Toronto, ON

Toronto is like the NYC of Canada, except better. Though it is smaller in size and population, I would argue that is has just as much culture and things to offer. Like NYC, there are all sorts of ethnic restaurants (and of course corner stores) run by locals. Tons of good music (anything you could ever want) comes through.
The reason why I like it more is because there is more green space, and fresher air. It is a lot cleaner and more chill. Because it is smaller and people are not working their fingers to the bone to pay rent, I definitely got a keener sense of community. Toronto is definitely a place I would want to live.

For the most part, I spent my time fixing up my new bike!!
When I was in Montreal, I messaged a few people through craigslist about their frames.
After a day & 1/2 I purchased the perfect bike for me.

48cm burgundy steel road frame.

I wish I had a picture, but as you know, my camera was stolen in Montreal. But if I earn some reasonable income, I will possibly purchase another camera.

The resources around the city were outstanding!!
Bike Pirates
Community Bicycle Network
Bike Sauce
Urbane Cyclist
Bike Joint

I learned a lot about my bike, because I did more to it than usually do. Also, this is my first bicycle with a derailleur. Its getting complicated!
I have to give credit to my friend Ariel from Albany who told me about Bike Pirates in the first place as well as my new friend Kathleen who I stayed with for 10days while I was in Toronto. She helped me out a lot.

On friday I met some folks at Bike Pirate and we rode to a potluck picnic in a park. This person on a tall bike invited me to his friends bday party. That evening I went to the birthday party of someone who I didnt know, but when I arrived, the person who invited me wasent there, but I ended up running into the neighbour/friend of somone I stayed with in Montreal. (strange, 6hrs away) These apparently where his long time friends from childhood that he was visiting. In addition to dancing to a lot of Whitney Huston and hooping,  there was lots of glow paint!! Because it was a Neon Party. Glow sticks, lights!!I of course drew a neon ziggy stardust bolt on my face.

The following evening after I worked on my bicylce, Kathleen & I played Carcassonne. A strategy game I have been wanting to play for a while!! I found out about it when my friend in England took a bike trip through there. And I, of course, had never heard of the place before, so I googled it. Ever since I found out that this French fortified city was also a board game, I was on a search to play it!

Kathleen took me on a couple bike rides to some cool places, one of which was the Island of Toronto. There we had a delightful picnic with some of her good friends who were in town. I did take a dip into lake Ontario, which was the coldest water I have ever been in. And on my last day in Toronto (Saturday) we rode 24km to the town of Vaughn, which housed Canada's Wonderland!! 

I intended to go to the biggest amusement park with the tallest most thrilling roller coasters in the US called Cedar Point in Ohio, but I knew that because of the time I had taken on my trip and the places I had yet to go it would be hard to squeeze that particular park in before it closed for the season.

•  I finally got to use my tent. Over 100 people camped out in Dufferen park to protest the city cutting its funds toward the park. I wasent involved in the political aspects as much as I was with the camping. In  the morning there was free fooooood.  
• I saw this guy on the street one day!! Which was awesome because I was hoping to, after I saw a documentary about him in NYC during the BFF. 

RANT:

While in Toronto I went to the AGO(Art Gallery of Ontario), which is free on Wednesdays after 5pm.

To be honest, I was not impressed. 

I have been to many art galleries, especially cramming a lot in during my traveling. And sad to say I feel as though I have seen enough modern art to last me a lifetime. Maybe this is the left side of my brain speaking, but I could write an essay on how most modern art bothers me. Especially, when its overprices & there is clearly little or no skill involved. If that is the case, can it at least be interactive! 

Art should be interactive! 

There was nothing too remarkable about the European section, I had seen similar paintings in DC. and there is not much more I can take of the repetitive and dull style. Same with the art galleries in NYC, and anywhere else that houses these old paintings. Not all were bad, some have clever subject matter. But most are of young, drone, pale Victorian faces painted on a prefixed body.

 

Though, I do like when little artifacts are displayed like tiny, smaller than pinkie finger size, Egyptian relics that are carved into precious stone. But that brings me to think about how hideous it is that we are responsible for stealing their prized heritage from under them just so we can put it on display in our museums.

Here is something cool I saw in DC.

As far as the AGO goes, I was most excited about what was in the basement!! Hundreds of hand made tiny ships and sail boats. Each was crafted with exquisite detail! 

On the last Thursday of the month in Toronto, they have this thing called ARTSPIN.

Its basically a critical mass, but instead you  stop by gallery warehouses as a whole. 

There was well over 400 people. It was the largest group bicycle ride I have been a part of.

One of the places we stopped, we watched some bicycle films. etc. 

The very best thing that I experienced entertainment wise during the Art Spin, or in Toronto in general was this musical performance and history lesson about a female bicyclist of the late 1800s who traveled the world. Annie Londonderry was her "name". The story behind the female cyclist is neat, but the delivery of the story made it amazing!! The main performer, and story teller Evlyan Parry dressed up, with gimmicks while being accompanied by a guy who played parts of the bicycle to the tune of the song & for sound effects.  Please check it out or go see Evlyan Parry perform if you can!! There is a video on youtube, but it doesnt do it justice, like seeing it live did. But check it out!!