Saskatoon expat watching manhunt in France

Ryan Androsoff’s morning started with a moment of silence for the tragic lives lost in a country which he only recently started calling home.

Originally from Saskatoon, Androsoff moved to Paris for work last Saturday.

“It’s been quite the week,” he said. “It’s really a shocking thing whenever this happens.”

Androsoff was at work at the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development when report of an attack on the Charlie Hebdo office started taking over social media. His office is in the northwest of Paris, a fair distance away, but he lives in central Paris, much closer to the scene of the shootings.

“I think last night when I was going home it was a little bit quieter on the streets than I had seen on the days before but it certainly wasn’t a sense that life had stopped,” Androsoff explained.

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“Last night there was a number of rallies around Paris and this morning over an hour ago there was national moment of silence… and it was a really poignant moment.”

Androsoff also took a moment too see the parallels to a recent Canadian tragedy. He was in Ottawa in October when a shooter stormed Parliament Hill after killing Cpl. Nathan Cirillo at the War Memorial.

“Flags are (also) at half-mast; there is a sense of somberness and reflection; but ultimately life goes on,” he said.

Also like the Canadian shootings, Androsoff is certain the community will continue on and thrive.

“It really is a magical city, just the last few days walking around. There is a real history and energy to this place which is quite incredible,” he said.

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