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Christmas Letter 2003/4

 

 

I liked Canada in general, and Toronto in particular but we did also go off on trips to Ottawa , Montreal and Quebec City . The art gallery in Ottawa was very attractive –an interesting building with some excellent displays of art, including a whale skeleton made entirely of bits of plastic chairs. 

 

     

   

 

On the way to Quebec City we passed through the territories of North American Indians, who are now called “First Nations”.  It was sad to see these once proud peoples now reduced to earning their living by selling cheap handicrafts to tourists, and by trading in duty-free cigarettes.

 

 


  

One day we went on a trip to Niagara Falls . The falls themselves are impressive, but the kitsch tourist clutter they have attracted is quite appalling.

In Toronto I met a lot of Chinese people. It seems that Canada welcomes foreign immigrants, but many of the Chinese told me that they  had to take very menial jobs, because their qualifications from Chinese universities were not recognised. And why had they come? Some told me it was because of the greater opportunities available in Canada , but others just wanted a change of scene.

 Above: A group of people in yellow plastic raingear enjoying the spray at Niagara Falls

 

I met some Chinese people with excellent English who were unable to get government jobs because their French wasn’t good enough.

 

However, the French I heard spoken in Quebec Province came with such a heavy accent it was almost incomprehensible.

 

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             A paper vending machine in Toronto