Markham. Markhaaaam.
Yesterday was my first proper day here and I first walked to the bike shop, which took ages, but I stopped by Fuel+ for a great chocolate protein smoothie frappe thing and a chocobanana muffin. I walked through Church-Wellesley, which seemed like the perfect place to live. Great shops and food places all around and everything was covered in rainbows, it was pretty amazing to see.
I walked along Bloor on the way there and spotted a few things I definitely need to check out again later. When I got to the rental shop they actually gave me a better bike than they intended, cos they were out of the other ones. They were okay with me bringing it back the next Friday since I'll be in Niagara all day on Thursday. Super nice guys. Super nice bike. They were okay with me leaving my helmet there.
So far I LOVE having the freedom of just being able to jump on the bike and ride around. It's so much better than public transport. It makes just a trip to Loblaws (ALL THE ORGANIC FOOD. <3) so much easier and quicker.
In the afternoon I rode to Queen St. and stopped by some of the vintage shops there and bought some awesome. Also, a unicorn skirt because I had nothing pridey with me. But now I have the perfect thing for the parade next week, lmao. <3
I met up with Jess in the evening, we got burritos and then headed over to the pride opening ceremony. It was amazing. There was so much about the people of the first nations and they were the ones that opened the ceremony. An indigenous elder started with a ceremonial opening and then another woman sang the anthem. All that was followed by a dance performance and then a group pow wow. Amazing. But let's get real, Melissa Etheridge ad Deborah Cox were pretty awesome too.
ALSO FIREWORKS.
So today.... as soon as I knew I'd be going to Toronto, I just knew we had to stop by Mirotic Cafe. Then Jess said it was nearby the biggest Asian mall in North-America, so we basically made it a day trip.
I biked the way from my place to where she's staying, which was a nice 25 min ride in the morning sun. <3 I'd forgotten however that I was no longer in the Netherlands when I kept seeing huge steep hills appearing in front of me, lol. It ended up being a good workout.
We first headed a few subway stops back on Danforth to head to the Big Carrot to check out their veggie cafe. I basically wanted everything and ended up getting a plate with a little bit of about six different dishes as well as a spinach/tofu samosa (which is now in the fridge here since I was so full after the rest of the food). Carrots with cashew, a shiitake/almond pate, quinoa lentil salad, black beans salad, collared greens and a brown/wild rice risotto. <3 Best brunch ever. The entire area was full of adorable shops and places, so I'll probably head down there again some time next week to explore some more.
Then we headed on to P-mall and I ended up spending WAY more than I expected. But who can say no to a totally practical giant Domo-kun bag as well as a Rilakkuma travel pillow? Nobody, I tell you. Nobody. Afterwards we took a the bus a few stops back to head to a giant Asian super, where I picked up some souvenirs (Canadian ones!) and a bottle of Itoen green tea, cos they don't sell that shit anywhere and it's my favourite. <3
We knew Mirotic was close by, but it took us a while to find it. Their veggie cheesecake was great and Jess got a bunch of mini-cheesecakes, which ended up being A LOT. I was still full from our brunch veggie plate and the bubble tea we had later that afternoon, so I was glad mine was pretty small ish.
One of Jess' friends had an art show this evening and we were planning on going there, but we were still kinda dead from last night and we basically spent all of today in the heat and the sun and right now as I'm sitting in bed I'm super happy I can just pass out in a bit, lol.
Today is Aboriginal day here and the Indigenous Art Festival at Fork York (historic site) started today, so we're headed over there tomorrow. I should look for some veggie food close by there.
I walked along Bloor on the way there and spotted a few things I definitely need to check out again later. When I got to the rental shop they actually gave me a better bike than they intended, cos they were out of the other ones. They were okay with me bringing it back the next Friday since I'll be in Niagara all day on Thursday. Super nice guys. Super nice bike. They were okay with me leaving my helmet there.
So far I LOVE having the freedom of just being able to jump on the bike and ride around. It's so much better than public transport. It makes just a trip to Loblaws (ALL THE ORGANIC FOOD. <3) so much easier and quicker.
In the afternoon I rode to Queen St. and stopped by some of the vintage shops there and bought some awesome. Also, a unicorn skirt because I had nothing pridey with me. But now I have the perfect thing for the parade next week, lmao. <3
I met up with Jess in the evening, we got burritos and then headed over to the pride opening ceremony. It was amazing. There was so much about the people of the first nations and they were the ones that opened the ceremony. An indigenous elder started with a ceremonial opening and then another woman sang the anthem. All that was followed by a dance performance and then a group pow wow. Amazing. But let's get real, Melissa Etheridge ad Deborah Cox were pretty awesome too.
ALSO FIREWORKS.
So today.... as soon as I knew I'd be going to Toronto, I just knew we had to stop by Mirotic Cafe. Then Jess said it was nearby the biggest Asian mall in North-America, so we basically made it a day trip.
I biked the way from my place to where she's staying, which was a nice 25 min ride in the morning sun. <3 I'd forgotten however that I was no longer in the Netherlands when I kept seeing huge steep hills appearing in front of me, lol. It ended up being a good workout.
We first headed a few subway stops back on Danforth to head to the Big Carrot to check out their veggie cafe. I basically wanted everything and ended up getting a plate with a little bit of about six different dishes as well as a spinach/tofu samosa (which is now in the fridge here since I was so full after the rest of the food). Carrots with cashew, a shiitake/almond pate, quinoa lentil salad, black beans salad, collared greens and a brown/wild rice risotto. <3 Best brunch ever. The entire area was full of adorable shops and places, so I'll probably head down there again some time next week to explore some more.
Then we headed on to P-mall and I ended up spending WAY more than I expected. But who can say no to a totally practical giant Domo-kun bag as well as a Rilakkuma travel pillow? Nobody, I tell you. Nobody. Afterwards we took a the bus a few stops back to head to a giant Asian super, where I picked up some souvenirs (Canadian ones!) and a bottle of Itoen green tea, cos they don't sell that shit anywhere and it's my favourite. <3
We knew Mirotic was close by, but it took us a while to find it. Their veggie cheesecake was great and Jess got a bunch of mini-cheesecakes, which ended up being A LOT. I was still full from our brunch veggie plate and the bubble tea we had later that afternoon, so I was glad mine was pretty small ish.
One of Jess' friends had an art show this evening and we were planning on going there, but we were still kinda dead from last night and we basically spent all of today in the heat and the sun and right now as I'm sitting in bed I'm super happy I can just pass out in a bit, lol.
Today is Aboriginal day here and the Indigenous Art Festival at Fork York (historic site) started today, so we're headed over there tomorrow. I should look for some veggie food close by there.