Toronto and back

It boggles my mind just how fast we can get from one side of the planet to another. That’s was me in Toronto, and back home.

It was cold. I can’t quite wrap my head around the fact that Toronto is actually south of Glasgow, by almost 12 degrees. When I arrived in Toronto, I found my accommodation, a self-catering studio flat, which was far cheaper than the conference discounted hotels. I quite liked it, although it felt slightly surreal, on the 40th floor of a high rise which is full of apartments. There was a balcony with mine but there is no way in the world I’d go and enjoy the evening sunshine on a 40th floor balcony with no safety features other than insubstantial barrier. I closed the curtains so I didn’t have to see it actually, it made me anxious just to know it was there. I was very tired when I arrived, after a 3:30 am start but I did make myself go to a nearby supermarket for supplies. Coffee and milk and yogurts essentially. I know I would be grateful the following day. I went to bed and watch a crime drama to stay awake until 10 pm because that’s the only way to beat jet lag. I must have fallen asleep for a while because I couldn’t make sense of it. The next day I woke up to a wintery scene, snow falling as if it was winter. There was a blanket of snow on the roofs (miles below) of the adjacent buildings. I was not keen to leave my cosy studio but needs must. I spent a busy morning helping set up the Parasites without Borders (PWB) booth in the exhibitors hall, catching up with Kara, whom I only ever see at conferences. The conference was excellent but also tiring. I enjoyed many relevant scientific sessions, recorded a podcast with a life audience and spent much time at the booth, chatting to people and giving books away (for free). I ate several excellent meals with my PWB and Microbe TV colleagues and made new contacts, too. I had an invite to the ASTMH President's Reception, which was quite something. 

Before starting my short two day, I completed as much marking and writing feedback as possible. Can I just say how much I hate marking? After spending the afternoon in my studio working, I treated myself to an evening entry to the aquarium. I have a soft spot for aquariums and love watching the underwater world go by. For dinner, I picked up a slice of pizza. 

On Friday, I started my mini holiday with a walk towards the "fabric district". I had watched a couple of YouTube videos about fabric shopping in Toronto and had a list of shops I wanted to visit. Because, buying fabric is a separate hobby from making garments and both need to cultivated. I naively assumed shops would open in the morning. Alas, no. Leo's textiles was open but this specialised on silks, too fussy for me, I like fabrics that can go in the washing machine. It was not difficult to resist with prices >£50 per metre. Still, a lovely shop. Because all the local area shops were closed, I walked towards the Bata Shoe Museum, via some interesting neighbourhoods and a yarn shop. EweKnit. I bought a skein of sock yarn because I had walked far and it seemed only right to treat myself. 

I then visited the Bata Shoe Museum, which I loved. Thank you for the recommendation, Jean. I loved Oetzi the iceman shoes (a replica) most of all but the chestnut crusher shoe from France was rather cool, too. 

I returned to my studio via the "fabric district". My hips were killing me and I decided to hop on the tram. The fabric shops I visited were all fabulous but to be honest, overwhelming. There was so much, and so disorderly, without clear labels. I visited Affordable Textiles (two shops), Chu Shing Textiles, MGE textiles and Downtown Fabrics. That last one was closing down and not as stuffed full of bolts and rolls. I found two denims, one dark blue, and red. I spent very little on about 5 metres of good quality denim, maybe £50 (I have yet to check my credit card bill). I then walked towards the studio and stopped by Kings Textiles. What can I say? Equally full of bolts and rolls from floor to ceiling but a salesperson with the most amazing knowledge and memory about the fabrics they stocked. There were clearly labelled areas with linens, wools etc. I bought a short length of grey suiting wool for trousers. I went for Thai food dinner with someone I work with sometimes in the UK. I had an early night, after trying to check-in online, unsuccessfully, just like for the outbound flight. This made me anxious, for good reason because BA put me on stand-by even though I had bought tickets months earlier. They oversold seats... 

On Saturday morning, I packed my suitcase and dropped it off a the train station. I went back to my studio for a final cup of coffee and then checked out. I wanted to explore Kensington Market, which is described as bohemian area with lots of bakeries and niche shops. I thought it was more hippy than bohemian. And what is it with all those overhead cables in North American cities? Don't they bury cabling underground? I just so happened to pass Kings Textiles again and stopped by because I now knew I had a bit of space left in my suitcase. I bought navy merino knit for a thermal top and pink denim. What can I say? Fabric shopping in Toronto is much much cheaper than in the UK and in Glasgow, we don't actually have a proper good fabric shop. 

I then went to the Textile Museum of Canada. I hopped on a tram because it was bucketing down. I had to by an umbrella. The museum was a true gem, thank you Iris for the recommendation. It was very tempting to touch but I did not. Only the touch exhibits. There was a salmon skin garment, which was fabulous and so much more. I wish it was a bit bigger. 

I was glad to see the rain had turned into light drizzle and walked all the way to the Royal Ontario Museum, where I visited the Wildlife Photographer of the Year special exhibition. It was amazing and I wish I had space to buy the substantial book that documented all the photographs. 

I then walked back to Union station, via the Eaton shopping mall because I needed dry socks. I got those at Uniqlo, because it just happened to be the first shop I saw. I had been to the same shopping mall on Sunday past, when I bought new running shoes, which were cheaper than back home. I love the Hoka brand. Eventually, I found my way back to the station, where I collected my suitcase, did some repacking and then went to the airport. It was early but I had enough of being wet. Just as well because at check-in, I found out that BA had oversold seats again, and I was on stand-by once more. This is why I was not able to check-in online. I was not a happy bunny! The guys at check-in had no autonomy to allocate me a seat and had to call London. It took forever but I did get a seat in the end. I didn't even get apology for anxiety caused. 

I am back home now, laundry done, suitcase almost tidied away. I'll try and stay up until about 10 pm to get back into the swing of things. Thanks for visiting 😊