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Jun. 8th, 2008 05:59 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
liptonrm_backupWhen I went to bed last night I said to myself, "Self, you ache all over. If you're smart you'll take it easy with the sightseeing tomorrow. Plus you have to do your reading since class starts on Monday." So the plan was to go to church, come back to the residence, and study.
Things didn't quite turn out to plan, in a totally excellent sort of way.
Going to church was something of an adventure all on its own. Since I had to go and be a Mormon I couldn't just go to the church that is right next to the residence. [tangent: I learned when I got here that the University of St. Michael's College(yes, that's what it's called) is an ecumencial school. It's the site of the Pontifical Institute of Medieval Studies. Crazy, huh?] No, I had to get on a bus that took me to the subway station, get on a train and then get on another bus. This means that for significant chunks of time I got to wander up and down streets doing things like looking for stairs to the subway station.
Actually, while I was looking for the subway, a guy pulled up in his car and asked me if there was a Starbucks further up the street. I said I had no clue because I'd only gotten into town on Friday. He was either really shocked, or he feigned it very well, and said that he thought I was from here. I'm not sure what part of me wandering around in a circle gave him that notion, but I was amused nonetheless. I bet it was the shoes. My shoes are pretty great.
FYI: The Toronto transit system is amazing. Where I come from a bus only comes by once every half hour, but here they come by all the time and there are routes that go anywhere and everywhere you could possibly want to go. It's terrific. Even with all of my circles I still ended up at church an hour early. Wow. < /shameless TTA plug >
Later, when I discovered that my reading was easier than anticipated, I decided I would wander around the University of Toronto campus and take some pictures. I meandered for a while, snapping photos as I went, until the siren call of music drew me off of the campus to Queens' Park. There I discovered that the Muhtadi International Drum Festival was in full swing. OMG, I love stuff like that.
There was a steel drum band and this kickass drummer from Mexico City (whose name was Michel something or other, my lack of recall is due to being completely blown away). There were Caribbean and African food vendors with wares that smelled so good I kicked myself for spending my last $20 on transit tokens. The park was alive with music, people were dancing without even realizing it. The simple act of walking became art.
The only downside of my wandering was that my bag made the fabric on the left hip of my new dress pill up. :( Stupid polyester blends.
But, pilly dress notwithstanding, this is why plans are good, but you should always be ready to change things up when the mood strikes. I may have come back sweaty with a face the shade of a tomato, but it was so worth it.
St. Basil's, the church next to the residence.
My room. The college flashbacks are pretty overwhelming.
I love the contrasting architectural styles on the skyline. U-Toronto's campus has some of the most gorgeous buildings I've ever seen at a university.
Let's get this party started.
Huh. You learn something new every day. But it's all spelled right, so it must be true. Those crazy Canadians, fooling the world with their good spelling and devious politeness.
A WWII memorial at the apex of the park.
Canada's Next Top Model, perhaps? =D
Wow, I just looked outside and a bunch of storm clouds have rolled in. Now I'm doubly glad that I went out when I did. I hope the rain doesn't break up the festival. But a break in the heat wave would be nice.
Things didn't quite turn out to plan, in a totally excellent sort of way.
Going to church was something of an adventure all on its own. Since I had to go and be a Mormon I couldn't just go to the church that is right next to the residence. [tangent: I learned when I got here that the University of St. Michael's College(yes, that's what it's called) is an ecumencial school. It's the site of the Pontifical Institute of Medieval Studies. Crazy, huh?] No, I had to get on a bus that took me to the subway station, get on a train and then get on another bus. This means that for significant chunks of time I got to wander up and down streets doing things like looking for stairs to the subway station.
Actually, while I was looking for the subway, a guy pulled up in his car and asked me if there was a Starbucks further up the street. I said I had no clue because I'd only gotten into town on Friday. He was either really shocked, or he feigned it very well, and said that he thought I was from here. I'm not sure what part of me wandering around in a circle gave him that notion, but I was amused nonetheless. I bet it was the shoes. My shoes are pretty great.
FYI: The Toronto transit system is amazing. Where I come from a bus only comes by once every half hour, but here they come by all the time and there are routes that go anywhere and everywhere you could possibly want to go. It's terrific. Even with all of my circles I still ended up at church an hour early. Wow. < /shameless TTA plug >
Later, when I discovered that my reading was easier than anticipated, I decided I would wander around the University of Toronto campus and take some pictures. I meandered for a while, snapping photos as I went, until the siren call of music drew me off of the campus to Queens' Park. There I discovered that the Muhtadi International Drum Festival was in full swing. OMG, I love stuff like that.
There was a steel drum band and this kickass drummer from Mexico City (whose name was Michel something or other, my lack of recall is due to being completely blown away). There were Caribbean and African food vendors with wares that smelled so good I kicked myself for spending my last $20 on transit tokens. The park was alive with music, people were dancing without even realizing it. The simple act of walking became art.
The only downside of my wandering was that my bag made the fabric on the left hip of my new dress pill up. :( Stupid polyester blends.
But, pilly dress notwithstanding, this is why plans are good, but you should always be ready to change things up when the mood strikes. I may have come back sweaty with a face the shade of a tomato, but it was so worth it.
St. Basil's, the church next to the residence.
My room. The college flashbacks are pretty overwhelming.
I love the contrasting architectural styles on the skyline. U-Toronto's campus has some of the most gorgeous buildings I've ever seen at a university.
Let's get this party started.
Huh. You learn something new every day. But it's all spelled right, so it must be true. Those crazy Canadians, fooling the world with their good spelling and devious politeness.
A WWII memorial at the apex of the park.
Canada's Next Top Model, perhaps? =D
Wow, I just looked outside and a bunch of storm clouds have rolled in. Now I'm doubly glad that I went out when I did. I hope the rain doesn't break up the festival. But a break in the heat wave would be nice.
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no subject
Date: 2008-06-08 11:25 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2008-06-09 03:11 pm (UTC)And you'll actually get to find out what I think of Ottawa. We're taking a little excursion the 19th - the 21st right to Canada's beautiful capitol city.
Oh noez, here we come. =D
no subject
Date: 2008-06-09 12:49 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2008-06-09 03:13 pm (UTC)I'm extremely tickled to hear that, considering all of the vicarious living I've done in the past. It's kind of fun to finally be the one actually doing something.
And, heck, vicarious living is what lj is all about. I'm sure I'll be doing some through you before too long. ;-)
no subject
Date: 2008-06-09 06:18 pm (UTC)How would you feel about taking a tour through the streets of Cordoba, Argentina? Well, you know, the streets I know my way around, anyway.
I've been meaning to post some pics I've taken over the years I've lived here, might as well do it for you, right? ::beams::
no subject
Date: 2008-06-10 01:40 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2008-06-09 02:53 am (UTC)now you must go hunt whatever is haunting your gothic residence.
Yeah, never had the urge to go to Canada. Ooh, except Yellowknife, on the Great Slave Lake. it should be pretty balmy up there by 2012 when the world ends.
no subject
Date: 2008-06-10 01:38 am (UTC)And of course I had to put the images together. You have met me, right. *smirks*
You've never had the urge and I sometimes think I'm as Canadian as American. People from Michigan are weird like that.
But, yeah, Yellowknife'll be excellent in a couple few years. Who says global warming's such a bad thing?
no subject
Date: 2008-06-10 04:22 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2008-06-11 01:41 am (UTC)Kickass drummer from Mexico City
Date: 2008-06-30 10:52 pm (UTC)My name is Michel DeQuevedo, I am happy to know that you enjoyed my performance and appreciate that you wrote about me in your journal.
I want to ask if it's possible for you to send me a copy of any pics or videos that you might have (like the ones posted in your journal) you can either facebook me or email me @ bongoism@yahoo.com
Once again, Thanks!
Michel.