TRAVEL BLOG
Monday, July 18, 2005
Toronto
I was in Toronto over the Canada Day weekend (1st 0f July). While I have been to the U.S a number of times, this was my first visit to Canada. it's a curious mix with its American style 8 lane superhighways, French announcements at the airport and Queen Elizabeth II on the coinage. They also use the Queen's English, so words like "centre" are spelt correctly (however they still drive on the wrong side of the road).
I've come to learn to not tell people if they will like a city or not if I have already been there. Coming to Toronto reinforces this philosophy for me. Over the years most Canadian's I've met who aren't from Toronto seem to have a low opinion of the place. I met a Canadian woman the day before I left and I told her I was going to Toronto. She said "Oh I'm sorry - please don't judge us by one city." - Hmm?
Armed with such prejudice, I really liked Toronto. It has a population of 5 million people, a lakeside setting and the worlds largest building (the CN Tower).
I was staying in a local neighbourhood called Kensington, near the Kensington Market, which like the legendary Kensington market which used to be in London, has a very funky and alternative vibe.
Nearby is Queen Street, a grungy party street with bars, cafes and an assortment of interesting independent shops. This is all the more remarkable considering that so many cities across North America have been swallowed up by franchise store sameness.
So, if this is so bad by Canadian standards, I can't wait to come back and see the rest of this vast country.
I've come to learn to not tell people if they will like a city or not if I have already been there. Coming to Toronto reinforces this philosophy for me. Over the years most Canadian's I've met who aren't from Toronto seem to have a low opinion of the place. I met a Canadian woman the day before I left and I told her I was going to Toronto. She said "Oh I'm sorry - please don't judge us by one city." - Hmm?
Armed with such prejudice, I really liked Toronto. It has a population of 5 million people, a lakeside setting and the worlds largest building (the CN Tower).
I was staying in a local neighbourhood called Kensington, near the Kensington Market, which like the legendary Kensington market which used to be in London, has a very funky and alternative vibe.
Nearby is Queen Street, a grungy party street with bars, cafes and an assortment of interesting independent shops. This is all the more remarkable considering that so many cities across North America have been swallowed up by franchise store sameness.
So, if this is so bad by Canadian standards, I can't wait to come back and see the rest of this vast country.
Posted by James Clark - editor of itravelnet.com
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