(no subject)

[liptonrm_backup]

A few anecdotes:

* You really know you're in a foreign country when the train conductor does his spiel in English and then repeats it all in French. French spoken in a fairly broad Ontario accent was certainly something to hear. The whole foreign country point is only expanded when the person sitting next to you has two conversations on her cellphone, both in rapid-fire, not nearly as accented, French. O, Canada, indeed.

* Either I've gotten less modest since the last time I used a communal dorm bathroom, or heat+exhaustion just makes me stop caring, because I happily walked to and fro from the shower in only my robe, something I never would've done back at good ol' East Quad.

* I read Charles De Lint's The Blue Girl while I was on the train (well, when I wasn't sleeping) and it was really neat to be reading something by a Canadian while I was traveling in Canada. It really gave me a sense of place. It also gave me this terrific quote which is some of the best writing advice I've ever seen:

"The thing to remember when you're writing is, it's not whether or not what you put on paper is true. It's whether it wakes a truth in your reader."

That is exactly how I feel about all of the truly great stories I've read or seen, either in movie, tv show, book, or fic form.

* At one point the train passed by an "adult entertainment" store. Seeing the sign made me think of a case we read in constitutional law. Then I had the shocking realization that I'm in a country where I don't know the law, not like I do in the U.S. That may not seem off-putting to most of you, but, believe you me, I was rather discombobulated. And then I was amused by how much of a law nerd I've become.

* There is recycling all over the place here. Us Americans should take note. I don't think it would be that hard to put up waste receptacles that have slots for paper and plastic/aluminum beverage containers as well as trash. In this we should be emulating our Canadian brethren.

* I love wandering around a city, just getting a feel for a place. Even though it was hotter than sin today, I'm really glad that I went and scoped out a bit of the city. I got a feel for the transit system and meandered around the neighborhood. Maybe it's because I'm staying at a university, but there were quite a few moments today when I felt like I was in Ann Arbor, a much bigger Ann Arbor, but Ann Arbor nonetheless. I guess that's just a sign of how fond I am of Toronto.

Also, staying in the De Lint vein, Toronto really is Newford. Once I got a really good feel for the city it was pretty obvious. Cool.

* I really want to do as many tourist-y things as possible while I'm here. But not right now. Right now I'm more sore than I've been in a really long time, so I think I'll take the night off.




These pretty purple flowers lined the train track. I don't know what they are but I really like them.


London, Ontario. Nothing at all like London, England, I imagine.


Everywhere you go, you'll find a McDonald's


And a Starbucks.


See? This is what I meant about the recycling.






Various city scenes.


My home away from home.


And, finally, a Canadian flag to prove I am where I say I am. In case any of you had the gall to disbelieve me. ;-)

Be excellent to each other!

Comments

[shanghai-jim.livejournal.com]

The peaked gables of your building inspire me to write something gothic.

[liptonrm.livejournal.com]

That would be appropriate since I wouldn't be surprised to find out that it's haunted. I swear I saw something out of the corner of my eye yesterday.

[alchemie.livejournal.com]

It's really interesting to read your posts about your stay in Toronto and your perceptions of Canada.

Recycling is very big - at least in Ontario. For home waste we have blue boxes (plastics and glass), black boxes (for paper), green boxes (for composting - on pilot here right now for some areas) - and bags for yard waste. Once you get in the habit it becomes a bit obsessive to make sure every scrap of paper ends up in that black box.

[liptonrm.livejournal.com]

It's almost like I'm writing outsider POV fic about Canada. That's kind of awesome. ;-)

Recycling is only kind of big where I'm from. The city proper has a recycling truck that comes around once a week to pick up the stuff you put in the green box, but the townships (like the one I actually live in) have yet to adopt the practice. Things can be so annoying ad hoc in the States. Our whole, 'The Individual Pwns All' approach to government can be rather tiresome.

[shirebound]

Thanks for sharing your trip with us!

[liptonrm.livejournal.com]

My pleasure! This way, it's almost like I have you all with me wherever I go, which is a fun way to travel. =D