Time Travel and Walking to New York City

Fats Domino became famous for Walking to New Orleans. A quick scan of the lyrics confirms that his goal was to trek to the Big Easy. It’s not like he went for a stroll and just ended up in Nola, is it? One beautiful day last week in Montreal, with the sun shining but the

Addressing the danger of bus blind spots

There’s a new sign in town. At least it’s new to me, and very much welcome. The Société de transport de Montréal (STM) the city’s transit authority, has begun placing decals on the rear window of buses indicating the danger of blind spots (angles morts in French). Earlier this year I posted a piece about

A Gringo in Costa Rica Part 1

Having just returned from my third visit to Costa Rica, I am even more impressed with this great nation and its people. The reason for my repeated visits is not just the wonderful country, but to visit my in-laws. One of my wife’s sisters married a Tico (the term used proudly by Costa Ricans to

A landlubber rides the ferry

(San Isidro, Costa Rica) If you read this blog with any regularity, you may well be aware of the fact that I cannot swim. On the list of the many things that I am capable of doing, swimming is not included. Interestingly, over the years when I have mentioned this simple fact, people don’t want

How Do Costa Rican Motorcyclists Survive?

During my second trip to Costa Rica to visit in-laws over the holidays, I could not help but consider yet again how it can be possible that any motorcycle riders survive the roads and traffic. Those of us who are used to more recent urbanization, including streets set out in a grid formation, are at

Roosters Need Snooze Buttons

When your rooster crows at the break of dawnLook out your window and I’ll be goneYou’re the reason I’m a-travelin’ on But don’t think twice, it’s all right -BOB DYLAN, Don’t Think Twice, It’s All Right While in Costa Rica recently we stayed in a semi-rural area called San Josecito de San Isidro de Heredia.

Robbed by a Canadian Bank at ATM Point in Costa Rica

UPDATE: On February 25, 2022, the missing amount was deposited into my account as a correction. Sometimes things work as they should! My wife and I spent the holiday season in Costa Rica visiting her family. It was my second time there and it is a beautiful country at the best of times, and even

Time to give tourists a break

There are those who would have you believe that the whole pandemic is actually a means for certain nefarious world powers, elected officials, and large corporations to reset how we live. These conspiracy theories usually revolve around the notion of governmental control. Anti-vaxxers lead the charge. Don’t tell me what to do. Well, if there

Inform Restaurants If You Can’t Keep A Reservation

Bars and restaurants in Montreal are slowly getting back to business after the long pandemic-induced close down. It’s not a matter of lifting all restrictions, but enough that indoor eating can resume. Sadly many restaurants couldn’t hang on until things started to reopen and have gone under. Even those establishments that have managed to survive

COVID19 In Our Rear-view Mirror

It’s so close you can almost touch it. But not just yet. I refer to the time when the COVID19 pandemic will be, like Lubbock, Texas in the Mac Davis song, in our rear-view mirrors. I can’t imagine what Mac had against Lubbock, but he was sure pleased to be leaving. Things are getting better