Toronto inspires me. Part 1.

Sometimes I have to leave town for inspiration. There is something wonderful about breaking the routine and then coming home with a fresh perspective. Isn't that the whole purpose of vacation? I really needed this one.

City of Toronto, you inspire me. The people, the place, the traffic, the energy.

I do love living and working in my small southwestern Ontario city. But oh how I enjoy a few days in T.O. to feel a boost of life moving forward at full speed.

This is the first of a few posts to highlight my favorite moments of a recent weekend in Toronto. It's about the people mostly but the place itself is pretty special too.

click on photo to enlarge and see detail of asian inspired pumpkin carving

I arrived in the middle of Halloween festivities and was welcomed into the neighbourhood by costumed children and adults. I was staying with Toronto Barb of course. I know a few Barbs so they have labels.

Barb's neighbours greeted me. First Rex who loves this night to frighten children. He was dressed with a scary disfigured face mask, frumpy house dress and fuzzy slippers. The hairy legs were real.

I had a moment to talk to Rex sans mask and he shared his favorite moment from the evening. It was when a little girl maybe 3 years old spoke with him with complete acceptance inspite of the his ugly exterior. Their conversation surprised him and touched his heart.

I met Peter from across the street for the first time. He's a day trader on Bay St. He said it's never been this bad before, although things are looking up for him. He sold his photography to a Christian devotional with one million copies in print. There's a future in devotionals, I said.

The candy crowd dwindled and we settled in with some gluten free battered fish and chips, with sweet potato fries and green pea hummus. This alone makes me love Toronto. GF BATTERED FISH AND CHIPS!

So in the first few hours of my weekend I watched the sunset reflections on the skyline as I drove the Gardiner Expressway, chatted with real Torontonians, gave out candy, ate gluten free heaven with hummus and shared Toronto Barb's favorite spot by the fire.



Great start to the weekend.

Part 2 will be on the way soon.