New addicts also in cities of Canada -

I did not expect to find what are called the new junkies even in the cities of Canada. I was very ignorant on the subject, which I invite you to learn more about in this article from the Mario Negri Foundation.

I had read about it and imagined that it was unique to large U.S. cities. But in fact the most populous cities in Canada are all very close to the U.S. border.

Entrance to China Town in Vancouver, the first of the cities in Canada I visited where I saw groups of the new junkies — China Town in Vancouver, first of the cities in Canada that I visited and where I saw groups of the new junkies

Most are lying on the ground looking into the void all day long. When they walk they look like zombies from horror movies. I saw a livelier one intent on punching a tree. Apparently all it takes is a small dose to get addicted, and at that point you never come out. The guy at the front desk explained to me that since they are drug addicts and irredeemable, it is the state itself that gives them drugs to keep them alive.

Vancouver river full of boats of all kinds, skyscrapers in the background — Vancouver river, rich in activity

Vancouver, my first city in Canada (where I also see new junkies)

Arriving late in the evening in Vancouver after the long journey, I sank into bed to begin to discover it deserted at dawn the next morning. I struggled to find a café because all were still closed. On the pedestrianized, leafy waterfront, I passed a gentleman with a classic take-out cup of coffee and asked him where he got it: At my hotel, but the cafe can be accessed by guests from outside.

Thank goodness! The goal was to go to Stanley park and indeed I would not have found an alternative. In the middle of nature with a real forest of very tall trees, it seems incredible that it is so close to one of the most modern cities on the planet. The first photo of the trip was of two squirrels making love, great start!

In the vast park I had been eyeing native totem poles. They are replicas of originals displayed elsewhere. It occurs to me that fewer were exterminated here than in the United States only because there was even more space and so much inhospitable territory to hide in.

Reproduction of 3 native totem poles in Stanley park, Vancouver — Stanley park totem poles

Granville island is considered the historic district of the city. It can be reached by a short ferry ride even though it is not an island. It is actually an old industrial area from 100 years ago, the spaces have been repurposed mostly into stores and bars. I got carried away with gluttony, and a lunch made up of snacks taken at different places eventually became challenging.

I was staying in Gastown, the oldest part and historic center of town, full of stores and clubs. From my room I could see and hear the curious steam clock, which whistles every 15 minutes. Never would I have imagined that a block away I would find the expanse of junkies.

Vancouver cube-shaped steam clock seen from an edge — Steam clock

The new junkies also in Victoria, not nice new addicts

I had many expectations toward Victoria. I decided to get there in the day from Vancouver so I could spend little time there, but for the city it was also enough because it was not very big. I can say that I saw the nature from the bus and ferry windows to get there.

While waiting for the bus from downtown Victoria that would take me where to catch the ferry to Vancouver, I could not escape being a spectator to a depressing scene.

Many will remember in the old electronic games, when the icon would go haywire going back and forth in a small space, always the same without being able to get out. On the opposite side of the street, in the hallway of a store that was closed at the time, was a boy in his early twenties, undoubtedly a Fentalyn junkie. Head dangling, stride shuffling, staring into space. For almost as long as I waited for my bus, the poor guy repeated those few steps back and forth. At one point a guy in little better shape came along and took him away.

Victoria local government building with its large front garden on a bright day and flower beds — Palaces and flower gardens in Victoria

In those days I thought a lot about the novel Infinite Jest by Edward Foster Wallace, which is about both drug addiction and Canadian identity.

At that time I was still hurting myself by posting photos and content on some groups of theoretical travelers in Facebook. I didn’t take pictures of the junkies, but I thought it was interesting to tell about it, obviously talking about the rest of it as well. In my opinion, traveling is also observing the ugliness of what we have around us. Some people told me all kinds of things because I was denigrating all of Canada.

Toronto and Niagara Falls

A must-visit destination if you go to Canada is Toronto and from there, the half-day excursion that takes you to Niagara Falls. You could measure the civilization of a country by considering these 4 parameters

Top of Toronto CN tower illuminated — Toronto CN tower

easily accessible free drinking water
clean and widespread public toilets
Credit cards accepted anywhere and for any cost
Free consumption of soft drugs, which can be purchased in specialized stores

I can say that in Canada I was able to experience their civilization.

Since the next day I would wake up at dawn, I planned a home evening on my only single night of the trip. The idea was to eat in bed while watching those contests on TV about who rides the bulls better (the women the ponies). But partly because it was forbidden to dine in the room, partly because of the rats in the kitchen, I opted for a park bench that both my quarters and the aforementioned specialty store overlooked. It was in its own way, however, a pleasant homey evening.

I was on a side street of one of the main streets of the city, Spadina Avenue. I specify that it had nothing to do with Spadino, Fonzie’s nephew in Happy days. A few blocks also from the famous Cn Tower and so even with little time, walking around, I saw the essentials. In fact I pushed on to the Distilleryv district, a former industrial area that has been well reclaimed and is often used as a film location. It hosts with several venues and in the summer the Lavazza-sponsored film festival. I snacked while watching the rehearsal of a show with Marcello Mastroianni in the background and opera songs blaring from the speakers.

Array of very comfortable, large red seats in the stalls in the Toronto Festival spaces — Toronto festival chairs

Niagara, no new addicts

Approaching the famous waterfall from above, everyone said, oh, heh . I got there from behind and indeed, from above the spectacle is worthy. From below, on the other hand, you can’t see anything, the handful of minutes on the approaching boat is 30 euros of unnecessary expense. You stand in a long line and get a huge poncho, but you still get wet. A very funny scene is to see the kids wrapped in the poncho to which the parents tie several knots so that the kids can move at all. Here I had a snack of fish and chips with live concertino.