Visit to the Maple Land - Toronto (Canada)

Memorial weekend (May 29, 2006) was so memorable. For a change I decided to fly across the lake (I wish I could have said ‘Ocean’!) to the land of Maple, Canada (Toronto).
I had a friend to host me. I reached Toronto Pearson Airport via United Express on Friday(they have such miniature flights too? my head was hitting the roof!). The airport was free of any hustle/crowd/whisper and with noise of few walking steps. It was a relief, nice start to a short vacation.
We took the TTC (Toronto Transit Commission) bus to U of T (University of Toronto). UoT needs special mention. Thousands of multi-cultural students flock here and it has very rich and age old history. It has so huge campus with magnificent buildings, with many built in the English architecture, example would be Trinity College. It has a huge library building in Peacock shape .Wonderful.
The hostel of UoT is rented to the public during the summer and is worth a deal. Free breakfast for $5!
The most striking architecture of Toronto would be the CN tower, witnessed from any angle in any direction over a few miles in the city of Toronto, one gets a feeling (in gift shops as well) whether maple leaf of CN tower is the symbol of Canada. Its so renowned out there. Symbol of modernity.
Coincidentally there was “Doors Open Toronto” (http://www.doorsopen.org/) event over the weekend where over 140 doors are opened to the public, ranging from religious places to radio stations and film studios. Very unique and amazing. We visited a Buddha temple (the history was interesting) being run the lamas from Tibet and the CBC station cum studios. We were shown the studios which are quite compatible for any kind of shooting, be it the regular soaps or game show or movies. Toronto is next to California in entertainment industry. We had a chance to look into sound making studio of CBC radio station where a sound engineer gave our group a demo of various types of sound ( and situations) that could be simulated in the couple of well designed rooms (they have a real complete kitchen for kitchen scenes and broken pieces glasses and ceramic). Even a used chocolate wrapper is in stock! The “house keepers” are not allowed into this area of the studio!! There is a glass room, its like a vacuum, not a single echo there, to simulate outdoor scenes. It was fun. It was a rare and amazing opportunity in getting to know what is the behind the radio world.

There are many places to visit around Toronto like the Casa loma, the only authentic castle of the North America. Niagara falls is couple of hours drive.
The other places visited around the city were:-
Ø The “Center Island”, a tiny island full of greenery on Lake Ontario. It has few beaches (an optional clothing one as well!) and nice walkways. The best part is the boat ride (a 10 min) to the Island from the Beach front, downtown.
Ø “High Park” which houses a zoo and a very big lung space close to downtown. It is very refreshing and full of energy.
Ø Then there is this huge China town and Kensington market adjacent to each other, always flooded with people. One can get anything and eveyrthing at a cheap price.
Ø Eaton center Mall on Yonge Street, has a score of shops on the 3 level basement! Ranging from pricey stuff to affordable ones. Every prominent place a train station next to it, that’s a marvellous design.
Ø The skyline (buildings), though not a great size compared to NY skyscrapers, they are the gems on the crown of Toronto.
Ø Finally comes the Indian Bazaar, resembles and houses people from the sub-continent, Indians, Pakistanis etc. Tasted paksitani food and basked in the the native country atmosphere.
The most impressive and comfort factor is Toronto’s rail and roadway, its so well connected by TTC (Toronto Transit Commission) that one need not walk almost, bus stop almost every 100 meters and the street cars (bus on rails) that connect the rail stations to the city. Very well designed. But the same TTC makes or breaks normal life easily. There was a sudden strike on monday, it was decided at 7am itseems!!
My friend had pointed out a very delicious and authentic food serving, south indian restaurant - “Saravana Bhavan” which I couldn’t make it this time along with Niagara falls. Hence next time, Saravana is on top of my list!! Toronto is a must see place for its charm, variety, cosmopolitan and laid back lifestyle. On the 5th day I headed back home, with Sprint apps springing to life in my head!