Thursday, October 7, 2010

Toronto

Uh oh. Every time I go to Toronto - especially in the fall - I want to move back.

I stayed with my friend N. She lives in the neighbourhood surrounding Casa Loma, a Gothic Revival mansion-castle-thing which is itself kind of odd-looking. The neighbourhood, though, is lovely. Its streets are quiet and lined with Victorian row houses, old trees and little front gardens. N walks everywhere - to amazing restaurants, used bookshops and little independent grocers. Being there even made me miss the subway; living in a small city, as I do now, doesn't enforce a sense of community in the same way Toronto and other larger cities do. Sigh. I miss it.

I did a lot of walking this weekend, and I'm happy to say I held up really well. I've also been easing myself back into an ellyptical routine, trying for 10-15 minutes a night.

We handed in our first papers at school yesterday, and now I'm scrambling to catch up on the reading I let slide while I wrote it (and obsessed over it). But, I have no classes on Fridays and it's Thanksgiving here, so I've got a four-day weekend in which to do it. And sleep in!

2 comments:

rheumforgod said...

Hi Helen,

I started reading your blog last night and really enjoyed your posts. Law school while dealing with a multitude of things weighing down your system. Wow, I'm in awe. I love the way you've named your cast of characters.

My husband and I went to Montreal and Quebec City for our honeymoon. I loved the European feel to Quebec City and the cobblestone streets and independent restaurants.

Your description of the neighborhood you visited in Toronto created such a picture in my mind. I can see why you would want to live there again. Amazing restaurants, used bookstores and independent grocers within walking distance. How dreamy is that? I am so tired of the landscape that endless strip malls and giant retailers going up every month creates where I am in Texas.

Will definitely be checking in to see how you are doing from time to time.

-Kelli

Helen said...

Thanks Kelli!

I love Montreal. I haven't been to Quebec City yet, but I would really like to go. My parents went a couple of years ago and had a great time. It looks so beautiful there - and it would be a perfect honeymoon spot!