CANADA: Returning to the Homeland - Starting in Toronto

John and I are both passionate about exploring the world around us.

The last time we'd been on Canadian soil was the beginning of Jan 2023, so after over 2 ½ years we decided it was time to return to the homeland.

Some things don't change - like rush hour traffic in Toronto. But, I saw this sign and it made me smile.

Not all Canadians, but a lot, are really nice, polite and friendly people. 

And some even have a sense of humour.

Some random scenes around Toronto, starting with the “new” City Hall that opened in 1965. At the time the two curved towers were a “modernist landmark" in the heart of downtown. The building’s “futuristic look" was so bold that it sparked controversy. Now, like the Sydney Opera House, it is an iconic symbol of the city.

Toronto’s Harbourfront on Lake Ontario used to be an industrial port area. Now it is a cultural and recreational hub with parks, marinas, arts venues, trails, green spaces and apartment towers. 

A popular spot on the waterfront is the Music Garden.  

The Toronto Eaton Centre opened in 1977 and was one of the largest malls in Canada at the time. It was exciting because it was huge and full of fancy stores all under one roof. (You have to experience a Canadian winter – before global warming – to appreciate the pleasure of an indoor shopping mall.) An iconic symbol of the Eaton Centre were 60 Canada geese flying in the mall. It was comforting to see they are still there almost 50 years later.

Toronto blends its historic architecture with new modern designs. 

There are 19th-century warehouses and Victorian storefronts repurposed with glass towers rising directly behind them.

There is an interesting blend of old and new.

Royal Bank Plaza is called Toronto’s Gold Tower. Its twin towers are famous because their glass is coated with real 24-carat gold dust, giving the buildings their golden shimmer. 

Cocktail Party Trivia: Approximately 2,500 ounces (71,000 grams) of gold were used.

We may not have the grandeur of hundreds of years old buildings full of priceless treasures, but, you won’t find a moose on a rooftop, decked out in Christmas decorations, in the summer, in many cities in the world. 

It does feel good to be back in the homeland.