Hot, sticky air, sidewalks full of people walking home, strangers talking to one another, multiple buses hogging the roads, back to back, moving metres per minute, spilling over with bodies...Clogged up traffic, exhaust fumes mixed with street meat smoke...bikes, skateboards, cars and motorcyles all sharing lanes, cars honking, people yelling.....It really could be anywhere but Toronto- Bangkok? Dehli? Nairobi?
This was the tone, temperature and temperament when I biked home tonight from the Danforth. What caused this ruckus? The TTC broke down. This is one of my favourite Toronto phenomena. When the TTC breaks down. When masses of people are forced to exit subway stations and take slow moving shuttle buses to their destinations. Strangers suddenly start talking to one another about how inefficient the TTC is, how inconvenient this rupture in their journey is, how long it's taking for TTC officials to get shuttle buses along. People start talking about where they live, where they're headed, where they're coming from. Dialogue ensues. You learn a little bit more about your potential neighbour. Those who are closer to their final destination actually take it upon themselves to walk home; streets become busier, noisier, more energetic. Granted a lot of the energy is negative- misery does love company. But all the better, right?
I love it.
Lucky for me I was on bike tonight and got to watch it from afar.
Here's to Torontonians bonding... S.
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