Setting Foot on the Winter City!

In our Toronto office, I chose a desk which is by the window. From the 5th floor of Skymark, I found myself staring out of our office window watching snow falling from the
sky... Ahhh bliss.... I remember that as a child, I have seen White Christmases on TV, I have sung "I'm Dreaming of a White Christmas", and I have been curious how Winter was like. Next thing I knew, I am flying to the Winter City (MNL-HK-Anchorage, Alaska-Pearson Airport); and now I am here mesmerized by yet another natural wonder. I tried to catch snow with my two hands cupped together. I walked on as much fresh snow as I can. I made snow angels. I made balls of snow at the Sandalwood parking lot and threw them as hard as I can to my workmates. Hee hee. I don't remember sticking out my tonge to taste snow, though, like what my other friends did. Obviously, this is my first winter experience.

It's been a week and the extreme cold has finally gotten into my nerves. I like watching snow fall from the gloomy sky, but slowly I have dreaded going in and out of the car everyday; and I walk as fast I could to get into the office building. Sometimes I don't feel my nose anymore. When I wake up in the morning to shower, my nose bleeds a bit. The coldest I have experienced so far is
minus 35 Celsius. Still, amazing ei? (in Canadian twang... Hee hee) In grade school, we were taught to compute for Celsius and Fahreinheit... just written on the board or on exam papers, but now, I am darn feeling it! Brrrrrrrr.... I feel like I am walking in a huge freezer. No wonder people here flock inside malls to keep themselves busy and warm. Back in Manila, people go to the malls for the aircondition.

Nonetheles, I am glad to have been with workmates who also love to try out new things. We found ways to enjoy our stay despite the tall centimeters of snow. We tried skiing and snowboarding!!! I never thought I'd try this even once in my life! We drove 1 hour up north from Toronto to Barrie City. Thanks to our Russian workmate who told us about the Ski Snow Valley Ski Resort

View my Photo Album here: My Winter Wonderland Toronto Photo Album

Niagara Falls claims to be the Honeymoon Capital of North America. I thought the falls have frozen this time of the year too. Hee hee. But it's a pretty sight. See my Niagara Falls Photo Album

View my Photo Album here: Niagara Falls Photo Album

Time to enjoy the manmade attractions. Time to explore the city. My uncle and aunt took me around downtown. Good thing it was warmer than usual that Sunday. It was 7C--but FELLS LIKE 0C--yes, zero Celsius.

From the hotel, they picked me up into a cab they hired. We went to the second nearest subway station (i.e. Kipling Station) and had my first ride!!! I was thrilled. I enjoyed the FEEEL of the city. The Subway was clean, not too fast, not too slow, not crowded. We took off at Bloor Station and took another train heading North. This other train makes a big U across the long horizontal train that goes from West to East. We took off another station (which I forgot) and got inside the mall, The Bay. We crossed the street to get into Eaton Center and saw Indigo--a bookstore like Powerbooks in Manila. We heard mass at St. Michaels which is walkable from Eaton Center. Then we climbed up 4th floor of a building across the old city hall. I think it's beautiful for a city hall. And lately I heard more about it in the news. Its architect/contractor wasn't happy with the people in the government that time so he put gargoyles along the building's roof spout to represent those people in power. He also engraved his initials in scattered places around the building. Funny ei!

We had a long walk at the PATH, which is one of the world's largest underground mall. It was looong but I was fascinated by the fact that above us are the biggest banks in Canada. People work at those buildings then go down under to dine and shop. Nice eh! The stores were all closed though. They close early on Sundays. Others don't open at all on Sundays. Anyway, my aunt and uncle patiently guided me and showed me around. After many turns and a few stairs here and there, we got into the Union Station which connects to the Skyway. Nice! All places connected! Finally, we arrived at the CN Tower, just in time for our reservation at the 360 Restaurant.

View my Photo Album here: Downtown Toronto and CN Tower Photo Album

One night after work, the Manila team was treated for dinner downtown. We went to the BCE Place, which houses the Hockey Hall of Fame and the Marché where we had dinner. Inside the BCE building is another old building which used to be a bank. I think Marché is great. We had food in huge amounts. The place has a lively atmosphere where individual cooking stations spread throughout the 1,600 square metres. We could watch their entrée being cooked, grilled, tossed or flambéed. Twas like an outdoor European market. You pick what you want then have them stamp your cardboard sheet. You pay later when you exit the marketplace.

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