Summer in Toronto

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I arrived in Toronto during the summer of 2006. But with all the adjustments that I had to go through, I failed to enjoy what this season had to offer. The only thing I remember during my first summer in Toronto was the incredible heat. For the longest time, I thought Canada was a country unfamiliar to heat; all I know about it was that it is forever cold, somewhat like Alaska or the North Pole (it is near the North Pole compared to the Philippines where I came from). So, little innocent me couldn’t believe it when I had to endure the hot summer days, which were no different from the Philippines’. It is scorching hot during the day, which is longer than my homeland. The sun diligently rises at 5am – or earlier, would you believe – and sets at 9pm, or later. Crazy, huh? And in its hottest, temperature can rise up to 38 degrees or higher. Summer is still starting, and we’ve already had days when the temp got as high as 32 (add humidity to that). I don’t even want to think about middle of summer, I’m already suffering!

Picnic area at Centre Island.
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But, after my first winter, I finally see why Canadians love the summer (although I like spring best… except that it seems we have an overpopulation of worms during this time of the year…they’re everywhere… on the ground, on the trees… everywhere!). Summer came early this year, I was told. It wasn’t officially summer yet (it starts officially on the 21^st of June), and people are already out in the streets in their summer clothes, going to the beach to play volleyball, soak in the sun, going to the park for barbecue, etc. People find a lot of reasons to go out during the summer. If you happen to be in Toronto during this time, here are some suggested activities – wholesome ones, which doesn’t involve extreme baring of skin :D

Children's rides at the back, at Centre Island.
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1. Go on a tour boat around Centre Island and learn interesting facts about the capital of Ontario. Or you can go to Centre Island via ferryboat for as cheap as $5.00. It is a great place for family outing, especially families with small children. There are rides for small children, a small pet farm, plenty of room for biking and barbecuing.

2. Pig out at the Taste of the Danforth (usually held on the second week of August). Danforth is known as the Greek community. Every year, they close off a portion of the street for the event, where people go there to pig out on Greek food (although, I saw some Chinese, Italian, and cuisines from other countries there last year), listen to good music, or just experience being squished by the crowd. The place actually reminds me of Ylaya Street in Divisoria during Christmas.

My cousin, Menchie, posing in front of a hippobus. It's a tour bus that takes tourists around downtown Toronto and the bay of Lake Ontario. Haven't tried it, though. Should be interesting.
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3. Visit six of Toronto’s tourist attractions for one price. Purchase a city pass for $56.10 and you’ll get to see the Royal Ontario Museum, Ontario Science Centre, Toronto Zoo, Casa Loma, Hockey Hall of Fame and the world-known CN Tower.

Those are just some of the things you can do. But one of my favorite activities is going to the park with a blanket, a good book, and an apple for a day of relaxation. My favorite places are ET Seton Park, a few steps from my apartment building at Thorncliffe, and Ashbridges Bay, which is part of what we call the Woodbine Beaches. Carefully pick your spot, though, cuz you never know if you’re lying on a bed of bird poop. Canadian geese are nice to look at, but each can produce about 1kg of poop a day… and they’re all over the place!!!… No kidding. And if you’re lucky to avoid the bird poop, you may not be as lucky in avoiding squirrel poop. They’re all over the place, too. :D

Behind is the steep descent to Seton Park. With my housemate, Ate Nalda.
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Recently, I revived one of my simple joys: biking. There’s this neat bike area near our place that runs from ET Seton Park to Edwards Garden. You can go further if you want, but I haven’t gotten past Edwards Garden yet. It is a 5km bike ride from Seton Park which takes you through wooded bike paths and winding rough roads. From Seton Park, there’s also a route that would take a biker to Victoria Park (eastern part of Toronto), which is 5kms away, and Lakeshore Boulevard (southern part of Toronto). Will try these two another day. I actually attempted the route to Victoria Park today, but only got as far as Taylor Creek Park (about 1km from Seton). At 7pm, it’s not inviting for a solo rider like me. So I turned around and took the path to Edwards Garden, instead.

Hungry? There are wild berries to enjoy at Seton Park. Matamis pa :D
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I almost forgot how exhilarating biking is. I feel a lot healthier since I started biking again. Once I started, I couldn’t resist the thought of the wind slapping my face (along with pesky insects) as I speed through bike pathways. Of course, being a nature buff, I enjoy the view along the way: acres of manicured grass inviting one to sit a while, wooded areas providing cool shade from the sun, and flowing streams which makes one think of stopping to cool off. And I also noticed that people I meet along the way are all nice. Perhaps, when you’re doing what you love doing, you are more cheerful… more friendly (or is it friendlier? :D)

Bikers may rest awhile in benches placed along bike paths.
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These thoughts alone make me love summer days even more. And it’s just starting. I plan to take full advantage of it because, as what I have already discovered in Canada, seasons don’t last long enough, especially summer.