Montreal's great, save the pavement

Montreal, my hometown (a native) is great. The neighbourhoods, downtown, the mountain, the food (bagels and smoked meat!) and the legacy of this ever-so-bilingual city, of writers, poets and yes, even politicians (a gas to see the intersection of Rene Levesque and Robert Bourassa boulevards) is great. Here are some observations after being away a couple of years. The city has increased bike lanes dramatically an the pioneering Bixi bike service - a huge local industry now delivering rental bikes to cities across N America - is incredibly popular. Despite the temptation to try one I prefer to walk, with fave routes along Rue Sherbrooke and the stairwell up the mountain to the "lookout" over downtown, and across to Mount Royal Cemetery, adjoining the Catholic Notre-Dames-Des Neiges, Canada's largest. Besides visiting relatives' graves I visited Leonard Cohen's (photo), rather commonplace and not surprisingly piled with stones. Then descending north into affluent Outremont and heading east to The Plateau, a fashionable district of bars and bistros, or west by Universite de Montreal (Ecole Polytechnique) and stumbling across College Jean-de-Brébeuf, the intellectually formative institution of former PM Pierre Elliot Trudeau. A new discovery was Little Italy in Mtl's northeast along the very pedestrian and vibrant Rue St Hubert and the Le Roi du Smoked Meat. It's always wonderful discovering a

new smoked meat place, this one opened in the year of my birth 1954! (For the record, I avoid the iconic Schwartz's, a tourist trap if ever there was one). I also noticed that the city's notorious law breaking traffic seems to be calming. Cars don't seem to speed like I remember and pedestrians actually obey Don't Walk signs. I put it down to changing generations. There are still problems. The city's roads are in terrible shape. Rue Sherbrooke and The Boulevard - two showpiece streets - have great swathes of uneven pavement, patched asphalt, and potholes big enough to hold cats. Where does all the tax money go? On a visit to Beaver Lake the curb ramp next to handicapped parking was disintegrating (photo), an obstacle for wheelchairs as my partner is disabled (I posted on a Mtl FB group and got numerous sympathetic comments, and yes I've complained to the city.) Moreover the city's great transit system could use a do-over in the fare dept. My 'Opus' smart card from two years ago still had four fares on it but they had expired! Mtl should join other cities and allow credit and debit cards. The airport is still an horrendous mess. I needed to pick up my partner last weekend and was glad I took the bus there and taxi returning. Traffic was so bad it took half an hour just to reach the terminal from the ring road let alone trying to find a parking spot. But a newcomer might be hard pressed to believe this is a French city. Yes, the signs are mostly 'en Francais' but the conversations on the street, especially downtown, often are more English than French. 

- Ron Stang, Windsor Ontario Canada, a frequent traveller

It took five months but finally an apology from airport security

On Jan. 16, I posted about the hassle we endured by airport security at Toronto Pearson. Our mobility chair (my partner is disabled) has to be shipped separately from the lithium battery (left), which we carried on board as per airline regulations (no batteries allowed for safety reasons in cargo hold). But an agent didn't recognize it and held it for several minutes despite the fact I told her what it was. Who knew what was going through the glum staffer's mind but she was obviously suspicious. She consulted with other security and finally a supervisor, who told her to release it. After arriving home I complained to CATSA Jan 9 and finally got a reply May 28. (I'd all but given up hearing from them.) Here it is: "Good day Ronald, On behalf of the Canadian Air Transport Security Authority (CATSA), I wish to respond to the concerns you brought to our attention on January 9, 2025, regarding your pre-board screening experience at Toronto Pearson International Airport. Upon receipt of your complaint, a detailed review was initiated, including viewing the video footage and consulting with our regional management. Our regional management was able to identify the screening officers you dealt with on that day and review your screening experience. Our review resulted in actions and the necessary measures have been taken to prevent this type of situation in the future. We regret that your screening experience was unpleasant. We appreciate that security measures can sometimes be challenging and time consuming and we regret that this incident was upsetting to you. Please be assured that your feedback allows us to review our current services and improve the passenger experience at all airports across Canada. CATSA plays an integral role in the Government of Canada’s aviation security system and takes pride in serving the travelling public. While security is CATSA’s top priority, we also strive to maintain a high level of customer service and professionalism. We trust that your future travels will be pleasant. Sincerely, Patricia Gusta, Coordinator Client Satisfaction, Canadian Air Transport Security Authority (CATSA) 

This wasn't the first time my partner's disability triggered a false alarm. Three years ago, in Frankfurt, security detected something in her carry-on. Next thing we knew two guards with machine guns had been called over. I'm pleased to say that was resolved rather quickly. 

- Ron Stang, Windsor Ontario Canada, a frequent traveller

Flying or driving? Even with Air Miles the price is basically a wash

I’m planning to travel to Montreal for a month. The concern was whether to drive or fly. I was going to drive if my partner, who is disabled, was to join me at some point. Otherwise, I thought, I’d fly. But only if I was to use Air Miles. I have more than 7100 Air Miles. To fly to Montreal (return) would cost me 4700-5100 Miles depending on the flight. In addition, there is a “taxes & fees” charge of $192 to $225 so let’s say $200. And checked luggage would likely be at least $25 each way so $50. The departure time from Windsor is inconvenient to take a local bus to the airport so that means Uber which today is $48.56 but can vary and with a tip I’ve paid as much as $65. Meanwhile in Montreal I was planning to take a weekend jaunt to Ottawa to see friends. According to Rome to Rio, the bus fare to Ottawa is $30-$65 and train $30-$120 one way so let’s say $50. Meanwhile driving from Windsor to Montreal is $176-$254 so let’s say $200 as I don’t drive a gas guzzler. Add another $150 for the month including the trip to Ottawa as I otherwise don’t use my car much in Montreal. Parking at my rental is $150......So let’s do the math. Should I fly the cost would be $65 (Uber), $200 (airfare), $50 (luggage), $100 (Ottawa trip) for a total of $415 and with local transit, say $450. Driving is $350 (gas, at the high end) plus $150 (parking) for $500 total. Basically a wash! (By the way, bus and train prices Windsor to Montreal are roughly $100 - $300 each way.) Yes, flying time is less. But the most convenient flight leaves 1.50 pm and arrives, with a change, at 8.20 pm – six and a half hours plus Windsor airport travel and wait time of at least two hours – eight and a half hours total. And then the roughly one-hour transit ride in Montreal. So, nine and a half hours. Driving takes about 10 hours. Negligible! Yes, it’s more straining to drive but I avoid the airport hassle and I have the convenience of a car including the weekend jaunt to Ottawa. And I don’t have to worry about how much luggage I take for a month-long stay. I think I’m driving.

Mind the gap? I almost got sucked into it

I am a regular visit to London and this month flew over for just over a week stay. I’m starting to call it my “London fix.” If I haven’t been there in a certain amount of time (a month or four or five) I’ve got to get over there again. This time I took Air Transat from TO, arriving Gatwick. The last time I used Gatwick was in November 2002, in the aftermath of 9/11, when no one except me and a couple dozen other souls – if that – were on a then Northwest (now part of Delta) DC 10 flight from Detroit to London. I pride myself on figuring out logistics but, boy, did I screw up this time. Arriving Gatwick I reached for the train terminal into town. I found the cavernous hall and saw Thameslink (railway) departure on Platform 6. I arrived at said platform and the trains were going the opposite way, south to Brighton. Asked a couple of people and no one seemed to know since all tourists. I find a high-vis jacket RR employee and ask. “Oh, you should be on Platform 4” and it’s just coming in now.” Thx! Up the stairs I go and then down again to Platform 4. Or what I thought was. There was a train parked and since I’d been told it was “coming in” assumed that was it. I hesitated then made a go for it. As I did the train doors slammed shut. They caught my leg and threw me backwards on to the platform, while the train was moving. I had visions of being dragged and felt my rump slowly sinking into the “gap” between platform and train. Fuck! In situations like this a few split seconds can seem like eons and I wondered why the train wasn’t stopping and why the hell the doors not automatically opening. Aren’t they designed to do that? But thankfully it did stop. Almost immediately I felt someone with very strong hands grasp both my armpits and try to lift me up. I shouted, “I’m okay I’m okay!” But my left leg wasn’t. It was sore because the door hit my fibula (? outside bone). I wondered if I’d be able to walk for the subsequent week in London. Thankfully I was and really wasn’t sore only if I touched at rest. That’s my story of (not) minding the gap!

While in London last week I encountered several “51st state” jokes when I mentioned I was from Canada. A tour guide brought it up immediately touring an historic military installation (Uxbridge, Battle of Britain Bunker airborne HQ) – “you might have to defend yourself!” – and from a fellow tour mate. “Elbows up!” she joked. Even the Brits knew the phrase.

And a few London-off-the-beaten-track tips. I’d always wanted to tour the Houses of Parliament. And it proved very easy. Check app when Parliament in session, line up at the Cromwell Green Gate, and wait to be guided in. As a foreigner chances are you won’t attend PM’s

Questions (tickets reserved for constituents) but general Commons Questions or debates - as I did - or committees meetings. I also ended up getting an overall tour of the place by unknowingly crashing a private constituents’ tour. Talk about backhanded luck!...Also under the radar are Abney Park in Stoke Newington, a magnificent overgrown cemetery with tombs falling into one another, the Greenwich Foot Tunnel in far east London, a century old pedestrian tunnel under the Thames (free) and the Thames cable car (IFS Cloud) between North Greenwich and Canning Town, also east London - inexpensive. 

- Ron Stang, Windsor Ontario Canada, a frequent traveller

London calling but apply for that ETA first!

I have applied for Britain’s new (as of this year) ETA visa, the first of what will be another electronic visa (ETIAS) non-Europeans will have to obtain prior to travelling to the 29 country Schengen Zone. That second visa keeps getting delayed and is now scheduled to come into effect late next year. But I wouldn’t be surprised if it’s delayed again, as various countries have to sync their Customs and electronic systems to accept the new ID. It’s all about security, you see. But Britain successfully launched theirs’ Jan. 8. I’m heading to Blighty this weekend so applied a few weeks ago. It’s a relatively simple online application. It costs 16 UK pounds or just over $30 CAD and lasts two years. The application asks basic information. It took about five minutes and you upload your passport after a few security questions and essentially syncs the “visa” to your passport. So that all you presumably show or insert into a security gate is your passport as you did in the past.! The last couple of times I entered the UK, crossing the border was a breeze. All I had to do was insert my passport into the turnstile-like gate, which read it, and a door opened and I was allowed through and on my way; no need to talk to a Customs agent. 

London has become my new “go to” city. After spending two months there in fall 2023 I was there three times late last year and now for the first week of May. In 2023 I stayed in a shared (with the owner) Airbnb on the border of Hackney and Islington in NE London, half a block from the magnificent Regent’s Canal. Last year I/we stayed at a small hotel on the South Bank near Westminster Bridge and then in Central Finchley in far northwest - but well built up – London. This time I’m staying even further out in Harrow, site of the famous Harrow Public (private) School, whose alumni include several prime ministers, Royal Family members and Nobel winners. That’s not why I’m staying there. After swinging through the area on a city bus last December the “high (main) street” looked magnificent with shops, cafes, pubs and restos. It looked like a great place to spend a week. And despite its relative distance from central London it’s still London and connected by the Metropolitan tube line from “Harrow on the Hill” station.

I’ve also settled on a regular hotel chain for London stays. I found Travelodge to be absolutely great. In North America Travelodge, as I  remember it, was a tired chain with humdrum amenities. Sorry if they’ve improved. But in London they have been completely refreshed with modern sparkling clean rooms with midcentury Scandinavian-type furniture, funky colourful resto-bar (opened all night for food) (photo) and a great hot breakfast. The price is reasonable enough. The chain has locations throughout greater London so you can choose a different location each time to get a better feel of the city’s neighbourhboods.

- Ron Stang, Windsor Ontario Canada, a frequent traveller

Contrast in attire between flight crews and passengers could not be greater

After travelling through six airports, in North America and Europe, the first week of April, one thing caught my attention. The footwear and more generally clothing of my fellow passengers. Almost universally running shoes or as the British call them “trainers” or a version thereof. It was quite remarkable how running shoes have almost become the universal norm of attire at least for travelers. Besides shoes the top form of garment is athletic wear especially on women and jeans on men. And don’t forget sweats and the universal hoodies especially on younger passengers. As for me, a shoe in between formal and trainer - kind of like what waitstaff wear - and creased “formal looking” yet casual lightweight and wicking golf pants. It’s also a visual phenomenon the clash between the typical airline passenger and airline flight crews. Pilots still look like they always have, in crisp suits, hats, white shirts and ties. A similar look, minus caps, for male flight attendants. And female flight attendants look like they eternally have – skirts or tailored slacks, heels and blouses and tunics with often stylized hats. It seems that in the airline business the iconic traditional crew look remains, continuing I suppose the mystique of air travel. Long may it continue! As for the passengers…

Having travelled on three different airlines crossing the Atlantic over the past year I must say Air Canada, for all the derision it takes, is still the best. Its long haul flights to Europe still offer free wine and beer and a superb seatback entertainment system with myriad movies, TV and music choices. This contrasts with my Azores Airlines flight last week that had no seatback system, no free booze and a smaller portion dinner tray. Same for SAS (Scandinavian). Yes, it had seatback entertainment but not with the breadth of programming offered by AC. The dinner was okay but again no free booze.

Arriving in Montreal’s Trudeau airport last week I was surprised to still see separate Customs lines for people using the ArriveCAN app (image). They were mostly empty of course for this pandemic-era app that often didn’t work (I was almost stuck in Athens back in 2021) and scandal-plagued cost and how it was awarded contractually.

Two minor missteps: At the Ponta Delgada airport in the Azores, trying to find a fountain to fill up my water bottle and told there was one beside security I moseyed over until I heard a stern “Sir!” as in "you-are-not-supposed-to-here!" And then on the flight from Mallorca to Lisbon I was told to remove my jacket that was draped over the back of my seat exposed to the passenger behind me. I had done so upon boarding with an empty seat behind but should have known better.

- Ron Stang, Windsor Ontario Canada, a frequent traveller

How to be an untourist

Arriving in Lisbon (Lisboa) I hadn't researched a thing about the place. Call it laziness, as I'm increasingly neglectful of looking up the places I'm travelling to. I'll deal with it when I get there, I suppose. The arrival in from the airport (named Humberto Delgado, a national hero and early admirer of Hitler who started TAP Portugal's national airline, though he seemed to become more a democrat later, and was assassinated). All you need is a credit/debit card for the metro, and it was an easy two line transfer to the station closest to my hotel. The next morning I set out down my street, a main one called Ave Almirante Reis, heading, I thought, in the direction of the port. I hadn't looked up any historic sites or museums. I simply headed off. And lo and behold, after a half hour, I was in the city's historic centre, jam packed with colonnaded arcades, monuments and restaurants  (I thought the Greeks are big on food, the Portuguese could give them a run.) Ah, here is the tourist mecca! I kept walking to the waterfront and wandered through the vast and stunning Praça do Comércio. Then along the waterfront where three massive cruise ships, which had disgorged their passengers, were tied up. I kept walking not at all knowing where I was going. When the port road went no further I started walking inland and up the hills with their narrow ever-so-cobblestoned streets (and sidewalks made out of the smallest stones, some with inlaid crest-like designs called Calçada Portuguesa ). And all of sudden I was again in "tourist central" near the famed St. Mary cathedral. Wow, the tourists were in droves! Conga lines up and down each side of the street. Obviously they were seeing "the sights" with pre-planned guidebooks and maps. I just happened upon it. In fact, in all my travels in Europe, I have seldom seen so much tourism except, say in London or Prague. So is this "over tourism?" The Portuguese seem to like it since there are myriad restaurants catering to the crowds. Fine, but being an "untourist" means no "preset" discovery, not fallowing the crowd, and discovering for yourself, where even the obscure nooks and crannies can reveal riches.  

Which brings me to the subject of photos. I, like everyone else, has long desired to take the "just the right" pic of a cityscape or historic site. But this trip I've changed. Sure, I might take a pic of that historic church or castle (no monuments please). But I will often take it in its present day reality. If that means there's a construction crane to the side, or traffic in front, so be it. It gives a sense of what the city is really like. 

Airline online check-ins can be problematic. Flying from Malaga to Majorca on Spain's discount airline, Vueling, online check-in was only in Spanish. I used a translator but still messed up. I thought I'd selected an option which allowed a carry-on in addition to an "under the seat" bag. Nope. Despite paying $66.80 CAD for just the under-the seat (with seat selection!) I got to the boarding gate and was dinged another $95.71 to bring the overhead on board. And today, checking-in on TAP for my next flight to The Azores, the same problem. My Booking.com receipt allowed one overhead in addition to the under-the-seat. Yet the TAP website asks if I want to put a bag in "hold" for an additional price. Screw that. I'll check in, in person, at the airport (no charge) like I did my last flight to Lisbon and pay only one fee, and hopefully not that. 

- Ron Stang, a frequent traveller, Windsor Ontario Canada

Getting out of a local travel rut, and flying multi-city for the price of one way

It's amazing how getting out of a travel rut opens a whole new experience. Ergo, right? I'm speaking specifically about the Costa del Sol in southern Andalusia, Spain, where I've been visiting the last several years. For years, I've relegated myself to the cities of Marbella and Malaga, all within a short bus-train or car ride away. Sure, I've taken day trips to Ronda, Seville, Cordoba, Grenada, Cadiz or Gibraltar. But locally only Marbella and Malaga. Marbella is the smaller with its exquisite old town, Salvador Dali sculpture garden and beachside promenade. Malaga, the birthplace of Picasso, has a startlingly beautiful and immense cruise ship waterfront lined with bars, cafes and boutiques, a magnificent old town, Roman amphitheatre and Moorish fortress, which one can climb up to for a stunning view of the harbour, city and mountainous backdrop. But on my current trip I decided to break out of the mold and explore smaller coastal communities, discovering that many are linked by fabulous decorative paved promenades or boardwalks. These run from Marbella west to Puerto Banus and then to San Pedro de Alcantara, a several kilometre but pleasant walk, with restos and cafes (great seafood!) punctuating the way. The same for east of here, between Fuengirola (the bus and commuter train terminus) and Carvajal, and this past weekend between Torremolinos and Plaza de Mayor on Malaga's western flank. I walked up from Torremolinos' underground train station to find myself in a teeming square of restaurants and shops, and, um, numerous Irish bars, with lots of Brits wearing green hats for St. Pat's Day and watching - what else - football/soccer.

Due to health reasons my partner is unable to join me in Spain this year. So I rejigged my return airfare to Canada by adding a multi city trip (box).  How so?  When I looked at booking a new one-way ticket home some itineraries had me change planes in "exotic" locales like Palma (Majorca) and The Azores. A lightbulb went on! How about I stay overnight for two or three days in each? The plane ticket wouldn't cost much more, I would just have to add hotels. So on the 31st I'll fly from Malaga to Palma for a couple of nights, then Lisbon for three and the Azores for two, then home. 

- Ron Stang, Windsor Ontario Canada, a frequent traveller

  

'Supercharger' supercharged my account; and am I in a time warp?

It's called a "counterintuitive approach" to learning Spanish. And it sounded great, as many good things do but which result in disappointment. Spanish Supercharger is a course by a supposed UK author named Luke Colley who may or may not exist. He never responded to my emails despite constantly asking for feedback. I'm not necessarily criticizing his learning method, which indeed may be a faster way of learning Spanish as it emphasizes using words and verbs that are most conversational as opposed to language apps (hello Duolingo, which I have long used) which are a little more abstract and "rarely applied in real life." So I bit and bought the course advertised on Facebook on discount for about $20 Can from Pound Sterling. Only I ended up getting charged $40+. And as I say "Luke" never responded to my emails. This is the second item I've purchased from a FB ad (the first, ill-fitting boots) which I've been disappointed in. And it makes me never to want to buy anything on FB again. 

Here are a few observations about life in Spain:

- I have yet to come across a retail store with self checkouts though apparently they exist. This includes everything from a convenience mini mart (my fave SuperCOR) to a Walmart like superstore (Alcampo). All cashiers all the time! I also like that at my local grocery (Carrefour, actually a France-based chain) you don't line up at individual checkouts but form a straight line and wait for the next cash to become free. Much more efficient. 

- Spain may be governed by a socialist party but the country still seems awfully politically incorrect, almost in a time warp. There are still cigarette machines - cigarette machines! - in stores and restaurants though smoking itself is curtailed.  As for marijuana, in case you were wondering, only through private clubs. And I have also yet to see a rainbow crosswalk.

- School buses are luxurious as per the pic (left). Intercity luxury coaches are simply chartered for school board use (see the yellow windshield card). Since Spain seems to be a country where efficiency is top of mind, does chartering private coaches save money over buying a school bus fleet? And for the bus companies they earn money when their coaches might otherwise not be in use during weekday hours?

- Speaking of buses, transit systems here still make change, something that went out in North America in the 1970s. I marvel at this given that drivers also have to concentrate, you know, on driving. Yet all are experts on both fronts. Drivers also are well-groomed and wear ties, a few notches of professionalism above North American standards. The local bus system in Marbella is also free to residents. 

- Motorists are awfully polite. Vehicles come to an abrupt halt when a pedestrian enters a painted crosswalk, and often if they're simply crossing a road, illegally or not. 

- The universal way to greet people is with the word "Hola" which seems to be a catchall greeting, used formally and informally, and could have wider meaning like "Hey." There's no English equivalent, that's why it doesn't seem weird saying it over and over and in almost every context. You can also use, for example, "Buenos dias" (good morning) or "Buenas tardes" (good afternoon) but more universally "Hola."

- Ron Stang, Windsor Ontario Canada, a frequent traveller

It's the Costa, baby, and I'm in with the in crowd

So, I’m back in Spain, the seventh time in eight years (one interrupted by the pandemic). It was a fluke how I found myself here. A friend belonged to a worldwide travel club which suggested a vacation in Andalusia, southwest Spain, the famed Costa del Sol to be exact. I’d travelled in Israel with her the previous year and having never been to Spain thought this would be a great place to check out. So, my partner and I joined Abigail for a trip to Marbella, the springboard for a multi city rail tour of España. I or we (my partner is incapacitated and can only spend limited time sway) have come here on the eastern flank of this charming if affluent city (Elviria, where Julio Iglesias is known to live) in a four star “apartment hotel”. It, (Ona Alanda), is resort-like but low key at least this time of year and the prices are amazing; about $100 Cad/night. (I just booked two weeks in Florida next Christmas at four-fifths the price of two months here.) I have a condo-like one bedroom, self-sufficient in this urban neighbourhood, dotted with small plazas with numerous restaurants, bars and boutiques. I'm also two blocks from the Mediterranean. When I’m staying here alone, I take public transit, with two local routes into Marbella Centro and one

to the, believe it or not, La Canada shopping mall, with a logo complete with a fir tree! If I want to go east to the bigger Malaga, I take a combo bus-suburban train, which also runs by the bustling airport. (Otherwise, when my partner Cathy is here we rent a car.) The weather isn't quite as warm as Florida but daytime temps are in the 60s and in direct sunlight the 70s and sunning in a bathing suit is quite comfortable. But this is a desert like climate, so temps drop in the evenings though all you really need is a sweater. The area is framed by the stunning Sierra Blanca mountain range. So, you have the best of both worlds -  mountains and sea. Beside the phenomenally beautiful and historic cities of  Malaga and Marbella southwestern Spain is strategically located for easy trips to British territory Gibraltar and one-hour ferries from Tarifa to Tangier, Morocco (you can see it across the strait).... My lengths of stay here have varied from a week to two months, which is the case this year. And while in some ways this area is ‘old hat’ I constantly discover new things and am surprised I hadn't found them earlier. Last Sunday, for instance, I walked seven km from Marbella along the shore (beautiful promenades filled with restos, bars and cafes) from Marbella to Puerto Banus

in the west, home to – shhhh! – shall we say the filthy rich, even reputedly underworld types and Russian oligarchs. But after a good seafood lunch  I head to the Red Dog Cinemas, then wait for the bus home at the Plaza Antonio Banderas (a regional native who has the Soho theatre in Malaga)  at the corner of Av de Julio Iglesias. I also discovered another elongated promenade east of Fuengirola (a small city between Marbella and Malaga).  Next weekend I’ll probably do another walk from Puerto Banus west to San Pedro Alcantara.....Yes this is a rather high end tourist area (great for fashionable people-watching and Porches and Land Rovers abound) and notorious for being frequented by the Brits. But there are also many Scandinavians and Germans. But even with this tourism Spaniards dominate because it’s their mecca as well. I’m actually happy I don't hear too many foreign tongues. And I’m more than happy when a Spaniard doesn't default to English as soon as I start speaking. Though so far this trip, I’ve held my own and maintained Spanish whenever I know the words and phrases, which incrementally - very incrementally - keeps increasing. 

- Ron Stang, Windsor Ontario Canada, a frequent traveller

A conversation requires two-way communication

So, there I was standing in the cold pouring rain at the corner of Sandwich & Alma waiting for the 605 to Windsor. Getting on I plunked in $4 for what I thought was a $3.75 fare. I'd checked. But apparently not enough, driver said. $5.25 from the 'burg since we’re “out” of Windsor. Fare enough (get it?) Three buses and two hours later I was at Windsor airport. Was it worth the slog through the rain and the transfers? Sure. I save $65-$75 compared to Uber. .... But the weather played havoc with my flight to Toronto. The last 6.45 pm AC flight was delayed to 7.10 then 7.20 due to late arrival from TO. Then we were “grounded” more than half an hour while awaiting something to do with weather and appropriate slots in TO; had never heard of that before.....I stepped off the plane 9.05 and my Frankfurt flight was departing 9.25. Anyone knowing TO airport knows the small regionals fly into the airport's far north end Concourse D, while European flights leave Concourse E. Believe it or not that’s about one mile distance. I did a combo run-walk, arriving at the gate about 9.22. Too late. The agents checked and the bridge had just swung away. Off to the AC service desk. A pleasant lady helped me get on an alt flight – that night or tomorrow? Seemed travelling that night would be awkward including a flight to

London Heathrow then a cross town transfer to London Gatwick (70 km). No thanks! So I stayed overnight at the airport Crowne Plaza, which was actually pretty good. An impeccable hotel room is always nice and a generous number of plump pillows even better.  I even slept in and checked out as close to 12 noon as possible as my rescheduled flight wasn’t until 4.30. AC also provided two $15 meal vouchers so I was in good shape for my new Frankfurt flight....The AC service rep had booked the last available seat on the new flight but I lucked out as it was on the aisle, my fave. But thank god I don’t check luggage anymore; god knows where my suitcase would have ended up, or where.  Probably Malaga, my destination, but when?....But what is it about fellow passengers? A seat companion is hit and miss, at least from a conversation standpoint. Half the time or more we’re on non-speaking terms if at least initial acknowledgement. This time my companion was a middled aged woman from Thunder Bay, flying to see her daughter in Germany. We began talking and she was pleasant enough but then the questions were all one-sided: me asking them, and I eventually ran out; there’s only so much I can ask about Thunder Bay. A conversation relies on a two-way process and this wasn’t evident.....Arriving Frankfurt and transferring between terminals, I noticed a  couple of things about my new gate. For one, there was a coffee machine (top photo), where fresh ground coffee was dispensed. I hadn’t seen anything like that before, even if you had to pay. Second, perhaps German efficiency (a stereotype) but boarding zone lanes were painted on the floor (photo). It wasn’t snowing in

Frankfurt but below zero and our A320 Lufthansa Neo taxied to a broad apron where four boom trucks dispensed de-icing fluid (photo). Wow. There was a fleet of them readying for every aircraft.....The under three-hour trip to Malaga was uneventful and I tried to get some shut eye. I got the window seat (beggars can't be choosers) and my middle seat companion was tall and kind of spread his legs, making me think of those NY subway ads admonishing men for just this behaviour.  He also didn’t talk. Fine....Upon arrival in Malaga all was sunny and a variety of narrow-bodied jets lined the boarding gates at this holiday destination – Ryanair (which even had airport buses), Wizz, EasyJet, British Airways, Vueling, Air France, Baltic. My silent companion didn't want to get up - “I’ll do so at the right time,” he said when I asked. Oh, okay, but I didn't want to wait until I was among the next to last passengers. And deplaning etiquette means passengers behind wait for those in front, which I kind of indicated to him. “Well, I’m getting off anyway,” I said. He then got up from his seat.....The delightful – and always surprisingly large – Malaga airport was teeming with people - largely holidaymakers - last/first weekend of the month, I suppose. 

- Ron Stang, Windsor Ontario Canada, a frequent traveller

A vacation home in Florida? You've got to be kidding

What is it about Florida vacation homes? Isn’t Florida supposed to be all about vacations, especially extended ones? My partner and I were thinking of returning for a winter Florida sojourn after several years away. We’d always loved St. Petersburg. St. Pete has the best of both worlds: a delightful, artsy, people-scaled city with lots of museums, restos, bars and cafes but close to extensive beaches, shopping, and entertainment. And if you want at a bigger city there’s Tampa across the bay with its frequent downtown festivals and Ybor City, the traditional Cuban neighbourhood with its quaint hand-rolling cigar factories, restaurants and clubs. So we went on Booking.com and checked long term vacation stays – specifically early 2026 – yes, a year away. We have now contacted four properties. Guess what? No or negative responses. The first was a typical Florida-style suburban house designed for a disabled person, as is my partner. It looked perfect and the price was right. But you couldn’t just book the property, you had to “request” to book. The owner had 24 hours to reply. In this case the dates for the “Luxury Oasis” house simply weren’t available. What?! The Booking.com calendar showed they were! The next property was further south off Tampa Bay as opposed to the ocean side. This time the owner responded but said he didn’t want to rent this far in advance, despite advertising. The third property was the “Seashell” home in suburban Pasadena, a nice three-bedroom corner house that looked accessible as a one floor bungalow with few stairs. But the reply: “Unfortunately the host has not responded, so your request has expired.” Why no response when the property is advertised?  My thought was I was booking too far in advance and since there was free cancellation up to November the owner couldn’t be bothered confirming for a possibly fickle customer. So I sent a second request and offered a deposit. Again no reply. The fourth property was a condo along a beautiful canal close to beaches near Pass-a-Grille in the far southwest corner of the metro area. The property, this time listed on the VRBO website, looked modern and comfy. But we needed some questions answered regarding accessibility. Again, no response. I even wonder if owners are scared away by a disabled tenant, fearing liability. Meanwhile, a problem with most properties is their severely limited accessibility, including Airbnb, even in retirement haven Florida! 

- Ron Stang, Windsor Ontario Canada, a frequent traveller

Escape from the Caribbean? Yes

St. Lucia is one beautiful tropical paradise, hilly even slightly mountainous with of course the two iconic Pitons on the west coast. I’d never been in a place with lush jungle. The temperatures were great – mid-80s but “feeling like” low 90s. But not insufferable, as trade winds blue in and comfortably cut the heat. The problem was our accommodation. It’s a well-known resort in the northwest corner of the island which has four facilities within a mile or two of each other. We stayed in town, mainly because one of us is disabled and we wanted close access to stores and restaurants. The resort was smaller than expected though it did provide the most convenient first floor suite for someone in a wheelchair. Service was so-so. Breakfast was particularly bad. There seemed to be adequate staff but they didn’t circulate, meaning tables weren’t promptly cleared nor coffee or tea readily brought. The buffet was within a cramped room through doors and guests had to be served by hotel staff, not self-serve which is more common. Often staff were unsmiling and impersonal, giving the impression they had to get up and go to work in the morning. A few staff were courteous, including those at the pool bar which made fantastic and relatively cheap rum-filled drinks. And our maid was unfailingly polite and smiling even when we had an emergency. But service overall was middling. We had paid for “half board” covering breakfast but no other meals. We dined one evening and the bill with one Coke and one beer came to $171.63 CAD. From then on it was into town to grab take out at the only two outlets which seemed to be open – KFC (often crowded) and Subway though we did hit a ramshackle outdoor café that served a superb stuffed chicken dish, our trip highlight! The resort’s wi-fi worked literally off and on. Every second night brought loud bombastic music from karaoke or a guest singer/DJ. After asking five times over three days a shower chair was finally brought for my disabled partner but there was no way to get into the bathtub due to a partial solid shower wall. The resort seemed to still be operating on 1970s principles and required an audit by a hotel expert, overhauled top to bottom, from physical facilities to personal service, top of list have employees smile. And...we hated to have to wear “resort” bracelets (photo) - prisoner-like and so touristy! The adjoining town – more like village – was so-so, with a large grocery store (often packed with 15–20-minute checkout lineups), some boutiques and a few standalone restos. But the infrastructure was poor and the surroundings dirty. The beach was packed and while framed nicely by hilly outcrops the tide was in and there wasn’t a lot of space. The see-through teal colored water of travel brochures was non-existent. So, were we happy with our first Caribbean experience? We counted down the days.

Moving through Toronto’s Pearson Intl., CATSA (the government agency that oversees security) seems to never have got the memo about mobility chair batteries. The airlines require lithium batteries (photo left)  to be removed from checked wheelchairs. But we almost were not let through because a CATSA agent was highly suspicious of the black rectangular object! 

Finally, beware Canadian hotel telephone reservation charges. Twice now I have unwittingly been charged for calling a hotel and making a reservation, the latest being $17.99 and not being told there’s an additional fee. That’s opposed to booking through a third-party travel site at no extra charge. 

And yes, complaints have been made to all three organizations above.

 - Ron Stang, Windsor Ontario Canada, a frequent traveller