Toronto

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Arrived in Toronto at the end of Pride Week, just in time for the Pride Parade, a huge event here lasting over 3 hours and watched by over a million spectators. Toronto is clearly very down with the gays, as every organisation in the city seemed to have a float in the parade, from hairdressers to major corporations like IBM, as well as government departments. The next day in the papers there were even photos of the Lord Mayor dancing in the street while being hosed down by paraders with water pistols. Something Jim Rodgers could take note of for August perhaps??

We have had a ball in Toronto - our hostel (Get us, in a hostel! But admittedly in a private room with a huge flat screen tv and dvd player) is right by the very cool Queen Street West area, the SoHo of the North according to our guidebook. Toronto is one of the most laid back cities we have ever come across, and we had some great nights out here, whether having a few Labatts in a bar or just hanging out in a coffee shop with a paper.

While there's not much in the way of tourist attractions in Toronto, we'll be very sad to leave and it seems like it would be a fabulous place to live.

Things we've loved:

1. Moustaches. V hip here. Neil has a work in progress as we speak.
2. Tattoos on ladies. Even hipper - I don't just mean a little butterfly or a tramp stamp, I am talking full wrist to shoulder action. I think my favourite was an image of the Sacred Heart of Jesus in a spaceship, complete with space helmet and aliens. You have to wonder what was going through her head. it's just as well we're leaving as I could end up looking like Popeye.
3. Cycling home from the pub.
4. Aunties and Uncles for breakfast. Although don't ask "where are the ladies?" when looking for the rest room. It will get you some funny looks.
5. Patio bars esp The Beaconsfield.
6. Eating a takeaway from Chippy's in the park.

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Photos

CN Tower
Can you tell where we are yet?

Garden feature
There's a moose loose aboot this hoose.

Pride Parade
Beyonce eat your heart out.

Neil soaking up more rays
Fish and chips in the park.

Comments

[Sara Arbuthnot]

Hello from rainy Belfast!!!
Amanda and Neil, Great to hear from you - glad it's going well. Not much to report from here - same old... Toronto looks fab - although please don't be following the tatoo trend, sounds a bit scary! Love Sara

[John]

Having a gay ol' time
Looks like you're having a great time. Thanks for all the pics and the updates, it's really good to see where you are.