Many Torontonians criticize their subway which I think is totally unfair. As someone who lived in Toronto for seven years and regularly used its subway to commute, my opinion is that the Toronto subway is amazing… if the population of the city remained at 1.2 million residents as it was in the early 1950s. The truth is that the subway has simply not kept up with the population growth and demand for public transit. But this is changing and changing fast. In the article, we will also explore subway art, look into some weird names and old-school traditions, find out the reason subway trains are so well-kept, and discuss what sets the Toronto streetcar network apart from other networks in North America. Let's go!

Georgia. This country should be on every traveller’s bucket list! Sitting at the crossroads of major civilizations like Persia, Byzantium, and the Ottoman Empire, and serving as a bridge between Europe and Asia, the country is a cultural melting pot that showcases diverse landscapes stretching from the Black Sea coast to the majestic Caucasus Mountains. I had the pleasure of visiting Georgia multiple times between 2008 and 2014, and its appeal always called me to return. Despite both Ukraine and Georgia sharing over 70 years under the same repressive Soviet regime, Georgia struck me as the most exotic place I've ever visited. You will experience rich history, delicious cuisine, beautiful scenery, and very warmhearted people. In this article, I'm excited to share my top nine fascinating encounters in Georgia.  

In the early 20th century, Henry Morrison Flagler, a business partner of John D. Rockefeller, had already made a ton of wealth and recognition through financing the development of Florida's untamed and distant east coast. His new aspiration was to build a railroad between the remote city of Key West and mainland Florida. While many deemed the project outright insane, Flagler defied expectations and turned his vision into reality. The railway stood as a remarkable accomplishment for over 22 years, regarded as the most ambitious engineering marvel of its time. Referred to as "Flagler's Folly," the railroad gained widespread attention and, upon its completion, was often celebrated as the 8th Wonder of the World, a title it held until its unfortunate destruction in 1935 due to the devastating impact of one of the century's deadliest hurricanes. Fancy to hear the full story and see some pictures?

After skipping a year, I want to return to a good tradition that I used to look forward to: to show you my favourite pictures of the year followed by short stories for each of them. But instead of pinecones or Christmas toys on a featured picture, I’m going to use the photo I took at the Capital Ukrainian Festival in Ottawa this year. This photo shows a Ukrainian cartoon girl holding flowers on a tote bag. I wanted to use this opportunity that remind everyone that the war in Ukraine is not over and innocent people continue their suffering. Just today, on December 29, 2023, the Russian Federation launched 122 missiles and 36 drones against Ukrainian targets that killed 31 and injured over 150 civilians. Brave Ukrainians continue to defend not only their own freedom from the Russian Federation but also all our collective values and beliefs that the whole democratic world has so desperately fought for. I hope you will enjoy the pictures and Slava Ukraini (Glory to Ukraine)!  

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.