Close Reading

Old mate on the bike is hilarious! 😅

mate on the bike just spitting facts

In the past 2 years - I have spent 3 months in Toronto, and last year, 3 months in Montreal...and it is like the Tale of Two Cities! In Toronto, I stayed at a friend's off the park that abuts Queens St, and Dundas St. on the far side. I barely got a good night's sleep - from the constant wailing of Sirens at ALL Hours of the night/early morning! I witnessed several incidents of random violence - including on the trolly cars, and many of them involving homeless Indigenous people ...who were historically shit-on by Canada! In comparison to US Cities - Toronto minded me of problem-plagued SF, Seattle, and Portland. The Density factor reminded me of NYC, minus the Positive Street savvy that New Yorkers have in spades! I did meet some very nice people, but overall - Torontonians were uptight, concerned about money all the time, and sometimes - just downright rude! Fast-Forward to Montreal. I stayed in Le Plateau...renting a room for 3 months. Lovely House-mates - One Turkish/Polish Woman, and an Iranian Man - both were quirky, and Delightful! My rent was very decent, and my Host showed me all the affordable places to eat, swim for free, free Yoga in the parks...within 2 days, I felt at Home! It was 3 days before I even noticed a siren! Drivers stoped for pedestrians, and as it was summer - the bike-lanes were full of bike riders! The Green Spaces were plentiful, and Parc Mount Royal is a Terrestrial Paradise! Were there some social issues? - of Course! French being the official language, the Quebecois are a VERY Proud, and defiant lot! That was difficult at first, and then...learning some history of Quebec, you begin to understand their irascible defenses! There was some homelessness (a Fraction of what I see in the US, and Toronto!), and prices are creeping-up (the common complaint!), and there was a lot of construction, and road repairs - as Quebec is NOT a wealthy part of Canada, overall. In short - I miss Montreal DEEPLY! Toronto? - I have a good friend there, and I hope to see a few of the folks I met there, Again. Travel Impressions are mainly subjective, but I know where my heart, and affection lie!

On ya bike mate\nYou don’t appreciate being Australian.\nReally wish the government would strip of Citizenship.