Train+Bike... whiskey and beer in the dining car

"What's the difference between whiskey and beer?"

This morning on the VIA Rail dining car, I chose a seat opposite a much older couple from Mississippi. They both stared at me blankly after I sat down, until I asked if they'd had a pleasant night's sleep.

"We're getting off at Jasper," he said by way of an answer. "Can't wait to sleep in a regular bed."

"Oh, well," I offered soothingly, "You can sleep in a regular bed the other 361 days of the year." He stared out the window then looked at me steadily.

"Do you know the difference between whiskey and beer?" he asked.

I broke into a big grin and played along, glad for a bad joke. "No!" I answered, "What's the difference between whiskey and beer?"

"I don't know either," he said, "I think whiskey is distilled and beer is fermented, but I don't have a clue ~ don't touch the stuff." He turned and stared out the window some more.

"Wine is made from grapes," said his wife, who'd been silent up until this point. I looked at her quizzically, and Michelle tried to neutralize the conversation by suggesting that Canadian whiskey is made with rye.

The chat petered out after that, and the Mississippi couple fairly bolted for the door once they'd finished their maple-nut ice cream.

[To view all the stories from this train-and-bike journey around western Canada, click Miteymiss's blog] 

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VIA Rail "The Canadian" from Winnipeg to Jasper
September 24, 2007