After some time packed with logistics in Europe, I am resurfacing in Toronto. Nothing against Europe. I really cherish the cultural richness and complexity, from the Mediterranean to Scandinavia and Eastern Europe. But no place there is as relaxed and friendly as Canada. It appears to be hard wired, somehow. Recently, I was downtown Toronto, waiting for the streetcar (tramway) at Church station. It is a bit of a problem area with drug addicts loitering in the streets and a Salvation Army post near by. So, after some time of waiting, a man, clearly under the heavy influence of narcotics approached me. I was bracing for trouble. But this fellow, who could barely walk and was literally falling to pieces, made it over the street just to tell me: “Excuse me sir, you are at the wrong stop. There is a construction site over there and you need to wait over there”. Then he turned around, tumbled a few times on the way back over until he sat down on a bench and fell into “coma”. This incident reminded me of early research of brain structure where subjects with certain brain injuries were examined and then seen what capabilities remained. This poor fellow, was completely smashed, but he remained super friendly and polite. My conclusion is, that Canadians are friendly down to the reptile parts of the brain, and they remain friendly no matter what. It’s like the opposite of a German.
After technically settling in Canada, now the time has come to explore it more. Toronto has a few good museums, an opera house and a number of small theatres. I am of course very interested in finding out more about the indigenous people of Canada. Access to that is not that easy, especially because the discourse appears to be sensitive. Two things are always important for me, when I come to a new place: the public library and the post office. Toronto has an amazing public library. Not just the physical collection, but also the digital resources and the events and courses they offer. The central post office, I still need to see. But the postal service appears reliable, and supports my habit of sending postcards.
It’s also time to get some intellectual stimulus besides work. So, I am very happy to start teaching in the evenings at the Toronto Metropolitan University. I will expand on this also in other Universities in Canada, but also in the US.
The days already turn chilly now and I can’t believe, I have not explored the Canadian forests yet. I do hang out with my dog at the Northern shore of Lake Ontario, which is beautiful. By the way, even the dogs are more friendly here. One or two small incidents, but for having a male dog, who is “in tact” as they call it here, I was expecting more tension among piers. But no. All good.