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Originally Posted by esquire
I think unrealistic expectations may have been behind this. It sounds like they were partly expecting some kind of 19th century scene of trappers running through the bush on snowshoes and not 21st century G8 advanced economy urbanization.
The funny thing is that the car-centric suburbia of North America is not that different than what you see in the outer parts of European cities... I mean, even charming old Paris is surrounded by freeways lined by gas stations, big boxes and their Tim Hortons. It's a part of Europe that really only became known to me on my most recent trip there, which was the first time I rented a car on that continent... it's surprising how much it looks like "home" when you get outside of the old towns. |
This and also what others have said.
If they were here for five weeks and took in Toronto, Montreal, Ottawa, Quebec City and Halifax plus wilderness areas, there was more than enough to keep busy in the wilds AND the city centres for them not to be overwhelmed by motor vehicles and super highways.
When I drove from Florence to Venice recently to see both cities, what stuck in my mind afterwards (and for perpetuity thankfully) wasn't the jammed up autostrada with chaotic Autogrill rest stops and Safety Tutor automated speed control gantries, let me tell you.
Now, there is no shortage of cities on this continent, including many in Canada, where there is "no there there'' in the centre of town. But these places they went, though not perfect, aren't these types of North American cities at all.
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