Did you know that Canada celebrated its 150th anniversary this year? I had no idea it was so young!

I told my Santa that I loved tourist-y things when I travel and want to see people's towns. I love that people take a look around at where they live, choose what they like, and decide 'yes, this is what we'd like to share'. It's the best!

So here is what I learned about Sudbury - the closest town to Santa with tourism - * They have an awesome Dinosaur park with mini-golf that I desperately want to go to * Theatre is big here! And so is Halloween * They have the world's biggest Nickel - and now I have a copy of the world's biggest nickel and I have no idea why but I seriously love this the most

I've been building a memory board recently, and that's what I've chosen from my Santa to put up for this exchange because its the most time and money-intensive tourist thing I have ever seen.

For Canada, and local flair, I received so many celebratory things. I have two flags, a puzzle, lots of little badges and and spoon(!) and temporary tattoos! and everyone has a kid inside them who loves those.

And one more thing...closer to home. I work in news, and I love local papers and just look at it! An editor decided, in the best way, that they would like to put the following on the front page at the same time - * There's a big bribery scandal * It will rain a bit * The philosophy of maths needs to go (self-learning is bad for tests) It's brilliant!

So cheers to you Canada! And a bigger cheer to you my Santa!

And boo to you Canadian postal service. I received my package a week and a half ago. You are nobody's friend. Apparently a second one is coming but Santa waited too long for a thank you already so I'm not waiting anymore.