Last day in Canada as I fly out tonight, the same day (at least according to the calendar) as Anne and Judy fly to Athens. Having checked out of the hotel I decided to do the HOHO bus and see a bit more of the city.
There is building going on everywhere and combined with the traffic it made the going very slow. The HOHO IN Vancouver took only an hour but Toronto’s must have been about 3. There were really only two places I wanted to hop off, though if I’d been staying longer I’d have checked out the Bata Shoe Museum.
My first stop was the Toronto Art Gallery. It cost C$30 for entry which I thought was less than encouraging for people on a budget. Had a very nice coffee in the little cafe that wasn’t marked on the gallery map. (It was very new.) That gave me strength to wind my way though a maze of rooms. You could get lost in there! There were a few well known names, many untitled and unattributed pictures and an exhibition that was being launched for members only. After the first room with “The slaughter of the innocents” and a bloke disembowelling a deer while his wife stood by with a bowl of grapes, I was happy to find some charming Canadian works.
My second stop was the famous Toronto Market, supposedly one of the world’s best, but as far as I’m concerned, it wasn’t a patch on the one in Montreal or our own Vic Market. Had a nice cold orange juice there before walking back to the hotel. I saw Toronto’s answer to New York’s Flatiron Building and a nice shady park with a dog fountain. I sat under a tree and watched families at the fountain, people walking dogs and a cheeky squirrel, who actually jumped up on a table where people were sitting.
Collected my luggage and was driven to the airport by a really interesting Serbian guy who told me I was sitting in the seat that George Clooney sat in. He wouldn’t accept a tip when he dropped me off! My plane was one of the few that didn’t have a “Delayed” sign, so we left almost on time.
Forgot to mention the cops on bikes, sorting out the crowds and cars at yet another baseball game.
Reading this while Judy is snoring in the next bed. Lucky girl. I woke at 5:15am but feeling great after a good sleep.
ReplyDeleteThe weather looks good Rutts. Freezing and wet here. Looking forward to heading north again soon.
ReplyDeleteLove the cute squirrel, tho by the sound of it they're a pest like our pigeons and seagulls.
Love your commentary on ordinary life in Toronto.
ReplyDeleteThanks for your selection of "charming Canadian works"; they ARE! Love the polar bear and the little snowy village and the snow capped mountains behind the lake. Love the cops on bikes and the fountain and the street scenes. Thank you!
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