My First New York

Breadcrumbs: the random specks of reminders of where you’ve been or where you want to go,  found in day to day life.

i.e.

A song you’ve had in your head for days is playing in a city you’ve never been to as soon as you arrive.

Your initials on a bumper sticker on a foreign car.

A fountain coming to life right after you’ve made a wish.

Everyone needs a sign now and again letting them know they’re heading the right way.

Springtime. You can see people now that they’ve put away their bulky coats, big boots and unraveled the scarf from their necks and heads.  Girls in this town know how to carry off some crazy looks. If I get gutsier I’ll ask them for their photo and post here. Sandals, skirts, cotton dresses. It’s inspiring. We are all pale together so it’s not the crime it was in California.

Every terrace is open, adding another 30 or so tables to restaurants and cafes. Musicians take over walkways playing violin, cello, banjo, sax, harmonica. Businesses have their doors propped open and foot traffic sifts in and out. And the lovers, oh the lovers. Being alone here in the city I keep my head down when I pass them making out on the corner.  It’s the season we earn after getting through a long winter. For me, it’s hard to watch it all and not have N. here to enjoy it with.

The Old Port Montreal

Sometimes I think I could be in Europe.

As if recyclying, composting and neighborhood clean ups weren’t enough, now Montreal offers a public bicycle transportation program called Bixi.

Started in Paris, the concept is to offer the public short term use of bicycles at a low cost to cut down on pollution.  A happy bi-product in Montreal will be freeing up sidewalk space where anything bolted down usually has a row of bikes locked to it.