

Wednesday - Central Canada

Home to the capital city of Ottawa and the central government, Ontario is one of the most populus of the provinces.  It is also strikingly beautiful with sites such as: the CN Tower, Niagara Falls, the Great Lakes, apple and fruit orchards.  Ever tried outdoor ice skating?  This fun activity can be done on the Rideau Canal in Ottawa.

Read

Canadian Railroad Trilogy by Gordon Lightfoot

The Blind Assassin by Margaret Atwood

Underground to Canada by Barbara Smucker

Learn

The History of Canada 

Canada: A People’s History (teaser)

 Entertainment

Long Time Running – Story of the Tragically Hip on Netflix

Saving Hope – supernatural medical drama set in Toronto

Murdoch Mysteries – detective drama set in turn of the centuryToronto

Activities

Canada Day Crafts 

Food

Peameal bacon sandwiches – not for the faint hearted, but if you’ve got time for it… these are so delicious.

Thursday - French Canada

Did you know Canada has two official languages?  French and English.  Lesser known is that Quebec is not the only French speaking province in Canada.  New Brunswick may actually be the only truly bi-lingual province and people are known to mix French and English in a dilect called Acadian.  Also fun to note: Montreal is one of the largest french-speaking cities in the world.  Now may be the time to learn a new language if you’re cooped up at home.  C’est la vie!

Read

Caillou by Christine L’Heureux

The Hockey Sweater by Roch Carrier

Chief Inspector Armand Gamache by Louise Penny

Learn

23 Amazing Quebec Facts

Entertainment

Bellevue – detective series filmed in Montreal

Bon Cop, Bad Cop – movie about a murder at the Ontario, Quebec Border

Activities

Learn how to play the spoons

Bonhomme craft 

Food

Poutine – you can also make this from scratch

Montreal Smoked Meat – not for the faint hearted, but hey if you’re already in quarantine with time to spare

Friday - Maritime Provinces

Today we celebrate Newfoundland, Prince Edward Island, Nova Scotia, and New Brunswick which make up the Atlantic Region of Canada.  We lived in Labrador for 4 years so Atlantic Canada really has a special place in my heart.  From the rolling hills of PEI that inspired Anne of Green Gables to Peggy’s Cove reminding you of the raw power of the ocean to the viking settlements of Newfoundland this area the area has a rugged beauty that sticks with you for life.

Read

Anne of Green Gables by Lucy Maud Montgomery

The Shipping News by Annie Proulx

The Town That Forgot How to Breathe by Kenneth Harvey

Learn

Canadian Maritimes Expedition 

Entertainment

The Shipping News – movie about a man and his daughter who relocate to Newfoundland

Trailer Park Boys on Netflix (Warning this one is crude and may not be enjoyed by everyone)

Activities

Lighthouse Crafts 

Paper Boat Crafts 

Food

Toutons for breakfast 

Lobster Chowder for dinner 

Saturday - Northern Territories

Northern Canada is made up of three territories: Yukon, Northwest Territories, and Nunavut.  Home to many natural resources you’ve probably heard of the Yukon gold rush and diamond mining of the north.  Also popular are outdoor activities such as fishing and hunting making wild meat a common part of the everyday diet.  Even more interesting are the isolated communities that receive many goods and services over ice roads in winter and by use of ice breaker ships in summer.

Read

The Call of the Wild by Jack London

Hatchet by Gary Paulsen

The Cremation of Sam McGee by Robert W Service

Learn

7 Facts about the North West Territories

Entertainment

The Call of the Wild – a movie about a dog taken from California on Disney Plus

Ice Road Truckers on History Channel

Activities

Build an Inukshuk

Food

Caribou stew (the recipe is for beef stew) 

Bannock

Wild Berry Salad – raspberries, blue berries, and strawberries add a little cream or vanilla yogurt for a delicious dessert

 

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