Toronto Trip Epilogue: A Meditation on the City

Well, it took us sixteen days to get here – I figure it is worth a little meditation on Toronto itself. I guess kind of an epilogue . . .

First off, we’ve decided that any initial hesitation we had about Toronto was due more to those first sixteen days making us tired than to the City itself. Once we had a good night’s sleep we realized that Toronto is a fantastic place and a great place to explore by bike.

My kids tell me that I’m always getting haircuts on our vacations — and I guess that’s true. I find it’s a great way to get the lay of the land – and you end up having a much better conversation than your standard: “So how long have you been cutting hair?” dialogue.

Dante cut my hair this time. Great guy. He explained to me that all Toronto-ans are immigrants and everyone is mixed. Dante himself? His dad is Italian and his mom is Egyptian. Both his parents were immigrants, and all three of them cut hair together in the family business. Sadly, his mom passed away during COVID time.

After spending a few days in Toronto, Diana and I agreed that Dante’s story does seem to be the norm. Tons of people of different ethnic backgrounds all mixed together – seeming to be much more comfortable with each other than what we’ve observed in the States.

Other highlights:

LUCAS – THE SLACKLINE GUY.

Lucas is originally from Brazil, but seems to be a standard Toronto-an now. Lucas had his slackline set up in a park where there was an art show going on. I gave it a try and we all started talking. After Lucas gave me some (badly needed) pointers (see the video of me trying to slack line versus Lucas making it look easy), he told us how he and a friend rode their longboards (basically long skateboards for those of us too old and geeky to know) 150 kilometers from Toronto to Niagra Falls. Lucas is one cool guy!

DANCING GUY.

Okay, Toronto has a crazy amount of stuff going on. Everywhere we went there seemed to be art shows, festivals, protests, dances, comedy shows – just tons and tons of activity – with everyone seeming to be walking or biking around with someplace very definite to go. Well, we went by the outdoor comedy festival – quite a big thing – but when we first arrived they were going on break and a DJ started playing. Was cool – he was playing mixes of 80s stuff that people our age could appreciate. Still, we were going to head out – how long can you stand around watching a DJ?

But then we saw Dancing Guy. He’s just standing there – like the rest of us. In fact, it was clear that he was just wandering through when he came upon the festival – because he had a bag of bananas and grapes sitting on the ground in front of him. We probably wouldn’t have even noticed him – except that, all of a sudden, he breaks into the most enthusiastic – and really good – solo dancing we’ve ever seen. See Diana’s video – it’s pretty fun.

PLEASE WALK ON THE GRASS!

Years ago, when we were still in college, Diana and I spent all of our money on a backpack trip to Europe. You know the one – buy a Eurail pass, lug your stuff around on your back and see what you can see. We did it all wrong. I think we went to like seventeen countries in eighteen days (hard to believe but Diana was not to be deterred). First stop – fly into Amsterdam on a red-eye and then take a train directly to Paris. We were EXHAUSTED. Anyway, after we arrive in Paris we take off our backpacks and lie down in a park. Felt so good.

But within fifteen seconds the French police are on us:

“Sortie de l’herbe!!!”

I have no idea what they are saying, but they are clearly angry. And I’m tired enough that whatever patience I might have is long since gone . . . I don’t end up getting arrested – but I have been scarred for life by this idiotic French rule that you can’t go on the grass.

So it was with great pleasure that we encountered a sign on Toronto Island – which is a fabulous place by the way – that says: “Please Walk On The Grass!”

This is my kind of place!

CLOTHING OPTIONAL BEACH.

Okay, okay, I know what you’re thinking. John loved the clothing optional beach because – well, never mind.

No. It was Diana who really loved this place.

“Now I don’t have to get my swimsuit wet. This is fantastic!” And she stripped right down and went right in.

This beach was also designated as a welcoming place for the Queer community. The clothing optional and the Queer community pieces – both apparently condoned by the City – seemed like great ideas.

As Diana put it: “I love how liberal Canada is.”

K-POP.

After Dancing Guy we happened upon what seemed like a spontaneous K-Pop (and, as the guy next to us explained, J-Pop, as in Japan-Pop) dance-off, or something. We also took a little video of this. I was impressed, but Diana thought the group we saw in the State Fair Talent Show was better . . .

APPLES.

Was pretty sad to have to buy an apple on Sunday – after my stock of road-picked apples finally ran out. First fruit I had to buy since we left Hayward. But Toronto redeemed itself today. Certainly not the choices we had for the last 960 miles – but Tommy Thompson Park came through for us with one more – very good – apple to finish the trip. (For those of you with PTSD from the former Wisconsin governor, I’m pretty sure this is a different Tommy Thompson . . .).

Finally, boxing up our bikes seemed to work pretty well. And as part of the process of checking our luggage we figured out that the bikes collectively weighed 59 kilograms – or 130 pounds. A cool 65 pounds or so each. Ouch.

But the trip isn’t over until we arrive home. At this point we have no plane and our flight has been delayed. I guess we might have to get the boxes back, reassemble the bikes and start home the long way. If we’re not home in sixteen days please come find us . . .