Toronto adventure
But first, the proper forms must be observed. As it was in the old country, so it shall be here.
With a canadian addition, the bran muffin. Not a desert treat, a proper breakfast food. No dollops of sweet cream, no white or dark chocolate. Pure healthy muffiny goodness. Oh, Canada, terre de nos aieux…
The plan today is to call Kirstie, and probably to go to Claremont early evening and maybe to the cottage for the weekend.
Before I go, I want to ride the streetcar, pop into a gallery which has some paintings by a friend, and maybe visit the market, and maybe pop in on Cherie.
Lots of successes! After a morning chat, I found a variety store that had a ttc sign in the window and went to get tickets. But they don't sell them any more-- no one needs them, so they gave me some change.
Beaut day too.
Grabbed the streetcar, got off for my friends galley showing, but it was closed!
I wandered east thinking to go to a station to get a proper transit pass. There's lots of big buildings where there didn't used to be any. And a different multicultural feeling here than in Melbourne.
I took some pictures and was verbally accosted by a young Black man, who told me not to take pictures of him, or any Black kids. Freaked me out a bit, but he was just a bit mental.
There are weed shops everywhere. I popped into one and had a chat with the guy, got a recommendation from an older connoisseur-- a blend of the more sativa and something else nice mix of heady and chill. It will be present for my sister. That's one tick on my list.
✅ buy legal weed
Don't worry, I know drugs are bad...
I sorted out the Presto card (like a myki) and took the train from Yonge and Queen down around the loop and up to queen west. It was great to hear the familiar screech of the rails as the train went round the bend.
Queen west was always cool. It has a nice view of the city-- again the cityscape has really changed.
Wandered along the street. Has a similar feel, but none of my favourite stores are still here. Of course, they were book stores and comics shops and electronic surplus, so they probably aren't anywhere. Mountain Equipment Coop was there though (it moved from its old place) so I popped in to see the latest in satchels. Nice enough but $139 instead of $25, so they've shishified themselves.
City TV has been a landmark from when I was in the city.
I grabbed a falafel which was great and had a little rest cause my hip was sore. Then I walked up Spadina to Kensington market.
Kensington market felt pretty much the same. Different shops, but a lot of the same feel, same sort of people. And some shops were still the same--!a Jamaican patty palace and a laundromat I used to use.
This is the tower that figured in Ned's poem cycle, Luke and the Big Circles
After that I caught the tram and train back to Adriana's. Misha was there so we had a quick chat. I'll see them again next week but now I'm off to visit Paul and Kirstie.
Oh! When I was out I got an email that they'll be delivering my luggage. Oh frabjuous joy. I won't be there but Adriana will take care of it for me.
That evening I hung out with Paul, Kirstie, Liam and Addie.
I showed them the pictures of our family and they watched the video of Alistair singing.
It was lovely hanging out with everyone. We sat and chatted on the patio and the kids hung out with friends around the fire pit.
