A change is as good as a rest, they say.
despite the orders of the operator, the laws
And for people from the boonies, this is
of physics prevent us frommoving further
indeed different.
back. We cling to the overhead straps,
Subway stops are announced as we
pressing against strangers. We realize that
bounce along a bustling Boston street on a
this experience was easier and more
hot and muggy day. This is a typical city –
enjoyable when we were teenagers. As the
there are lots of people and things to see
train jostles, we briefly invade the personal
and do. We have been trying to pack in as
space of the seated, who are oblivious to
much fun as we can during a brief sortie to
ourpresencebecause theirearsareplugged
New England, where you can hear several
Our neighbours to the south
orthey areenthralledbyhand-helddevices.
different languages spoken on any given
We pray our balance and underarm
There are no franchise banners in this
day. The “melting pot” contains distinct
Theentrepreneurialspiritandpatriotism
deodorant will stand the test. Some words
community, where there are four
dialects from Maine, the Midwest,
remain strong, even though the economy
are uttered among the unplugged. Some
independent coffee shops. Certain coffee
Massachusetts, and of course, English and
has been better.
French is heard. We converse with French
connoisseurs believe that they have finally
French.
Some road signs include kilometres to
visitors, agreeing that the displays at the
found cappuccino perfection in a tiny hole
We are here for some R&R, recreation
welcome the neighbours from the north.
Museum of Fine Arts were impressive.
in the wall that offers caffeine, crepes and
and research, and to consume lobster and
ManylocalsarefamiliarwithMainebecause
A student from Iowa asks for guidance.
newspapers.
clams.
the state features Old Orchard Beach, the
Every major city has a subway system, but
Half a block fromwhere you can take the
As usual, copious notes are being taken
mecca for the pale from the Great White
everysubwayisdifferent.Passengersgladly
train that will whisk you to South Station in
so this trek can be used for the common
North.
offer advice. Does shewant theRedLine or
Boston, you can peruse the shelves of an
good when we return to Eastern Ontario.
Thursday at The Union Oyster Bar in
the Green Line? Where does she want to
independentbookstore,displayingthesame
Perhaps findings from the land of the free
Boston, the large friendly bartender, who
go? There is an inbound and outbound.
titles you could order online.
and the home of the brave can be
couldeasilyplay linebacker for thePatriots,
Thetrainstopsandthemassesexit,entering
In Montpelier, Vermont, a family-run
transportedacross the international border
waves everyone in, and explains the beer
the flow and we lose the French tourists
dineris theplacetogoonaSundaymorning.
and applied here, to help make our region
and menu lists.
and the Iowa student as we all go off in
A young lad has been trying to sell 50-50
an even better and happier place for
He is multilingual, speaking Bostonian,
different directions.
tickets ona chilly corner since 7 a.m. The fall
everyone.
English, Spanish and some French.
Friday night at Doyle’s Café in the
chill still grips the state capital.Heenters the
So, one thingyounotice inNewEngland
Theplace and the fare are grand, but so is
Jamaica Plain district – beer and pizza and
diner at around 9 a.m. The woman at the
is that there are ample opportunities to
the competition in a city that teems with
a lot of loud Celtic music. At 10 p.m., the
counter says the hot chocolate is on the
spend your money. However, contrary to
tourists.Thatiswhy, eventhoughtheUnion
party is just starting. Just like home — a
house.
popular belief, the landscape of America is
isaninstitution,andamust-stopforvisitors,
pipe band is playing, inside the bar, or bah,
Theplacesuddenlybecomesalotwarmer,
not dominated by chains and franchises.
the employees go out of their way to make
Amazing Grace.
and it is not because the sun has started to
In many small towns, towns the size of
sure everyone is well served.
Thelocalsareblowingoffsteam,hoisting
beam through the street-front window.
Hawkesbury, Alexandria and Casselman,
InMaine,Red’sEats,aminisculeroadside
a glass as the kilt-clad group fills the
ThestatehouseinMontpelierisdecorated
most of the businesses are independent,
stand, is the "World's Best Lobster Shack," a
building and the parking lot with the
with an edible garden. Where you would
operated by local families. It may sound
claimbacked by the constant line-ups. “We
familiar sounds of bagpipes and drums.
expect to find flowers, you come across
cliché, but there isacertaincharmtounique
take nothing for granted,” says the person
The pipe band eventually yields the
chard, tomatoes, and artichokes.
enterprises, which offer one-of-a-kind
who hands out the food.
spotlight to a band that plays JohnnyCash,
Throughout ourvisitwesawthatvisitors
products and services.
Fast forward to Boston. Many of us who
and traditional Irish ballads. The specialty
are offered a blend of history, raw nature at
Main streets of communities are dotted
have lived in a city know our former mass
here is – you guessed it – pizza.
its finest, seafood, warm hospitality and a
with icecreamparlors (or “palahs”as some
transit routes like the backof our hands. But
Alas, time flies when you are having
spattering of politics.
localscall them), bookstores, old-fashioned
we also remember thatmass transit is oneof
fun. Heading northward, we see that frost
TheYanksweartheirpartisanallegiances
barber shops, diners, snack shacks serving
the main reasons we saved our money to
will have zapped the gardens by now.
on their sleeves, and their cars.
lobsta’, and the obligatory arts, crafts, yoga
buy a car.
Approaching the Far East ofOntarioon the
A bumper sticker reads: “Too poor to
and healing centres.
The pace of a large urban centre can be
417, there are signs for the International
vote Republican.” That is countered with:
In Newton, a suburb north of Boston, a
invigorating.
Plowing Match, in both official languages.
“DoyoufeelsillyaboutyourObamabumper
family-owned ice cream parlor is always
Friday afternoon in the hometown of the
It is good to be home, in our little special
sticker yet?”
packed.
Bruins, the commuter train is packed, and
part of the world.
19 h à 21 h / 7 p. m. to 9 p. m.
CLARENCE CREEK 415, rue Lemay Street Mercredi 12 octobre 2011 Wednesday, October 12, 2011
PLANTAGENET 173, ancienne Route 17 173 Old Hwy 17 Jeudi 6 octobre 2011 Thursday, October 6, 2011
HAWKESBURY 411, rue Stanley Street Mardi 25 octobre 2011 Tuesday, October 25, 2011
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