Hamilton Spectator

Groups of elderly men gather on the sidewalk, shouting at each other in Portuguese and Italian as they debate politics and sports. Markets spill out on to the sidewalk drawing in shoppers and persuading those just passing through to linger over the fruits and vegetables spread out on tables. It creates a traffic jam on the sidewalk, but no one minds. This street is meant for strolling. The road is quiet and the little traffic that does drive through isn't enough to drown out the sound of chirping birds or cover the smell of oysters drifting out of the Portuguese restaurants. James Street North is like a European village transplanted in the middle of downtown Hamilton.