Toronto: Lost in the Grid (and a Mild Breeze)

okay, so i'm still processing *Toronto. honestly, the numbers 4168782 and 1840015142 just popped into my head randomly while i was staring at a Tim Hortons menu - don't ask. it's the kind of place where you can feel both completely anonymous and intensely observed at the same time. the weather? i just checked and it's…there right now, hope you like that kind of thing. a little cool, definitely breezy, but not the kind of 'chilly' that makes you want to hibernate. more of a 'grab a scarf' kind of cool.

i spent a few days wandering around, trying to get a sense of the city. it's a maze, seriously. the street grid is insane. i was convinced i'd end up in Niagara Falls or Hamilton by accident at least once. i’m already looking for a good map app to download for the next trip - maybe something more reliable than Google Maps.

the people were... interesting. not unfriendly, just... independent. everyone seems to have their own thing going on. i overheard someone at a cafe complaining about the cost of rent - it’s a common theme, apparently. someone told me that finding a decent apartment in Kensington Market is like winning the lottery.

i tried to get a feel for the art scene. i wandered around Graffiti Alley - totally worth it - and checked out some galleries in Queen West. i heard that there's a really cool street art tour that's supposed to be amazing. i'm adding it to my list for next time. i also did a little research on Airbnb for some quirky stays - there are some really unique places you can find.

food-wise? a mix of everything. i had some seriously good tacos in Little Portugal (Yelp recommends El Reino - definitely check it out!), tried some incredible Ethiopian food, and of course, indulged in way too many butter tarts. i’m pretty sure my waistline is judging me.

I heard that the best poutine in the city is at a tiny place down by the Danforth. Don't expect fancy, just expect delicious. Apparently, it's a local secret.

the humidity was a beast though - making everything feel a bit…sticky. i seriously considered investing in a portable fan. a local warned me about the TTC during rush hour - apparently, it's an experience. i think i’ll stick to walking whenever possible. i'm finding a lot of cool little vintage shops too - tons of hidden gems around Ossington Avenue*.

it’s funny, the things you notice when you’re traveling. like how everyone seems to be glued to their phones, but also how people are willing to strike up conversations with strangers. it’s a weird mix. i’m already thinking about what to do on my next trip. maybe explore some of the neighborhoods further out? there’s a lot to see. i might even try and learn a few phrases in another language. and definitely more butter tarts.

Thinking of checking out some hiking trails outside of the city next time. This website AllTrails looks promising.

Toronto: Lost in the Grid (and a Mild Breeze)

You might also be interested in:

About the author: Adrian Cole

Comments (0)

Join the conversation

Comments (0)

Join the conversation