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| Toronto Police Bicycle Patrol |
Two days after returning from my two week trip to Toronto, Canada I am still recovering from exhaustion. My road trip back to Buffalo and then the long delayed airplane flight from Buffalo to Philadelphia, left me near collapse. I fear I am too old to endure such long trips.
The past two days I've gone to bed early and resumed my daily afternoon naps of a couple of hours. When I returned from my trip, I was having bouts of double vision. Thankfully, my regular vision is returning. However, I think I will make an appointment with my eye doctor next week just to check things out. This week I have a long scheduled appointment with my cardiologist for a stress test (for my heart).
I am well aware of folks I know who are in a more severe medical situation than I am at this time. But I still don't feel right. I don't know whether it is a combination of the typical late summer 90 degree plus humidity laden Lower Slower weather and my exhaustion, but I still have to get back into my regular routine.
One good thing, Bill was so glad to see me return and frankly, I was glad to see him. For the past fifty years Bill has been part of my routine and I am glad to resume my routine.
But I was also glad to have taken two weeks to visit Toronto, Canada and spend time with my friend Pat.
Here are a few things I learned from my two weeks in Canada:
- It was so refreshing to live two whole weeks without the "Hate Obama" climate that I have to endure in the United States.
- Canada is expensive.
- I love Indian food.
- Canada is rich. I was trying to figure this out and came to the conclusion that since Canada doesn't have to spend so much of their national income on defending the world and instead spend their money on themselves.
- I rediscovered Scrabble. Now to find a suitable opponent here in Lower Slower (good luck).
- I learned that human beings of different races, backgrounds, nationalities and ethnicity can live together in harmony and not suspicious fear.
- Canada is a lot looser on government restrictions like building codes and driving rules. Up in Canada not every house has to have a dormer mandated by the local home owner's association. Cars pass on the right and make U-turns.
- Toronto is a happening city, so much going on.
- The Toronto police wear shorts (really short) and patrol on bicycles. Can you imagine that in a place like say . . . . Ferguson, Missouri?
- Toronto police don't shoot first and ask questions later. They actually protect the public. What a novel idea, eh?
I'm tired folks. Maybe I'll think of more interesting things I discovered during my two week sojourn in Toronto, Canada.
And again, many thanks to my wonderful host Pat who had the patience of a saint to put up with me for two weeks. Now Pat gets his vacation.
Thank you Pat!
Thank you Toronto!
Thank you Canada!