Thoughts on the fly: A whirlwind week from Toronto to Istanbul
It’s been one of those weeks that’s very much lived up to the title of this column – two trips across the Atlantic, a jam-packed three days in Paris, a conference in Istanbul and shortly onto the Gulf but not just yet. First, a moment to look back and also to soak up the scene at the eastern end of the Med.
1
Toronto. I have a somewhat strange relationship with my former hometown but I think you already know this. At times I find its pace of growth and sense of possibility exhilarating but then I also feel that it’s stuck – literally. The traffic doesn’t move, the subway system feels as though it’s about to buckle and many downtown streets are full of people who are a danger to themselves and others. Meanwhile, the local government continues to focus on petty legislation rather than delivering big ideas. I’m missing a sense of mission and plan, not just in Toronto but in Ontario and Canada generally. It feels more like a platform than a nation. A place where you can land, perch and promote yourself but are you part of anything bigger? Do people feel passionate about platforms? Would they stand up to fight for it or move on to another perch? I’m told a federal election might happen much sooner than planned. It must. As a G7 nation, Canada feels completely off the world stage. Perhaps that’s what happens when you’ve reduced yourself to being a platform that’s lost a sense of purpose.
2
Air France. If you fly in one Air France’s A350s and want the best seats in the business-class cabin – go for row one or nine, seats A or K. These are first class in size and allow for a very good night’s sleep.
3
50 is the new 30. In this case I’m talking about Paris mayor Anne Hidalgo’s new speed limit on the Périphérique. The pokey pace of 50 km/h might deter Parisians from driving to work but it only works if there are viable alternatives. The RER in from CDG isn’t one of them, unless you want to be constantly on watch for someone who might steal your luggage or stab a police officer. Moreover, this lofty anti-car measure punishes many who keep Paris’s economy ticking along and don’t have public transport options for their early shifts in hotels and hospitals.
4
A question. If I, or any other Monocle editor, samples an amazing restaurant do we have a responsibility to tell you about it? Or do we also have a responsibility to keep it semi-secret so that locals can still get a table and it’s not overrun by hordes of people with dietary requirements (as opposed to allergies) and other habits that kill the vibe?
5
Turkish Airlines – Paris to Istanbul. Sometimes a slight delay and a change of aircraft is a good thing. It’s even better when you’re seated alongside a colleague you’ve worked with for decades, the wine is good and the food even better. As three-hour flights go, it’s tricky to top a 777 with long-haul-style service, plenty of fiddly work topics to catch up on and clear skies over the Balkans. A 01.00 arrival ain’t great but a surprise buggy shuttle was the perfect welcome to Istanbul. Andrew already gave you the highlights from our Quality of Life Conference in yesterday’s Weekend Edition but there was one thing he missed: “Where next?” You’re reading it here first – Barcelona. Spring 2025.
