One Day in Toronto - Part 1

It was a sunny morning on Sunday, which was suitable for a short day trip to downtown Toronto. I woke up at about 8 AM. I started to prepare myself because I was going to meet my friend and her relatives, a Vietnamese-Chinese family. They have been in Toronto for years, so this was a good chance to know more about this city. Actually, they did help me a lot, and I was very appreciative of their kindness. 

I didn't know much about traffics or transport systems, for I have just been here for 2 weeks. However, thanks to TTC maps, I am able to get around. Without them I might lost for years. Whenever I am going to a new place, I always look for a map. A normal person can not get lost with this guiding, and the same goes for meI. By following it, I took the bus number 165 from my house to go to Wilson Station. Then, I continued to take YUS subway heading south to Spadina station. I had to watch carefully because it is easy to take the right train in the wrong direction.

1 hour later, I met my friend and her family at Spadiana station. We nearly lost each other because this station is very big, and this is also the first time we have come to this place. After meeting and greeting, we got on the light rail streetcar, number 510, to go China Town. We got off at the intersection between Dundas and Spadina street. 

This place is usually very crowded with a bunch of people and services such as hair salons, restaurants (both Vietnamese and Chinese), markets, etc. Of course, downtown is always an attractive place for students who want to look for a job (waiters, waitresses and nail technicians) during their studying. Moreover, there is also a Muslim area nearby. The ideal situation was to spend the weekend out all day. Being out, I am able to appreciate Toronto high pace atmosphere.

At last, we finally reached the Eaton Center, the largest mall in downtown Toronto. This place is really huge with a lots of activities inside and outside. There are always some buskers who entertain on the street or some street preachers. It seems that people have the right to speak out their thoughts or do whatever they want if it is not a crime or involves physical or mental effects on others. Inside the Eaton Mall, it is not really as big as people say, in my opinion. However, this place truly has a lots of interesting stores that I may consider when there is a sale.

After going around the Eaton Mall a few hours, my friend's aunt bought for us two cups of cappuccino at Starbucks. We really wanted to try Starbucks in order to compare it to the one in Vietnam. There is only one Starbucks store in Ho Chi Minh City. The result turned out to be nothing. We couldn't tell the difference between them. What a joke!

The time was nearly 6 PM, and my friends had to go back home. We separated at the same station where we first met, Spadina station. The only difference in Toronto in comparison with Vietnam is the sun usually sets around 7 PM, so there was till time for me to walk around. Therefore, I decided to visit Casa Loma (Spanish for Hill House) which is a Gothic Revival style house and gardens in midtown Toronto. It is now a museum and landmark. I really loved this one because of its environment and landscape, especially in winter time. It made me think that I was in Medieval European not in Modern Toronto.

Finally, after a long day of walking around downtown, I got back home about 9 PM. It was enough for a short trip around the city full of fun and new experiences.