Category: Travel

Canada Slim and the Street Walked Too Often

Landschlacht, Switzerland, 1 November 2017 Within a week, last week, spent in London we crossed Praed Street at least a dozen times, a street “not at any time one of London´s brighter thoroughfares”. (John Rhode, The Murders in Praed Street) Above: Praed Street, Paddington district, London “I´ve walked this street in far too many towns…. Same scraps… Continue reading Canada Slim and the Street Walked Too Often

Canada Slim and the Paddington Arrival

Landschlacht, Switzerland, 30 October 2017 Yesterday evening I returned home after spending an intense week in London with my wife, aka She Who Must Be Obeyed. It is important that my wife is mentioned, for it must be admitted that travelling as a pair is significantly different than travelling by oneself. And if one of… Continue reading Canada Slim and the Paddington Arrival

Canada Slim and the Distant Bench

Landschlacht, Switzerland, 21 October 2017 There are two distinct types of citizens in many countries: those who are native-born and those who are not. As formerly the former and of late the last two decades the latter, this change of status as a Canadian living in Canada and then as a Canadian living in Asia and… Continue reading Canada Slim and the Distant Bench

Canada Slim and the Injured Queen

Cernabbio, Lago di Como, Italia, 1 August 2017 We disembarked from the lake steamer, the wife and I on vacation, eager to visit the Villa d´Este and Villa Erba. The day would make me consider the role of women in the world and especially the role of my wife in my own. The Villa d´Este, originally called… Continue reading Canada Slim and the Injured Queen

Canada Slim and the Quest for George Clooney

Landschlacht, Switzerland, 28 September 2017 Celebrities ARE different. They get more public attention and media exposure than we do. They usually have far more wealth than we do. Some achieve celebrity status through their successful careers in sports or entertainment or politics. Some become famous due to media attention on their lifestyle, wealth or controversial actions,… Continue reading Canada Slim and the Quest for George Clooney

Canada Slim and Our Lady of St. Petersburg

Landschlacht, Switzerland, 23 September 2017 It has been a hard year for my heart in my dual roles of teacher and barista. In the former role, I have been disappointed that my preferred profession of choice, teaching, has sadly not been as busy lately as I might have hoped. In the latter, I have been saddened by the… Continue reading Canada Slim and Our Lady of St. Petersburg

Canada Slim and the Road into the Open

Cadenabbia di Griante, Italia, Monday 7 September 1840 “We leave Cadenabbia in a day or two.  I go unwillingly. Above: Mary Shelley (1797 – 1851) The calm weather invites my stay, by dispelling my fears. The heat is great in the middle of the day and I read a great deal to beguile the time….… Continue reading Canada Slim and the Road into the Open

Canada Slim and the Apostle of Violence

Landschlacht, Switzerland, 14 September 2017 “History is little more than the register of the crimes, follies and misfortunes of mankind.” (Edward Gibbon, The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire) Above: Edward Gibbon (1737 – 1794) “I believe that are monsters born in the world to human parents. Some you can see. And… Continue reading Canada Slim and the Apostle of Violence

Canada Slim and the Forgotten

Landschlacht, Switzerland, 30 May 2017 Marriage ain’t easy. “My successful marriage is built on mistakes. It may be founded on love, trust and a shared sense of purpose, but it runs on cowardice, impatience, ill-advised remarks and low cunning. But also: apologies, belated expressions of gratitude and frequent appeals for calm. Every day is a… Continue reading Canada Slim and the Forgotten