Times Square, the beating heart of New York City, is a place that never sleeps. I had a chance to visit it in 2021. Of all the places I have ever had a chance to visit, Times Square is the most distinct and chaotic one. Here you can find people with the most diverse backgrounds, skin colours, religious and spiritual beliefs, sexual orientations, political views, etc. But all of those people are united by the same urge: to capture this timeless moment of being there, at Times Square, where even the global pandemic cannot stop time.

For as long as I can remember, I've held a keen interest in topics related to nature, technology, and architecture. So, I was captivated by the opportunity to listen to a recent episode of Lex Fridman’s podcast featuring Neri Oxman, a professor at MIT renowned for her groundbreaking work that pushed the boundaries of what is possible in terms of the integration of design, technology, and biology. She insists that we should aim to grow all our necessities rather than manufacturing them artificially. Listening to this interview brought to mind the architectural heritage of the late Zaha Hadid, who similarly merged innovative architectural styles with practical design that blends with the environment. Her architectural influence can be seen across the globe, particularly in cities like Baku, Rome, London, Glasgow, and Guangzhou, China. But there is also a lesser-known place that I had an opportunity to visit in 2018 (and, yes, it’s about trains): the Innsbruck Funicular in Austria.

Liechtenstein is one of the world's smallest countries, yet it has a big heart. The warm hospitality and friendliness of its people make any visit memorable. When I was in Bavaria in 2018, I seized an opportunity to make a day trip to Liechtenstein. At that time, my knowledge about this country was limited to its reputation as a financial haven where the wealthy securely stowed their money. Turns out, that this tiny country is well worth the visit as the people here embrace a strong sense of community, and visitors often experience a warm reception. 

The Toronto Islands - that lush, green oasis floating just a ferry ride away from the bustling chaos of downtown Toronto. But, let's be honest, during my time in Toronto between 2011 and 2018, the islands and I always had a complicated relationship. You know, those summer weekends when everyone and their dog decided it was the perfect time to conquer the Islands? Nay, not for me. It's all about the weekdays and those after-hours adventures that unravel the true magic of this urban escape. Picture it: the sun setting, the crowds thinning, and the islands unveiling their serene, mystical side. Grab your ferry ticket and let's dive into the secret world of island charm that awaits you. 

Ottawa has been actively expanding its LRT system in all three directions: east, west, and south. However, the progress of the east-west extensions is dependent on resolving significant reliability issues that have been affecting commuters on the Confederation Line since its opening in 2019. On the other hand, the Trillium Line South extension is making comparatively good progress, although there have already been some delays so it's unclear if it will open in 2023. As part of the annual Doors Open Ottawa event held on June 3, 2023, OC Transpo showcased its latest Swiss-made Stadler Flirt train to the public at Greenboro Station. Obviously, I couldn't miss this opportunity to attend this event and see the new train for the first time. 

This is the second part of a story about my backpacking adventure to the Eastern Townships in late May 2023. In the previous article, I talked about some logistical challenges to travel without a car in Canada as well as my experience in the town of Sherbrooke. In this article, I'll cover the rest of my trip including the town of Magog, Mont-Orford National Park, and some places between them.

I’m continuing my experiments with car-free backpacking travel in North America to prove that not only is it possible, but it can actually be quite an enjoyable experience. Backpacking travel presents two key benefits over traditional car-centric travel: a focus on sustainability and a deeper connection to nature and local cultures. After all, if this form of travel has successfully thrived in numerous European, Asian, and Latin American countries, it is only logical to question why it would be any different in Canada and the United States. Right?