We are sitting in Union Station waiting for our train. Thought it would be a good opportunity to recap today. After breakfast, we gathered our carry-ons and headed for the bus. A local guide, Bruce, boarded the bus and conducted the tour around Toronto. He was very knowledgeable and fun. Our first stop was the Distillery District which had fallen into rot and ruin. About 20 years ago, Toronto looked at the very seedy area and realized that it was an area close to downtown which was rich for development. Now it sports eating places, shops, space for festivals, and residences. After more touring, we ended up at the Royal Ontario Museum. A docent showed us some highlights and then we had lunch. Chuck and I were the last two through the line. “Do you want tuna salad or tuna salad?” We had tuna salad.
The five of us boarded the Hop On Hop Off bus and took it to the harbor. A boat ride was included with the Hop On Hop Off ticket. It was a lovely day and perfect for a 45 minute ride around the harbor. Back on Hop On Hop Off to the next stop and then we walked to the restaurant where we were having dinner. Enjoyed a pre-dinner glass of wine sitting in the sidewalk cafe. Dinner was good. The dessert was a lemon sponge cake that was delicious. We walked it off when we walked to Union Station.
Today’s learnings. Toronto grows by 500 people a day. The population is very young which really hits us when we look around and realize that we are the oldest people in a restaurant, in a shop, on the bus, etc. The Blacks who immigrated from the US were accepted because they were Protestants. A Black family started and operated the first taxi company in Toronto. Irish Catholics were not accepted because they were Catholics! They were discriminated in a fashion similar to the Black sitatuaion in the US. Toronto experienced such dramatic growth because Montreal (Quebec) made it clear that French was the language. Businesses and corporate offices moved to Toronto because they preferred English. All aboard. Gotta go.
The five of us boarded the Hop On Hop Off bus and took it to the harbor. A boat ride was included with the Hop On Hop Off ticket. It was a lovely day and perfect for a 45 minute ride around the harbor. Back on Hop On Hop Off to the next stop and then we walked to the restaurant where we were having dinner. Enjoyed a pre-dinner glass of wine sitting in the sidewalk cafe. Dinner was good. The dessert was a lemon sponge cake that was delicious. We walked it off when we walked to Union Station.
Today’s learnings. Toronto grows by 500 people a day. The population is very young which really hits us when we look around and realize that we are the oldest people in a restaurant, in a shop, on the bus, etc. The Blacks who immigrated from the US were accepted because they were Protestants. A Black family started and operated the first taxi company in Toronto. Irish Catholics were not accepted because they were Catholics! They were discriminated in a fashion similar to the Black sitatuaion in the US. Toronto experienced such dramatic growth because Montreal (Quebec) made it clear that French was the language. Businesses and corporate offices moved to Toronto because they preferred English. All aboard. Gotta go.
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