As usual, it will involve a lot of train travel. I will be taking the Adirondack to Montreal, a VIA train from there to Toronto, and Amtrak's Maple Leaf back to the USA. Why have I decided to go now? Starting June 1 the passport requirement will be strictly enforced so it's probably best for me to get this trip done before then. Even though I have a passport, one or more other passengers may not and that could cause customs to hold the train for a VERY long time.

I've never been to Montreal before and I'm not exactly sure what to expect there. Much has been made about the Parti Quebecois, their desire to separate Quebec from Canada, and a prevailing anti-Anglophone attitude. Montreal's stature on the national and international stage has supposedly declined, as many English-speaking businesses and workers have moved to Ontario and other friendlier locations. From talking to others I should be fine in and around Montreal with a minimal knowledge of French. But there is less certainty on how well Anglophones manage elsewhere in the province. One friend of mine who visited Canada in the 70s and 80s said that French Canadians were much nicer to Americans than English speaking Canadians. I don't know if that is still the case.

Nonetheless, I'm sure I'll have a good time. Montreal and Toronto are both world class cities with lots for visitors to see and do. Too bad there's no Hockey left to watch (the Canadiens were eliminated by the Bruins in the first round of the playoffs and the Maple Leafs didn't qualify for the postseason). No baseball either. The Blue Jays will be on a road trip when I'm in Toronto and the Montreal Expos, of course, moved to Washington years ago. There are still things like the CN Tower and the 67 Expo site to see though. Both cities have plenty of museums, galleries, tourist traps and the like. And, for a rail enthusaist, the local transit lines are a tourist attraction in their own right.

One more thing. I haven't booked a room in Toronto yet. Are there any popular and/or cheap accomodations for an American on the go? TFCon has come and gone and I'm not flying, there's no point in staying at an airport hotel. I'd rather stay in downtown Toronto or in a place that at least has a TTC subway stop nearby. Any suggestions are welcome.