Saturday, June 30, 2007

Canada's must see places before you die

The stereotypical American tourist is on the hunt always looking to bag, to notch, to acquire places, images, experiences. A recent book by American writer Patricia Schultz, 1,000 Places to See In the USA and Canada Before You Die by its title at least seems to confirm this mania.

Web references indicate that Ms. Schultz is an accomplished travel writer with her own television program based on ‘the numerous places to see before you die’ concept.

In the Toronto Star's June 30 issue, reporter Daniel Dale bemoans in that cagey, kinda humourous Toronto-centric way becoming of the centre of the universe that only 5 of the 1,000 entries showcase Hogtown the Fair or if you prefer Tdot the Navel. But really you should read for yourself - T.O. low on `must-see' list.

Dale does write that Ontario has 15 of the coveted 1,000 spots less than 26 U.S. states. Well that’s as far into the national ethos as Dale chooses to meander. We don’t get clued in as to how many entries Canada has garnered let alone what’s happening in the hinterlands beyond the Ontario borders.

I say we make our own list and being recognized internationally as more modest that those fellow North Americans on the other side of the 49th parallel, let’s do it a bit differently.

Let’s call our list the 100 great places in Canada it’d be nice to see before you turn 55. ‘Cause after all, who wants to die doin’ it? Think of this challenge as a lighthearted, populist version of CBC’s The Seven Wonders of Canada.

Let’s get those entries in. Limit of 100 entries per person. The contest closes 100 days from today - you do the math.