I think it would be fair to begin this blogging ordeal with a warning: Beware. Once you enter the city of Windsor, it pulls you in. There is no turning back. You are doomed to become entangled in the abyss of concrete, broken glass, metal and wood scraps, light pollution, smog... Wait, don't go! It's really not that bad. Once you get past the factors that led it to be called the "Earth's rectum" by Stephen Colbert (1), the place has a certain charm to it.
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| Photo of Detroit from Windsor's riverfront that I took on an early morning bicycle ride in 2013. |
I was born and raised in a rather central area of my town. Despite its near horrid reputation, I have grown to
love the place. Being a border city makes us more appealing, I'd say, although I assume those benefits have lessened as of the late bankruptcy of Detroit. It is not every town that is blessed with a river, no matter the murkiness, that runs along their entire Northern front and that is dotted with parks, picnic benches, gardens, sculptures, pathways, memorials, and far more. Not to mention that dashing Detroit sky-line! Even when one heads South, there are several quaint places to make oneself at home.
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| Myself at the Fall Tweed Ride of 2013, organized by The City Cyclery. |
Humans are such curious creatures, how varying we are! This is why it amuses me so to people watch. I have met some very admirable folk here but I have also been saddened or disgusted during various encounters.
So come along! I want to take you on a trip through my city. You can explore the aesthetics for yourself some other time. I will finish my introductions with a splendid poem by a lad who calls himself Moddi. It has been translated from the Norwegian and it preaches that where you were born affects who you become. Now to elaborate on what Windsor's soil has made of its inhabitants...
Not all of the seed flowed where the soil was best
Some took root where the rocks were steepest
All of them wanted to go out into the world, dreamed big
But fate did not give everyone the same soil
Some were straight poles in the sunny side
Others curled up on the hillside in the shadows
Many kind of tree varieties I could mention
But look not in the sunny hillsides for hook-rod types
(1) http://ca.news.yahoo.com/blogs/dailybrew/stephen-colbert-takes-another-poke-windsor-calling-earth-155642160.html
I really enjoyed this first entry! You make extremely valid points as to how Windsor doesn't always have the best or most exciting reputation but really if you know where to go it isn't all bad! Your appreciation for the river and the Detroit skyline is very easy for me to relate to. Unfortunately, not everyone has the same appreciation for the simple beauty that can be found in admiring things of that sort. Also, the contrast between the wonderful and terrible people found in Windsor was my favourite part. That point is probably the most accurate thing I've read in a while. No matter how many lovely people one knows here, one knows a few bad seeds who's bad reputation exceeds the normal and ruins the illusion of good.
ReplyDeleteI agree, that some of Windsor is somewhat broken down, but it's home. And some of Windsor's residence have a certain... charm, to them? We are most definitely booming, which is why I too like to people watch. I think that's one of Windsor's greatest hobbies.
ReplyDeleteHumans of New York is probably my favourite go-to "I've had a bad day" site. I look forward to see who you meet in Windsor! And I hope one of those people is Feather Hat Guy, if only because I'm curious about what kind of feathers are in his hat.
ReplyDeleteAnd as for the Colbert jab, well... I can't say I disagree. Windsor, for all its squirrels and whatnots, is definitely an acquired taste.
Natalie, I find your blog very interesting what you wrote about. I am also a people watcher, I guess i get that from my dad. I could sit all day and watch people and it would entertainment (not in a negative way). I completely understand and agree when you talked about different cultures in Windsor, I was born into different cultures. Lastly, comparing Windsor to the border city which is the USA by me visiting both countries I noticed the big cultural difference.
ReplyDeleteI found your description of our city quite charming and, unfortunately, uncomfortably accurate where the city’s rather neglected corner is concerned. I am nevertheless heartened by your description of Windsor’s many assets and attractions, not least of which is a quaint, sometimes overcrowded Tim Hortons only a few minutes away regardless of your location.
ReplyDeleteLike you yourself said, our city is far from an intimate family, but you underlined wonderfully those occasions in which we succeed to put aside our differences to celebrate. I for one was not even aware that we had a Tweed Ride! You can be sure I’ll have my bike oiled and prepped when it rolls around (forgive my pun). Thank you for the enjoyable and informative blog!
I went to the Tweed Ride for the first time this year (you have enticed me to post a picture of the occasion). Despite the cold and rainy weather, a large number of snazzy looking people gathered and it turned out to be a very pleasant excursion though it was shortened. It is very exciting to know I have classroom contemporaries just as enthusiastic about cycling and about dressing in Tweed! Na zdrowie!!!
DeleteI can already tell that I am going to love this blog, the way you write makes everything sound like a fantasy novel and your words are so invigorating and truthful. I agree with you that Windsor is broken down and isn't as it used to be but that doesn't change the fact that Windsor is still trying to be a good city with all its events that you just described. I look forward to reading the rest of your blog.
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