Damn. And here I was, thinking I might get a break! The Canadian dollar was at par or slightly better when I started buying ukuleles, in early 2008. Then it stumbled and fell with the rest of the world economy to about 20% below the US. That hurt. It's been creeping up slowly since its rough trip to the low ebb, reaching to about 92% a week or so back. Now it's fallen to 86% and seems headed down again.
At the same time, uke prices are rising... damn and damn again. That means 15% or more for ukes and shipping, PLUS the inevitable cash grab at the border ($40-$60 so far, each time, but more based on value). And here I was steeling myself to make one really good purchase, buy one really good ukulele. One of those K companies, or a Moore Bettah. Something like that.
Maybe I should take up an instrument where the Canadian dollar is worth more. Is there a bazouki underground? Or cumbus underground? How about the oud?
I think that good uke is going back-burner for a while until the dollar stablizes.