O.K. Let's talk about change.

All this talk about change... sheesh!, you'd think there was something special going on around here. I don't get it. But, I'll play along.

Over the years, whenever I've travelled to Canada, I manage to take a few coins and currency bills home, then I never remember to take them with me when it's time to go back. This last trip, I remembered... and I gathered up all my coins from years and years, along with some paper currency. When I crossed the border, I made a ritual of removing all US money from my wallet, and replacing it with Canadian tender. A few hours past the border, I pulled into Fernie, BC, stopped for a coffee and casually pulled my Canadian currency from my wallet, feeling like I couldn't be spotted for anything other than a local traveller. I paid for my coffee with a $2 paper bill.

The cashier promptly said "Oh, you must be from the States, then?". I was mortified - what could have given me away?... I asked for a coffee in my most polished western Canada accent; what exposed me?

(my Canadian friends know the give-away)

Canada replaced all paper $2 bills back in 1996 with the Toonie, a $2 coin so named to rhyme with the Loonie, the one-dollar coin with the Loon on it. My paper bill was a mere keepsake.

All my efforts to blend in were in vain. But my paper bill is forever mounted behind the cash register at Freshie's in Fernie, BC. (good coffee, too)

(lots of notes tell more of my story - start at the bottom)