Downtown Holiday Walk
On Friday, I met my dad and brother downtown so that we could take in some of the holiday sights. After having a very nice lunch at Harvey’s, we went out in search of some holiday cheer (e.g. cool Christmasy type stuff).
We started off at the Eaton Centre. I had actually been there the week before (where a friend took some photos), so I only snapped a couple of pics:
Sadly, I really didn’t do the Eaton Centre tree justice.
The lights are much brighter and prettier in person.
This is how the Christmas tree should look, even with me in the shot. *g*
My brother standing under a lighted archway outside the Eaton Centre
The three of us next headed for the Hudson’s Bay holiday windows. I wish my pictures were better. Again, they don’t do justice to the window displays, which all had moving parts. My brother was smart enough to shoot videos of all of the displays, and I think that was much more effective. Anywaaaaay, here are my pictures, such as they are:
My brother hogging the spotlight again. *g*
After seeing the holiday window displays, we walked to Nathan Phillips Square to check out the Holiday Fair. My dad wasn’t sure how many booths might be open before 4:00 pm, but we decided to go since we were already practically there. I’d say it was worth the visit:
While I didn’t get any pictures of my dad (who’s more camera shy than I am), I can
offer some commentary. He thought that this was the worst steam locomotive he’d
ever seen. He said there was no way it could ever run. Then he insisted that I look
inside. After glancing at the firebox, I had to admit that he had a point.
It was probably my own fault for taking a picture of him, but Santa started waving at
me in a way that I found rather creepy. My dad said, “He’s waving at you. I think he wants
you to go over.” I flatly refused, saying that Santa seemed kind of pervy. I’m sure that
was an unfair assessment and just some latent fear of Santa bubbling to the surface.
B beside the conjoined Christmas trees. Okay, we’re not actually sure if
these trees are conjoined or if they were just packed in really tightly together.
I’m choosing to believe that they’re conjoined because logic is really overrated.
Nathan Phillips Square skating rink with Old City Hall in the background
Toronto sign - holiday edition!
We hadn’t planned to visit the Commerce Court plaza, but my dad caught sight of the elephant as we passed and seemed transfixed by it. I suggested that we take a closer look. I had seen Tembo, Mother of Elephants twice before, so I knew about the sculpture. What took me by surprise were the beautiful silver trees. I stupidly didn’t take a picture of the elephant sculpture because I thought I had a photo of it already, but I totally went to town with the silver trees. I’ll be merciful and just share two of my pictures:
Our final destination was the Royal York. My dad had heard that there was a giant gingerbread house inside of the hotel, so we had to go there:
The gingerbread house
See? It really is made of gingerbread.
Crossposted at https://rusty-armour.dreamwidth.org/182247.html