Monday, November 24, 2014

My Canadian Bucket List: Watch An Ice Hockey Game

One of my favourite childhood memories was the Mighty Ducks movies. Here was an amazing trilogy that had humour, family values, eye candy (a pre-Pacey Joshua Jackson), intense sporting rivalries and of course ice hockey. Growing up in South Africa, all we had was field hockey. And like most things foreign and out of reach, ice hockey seemed exciting and something I needed in my life.


It's taken a couple of years but I finally got to experience my first ice hockey game. And not just any game. I was going to see the Vancouver Canucks (obvs because of location) playing the Anaheim Mighty Ducks. They were real and they were going to make my childhood self extremely happy. 
 

Things I Learned at My First Ice Hockey Game...

...You can't walk to your seat while the national anthem is playing.


...Oh Canada is an interesting national anthem.

...Hearing the Star Spangled Banner makes you think you're in a movie.

...Canucks fans are not happy with Kesler.

...It's a very quiet game, they play music during breaks and between plays to get the crowd going but otherwise it's very chilled.


...Canadians are even polite when watching sport. The meanest thing I heard was "You suck". Can you imagine if they had to go to a soccer or rugby game.

...It is a great date opportunity. As evident by the couple next to me. He talked her through the game and I tried to listen in without being a creep.

...Hockey sticks get broken easily.

...Grown ass men make ice skating look very graceful.

...Everyone knows the words to Sweet Caroline.

...During the periods, mini Canucks play a game. They are so cute and so little, my ovaries hurt.


...A player can catch a puck with his hand if it's high but he has to drop it straight after.

...Goalies can do the splits in their get-up.

...Beers come with lids on which is a lifesaver. 


...Some Ducks fans come with their own whistle which they blow when they score. 

...A penalty shootout is nerve-wracking in any sport.

...There is no Flying V :(


Ex-Oh! Ex-Oh! 




Monday, November 10, 2014

My Canadian Bucket List: Poutine

In France it's croissants, in Japan it would be sushi, in Chicago deep dish pizza, in Canada it's all about the poutine.

Put simply, this is a dish comprised of french fries, gravy and cheese curds. It can be dressed up or down but either way, this is probably number one when it comes to comfort food.

I've heard that really good poutine can make you question all of life's decisions; really bad poutine can make you hate life. For this reason I resisted trying it until I found the right place. Then one day, out to work with my coworkers, I ordered a cheeseburger with poutine on the side. Shit got real.


When it arrived, it seriously looked decadent and inviting. I am a big fan of carbs. Seriously, I will twerk/cut/kill for carbs. So it didn't take long before I dived in.

And it was soooo good. Seriously. I fell in love and I ate the entire thing while my poor burger sat there unloved. If someone told me this was why Canadians are so friendly I'd believe them. It was really that good.



I foresee many winter nights with homemade poutine. Or probably store bought poutine because let's get real. Apart from giving you the foodie equivalent of a hug, this would also be the ultimate drunk food and the ultimate break up food. In fact I kinda want some boy to treat me really badly so I can overdose on poutine.


Ex-Oh! Ex-Oh!