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Autumn in Toronto November 15, 2008

Posted by pinoyronin in Uncategorized.
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I went on a week-long training in Toronto from September 27 to October 4 with the International Freedom Exchange (IFEX). Autumn has just started and the weather was supposed to be nice, but I wasn’t prepared for the temperature that dipped as low as 8 degrees. I had two jackets (and the shirt and undershirt beneath them) but they weren’t enough. Good thing one of our colleagues in IFEX lent me a warmer coat.
 
I took long walks in the city. Toronto is supposed to be the biggest city in Canada, but I definitely did not feel boxed in. The city has this sense of being a large, open space. Having said this to one of the IFEX staff, she remarked that this sense of wide open space somehow makes Canadians treasure their personal space. I loved walking along Queen and King streets, with their line of turn-of the-century brick buildings housing restaurants offering foreign dishes and shops that sell a gamut of products, from theatrical props, to antiques, to designer clothes to CDs. The streetcars blend well with the neighborhood, with no jarring contradictions in the city’s modernity. And in the horizon the CN Tower looms, shrouded in fog in those days.
 
The city celebrates its multi-cultural identity. Among the IFEX staff are immigrants from Morocco, Greece, Colombia, Trinidad and Tobago. In the streetcars and the malls I heard conversations not only in English and French, but also Italian, Spanish, Indian. During a stroll in Eaton Center, I came across fellow Filipinos. Canadians are so polite and considerate, they shun loudness and frankness, and are conscious of other peoples’ culture.
 
The maple trees were just starting to turn red by the time I left. My Canadian hosts regretted the fact that I’d miss the full colors of fall. I agree.

A view of downtown Toronto from my hotel room

A view of downtown Toronto from my hotel room

 

 

On my first morning in Toronto, I took a stroll. It was a cold morning. This ones taken at the corner of King Street East and Blue Jay Way Street

On my first morning in Toronto, I took a stroll. It was a cold morning. This one's taken at the corner of King Street East and Blue Jay Way Street

Later that day, Marianna from IFEX fetched me from the hotel to accompany me to the open-air bookfair called The Word On the Street. Here, we arrive at the subways Museum station. Note the pillar with an Egyptian. Other pillars featured famous statues, like those from the Aztecs.

Later that day, Marianna from IFEX fetched me from the hotel to accompany me to the open-air bookfair called "The Word On the Street". Here, we arrive at the subway's Museum station. Note the pillar with an Egyptian. Other pillars featured famous statues, like those from the Aztecs.

Marianna said we were lucky that the sun was out that day. Here, an amateur magician entertains the crowd. Whats funny was the way he would slowly do his routine, letting most of the audience see the not-so-sleight-hand tricks.

Marianna said we were lucky that the sun was out that day. Here, an amateur magician entertains the crowd. What's funny was the way he would slowly do his routine, letting most of the audience see the not-so-sleight-hand tricks.

 

 

 

CJFE also had a booth, manned by staff from IFEX. Theres Kristina, IFEX campaign manager, at the center, facing the camera. Marianna is the one on the right.

CJFE also had a booth, manned by staff from IFEX. There's Kristina, IFEX campaign manager, at the center, facing the camera. Marianna is the one on the right.

The bookfair was held in Queens Park which was adjacent to the Unviersity of Toronto campus. Imagine my surprise (a pleasant one) to see this. Marshall McLuhan! His ideas (the global village and the medium is the message) were some of the basic lessons we learned when I was taking up my bachelors degree.

The bookfair was held in Queen's Park which was adjacent to the Unviersity of Toronto campus. Imagine my surprise (a pleasant one) to see this. Marshall McLuhan! His ideas ("the global village" and "the medium is the message") were some of the basic lessons we learned when I was taking up my bachelor's degree.

 

Behind me is the Ontario Parliament building

Behind me is the Ontario Parliament building

 

Heres the facade of the Ontario Parliament building, a scene of numerous demonstrations recently, according to Mariana.

Here's the facade of the Ontario Parliament building, a scene of numerous demonstrations recently, according to Mariana.

 

A Canadian maple tree in full autumn colors. Most of the other trees in the park have not yet changed their colors.

A Canadian maple tree in full autumn colors. Most of the other trees in the park have not yet changed their colors.

 

An equestrian statue of British King Edward VII at Queens Park.

An equestrian statue of British King Edward VII at Queen's Park.

From the park, we walked along University Avenue then turned left at the corner with Bloor Street. We passed by the Ontario Museum.

From the park, we walked along University Avenue then turned left at the corner with Bloor Street. We passed by the Ontario Museum.

...The Royal Conservatory...

...The Royal Conservatory...

...and the Bata Shoe Museum.

...and the Bata Shoe Museum.

Two days later, I went to Eaton Center after office hours. I remember it was featured in the 80s movie Short Circuit.

Two days later, I went to Eaton Center after office hours. I remember it was featured in the 80s movie "Short Circuit".

In my next post, more walking tours and a climb up the CN Tower.

 

 

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