h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

I live in Canada, and in Canada, speed limits are posted in Kilometers
Per Hour, a "metric" system of measurement which hasn't seemed to catch on in some other parts of the world, notably the United States. A decent speed limit on a Canadian highway is generally considered to be 100 kph. Someone neglected to inform the Americans of the difference between their system of measurements and ours however, so visiting Americans would be most likely to consider said limit to be 100 mph, and would therefore blithely zip about at 120 mph just for good measure.

This would create a lot less havoc, except that Canadians are really bad at highway design. I believe M.I.T. actually has a scale model of the highway near my house as an example to engineers of how NOT to build highway onramps.

On the plus side, if you come to Canada, you'll seem to weigh a lot less.

Most of the world has adopted metric, except the US. Besides many of it's inhabitants never drive over 50mph anyway, and will gladly block the highway driving with the cruise control on in side abreast formation.

Probably due to our proximity to the border, and familiarity with Florida, in Ottawa, it is common to see a bevy of minivans moving at 90Kmh, usually the slowest moving in the passing lane and various wing-men accompanying the 3 lanes to the right on the Queensway.

Fancy that, another Ottawan. Greetings.

The highway on-ramp on display at MIT is part of the Queensway. Awful isn't it? I believe it's the on-ramp just after island park drive, near the civic hospital (the name escapes me).

Drop by my page for a visit sometime.

My insertion point is the Bronson on-ramp. This is about a 50m wedge against a high concrete wall. To merge you have to floor it and hope that you do not get stuck behind a minivan (sorry if you drive one, I am only joking), or try to get in front of an 18wheeler.

By the time I get to Island Park I am usually stuck behind someone who just cut in front of me at 90 in the fast lane passing an invisible phantom car (see my other converstion thread!). So by then the trials an tribulations of those merging are in my peripheral vision while I watch out for rubber-neckers in front of me looking at accidents over the other side of the median.

Is that really true about the MIT display. Even worse on the Queensway is the Bronson exit going West, there is an on ramp and off ramp all within about 100m. This means that one lane is always in peril of disrupting someone merging and someone else leaving at the same time usually with customary indecision, so they have to slow down or stop, causing people to move to the next lane to the left. Then if you want to turn right on Bronson, you have to cross 4 lanes on the off-road, almost instantaneously.

Let's agree to call it an urban legend for now, since i'm unable to check with my source for that little tidbit.

The bronson exit is heinous, and was probably designed by deranged cultists contracted by the NCC. On several occasions I have attempted to get on the queensway from lyon street only to exit again 50m further down because an attempt to force the issue would result in my untimely demise.

Have you ever noticed that a wrong turn off rideau street will take you unintentionally to Quebec?

Bein Oui, tabarnouche!

You cannot turn a la gauche, and pull da huey (stereotype Quebecois accent) - But you can turn off at the end just before the bridge and under it there is a secret off ramp that takes you near some gummint buildings. Otherwise just give up and go to the Gatineau park, or stop off for some poutine, and a six pack of Maudite from the local friendly depanneur.

Bien sur, cept at the dep you gotsta wait in line behind da eleben year old chain-smoking prostitutes if you go after sept heures.

We need a guide entry on poutine too.

I have thought about writing one - takes a bit of research though - I lived in Montreal for 11 years, so I knows my poutine - Although I have never ordered one! It is one of those things that visitors always seem to remember. Another interesting bit of Quebec folk culture is the story of the Vachon bakery.

Then there's La Fleur (no 's) Hamburgers - "CHEESEBURGER, FRITES, SUIVANT/NEXT 1 second pause, DEUX HAMBURGER, QUATRE FRITES SUIVANT/NEXT!!!, huh!, anglais?, horder now sil-vous-plait, 3, 2, 1,... SUIVANT!!"

The classic 2 minute lunch.

Hello im an American.
Pleased to meet you.

I feel the canadians pain, i hate my countries current measuring system is really bad. And to add to further confusion me and my fellow americans drive very fast.

So to put this short and sweet. I on behave of all americans would like to aplogize for our funny measuring system, and fast driving.