life on University street

There is a street here in Queretaro City that ended up becoming my favorite. It's called Avenida Universidad. It was really beautiful during early spring with a lot of purple jacaranda trees. 

The way I got to learn to get around the city with a bus, was quite old fashioned. I had heard already the first day that bus 121 will take me downtown. I however wasn't quite sure where or what was considered downtown. I didn't know the bus schedule either or where the bus stop was. Nothing is indicated. So I just chose a spot, I thought might be a stop, stood there waiting for bus 121 and waved at it when I saw it coming after quite a long wait. Luckily enough I had chosen a good spot and the driver took me on board. The buses are almost always packed with people and I find it amazing how men automatically give their seats to women. At least on bus 121. And we younger women give ours to the elder. This is how it's supposed to be, well at least younger elder part but for me to be offered a seat has only happened once in my lifetime and that was because I was injured and had my leg in a package. I wonder if in this country, gentlemen ride the bus and jerks drive their own car? Because the few times I have found a kind person behind a steering wheel in a car, it has either been a woman or a tourist/expat. The other peculiar thing has been this uneducated male behavior of whistling or yelling something at women. I can walk extremely safely on the streets, passing men either saying nothing and often just looking down at their feet or giving me a respectful hola or buenos días/buenas tardes. It makes me feel safe and ads to the fact why I love Mexico. Clear gentleman behavior that should just be normal human behavior. However honking and whistling from cars happens a lot for some strange reason. I know we women can have our ups and downs a lot and that we are very much controlled by hormones. I'm sure something similar happens to Mexican men when they sit down in a car. A combination of lime, chili and the heat together with the sensation of touching a steering wheel turns them into some weird creature in a very negative way. When they park their car and step out, they return into the nice person they really are. Loving sons, husbands and fathers.  Interesting phenomena. A more everyday life version of the transformers, I guess. 

But back to the bus ride and University street... On my first bus ride, I ended up getting off way before the real center of downtown but that's how I got so familiar with the University street and it has become a tradition of mine to go and walk along this beautiful street that has now become more green as the summer approaches. 

This street has both city bikes and street art to offer. So one doesn't need to walk around missing either Montreal nor Helsinki.

I found my own type of vehicle to get around with so I haven't tried out the bikes yet. I either ride the bus or my lovely "patineta"

It has been another lovely way to feel like a child again and at the same time it has taken me to and from places much faster. Especially handy when doing groceries. At the end of my stay here, I will hand it to some girl or woman as a gift and it will hopefully continue to bring joy. I got to have a proud world auntie moment a few days ago when I made a Colombian boy happy by lending my scooter to him.

Life in Queretaro is very different from life in both Helsinki or Montreal but the 3 cities have a street called University street in common and all 3 streets have a special place in my heart. In Helsinki it's the street where my own precious clothing store was situated. It was my pride and joy for 10 years. My life as a business owner and fashionista. I miss those days dearly.

In Montreal it was the street I would enter from the South shore when coming on one of my escapes/adventures to Montreal. The street has now changed its name to Robert-Bourassa but back in the days when I lived out in the countryside and would take my Mini Cooper and myself to my highly beloved Montreal, it was still called University Street. I still remember the feeling I got when driving the street and looking up at the buildings, so alive and happy.

We passed by here with my husband last time we were in Montreal, as the normal road from the airport was closed. We both looked up at the buildings and then at each other. We both felt that the magical feeling we once had, was gone. I guess there is a time and a season for every city and right now it's late spring in Queretaro for us.