Ottawa/Toronto twenty-ten! ;)

[bee_york]

It's time for a picture post! Of Canada Day in Ottawa and the following day and a half in Toronto. XD



Mike chilling on the terrace on Sparks street we started off at...even for Canada Day it was much busier than usual, it took over an hour to get served. O_o We guess it was because the Queen was in town (and no, we didn't see her).


In front of Zaphod's! For fellow geeks who *aren't* in the know, there's a bar in Ottawa named after Zaphod Beeblebrox, a very crazy (and funny) character in Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy. The whole bar is HGttG-themed.


You can even buy a Pangalactic Gargleblaster, so of course we did!


For some reason, it tasted much better than either of us remember it tasting.


Lately all good bars come with retro arcades. Notice the funny face from the Hitchhiker's Guide on the door. XD


I was completely wasted by this point, and kept trying to take pictures of my GLORIOUS, GLORIOUS OCEANIC BAG. <33333


Now, TORONTO!

Driving in from the highway...soooo impressive-looking! :O


Kensington Market! This place is so awesome I don't even know how to begin to describe it. Just shitloads of retro-clothes and hippie stores and Japanese/Hong Kong goodies shops, even a store with rip-off Lolita dresses, a bunch of little cafes, a Japanese bakery, and tons of little markets with food from various countries. It's AWESOME.


Here's a photo of me in front one of the many clothes store...just to get an idea of a tiny bit of the crazy artsy randomness around there. Sadly this photo doesn't do it justice at all!


Chinatowwwwnnnnnn....I remember Chinatown from when I came here in high school (with Mike!).


FRINGE!!! We had been walking for an HOUR looking for the Fringe fest, and when we came across this sign I got so excited, I can't even tell you!


Toronto's Fringe Tent (well, from far away! lol)


This is where we met up with Tali and Bruce. ^_^


Me and Mike at the tent. :)


Before we left Toronto, we had to at least stop by the Eaton Center. This is what's across the street from the Eaton Center, and one of the many, many reasons Toronto reminds me of New York. Why can't Montreal have crazy lit-up places like this?!? ;_;


I hope to go back and explore very soon. :) It probably won't be for awhile, but I'm gonna try to return soon anyway!

Comments

[sabatoa.livejournal.com]

Great pics! I'm lovin the Oceanic bag, that's a nice score.

I'm impressed with the skyline view from the highway coming into TO. I'm looking forward to visiting there and making my own comparisons.

[bee-york.livejournal.com]

I absolutely ADORE Toronto. I'd probably feel very differently about it if I lived there, but each and every time I visit I have so much fun, it's ridiculous. I have no idea why so many people hate it so much. It's like, a mini Canadian New York! :D

[dzuunmod.livejournal.com]

This guy (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peter_Ustinov) once described Toronto as "New York run by the Swiss". I think it's a fair comparison in that it's a big metropolis with all the media and high finance and fancy shops you'd expect, but it's way more orderly, less dangerous and things are more efficient.

[bee-york.livejournal.com]

"New York run by the Swiss". Oooh, I like that!

[sabatoa.livejournal.com]

"Less dangerous"

*sighs*

Sure New York's crime rate is probably higher than TO but it's the safest big city in the USA. I hate that people think it's dangerous...or maybe I should like that.

[dzuunmod.livejournal.com]

Sure, but it is less dangerous. Like, objectively speaking. I'm not saying just it to rag on New York City, I'm saying it because it's true! The murder rate in Toronto in 2008 was fully half the murder rate in 2008 in NYC. That's significant.

[sabatoa.livejournal.com]

Can I get a link? (I know, the one time you dont offer one. haha)

[dzuunmod.livejournal.com]

Oops! 2007, I was wrong: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crime_in_Toronto

And it's 6.3 (per 100,000 people) in NYC versus 3.3 (per 100,000) in Toronto.

I was just skimming statistics and misread a couple things I guess. But the basics hold up.

[dzuunmod.livejournal.com]

You might also be interested in this (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crime_in_Canada#United_States), which explains that although violent crime rates are a fair bit higher in the US, overall crime rates are comparable; property crimes are higher in Canada.

[sabatoa.livejournal.com]

I find the bit about auto thefts interesting because I notice that those crimes seemed higher in Calgary than I am used to seeing.

Saskatoon and Regina though! What's going on in the SK?

Lori never mentioned anything about 'toon being dangerous. She's lived there.

[dzuunmod.livejournal.com]

http://www41.statcan.ca/2006/2693/ceb2693_002-eng.htm

[sabatoa.livejournal.com]

Wow that absolutely comfirms the analogy that I gave my sister regarding natives.

I was explaining to her that native issues in Canada are very similar to the issues facing black Americans.

[dzuunmod.livejournal.com]

There are similarities for sure, I'd say, but also probably a lot points where the stories of the two groups are totally different.

(Sorry for the digression, Marina!)

[sabatoa.livejournal.com]

well yeah, that kinda goes without saying.

The subject came up when I was explaining to her that terms that are accepted here aren't up there because aboriginal groups are more activist and have a louder voice..which lead to WHY they are like that and blah blah blah.

[dzuunmod.livejournal.com]

Gotcha. I'd say they're similar in one big way, at least: I don't think you'd find many Canadians who would argue that the way FN were treated for decades or more here isn't the biggest shame in the country's history, same as blacks with the US.

Fair?

[sabatoa.livejournal.com]

I think many would also argue that this very mistreatment has helped create some of the problems facing both groups today.

[dzuunmod.livejournal.com]

Oh, of course.

[sabatoa.livejournal.com]

And another thing, let's not forget that the U.S. Government hasn't been a darling when it came to the "Native issue" either.

The sad fact is that because slavery was so egregious, THAT became our national shame even though *I think* we were as bad to the aboriginal population as Canada was.

[sourdick.livejournal.com]

Pretty sure our biggest shame is Don Cherry???

[bee-york.livejournal.com]

LMAO!

[bee-york.livejournal.com]

Haha, don't apologize! I don't get notifications in my e-mail so it doesn't bother me. Go nuts!

[dzuunmod.livejournal.com]

Great pics. They make me miss you guys so much. I can't emphasize that enough.

[bee-york.livejournal.com]

Awwww! And WE MISS YOU TOOOOO. Sooooo much ahshskjhdjkahjkjshj

You've spent quite a few Canada Days with us, too. ;____;

[lostsailors.livejournal.com]

What a cutie! These are great photos. I would love to go to Canada sometime.

[bee-york.livejournal.com]

Aw, thanks!
And YES, come to Canada! Come to Montreal, it's the best part (*cough* biased Monteealer *cough cough* LOL) and I'll show you around. :D :D :D

[sourdick.livejournal.com]

I'm going to buy all your male friends Schick Quattro's for Christmas.

[bee-york.livejournal.com]

I don't know what that is. :(

[sourdick.livejournal.com]

[bee-york.livejournal.com]

Never mind the men. *I* need one of those. Do you know what it's like being Greek?!? I HAVE TO SHAVE MY LEGS EVERY FRAKKING DAY. Arghhhh. >:(

[sourdick.livejournal.com]

ew~

[bee-york.livejournal.com]

hahahahah you have no idea how frustrating it is :P

[sourdick.livejournal.com]

Why can't Montreal have crazy lit-up places like this?!? ;_;

Because theres no real "central point" to Montreal with a ton of foot traffic. Peel and Ste Catherine? Maybe. Place des Spectacles? It might be there, now. We'll see as the next few years pan out.

Maybe across from the Bay, if they fixed that area up and got rid of the weirdo who sells apples and maple syrup lollipops~

[bee-york.livejournal.com]

Hey, that's a good point! It would be cool anyway....just stick big screens everywhere! (lol because it would be THAT EASY and cheap! :P)

I'm just a sucker for places like NYC and Tokyo...I'm like a moth, I'm attracted to lights and follow them mindlessly.

[getoutofmyband.livejournal.com]

The last picture reminds me of Tokyo. ^_^

[bee-york.livejournal.com]

Me too! :)

[oo-maya-oo.livejournal.com]

Gorgeous pics! Love the red lipstick! :D

[bee-york.livejournal.com]

Awww, thanks!

[placidian.livejournal.com]

I always say this, but I love a good photo post! And you are having so much fun, ooh I miss being in a city with a walkable downtown. Houston is all.about.the.car.

And that Oceanic bag, that is pure genius! :D

[bee-york.livejournal.com]

Aw man, Houston...I remember riding some kind of like, above-ground metro while I was there.

Isn't the Oceanic bag awesome?! There is so much awesome Lost things you can buy online, I feel dizzy just thinking about it. XD