We’re waiting for the Empire Builder – the train that takes us across the north-west to Chicago and eventually to the east coast and Montreal. This is such a lovely city it seems a shame to be leaving so soon – one day it would be worth another longer visit.
This morning we went exploring after first taking the Street Car – a smaller tram – from one end of the city to the other – from the riverside to the heights. I can imagine the mountains in the background being snow-capped in winter – today they are still covered in green-leafed trees.
On board we saw a drug-dazed couple flee when the conductor came through to check our tickets. Once again, we can’t get over the number of homeless people and the number who seem completely beyond help. All through the beautiful parks are the poor, sleeping on old mattresses or stretched out on park benches. I asked our cab driver, “Why so many?” He thought it was because the social security here is better than elsewhere and the weather is milder. Makes me think, these are ‘depression era’ days for many fallen-by-the sideway Americans.
Everywhere we go, everyone is ready to help – calling a taxi, looking up Google or Yelp on mobile phones to help us find places – like the Pearl Bakery and the Museum of Crafts. Look at a map and people will ask if they can assist. It is a positively friendly place – very up-market for the majority.
Today we returned to Powell’s City of Books for coffee and biscotti and found some children’s books at ‘ridiculous’ prices. Our suitcases are feeling considerably heavier and I am thinking we will need to send home some things we won’t need.
I’ve also been on the Net seeing if we can change our itinerary so we can have a few more days in Montreal with Hannah and an extra day in NYC. I’ve made the train changes, but will have to negotiate with the hotel in Boston. I know that Glenys will be happier with this new arrangement.
In My Life 
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