An Easy Return Home

​…but we de-boarded the YYZ ( Toronto)-MSP flight right next to this gate…

Tempting.  Very tempting!😂😂😂 But I proceeded on to my Missoula flight as scheduled. ☺️💕

Last Evening in Downtown Toronto

​A very beautiful and bustling city!

Thai soup. Dinner last night 😊.

Casa Loma

​This one stands alone. Started construction in 1911, with a total end cost of $3.5 million dollars in THAT TIME 😱!  But so, so beautiful! 

The website photo…

And some of mine 🤗. 

Kelly and I both determined we wanted to be the one who was wearing the keys! 😂😂

View from the middle balcony! 👆

I do believe this 👆 is an early version of a bidet 😂😂😂😂!

Wine cellar 👆. Discovered by accident several years after the fact.😱

Stables 👆

A system of tunnels spanning 800 meters, as the city of Toronto would not allow a road (connecting the stables and the casa) to be put across a major thoroughfare, so he went under! 😂😂

We are in the stables here, and off in the distance is the tip of the casa 😂. 

A beautiful home for an eccentric yet philanthropic gentleman and his family, but with a sad end. He eventually lost all due to his enormous debt, and moved out of the casa, leaving it empty for several years. Eventually the city took it over to allow others to experience its uniqueness, and eventually made it into a museum.  And now you and I can experience it as well! 💕

Case in Point

​I found a peculiar example of what I was complaining about in Toronto a couple of posts past…random cars frequently stopped in an active driving lane. The road was quiet at this time, so I was able to snap the picture. The car. Just stopped, hazard lights on, but nobody inside. I suspect it’s the car belonging to the guy working on the boulevard, but you’d think he could find a better parking spot than this.😂😂. At the very least, I would hope this would be illegal!

Ahhhhh Toronto

​My happy, after leaving India…

Only 12 minutes away! 😂😂

I feel as if I can time travel just now 😊.  Seriously. Best Indian meal ever. My affinity for Indian food began way back when I was a young girl of just 19 and recently relocated to Santa Barbara, California.  I met one of my dearest friends there, which is a story in itself, so I’ll tell it real quick…

Our (Nancy, dear high school friend and I) first full day in Santa Barbara entailed searching for jobs and an apartment. I applied at two different spots… Taco Bell, and Casa Dorinda, a long term care community which was advertising CNA training.  The community was so large I got lost in the parking lot, and before long I came across an older woman who was also lost. We discovered we were both looking to apply for the same position, and so together we set out to find where we were supposed to be. She was easy to love right from the start! She was 60 years old in comparison to my 19 years, but she felt like she could be my first friend in an unfamiliar place.💕

We found the main office, and proceeded across the hall to a table with two applications in front of us. Before I could blink twice, she whips a ruler and a pencil with an eraser out of a well stocked (and big) purse 😂. 

“ Now kid,” she said, “ use the pencil. If you make a mistake, you can erase it. And the ruler will keep your writing tidy and straight.”

I smiled and nodded.  We hadn’t even introduced ourselves yet, but I was grateful she cared enough to have my application look impressive.  With our heads bent over the applications, the room went silent, but I felt so comfortable sitting near her.  She took much more time than I, but only because she was meticulous. She most likely knew at 60 years of age, her prospects for getting hired may be slim.  I waited patiently, acting as if I was poring over a very short-work-history application 😂. 

“All done?” she asked with an endearing smile. 

“Yep!” I smiled, handing back her pencil and ruler. 

We stood up, re-crossed the hallway to the DON’s (Director of Nursing) office, and turned in our hopes for a future with Casa Dorinda. She linked her arm in mine as we retreated back into the parking lot and to our cars (I had borrowed Nancy’s 😊). She gave me a hug before we went our separate ways and said, “Good luck, kid!”.  

The next day I had a phone call from the DON of Casa Dorinda.

“We’d like to offer you placement in the CNA class,” she said. “Can you begin on Monday?” 

My initial sentiment was disappointment, knowing that if I got the job, the lady in the parking lot most assuredly, did not. I had wished she had been hired instead, because I believed she needed a job more than I. I knew I would have no trouble finding employment at 19 years of age.  Still, I said, “Yes. I will be there.”

The following Monday morning, I arrived to Casa Dorinda bright and early at 7 AM. The class of 6 prospective CNA trainees sat at a table, and much to my surprise and delight, the LADY was THERE!🥹👏👏👏 And thus began a lifelong friendship. Turns out her name was Elizabeth Laney. All of her life she had been called ‘Betty’, but she was turning over a new leaf (her words, not mine 😊), and was choosing to be called Elizabeth from thence fourth. Before long, I just called her ‘mummy’.

Now, back to India… When Elizabeth would take her breaks or go to lunch, we usually tried to go together. She always carried a thermos that was filled with what she called ‘masala tea’, but I just called it liquid YUM!  It was an Indian tea, made with milk, tea, and fragrant spices…cardamom, coriander, and a unique blend with cinnamon. Her husband made it each morning for her, and soon he began sending enough for me to enjoy a cup along with Elizabeth. Needless to say, he soon became a dear friend as well!  

It wasn’t long before they started referring to me as their ‘adopted daughter’, and we spent much free time together when Elizabeth and I both happened to be off on the same days. We would always go to ‘A Taste Of India’, their favorite Indian restaurant, or ‘Carlitos’, the best Mexican restaurant on State Street in downtown Santa Barbara. Of course, A Taste Of India remained my favorite!  And so, every time Elizabeth and I were able to get together, even long I had married and moved away, and after Bill had passed on and she relocated to a retirement community in Torrance, California, my visits always included at least one meal at her favorite Indian restaurant. I like to think I carry that tradition on for her today 💕.  And so here, below, is just a sampling of some of our favorite things🤗. 

Naan (flatbread), Paneer Tika Masala 👆, raita (sauce) jasmine rice and masala tea 👇

Toronto by far has some of the best Indian food that I’ve had this side of the the Atlantic! Kelly and I ate at three Indian restaurants during our time here, and our fourth meal was Thai, with one of her friends that used to work with her at Caterpillar.😊  I am grateful Kelly enjoys Indian food as much as I do!😊

I’m Here Somewhere

​…and now they know where to find me 😂!

It has been surprisingly easy to drive in and around here! I was a bit intimidated when Kelly and I ventured into downtown Toronto yesterday, but she’s an excellent navigator, which makes it all the more manageable. Still, it’s odd because as you’re driving along in a designated driving lane, there will be cars randomly parked, and you’ll have to maneuver around them and into the other lane. It’s a bit crazy, as the traffic is fairly heavy downtown. Still, I have avoided getting honked at while here 😂. The area I am in now (Eringate 😆)  is surprisingly quiet. . A much more relaxing end to a fantastic five days. 💕

India

​I can almost pretend I am in Calcutta here in Ontario😊. Best Indian food ever. I will enjoy one, last treat and then head to the airport. 🤗. Kelly just landed in Chicago, but now she’s got a 40 minute metro ride to the train, then a two hour train ride to her car, and then an hour ride home. I’ll take my single connection any day!😱 But for now, INDIA! 

P.S.

​I forgot to mention the abundance of FREE TOILETS!😆😆😆😂👏👏👏

Chillin’ at Costco

​I had debated going to the zoo today, since I don’t have to drop the car at the airport until 5 PM, but I googled ‘fun things to do at Toronto Airport’, and there is a pay-by-the-hour lounge that looks amazing! I figured I could go there and spend the same amount of money as I would have had I gone to the zoo, The thought of being in a cool place out of the sun (very WARM sun😬) where I could have a glass of wine or a cup of coffee won the coin toss. If there had been one. 😂😂😂  But for now I’m chilling at Costco, which turns out to be quite a nice place to chill! I’m on a display sectional, looking out over the deli…

I love visiting Costcos in other states and or countries, because they always stock a vast supply of ethnic food. This one did not disappoint, given by three different options for paneer! My favorite Indian delicacy typically nestled in a delectable  curry.😆

I find it strange, but they also selll their milk in plastic bags versus solid sided  containers  

😂😂😂😂…just found a friend. And yes, her daddy agreed to a photo! 💕

Another surprise at hanging at Costco… they have adequate Wifi! Who have thunk I’ve been missing out on all this excitement😂😂😂  

More later from YYZ! 

But my pretty darn cute from last night…

Canada Nice

​By far the friendliest and genuinely kind people in Toronto are the Eastern Indians. Non-Muslim.  How do I know? The women are unveiled. Dressed in vibrant saris and engaging. Happy. Such a joy to interact with these folks! Our new AirBnb was in a predominantly Indian neighborhood. Several people were out walking when we arrived. The ‘hood itself was tidy, quiet, and just simply pretty. No extravagant homes with multiple high end cars in the driveways 😂😂. A wonderful last-night-in-Ontario! 

Tim Horton’s is a Canadian chain.  Pretty blah in my opinion 😂! 

A friendly face at Costco 😊. Had to make a return for Kelly, who was dropped off at YYZ (Toronto Int’l) at 9 am. Hence the lack of a morning blog 😬. I’ll get caught up later today 💕. 

Loo Review Casa Loma 😆

​Loo’s in a castle in Toronto!😂

Simply lovely. 😊👏👏

Wandering through Toronto

​What a day we had! We took the GO Train into Union Square, the heart of downtown Toronto. It was so nice not having to worry about where to park the car, as that is nearly impossible to do without knowing the in’s-and-out’s of Toronto. So being free of that burden, off we went. 

Awaking to a torrential rain that continued on the very warm and steamy train (no AC 😬)…

…with a very friendly, young lady living in Canada, but originally from the Philippines 🤗. 

We had picked up rain ponchos and umbrellas just before leaving Oakville  at our local Dollarama (😆), which brought back memories from our Croatia adventure 👏👏😂😂!

And so, protected somewhat from the inclement weather, we set off for ‘Taste of India’, an annual Indian event held in Toronto. 

BUT! Along the way we stumbled onto an active MOVIE SET😂😂😂😂! With filming on pause while the rain fell. 

The movie is ‘The Bella Jar’, written by an author both Kelly AND Daniel (son) are familiar with (Daniel more-so for her books of poetry). It was so fun to watch for a time, and to see the beautiful, vintage cars! 

Then off to ‘India’ we went! The festival was late in getting started, but the rain did eventually stop👏👏.  For the most part, we were the only non-Indian visitors 😂. 

Nicest people thus far in Ontario! 

Dumpling steamer 😊

A fun, interesting and tasty start to our day! 

And in our wandering…

Turkish bakery stop for coffee and a Turkish pretzel 😊.

The plaque reads ‘An Immigrant Family’, with their name.

Canada loves their hockey 😊!

The old city hall 😊.

So much fun yesterday! We laugh, because we’ve packed so much into such a short time!  

The cultural differences are a bit distressing, as we have so little exposure to Middle Easterners (the Muslim variety…all covered up and NEVER smiling) and Asians in Montana. They come across as rude, impulsive and inconsiderate, but that has GOT to stem from coming from such heavily populated countries. An example…I was ordering a specialty beverage yesterday at the festival. While I was paying, a woman approached from my left. Always being in a state of ‘situational awareness’, I knew she was getting closer to me, but I refused to budge. This was about the fourth time this had happened, but each time I had stepped out of the way.  Now, I was mostly just curious as to how far she would go if I didn’t move. This was the picture I took, because she literally stepped in front of me, before my transaction had even finished!😱

The man delivering my beverage, had to reach around her so I could retrieve it.

It brought to mind the time I was returning from Okinawa. I made a stop for a week in Hawaii to visit our old friends, and when we boarded the plane, we had to take a shuttle to get to the concourse. I was instantly surrounded and overwhelmed by the massive people making their way to the bus. Before I knew it, I felt arms, taking hold of the stroller, the diaper bag, and my elbow. A gentleman said, “These people are like animals. I’m going to get you through.”  And he did. 😊

I have to remember this is a cultural difference, and be grateful at the same time that I do not come from a country that has several  million people living in a small amount of square miles! 🙏

Today we will check out of the walk-in cooler and head to Toronto 😊. The GO train is so efficient, we’ve decided to find a station and then just leave the car in their covered parking garage! It doesn’t cost anything if you pay the $10.00 ($7.40 U.S.!), day long, train fare 😊. A heck of a bargain!

P. S. This security guard at the festival…NOT situationally aware!