“Docking” in Montreal and Sailors on land

A man explains how he decided to remain in Montreal, while he was travelling in the ships as a sailor.

RES.: And you had left for Canada?
ΑN.: No, I had gone to the ships. I was travelling a couple of years in the ships as a sailor.
RES.: Ah, you had gone as a sailor.
ΑN.: Indeed.
RES.: And for what reason had you decided to go as a sailor?
ΑN.: Eh, look. In that period all the people wanted to leave Greece, all the people wanted to go to the ships. All the youth wanted to go somewhere. The years back then were difficult as well. Not like they are now. But they were difficult then nonetheless and the only solution was for someone to go abroad. And… in the ships. And I liked the ships. I wanted to travel to see and that’s why I left.
RES.: I understand.
ΑN.: With the ships.
RES.: And then how when did you emigrate to Canada?
ΑN.: Eh, I didn’t emigrate. The ship had come here in Canada and I stayed illegally, like many others have stayed here.
RES.: I understand. What date was that?
ΑN.: Eeh… It had to be ’64.
RES.: ’64. And for what reason did you decide to stay?
ΑN.: Eh, look… eeh… To be exact, I didn’t have reasons. I was carried away by a friend of mine who was with me.
RES.: Ah, I understand. And so, your friend then what did he like in Montreal.
ΑN.: He… he had relatives here… and he wanted to stay here… and he tells me “Let’s go see my relatives”. We went out, the relatives hosted us for dinner and afterwards they were telling me: “Stay here as well. Why go back to Greece?” and so on and so on and so on. And I was forced. Not forced. I stayed with pleasure.'