Will Toronto Be a Safe Space for Gary When Everything Goes to Hell?
As a proper refugee I’m always thinking of the next place to flee, especially when the next US election rolls around and our most illustrious criminal might just squeak back into office. My last few days in Toronto have given me a lot to think about. What are the pluses an minuses?
PLUSES
The food has gotten really good! This is Afrobeat kitchen on Queen West (I think) and I’ve never had Nigerian food in NYC so good and so damn spicy too. Check out that yam on the Egusi and greens dish with tons of fish sauce and spice. Insane sticky suya wings too and the locally made Afro Puff beer made me go Goddamn! I remember going to Toronto in the 90s and leaving in tears because the food was so awful, but now it’s a beast of a food city.
Another plus, lots of readers! I love reading at the main library (once when I offended Canada, I had to give a long apology there — long story) and on this trip I serenaded the great Eleanor Wachtel along with Brandon Taylor as she left her famous show Writers & Company on the CBC.
Look at how many people came to the Glenn Gould Studio to give her a standing ovation. We’re okay with literature in NYC, but not like this!
Okay, what are the minuses?
First, there are no more safe spaces anymore as the Canadian wildfires have taught us. Also, there are lunatic politicians waiting in the Canadian wings as well.
Secondly, the public transport system ain’t that much better than New York’s. A part of me is still waiting for that 1 line train to arrive at Spadina.
And finally, what’s with all the weird “downtowns” with skyscrapers along a single street? North York Town, Misshuganah, I never know where the hell I am. Consolidate, Toronto!
Anyway, it’s mostly a great city. Final verdict: I can flee here in style!
As a former NYC resident, who has now returned to my hometown of Toronto *and an avid reader of your novels) let me be the first on these pages to welcome you to our fair city. I have ample restaurant recommendations that will reciprocate some of the excellent recommendations you have offered us in nyc. You can eat very well here (the Italian restaurants are actually better than in NY), and the crime is much lower. Cultural depth is approaching Gotham levels as well. Unfortunately, our winters are still fairly brutal ( a major negative, even if you can walk underground in much of the downtown areas). Next time you are here, I would be delighted to take you out for a meal, as a thank you for all the pleasure your work has given me. Enjoy the rest of your stay! -Marshall
I first visited Toronto in 1971 on a brief college trip. I couldn't have imagined a whiter, more tediously uninteresting place. Yet I have a lot of admiration for Canada. I returned to the city in 2006, and discovered a fully alive city with five or six Chinatowns and all sorts of enclaves. I need to return - or, to flee Florida to there. Do Canadians accept people from Florida? (I'm originally from NYC - does that help?).