Planning ahead...

Somewhere between July 9 and August 1, I plan to be in Canada....again. I want to start off in Vancouver for 4-5 days and then, fly to Toronto with excursions to various spots -St. Catherine's (UGRR site- it's near Niagara Falls), Montreal day trip (to experience a taste of French culture...but just a bite cause I don't speak French ), Gore's Landing/Rice Lake to commune with nature, learn about First Nations culture and write poetry by the lake, Stratford day trip (to see Romeo & Juliet or some other Willy Shakes' production), Owen Sound (last stop on the UGRR...it's way north so this may not happen) and last but not least, Hamilton to see the Spencer Gorge and Webster Falls (i hope i wrote that right...one is a gorge and one is a falls...i always mix the 2 up). Of course, while there, I have to kick it on the islands and at the harbour for some international music....don't know if I wanna do Caribana again...it was expensive and okay...not really my flavor...maybe I'm too old to really need more than 1 day of that kind of celebration.

I love anywhere where I can experience nature (not like, camping or anything, but just the quiet, tranquility of trees blowing in the breeze or water crashing against a shore), music and all things cultural.

http://www.torontotourism.com/VisitorGuide/

Yes, I'm still on my T.O. kick....I've posted the latest guide for those of you interested. I'm really looking forward to my trip there again. My first journey was at the Renaissance next to the CN tower, baseball stadium and a hard rock cafe. My 2nd and 3rd journeys was "student style" - I took a midnight Greyhound bus into T.O.....11 hours and stayed in dorms. The 89 Chestnut residence (downtown, 2 blocks from bus station and eaton center). Last year, we were at the ILLC part of Ryerson university...3 blocks (different direction) from eaton center. Both were off Yonge...at the center of the action. close to TTC which was cool. Caribana weekend was jumpin'...you didn't have to do anything but step out onto the street and people watch! Of course, you could tell the rowdy Americans fromeveryone else.

This time around I'm looking for more homestyle digs...condo/apartment type locales. My first choice is in North York about 20 min from downtown, but the building looks nice. I always said I wanted to start venturing out in toronto. I guess this will be my chance. It would def be a step up in terms of cost and venue...a 1bdr deluxe condo unit - washer, dryer, equipped kitchen, furnished, computer and phone access in a building that has an indoor pool. almost seems to good to be true...but I hope it isn't. I hope it's worth the trek on the TTC or in the rental car. If nothing else it will give me an idea of what it's like to live like the natives. Besides, it's close to an outlet mall and a 24hour Dominion grocery store...what can be wrong with that?