THE TORONTO PODCAST
In the most polite of countries, and in one of its most buzzing of countries, the Ukulele Road Trips Podcast has joined up with a few hearty locals that embody the soul of Toronto, in one friendly couch conversation.
From left to right, Adi, Augustin and Canadian Ben ! The smiling guests of the Toronto Podcast
One of the topics discussed in the Toronto Podcast, is that Toronto is one of the most multicultural cities in the world, with around half of its inhabitant being foreign-born.
Adi, on the left of the couch is from India and has been living in Canada for a few years already. Augustin, from Mexico, seated in the middle, having studied in Canada is waiting for a permit of permanent residence (or something like that, he explains it better than I do), and Candian Ben, on the right, as his name suggests, is Canadian, 'born and raised' in Ottawa, the capital.
A view on the Canadian Natinal (C.N.) Tower, also a topic in the pod
So it's with the perfect panel that all Toronto-nian things are discussed, with songs and hard hitting questions such as "who is your favourite Justin?" and "Why are you so nice?".
Post-podcast self-congratulory selfies all around !!
A WALK AND AN ARREST BY NIAGARA FALLS
The Niagara falls being not too far from Toronto, I seized what feels like a chance in a lifetime to see the glorious water falls. A short drive away from the busy city, and through the suburbs along Lake Ontario, and you're there !
Almost there !
Small confession, I had had a poster of the falls in my room as a child, and I imagined them surrounded by wild nature, green trees, lions and funny looking birds (yes, I also thought they were somewhere in Africa...). It's not exaclty how you'll discover the falls though. They're actually rather surrounded by buildings and skyscrapers. If you're into beautiful water falls, casinos and 3D cinemas, you're in for a treat !
the view to the left of the falls. The other side is the US !
I didn't really have the time for 3D cinema, so I decided to get closer to the thundering waters. What music! The bare roaring power of nature. But the sound of cameras and a pigeon getting in the way made me decide to get closer.
Who? Me?
Getting closer, meaning in this case, to jump over the railing and sit down on the grass right next to nature's temple..
Behind the signs saying "do not go beyond this sign", the falls look more or less like this:
From there, you can almost imagine the amazement and awe of the first native tribes discovering these Niagara Falls. Though you may have to face some consequences of your trespassing.
Alex Taccinelli and Ben from Ukulele Road Trips - a souvenir picture
Meet Alex. Alex is a policeman by the Niagara Falls. And protecting everybody's safety, in this case meant Alex had to arrest me.
However, luckily for me, Alex was very friendly, courteous, and more concerned about my safety than wanting to issue a punishment of any kind. So friendly in fact, that he agreed to answer a few questions, and to talk a little bit about what it's like like being in the force, and living next to the glorious natural landmarks, an interview which features in the pod!
Stay safe, and there are some less dangerous ways of getting close up to the falls you know.
4D, I'm guessing, is 3D, with actual water.
ONWARD
And it's with the final note of this friendly podcast that Ukulele Road Trips heads off to new Northern horizons. The flight is booked and everything ! But not before a bit of editing on the Canadian content, from a Starbucks downtown (coffee ordered in an actual mug!).
click click tap tap tap tap, piano piano, and boum, an edited ukulele road trips video !
This happy bunch of Backpack, Ukulele player, and ukuleles are helped on their way by CloudMusic Ukuleles, whose ukes you can check out on here !
If you wish to sustain the traveller, with coffee and trailer mix nuts, you can donate top right of this page, or hop over to the Patreon of Ukulele Road Trips ! Yay !