I just realized Quebec has crazy tax. I don't know how you guys afford this hobby, even if the lucky ones making high income, the provincial govt government takes 25%
when you go to the hospital in the US, you easily get screwed over with the service fees, its almost to the point, people avoid going. Terrible way to live. I've read articles where Americans come into the clinic for seizures, and because its an intermittent issue, they have to wait in a waiting room. You have a waiting room with people with mild symptoms sitting next to a guy whose seizing out.... listening to the intercom "calling # 967"
if you have seen the documentary "Tiger King" a girl gets her forearm bitten off by a tiger and because of the high costs of saving her arm, she decided to keep it amputated. US fail.
Here in Canada, we can show up whenever we want, and we will get immediate help for free. pay for your meds, thank you good bye.
like NoChurch said, cost of living is less, so there's some balance, hobbying is cheaper here so people can afford it as much as people can in the US. I am fortunate enough to have an above average salary, and I can setup some $ aside to hobby.
Also remember, when you have easy access to hobbying, you tend to hobby at a decent pace, whereas when I see Americans who come to MTL, they try to squeeze in as much hobbying as possible in the short span of their stay.
I remember you made a comment about me seeing Ruby Rymer 2 days in a row, doesn't mean the next day I booked someone else, I hobby when I want to, I am not in a rush to hobby, i can go multiple days/weeks without hobbying because I am not worried about missing out. Not sure if you have been around enough to be in that vibe, and I think you are still looking for that good experience so it must feel like constant TOFTTing for you when you are hobbying.