Home From Canadian Holiday!

Me on way to board propeller plane back to Philadelphia

I'm back home folks!

I see my last post was my last day in Hamilton, Ontario.  Oh so much has happened since then.  

Pat and I returned to his home in Toronto.  We attended the Canadian National Exhibition, also known as "The CNE."  

The crowds, lights, sounds, rides, games of chance, food, smells, and (did I say?) CROWDS!  

Then "home" and visits to our favorite restaurants like Aroma, Udupi Palace (Indian), the Big Carrot.   This is my third trip to Toronto to visit Pat and we always have to visit these restaurants.  My trip to Toronto wouldn't be complete without these visits.  Pat did try to take me to a few new restaurants but that didn't work out.  One restaurant that he was especially anxious for me to visit was the Swiss Chalet.  That didn't work out because as soon as I discovered a two month old "baby in a basket" that was at the table across from us, I got up and left.  I told the hostess "I don't eat at restaurants with babies in a basket."  I prefer a dining without the smell of baby poop and ear piercing screams of a baby that doesn't want to be in a restaurant.  I also don't dine at restaurant where the Mother breast feeds her baby at her table which is what happened two years ago when Pat and I were dining at the Cafe Azafran restaurant in Rehoboth Beach.  Please excuse my rant but I just don't understand why parents bring their babies to restaurants.  Can't they afford a baby sitter or do they think their "miracle from God" is so precious that they want to share their baby with other patrons in a restaurant. Again, my apology for my rant.  Back to my trip.

Yesterday Pat drove me to Buffalo to catch my prop plane back to Philly.  Prop plane?  I felt like I was in the final scene from "Casablanca."  What's with the prop planes?  However I was told by one of my fellow passengers that American Airlines is phasing out the prop planes and replacing the with jets.  About time I would say.

My fellow passengers boarding the propeller plane at the Buffalo airport yesterday morning

The weather was perfect at the Buffalo airport. In fact, all week the weather was ideal.  Wow!  I sure did luck out.  By the way, the Buffalo airport is probably the best airport I've ever been in.  Clean, efficient and plenty of outlets for charging my digital devices (iPhone and Macbook Air).  Unlike LAX, which (and I can't believe this) has almost NO outlets for charging smart phones or other digital devices.  

Me waiting ann charging my iPhone at the Buffalo airport. 

I paid a little extra to get a good seat on the prop plane back to Philly.  Check out these cool videos that I took of my view right next to that propeller. Of course the thought crossed my mind what if I saw one of those propellers drop off?  This thought was especially on my mind because, while waiting to board my plane, I was talking to another airline passenger who told me that the front wheel fell off his plane departing from Chicago!  You just never know folks when your time is up.  Thankfully my fellow passengers and I arrived home safely yesterday in Philadelphia.

My ride was waiting for me at the baggage pickup point.  Our two hour ride back to southern Delaware was on traffic free roads, unlike last year when I made the mistake of returning on Labor Day.  Never again will I make that mistake.

Bill was waiting for me when my ride drove into my driveway.  I was home.  Oh, and the heat and humidity was back.  Now I know I'm really home.

Always good to get away folks but always good to get home again.  

Many, many thanks to my host in Canada, my good friend of three years Pat.  

Thank you Pat for being so patient with me and treating me to one of the best holidays I've ever had.  Your reward is waiting in Heaven.

Pat Plays With His Band in Toronto

Regular readers of this blog know that one of my very good friends is Pat. I have several very good longtime friends who (Larry, Bill B., Stuart, Angie, Bill P.) who I am very thankful for in this Thanksgiving week.  I am so fortunate to have my old friend as well as my new friends, including some really fabulous friends I have met through blogging (you all know who you are). 

So here I go again with another "Pat" posting.  I find it interesting that every time I post about Pat I get the fewest comments.  Wonder why?  But you know me, I put no pressure on my readers to comment. I write for my pleasure and yours, no need to comment but all comments are appreciated!

I don't remember if I told you all that Pat has a "hobby".  He plays in a 60's themed band called "The 45's".  I've never seen him perform in person (with his band that is) so I asked him to have someone take a video of him and his band playing during their gig this weekend at the Green Dragon restaurant in Toronto, Canada.  As it happens, his dentist and his wife were attending and they graciously agreed to take a video of Pat's band "The 45's" with Pat's iPhone.  

The Green Dragon Restaurant in Toronto, Canada

In January Pat and I will be returning to Los Angeles.  Last year when we visited we stopped by the Whiskey A Go Go.  We saw two pitiful interesting performances. This year I'm going to talk Pat into performing.  Hey, he's as good as anything we saw at the Whiskey A Go Go during our visit last year.  And folks, I can promise you that if Pat gets up on the stage at the Whiskey A Go Go, I will videotape it with my iPhone. Promise!

So here is The Video of Pat and his band "The 45's playing "Don't Throw Your Love Away" performing this past Saturday night in Toronto. Pat is the bass guitar player in the center of the video. 

Pretty darn good huh?

Last Night In Toronto

One of the things that keeps me going in life is always having something to look forward to.  I've always believed that once you let your life get into a rut, you're on the downward spiral.  All my life I've had something to look forward to.

These days what I look forward to, in addition to my wonderful life here at home with Bill, is my four times a year outings with my Can-Am pal Pat.  A few weeks ago I marked the end of summer by visiting Pat at his home in Toronto Canada.  I started this tradition last year and I plan to continue it until I can no longer mobilize myself.  

In January Pat and I will visit Los Angeles (West Hollywood) for the second time.  In the spring Pat comes down here to Lower Slower (Delaware) for his annual Spring Visit.  Pat also comes down later in the summer to have a taste of Rehoboth in high summer season, date to be determined.

Pat and I love Philadelphia and plan to make a visit there sometime again.  We both also want to visit Chicago but I'm not sure when the best time to visit.  In the sweltering heat of summer or the freezing cold of winter?  Suggestions are welcomed.

I've mentioned to Pat that I would like to visit Quebec and Montreal again but he said visiting them during my annual visit to Toronto would be like us swinging down to Dallas Texas during his annual visits to Lower Slower.  Understood but still, I would like to visit Quebec again just one more time before I check out.

Neither of us have a desire to visit any foreign countries, there are enough places in our respective countries to replay the Ron and Pat Show (don't you just love our videos?) many times.

That said, here are some short snippet videos of my last night in Toronto.  We visited Kensington Market, the "South Street" of Toronto.  Very cool!

Someone Left the Cake Out In the Rain

Good day folks on this, the 14th anniversary of 9/11.  I was going to write a memorial post noting 9/11 but decided not to.  Evil exists in this world and 9/11 was one of the worst examples.  I figure there will be enough memorials posted and shown on TV for those who wish to remember.  For me, I'll post this little snippet of fun times that my Canadian buddy Pat and I had at the Canadian National Exhibition a few weeks ago.

As regular followers of this blog know I now visit Toronto at the end of the summer season.  Each year this coincides with Canada's National Exhibition which is basically a grand carnival.  This year was no exception.

Last year Pat and I met up with my blogger friend Dr. Spo and his partner, Someone.  The four of us did some rides, screaming like little girls.  This year Dr. Spo and Someone visited Canada

Dr. Spo, Pat and Someone during an earlier visit to Toronto this summer

earlier in order to take in more reputable activity like Shakespearean plays and Strafford on Avon or some high brow place like that.  That's not me and Pat.  We're carnival junkies.  

Last year I did too much on one of the rides and my eyes were thrown off the rest of my trip.  This year I was more careful.  I was reluctant to go on the Wicked Mouse ride but Pat insisted.  It looked harmless enough to me so I acceded.  That was a mistake.  Remember those two old, battered, greasy hats that Pat and I wear everywhere?  

Pat and me earlier this year in Lewes, Delaware with our greasy hats

Gone.  Gone with the wind.  In fact, the first bump on the Wicked Mouse, they flew off our old gray noggins.  

After the ride we made a half-hearted effort to find our hats at the base of the Wicked Mouse but it was a lost cause.  Somewhere among all that metal and trash were our beloved hats. To this day I wonder where those hats are resting now.  Probably at the bottom of a garbage filled trash can.  

Ah, the pain of the loss.  But I have all these pictures of us in those hats.  You know what I kept thinking the rest of our vacation every time I thought of those hats?  Richard Harris singing "MacArthur Park" lyrics "Someone left the cake out in the rain, I don't think I can take it because it took so long to bake it and I'll never have that recipe again........OH NOOOOOO!"




So then we went on a quest for new hats.  Both of us don't have much hair on our noggins so we need the hats.  Know how hard it is to find just the right hat?  Almost impossible.  We finally found hats but it's not the same.  I think I can replace Pat's hat because I bought the original at Walmart.  

Mine?  It was a custom made hat for the hotel where I work and . . . . . . . you got it.   I'll never have that recipe again.  

Pat and I and our new hats at "the beach" (Lake Ontario), Canada - not the same

Saturday Night in Toronto

Me relaxing at Zipprrs last night

The two old guys decided to Go Out on Saturday Night to a gay bar.  The default gay bar in Toronto is Zipprrs.  Yes, we did it.  

Being as old as we are (73 and 66 respectively) we went early.  The normal time to hit the gay bars is after ll PM.  Hey folks, that's when we left.  

We both had non alcoholic drinks, me a ginger ale and Pat a non alcoholic beer.  It's not that I'm a Carrie Nation teetoller but just that my body rejects booze in my advanced years.  Probably a good thing because just this past year three friends of mine have died of alcohol related causes (liver cancer).  Regular drinkers they were and no longer her.  Tells you something doesn't it?

We played a couple games of pool and took in the heavy beat.  A nice way to end a very busy day in Toronto.

Pat the Pool Shark

Yesterday we spent a glorious day at IKEA.  I love IKEA as does Pat.  If I was starting housekeeping from scratch I would do my whole house in IKEA furniture.  Who knows, I may yet do it if I ever move to smaller accommodations eventually when my present home is too much to take care of.  The only problem I have with moving to a condo is those high condo fees.  But I digress.

Pat and I had another wonderful day in the crowded, diverse and very metropolitan and EXPENSIVE city that is Toronto.  I have to admit folks, I like Toronto.  Oh sure, it's a little more messier (litter) than American cities but there is a joie de vivre that is missing from many metropolitan cities.  Sure, we have our diversity but there always seems to be that heaving tension of things about to implode in the background.  Here in Canada (Toronto anyway), it's live and let live and minding your own business and not worrying about other peoples' business who look different than you and who wear a turban or other non-traditional American headdress.  And not one Confederate flag did I see folks.  And absolutely NO feeling of hatred because I'm walking down the street with another man, which is what I have often encountered living in American.  Even in such so called gay-friendly places like Rehboth Beach.  And that folks is one reason I sometimes like to get out of that cauldron of simmering hate and discrimination that is all too often prevalent in America.  But don't get the wrong idea, I'm not moving to Canada.  I love America to and I am an American in spite of all the hatred that is often directed my way because of who I am.

Pat took a break from being my tour director this morning and went to his usual yoga class and is now at church.  Of course I don't go to church, being the secular guy that I am.

When Pat comes back we're off to another exciting day,  doing our laundry at the local laundromat.

Packed and Ready To Go!

Passport (red folder) and luggage packed for trip to Toronto

Well folks, I just about completed packing for my trip and I'm ready to take the big bird plan to Buffalo, New York this Wednesday.

"Buffalo, New York?" you say.  "But I thought you were going to visit Toronto, Canada."  I am folks, I am.  However, if I take a plan to Buffalo I save almost $500 versus taking a direct flight to Toronto Canada.  Pat will pick me up in Buffalo for the two hour drive to his modern, minimalist home in Tiny Town, Tornonto, Canada.  Oh I know I have a reputation as a Big Spender (just spent almost $10,000 on a new HVAC system which I am sick, SICK about) but I do try to economize wherever I can.

So I'll leave the current, invigorating, frustrating, and slash and burn political climate in the good old U S of A and enjoy ten splendid days of relaxation and comfort and goodwill that is Pat and his hometown Tornonto, Canada.  

Toronto is a very diverse city that doesn't have the tenseness of tribal culture of America. You say do away with the 14th Amendment, which guarantees birthright citizenship to all who are born in the United States?  Time to take a break from this nonsense.

This is the second year that I'm visiting Pat in Toronto at the end of the summer.  What a wonderful way to end summer, with a good friend in a very hospitable city. 

You know folks, I may not have many days, weeks, months or years to live but I intend to live each day to the fullest and whenever I can grab a chance at happiness and contentment I will.  And this is just what I will be doing for the next ten days starting this Wednesday.  

I'm taking my MacBook Pro laptop with me and will try to keep you all apprised of my doings, goings and happiness but if I fail to do so, remember I am having the time of my life.

I wish everyone else this happiness.

Pat and me in front of the Big Carrot in Toronto, last year - I am returning (with a different shirt!)

Toronto, Here I Come!

Me and Pat at Modern Mixture in Milton during Pat's visit last month

It's that time of year again folks!  This time next week I will be a guest of my little "brother" Pat at his fabulous home in Toronto. Why it seems like just a year ago I was visiting Pat in fabulous Toronto (yes, I used "fabulous" twice in one sentence).

Pat and I met two years ago (August 16th to be precise) in the parking lot of Hotel Blue in Lewes, Delaware.  I have to say it was "like" at first sight.  I finally met my "other Ron."  Pat and I are so much alike we're often mistaken for brothers by strangers.  On five different occasions in five different cities we have been approached by strangers and asked "are you brothers?"  There is something definitely there folks.  I don't know what but what I do know is that Pat and I are simpatico.  Now for those of you who get confuse easily; who have been brainwashed taught "one man only", well folks, we're breaking that rule. I can have my cake and eat it too.  Just saying (big smile). 

But I digress.  Next Wednesday I catch the Big Bird American Airlines plane out of Philly for a flight to Buffalo.  Pat will pick me up in Buffalo (not the first time a handsome man has picked me up, but I digress . . . . again) and complete the last leg of my annual trek to Toronto.  

Pat getting in his car in front of his "hoose" in Toronto

In my absence my friend and co-worker Don W. will fill in for me at work.  Thank you Don!  We men have to stick together.  I'm always asked to fill in for my lady co-workers but when I'm out a man fills in for me.  Like today, I'm going in for yet another female co-worker but again I digress.  Lot's of digressing here folks and I would love to write about my work situation but I dare not in this public forum that often has unforeseen negative consequences for me.  

Pat and Don

Suffice it to say, I appreciate Don filling in for me.  Above photo was taken last month during Pat's annual visit to Delaware.

This year we will not be meeting our friends Dr. Spo and Someone.  They took their annual holiday to Canada early this year.  We will miss them at the Canadian National Exhibition fun and games. Maybe next year, maybe not. 

Someone, Pat, Dr. Spo and me at last year's Canadian National Exhibition

So folks, the next few days I will prepare for the Big Trip. And I just hope I don't forget to take my passport with me.

Pat, Spo, me and Someone at the Canadian National Exhibition last August

This morning I made my reservations for my annual end of summer trip to Toronto, Canada.  I got a good rate too! Under $300 for a round trip!

Downtown Toronto (photo taken by Pat)

Last year was my first trip to Toronto since Bill and I spent our honeymoon traveling through Canada in 1965. In that year we visited Toronto, Montreal, Quebec and Ottawa. I never thought I would visit Canada again in my lifetime until I met Pat a year and a half ago in August of 2013.





The above video was Day Two after I met Pat in August of 2013, when he drove down from his home in Toronto, Canada to Rehoboth Beach to get his old time photo made with me. You know me and my old time photos. By the way, he's coming down again this year as soon as my leg heals, so we can do another old time photo with our friend Larry Meredith. This was the first "Ron and Pat" videos. The beginning of a You Tube tradition!

Pat, Larry and me at Old Time Photo last year - we get a new photo this June

Pat and I do three trips a year.  One in January to Los Angeles.

The second one at the beginning of summer in Rehoboth Beach.

And the third trip to Pat's home in Toronto to celebrate the end of summer.

Pat's minimalist home in Toronto, Canada

I love Toronto!  What a pleasantly surprised to discover that Toronto is a very diverse city of many different types of people.  White, black, yellow, brown. Different religions, ethnicities and and cultures and I didn't feel the "you're different, you don't belong here" vibes that I feel in most places here in the country of the land and free, the United States of America.  The only exceptions (for me) where I didn't feel this animosity from most of the regular, "family type" white folks was Provincetown, Massachusetts and this past January in Los Angeles, California. 

A typical neighborhood Toronto street - Toronto isn't all skyscrapers and film festivals

Pat gets around in Toronto on his bike.  Actually a lot of people of all different demographic backgrounds traverse the heavy Toronto traffic with bicycles. Not me though. Way too dangerous. I don't plan in having any more accidents for a long time, thank you.

Pat helmeted up and ready to travel the clogged Toronto streets

Last year we met our friends Dr. Spo and Someone from Phoenix, Arizona during our end of summer holiday in Toronto.  Unfortunately, we won't be meeting this year because of scheduling conflicts.  We will miss their delightful company, especially when riding the rides at the Canadian National Exhibition and screaming like little girls.



Pat and I will just have to manage on our own to have a good time without Dr. Spo and Someone.
We can do that.  Look for the Ron and Pat videos on You Tube.  You know they're coming!

What I Learned From My Trip To Canada

Toronto Police Bicycle Patrol

Two days after returning from my two week trip to Toronto, Canada I am still recovering from exhaustion.  My road trip back to Buffalo and then the long delayed airplane flight from Buffalo to Philadelphia, left me near collapse.  I fear I am too old to endure such long trips.  

The past two days I've gone to bed early and resumed my daily afternoon naps of a couple of hours.  When I returned from my trip, I was having bouts of double vision.  Thankfully, my regular vision is returning.  However, I think I will make an appointment with my eye doctor next week just to check things out.  This week I have a long scheduled appointment with my cardiologist for a stress test (for my heart).  

I am well aware of folks I know who are in a more severe medical situation than I am at this time.  But I still don't feel right.  I don't know whether it is a combination of the typical late summer 90 degree plus humidity laden Lower Slower weather and my exhaustion, but I still have to get back into my regular routine.

One good thing, Bill was so glad to see me return and frankly, I was glad to see him.  For the past fifty years Bill has been part of my routine and I am glad to resume my routine.

But I was also glad to have taken two weeks to visit Toronto, Canada and spend time with my friend Pat.  

Here are a few things I learned from my two weeks in Canada:

• It was so refreshing to live two whole weeks without the "Hate Obama" climate that I have to endure in the United States. 

• Canada is expensive.

• I love Indian food.

• Canada is rich.  I was trying to figure this out and came to the conclusion that since Canada doesn't have to spend so much of their national income on defending the world and instead spend their money on themselves.

• I rediscovered Scrabble.  Now to find a suitable opponent here in Lower Slower (good luck).

• I learned that human beings of different races, backgrounds, nationalities and ethnicity can live together in harmony and not suspicious fear.

• Canada is a lot looser on government restrictions like building codes and driving rules.  Up in Canada not every house has to have a dormer mandated by the local home owner's association.  Cars pass on the right and make U-turns.

• Toronto is a happening city, so much going on.  

• The Toronto police wear shorts (really short) and patrol on bicycles.  Can you imagine that in a place like say . . . . Ferguson, Missouri?  

• Toronto police don't shoot first and ask questions later.  They actually protect the public.  What a novel idea, eh?

I'm tired folks.  Maybe I'll think of more interesting things I discovered during my two week sojourn in Toronto, Canada.

And again, many thanks to my wonderful host Pat who had the patience of a saint to put up with me for two weeks.  Now Pat gets his vacation.  

Thank you Pat!

Thank you Toronto!

Thank you Canada!

Canada Adventure Coming to an End

Only two more days folks and my two week adventure in Canada will come to an end.  And what a wonderful time I am having.  

The weather has been absolutely fabulous every day since I arrived on August 15th.  The forecast for tomorrow is in the eighties.  Thank goodness we didn't have those kinds of temperatures while I was here because my host's house doesn't have air conditioning.  

Yesterday we took to the streets of Toronto again.  Each day is an adventure.  Yesterday we made a stop at Starbucks.  Ask me how many Starbucks there are in Toronto.  Go ahead.  How many?  A LOT.  My host drinks a lot of coffee so we make frequent Starbucks rest stops.  Yesterday there was a particularly effective screaming baby in the Starbucks we stopped at.  My eardrums can't take it so I escaped to the sidewalk cafe accommodations. 

We took in an afternoon matinee.  My host suggested the movie "Sin City." 

All I can say about this movie is "Little House on the Prairie" this isn't.  

WOW!

POW! 

SPLAT!

The movie cineplex where we attended the matinee

The cineplexes here in Toronto are gigantic.  And expensive.  To attend "Sin City" yesterday (in 3D) the total cost for me and Pat was $27.00.  Popcorn $7.00, includes butter.

The lobby of the Odean Cineplex

WHAT WAS THAT?

Well folks, just as I'm settling down to a routine: lunch at Aroma Cafe, roam around Toronto in the afternoon, dinner at an Indian restaurant in the evening, and finish the day with two games of Scrabble (which I have yet to win) it's going to be time to bid a fond adieu and return to the culture wars of the U.S., which I didn't miss one bit while I've been away.

Time to wrap this blog posting up and make tracks out the front door for our adventure today.  Pat suggested going on the trolley and see where it takes us.  Sounds good to me.

What You Do When You Run Out of Money on Your Vacation

So folks, what do you do when you run out of money on your vacation?  My host had a suggestion.  He said "Let's visit my childhood playground, it's free."  So here is what the Two Old Guys did yesterday after lunch.  We were a little nervous entering the playground because there were some small children already on the swings but their dad was with them so we threw caution (and self respect) to the wind and got on the swings.  Man oh man, when was the last time I was on a swing?  Oh . . . . . . . about sixty years ago.  But you know what they say, "Once you swing you never forget how to swing" or is that what they say about bicycles?  No matter, we took to the swings in the kitty litter sandbox.  Thank goodness we weren't arrested for making fools out of ourselves. 

India Street Festival Toronto Canada 2014

Just down the street from where Pat lives is Gerrard Street.  This area of Toronto is called "India Town."  Guess why?  Lots of Indians (from Mumbai) live there (or course).  

I've already taken advantage of our close proximity to this interesting and wonderful ethnic enclave of Toronto, Canada by having several meals at Indian restaurants in India Town.  I do like Indian food and since I am going totally vegan while I'm visiting Toronto, India Town offers me many places to eat vegan.

As luck would have it, this weekend is the annual India Town Festival.  We were going to go out and get a falafel at Ali Baba's but Pat was sure he would lose his parking place in front of his house.  We decided instead to take a three block walk down Pat's street which leads right into the heart of India Town.  The above video was the street scene which awaited us.

Folks, I continue to be impressed with the cultural diversity of the inhabitants of Toronto.  I keep trying to imagine such diversity in my little enclave of Rehoboth Beach. We have "the gays" (who know their place) and the "illegals", (Hispanics).  

I work in the lovely little town of Lewes.  Can you imagine an event like I witnessed last night taking place on the streets of uptight Lewes?  Heck, we have more than a few folks in Lewes getting all bent out of shape because Irish Eyes plays music after 9 at night.  Ah yes folks, that's what I'm going back into bless their hearts.  They mean well but sooooo White Bread.  Last night was Multi-grain.

And my Canadian Adventure continues . . . . . . . 

Canadian Adventure Day Three - Toronto Expo

Pat, Spo, Me and Someone - on our first ride of the night at the Expo Carnival

Folks, this is going to be a short post tonight because we want to get to bed early (especially my host).  But I did want to touch base with all of you and tell you what a wonderful time we had yesterday at the Toronto Expo.  

Dr. Spo and Someone arrived in Toronto at noon.  We had lunch then returned to Pat's place for the tour.  We chatted a bit then went to The Distillery in downtown Toronto.  After imbibing there, we (me actually) decided to go to the Toronto Expo, which (to me at least) is a carnival on steroids.  I haven't been to a carnival in um . . . . forty years?  Well folks, we went and had a FABULOUS time.  Did we go on rides.  Yes, we did.  Before we went on the roller coaster (a small one) Someone said "Are we going to scream like little girls now?"  Of course I said "No", because I'm too butch too scream "like a little girl."  Guess what?  Even better, wait until you see the video.  I'll try to post that tomorrow.  

Right now we're beat.  Very tired and after I make my journal entry I'm going to retire early.

Catch up tomorrow!

Canadian Adventure Day Two - Eat Indian

"Fresh Baked, every day" - Pat and I at the Aroma Cafe in downtown Toronto, Canada

My fabulous Canadian adventure continues folks! I have to admit, the days are starting to run into one another.  Now let's see if I can remember what we did yesterday.

I forget what we did in the morning (use your imagination) but we had lunch at Aroma in downtown Toronto.  Toronto is a huge city with many tall, impressive build
ngs.  Pat showed me one of the lofts he used to live in right in the center of downtown Toronto.

Pat used to live in that penthouse!

Talk about location, location, location . . . he had it with that loft plus he had parking in a below ground garage.  Pat's condo was on the very top floor with a balcony overlooking the street.  No water view folks, but a fabulous people watching view and easy access to all that Toronto has to offer.  I asked him why he moved, he said it was too hard to commute to work.  But he said it would be a fabulous place to live now that he's retired.

Entering downtown Toronto, Canada ("we're not in Rehoboth Kansas anymore Toto")

Pat took me to the new Toronto City hall which was right around the corner.  We went up to the Mayor's office (the famous or infamous Rob Ford) but he wasn't in.

The Mayor was out today - drat!

Then it was back to Pat's present pied tier here in "Tiny Town" Toronto.  Nap time for yours truly.  I didn't get much sleep since I was up 2:30 AM Friday morning for my ride to the Philly airport.  I needed to catch up on my shuteye.

After a very restful nap I was hungry again (Pat doesn't eat as much as I do).  Pat suggested an Inidan restaurant just down the street from where he lives.  We could walk there.

So we took a leisurely stroll down Craven Avenue, stopping along the way to talk to one of Pat's neighbors who had just returned from camping.  They were with their two small daughters.  I just couldn't resist asking them if I could take a photo of them with their lovely children.  See the adorable photos below:

As we neared Indian Town (Indians from India, not a reservation) which is only located three blocks from Pat's house) I could smell the curry wafting in the air.  Women in glittering sari's strolled the streets of Indian Town (not the name but I don't know what it is if there is one).  Swarthy men with casually walked by, engaging in a language that I could not make one word of.

We followed the curry aroma and entered a very plain, tiled floored, crowded, Indian family totally populated typical neighborhood restaurant.  Several of the naturally tanned faces turned to look at the two palefaces entering their restaurant.  All of a sudden I felt so out of place with my Going to the Leather and Western Gay Bar denim jacket and baseball cap.  An image of me wearing a white turban briefly flashed across my feeble mind but quickly disappeared when I realized these were Indians, not Sikhs.  I know some Americans can't tell the difference between a Sikh and a Muslim but I won't go to that rant on this beautiful, fall like, sunny morning as I type this blog posting in Pat's sun drenched living room while he's out doing the laundry (yes folks, Regular life continues while the Tour goes on.

A selfie of me and Pat at Udupi Palace- Indian vegetarian cuisine Toronto, Canada

We were seated and by a very swarthy man straight out of Bollywood and given menus.  Of course I didn't understand one thing on the menu other than the "V" (for vegatarian) next to many entrees.  I asked Pat for a suggestion.  He suggested a dish that was actually eight small dished.  Like a sampler.
IT.WAS.DELICIOUS.  Wow.  My vegan challenge continues with very little sacrifice from me.

Pat planning for tomorrow

Today we're meeting those hardy travelers Dr. Spo and Someone for lunch.  Of course I suggested this restaurant (Udupi Palace, 1460 Gerrard St. East, Toronto, Ontario).  Pat suggested that we try the other Indian restaurant today which is a buffet.  That's what we're going to do, this way we all have more choices to sample Indian cuisine, which we all like.  

I just got a text from Pat (he's at the laundry mat).  Dr. Spo and Someone just left their rented digs at Niagara and are on there way!

The adventure continues!

Later folks!

Toronto - Here We Come

A selfie of Pat and his friend "Rob" last night

Just finished talking to Pat on FaceTime.  Only two weeks to go until I fly the Big Bird north and land in Tornonto (via way of Buffalo, New York).

Pat laid down a "Vegan Challenge" to me: only eat vegan while I'm in Canada.  You know folks?  I think I can do that without too much sacrifice.  I'm pretty much doing it anyway now. 

Cherry tomatoes freshly picked (about 1/2 hour ago) from my compost pile tomato plant

Pat wasn't sure I would be able to manage two weeks without meat or dairy products.  You know what folks?  I think I can do it!  Oh yes.  

I just made a fresh tomato/cucumber/red onion salad with balsamic vinaigrette dressing.  Wow!  SOOOOO GOOD.  

When I make good food like this I think of all those years I ate processed food junk.  All that trash in my body.  It's a wonder I made it this far. Not that I don't have problems but it's a wonder I'm not worse for all the chemicals and preservatives I've ingested just so food manufactures can have a long shelf life in the food stores to make MORE money.

By the way, I told Pat that the selfie he took last night with Mayor Ford cutout looks so real.  

Canada's Mayor

Chris Farley Toronto Mayor Rob Ford

Come on folks admit it.  You LOVE Toronto's mayor Rob Ford!  Hey, what's the big deal anyway.  He's fat.  So what?  Who cares other than the media who likes to take cheap pot shots.  Look, this guy is as honest as they come.  Check out Ford pointing out the hypocrisy of a Toronto city council member accusing him of substance abuse when said city council member was arrested himself for drunk driving.



I am thoroughly enjoying watching the prim and proper public figures from the media and Toronto city council being outraged, I say OUTRAGED that a fat man dared to not run and hide once they started to mock him.

And then there was the instance where he ran over a fellow city council woman (get out of the way woman!) for what reason I don't know but it is funny to watch.




Comedians are getting high from all the way too easy jokes making fun of a fat man and a politician. 



Remember when Bill Clinton used to be fodder for the late night comedians? Uh huh, move over Bubba! Toronto's redoubtable Mayor Rob Ford has assumed the new position to be the butt (pun intended) of the late night comedians' jokes.



But you know hat folks, Mayor Ford doesn't appear to care what anyone thinks.  Bravo for him! Even the famous anchor Ron Burgundy has got into the game.  Here Ron sings Mayor Ford's new campaign song.



Rock it Ron!

And finally, here is a compilation of the late night comedians' joke at Mayor Ford's expense.  Hey folks, you have to admit this is funny.  Sad yes, but funny. And really in the end, isn't this better than killing people in an unnecessary war in Iraq? (What did Ron just say?)