A Tourist

I am visiting haunts that were familiar to me twenty-five years ago, when I lived in this city. In many ways, it is very strange to walk the streets that I walked then. They haven't changed a lot...until I encounter something different than I remember. oh! There has been a change!

Of course, I see no familiar faces. Any that I knew then are forever young in my memory. But they have aged twenty-five years...as have I. The blending of the amiliar with the new and different is disconcerting and a bit disorienting.I gravitate toward those things that are unchanged, such as the House of Commons. A venerable building, Its precincts remain largely the same. Of course, all the faces are different. when I came here previously, Stanley Knowles still sat at his privileged seat at the centre table, surveying the scene as he had for decades when he was a sitting member. Parliament was his life, virtually his only life, and a generous and compassionate government allowed him this special seat of honour within the House, but not of the House.

I am tempted to return to the House one more time, not during the Question Period. I do hunger for the sparkling debate that can occur in Paliament, but rarely does. These days of partisan bickering, of endlessly recalling the sins of "the other guys," is tedious and petty, and reveals the shallowness and meanness of the present majority, so keen to cast blame, so eager to bend the rules to suit their purposes. Perhaps it was ever thus.

The National Gallery is new to me. I have never considered myself a connaisure of art, or even an appreciator of art, so I avoided the Gallery in past visits. This time, I discovered The Clock, an ingenious installation which travels the clock in ral time, with interwoven clips from movies of every age. I also discovered the Library, an oasis of calm in which to read and think, as well as the bookstore (could I avoid a bookstore?).Books on art are way over my head, out of my range, and away from my concern and my knowledge, so I stayed there nay long enough to purchase a gift.

The streets continue to fascinate me. Tired and jaded civil servants, stylish students and gawking tourists (myself ncluded). I could walk them all day, or as long as knees hold out, which so far is good enough! today is blustery and cool, so walking will be warming. I will be a tourist for yet another day, waiting to. On next with grandsons. Tomorrow, for sure!