Living the dream (First post)

So when I left Australia a friend gave me their copy of The Motorcycle Diaries . I've only read about half of it but I'm kinda loving it ...

I would like to acknowledge Michael from East York in Toronto, Ontario for really stressing to me how important it was that I write all this down as I am literally doing what many people my age and older wish they were doing . I would also like to acknowledge Merline who just before Michael pointed out how much of a luxury travel is ...

So today I would like to talk about the day I met these two delightful people!

Not sure if the photos will post ...

So it was Saturday. I looked up online free events in Toronto and found an event that I thought was live music at a place called the Cabana Pool Bar. It wasn't free ! Or should I say it was free for women before 4pm, I joked that I should have come in drag and the bouncer said "if you were hot enough !" O M G what is this 1990 ,!??

I was floored! Anyway it was starting to rain heavy and I could not be asked to ride in it again so I paid the $30 and went in . I should point out that this was a side entrance as the main entrance was reserved for "bottle tables" . I soon realized what that meant . ..

I went inside and was doing ushered away from the nice tables and chairs under cover to exposed tables with umbrellas not covering the tables . I moved one to create a covered side at least and saw that the reserved tables had ice buckets. 🪣 The idea was these were for buying bottles of spirits . Therefore their were kind of "VIPs" who probably spent a minimum of $100 for the privilege and most likely imbibed huge amounts of alcohol . I needed a medieval claymore to cut through the pretence but I was trapped at least until the rain eased ...

I had some oddly good overpriced sushi and a frozen margarita both of which had a tip inbuilt with the purchase on the EFTPOS. No way to say no either . As an Australian I find this deeply offensive as I don't know the food, drink or service is any good yet and they want a tip! Crikey !

Anyway the beautiful people walked by and the staff were polite to me even though I was not a VIP bottle tabler. After about 90 mins the sun came out and I felt that the best value for my $30 cover charge was to leave . LOMO !! Oh I forgot to add that parking was $30 even for a 🛵 bike so I parked on the pavement not in any way blocking foot traffic. Thankfully I was but fined!! More importantly my bike did not fall over as it was in a rakish angle due to a tree root warping the pavement ...

I decided I wanted to see a lighthouse. It was raining lightly and I was not enjoying being wet on the motorcycle in moderate Toronto traffic . Nekkminid I'm following my gps and it takes me to a vehicular ferry which will cost $15 plus a parking charge on the other side .

The last time I hopped on a ferry to an Island was Japan to the island of deer off 🦌 Hiroshima. It was almost dark and it was raining then too. I decided that as positive as that experience was this was not good use of my budget today so I looked up the nearest gallery .

It was the Baffin Inuit Art Gallery. I was back on the bike and there within 15 mins. Now remember this is a Saturday so I was not sure if they'd be open . I was delighted at the sign and had to knock hard and try my luck!

My luck 🍀 was good! Merline opened the door and I perused the beautiful stone artworks within . One even made it whale 🐳 bone. Merline was here working on some paperwork so I was fortunate to catch her and had to buy some lower priced works. My budget and space  didn't allow me to get anything too fancy but I was happy with what I got ! She pointed out as aforementioned that travel is a real privilege and it's good to be reminded . We both discussed how travel helps one realise that really underneath it all we are all the same !!

Merline then told me about the free blues festival in East York and that TIFF is open all year showing films!

Both ended up being excellent recommendations .

I love TIFF films when I see them in Australia so it was marvellous to see the cinemas ! But I am out of chronology here. First was the east york blues festival and it was quite small however four portaloos were not enough !! The music was great and I was pleased to see rotary running stalls for kids and food as carried as : donuts, tibetan momos, African, fried chicken, hot dogs, ice cream and hine made ginger drinks !! Yum !!

I met Michael who informed me that this was not even as busy as weekly Tuesday farmers market . I was impressed nonetheless and he told me that I must write my experiences : so I am !!

Michael was here with his dog who was very friendly. There was a beautifully dressed woman wearing a hair net and  her with her partner wearing a beret. The place had a great vibe and rotary also sold the drinks to raise funds for their work .

The day really improved from the shaky start! I was now undercover for another light shower before taking off after the last song to catch the 9:30pm session of Tank Girl including a video message from Rachel Talalay the visionary director of said film .

Most of the film stands up to today's standards. A few of the scenes had harassment themes that don't float too well today but good to analyze in the time frame the film was released . Inherently a feminist tale Talalay points out that she thought was going to smash the glass ceiling with the film only to be crushed like a bug under execs who gave it and R eating to prevent it corrupting girls . Watch it asap and with  your daughters is my advice !!

I've come to realise the best way to avoid traffic is to leave town as late as possible !