Heart of gold
Canadians are nice. They are sooooo nice.
And it's across the board, strangers in elevators, restaurant staff, the young girl on the train showing us how the fold-up tables work, in fact everyone we've come across on our first visit to Canada has been a consummate expert in manners.
And it's infectious. By the morning of our fifth day in Toronto, as we prepare to catch the train to Montreal, I'm thanking people for the smallest things, and thanking them properly, not just acknowledging their existence by a token grunt.
I'm smiling at people. And it feels like the right thing to do.
(It won't last)
Tornoto basics, it's a 25 minute breeze on the Pearson Express from the airport to downtown Union Station, and from Union you can get anywhere by streetcar, subway metros, buses, taxi, but every area of note is walkable, and we didn't feel the need to use any of the above.
And it's across the board, strangers in elevators, restaurant staff, the young girl on the train showing us how the fold-up tables work, in fact everyone we've come across on our first visit to Canada has been a consummate expert in manners.
And it's infectious. By the morning of our fifth day in Toronto, as we prepare to catch the train to Montreal, I'm thanking people for the smallest things, and thanking them properly, not just acknowledging their existence by a token grunt.
I'm smiling at people. And it feels like the right thing to do.
(It won't last)
Tornoto basics, it's a 25 minute breeze on the Pearson Express from the airport to downtown Union Station, and from Union you can get anywhere by streetcar, subway metros, buses, taxi, but every area of note is walkable, and we didn't feel the need to use any of the above.
Our airbnb apartment is on the waterfront overlooking the Toronto Islands on Lake Ontario, behind our block is the Rogers Centre and CN Tower. It's a very central location, perfect to make the most of our four full days in the city, including the obligatory trip to Niagara Falls.
Toronto is split into six key areas, the waterfront, old town, entertainment district, financial district, Chinatown, and downtown, and you are constantly reminded by flags and street signs as to what area you have strolled into.
The waterfront on the lake is a very nice collection of walkways, cycle paths, bars, restaurants, activity areas and is also the gateway to the Tornoto Islands.
Downtown is the home of the enormous Eaton Shopping Centre but we also found the famous Massey Hall nearby, where Neil Young recorded his famous live album in 1971. Pilgrimage, tick.
Downtown is the home of the enormous Eaton Shopping Centre but we also found the famous Massey Hall nearby, where Neil Young recorded his famous live album in 1971. Pilgrimage, tick.
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| Kensington Avenue, Toronto |
The financial district is neck bending photo opportunity of sky scraping madness and segues into the ents district should you need a beer.
We found the most interesting area was around China town at the Kensington Ave shops and market. Lots of vegetarian cafes and restaurants, heaps of crazy shops and stalls. The area was positively 'happening'.....man.
Everywhere we went in Toronto it felt like the city was doing something for the residents. We saw the annual Chinese festival and parade, several charity races, kid's concerts, an outdoor yoga ensemble, a triathlon - all in the space of a few days.
To the outsider it was a non-stop celebration of a city flexing it's muscles, and showing how great it was, but at no point did it feel contrived or self-indulgent.
Was it was part of the country celebrating being 150 years old this year?
Maybe, but I get the feeling that this is pretty normal for Toronto and it's very nice folk.
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| Skyline from Toronto Islands |
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