Canada Day in Toronto

What better way to celebrate Canada Day than to leave Ottawa and the melee of parliament hill behind, to visit Toronto where everyone was watching soccer.
I think there were some fireworks somewhere, but I didn't see them. Instead I got to eat gelato on College Street at 10 pm with my favourite Canadian, my brother.

Sorry Graz, about the England loss. My Spaniards lost already against France. True underdogs after all. I'll have to hope for them again next time.

Someone said Toronto is the best place in Canada to watch the World Cup. No matter what teams are playing on any given day, there's bound to be a couple of neighbourhoods where you can join the excitement. My friend S. who loves Japan, went to some Ukrainian restaurant to watch one of the Japan games, where a Japanese student had organized a party. S. said it was a blast. S. and D. also caught the Brazil-France quarterfinal somewhere where numerous Brazillians had also gathered. It didn't turn out well as we know though.

But on Saturday July 1, the Portuguese Canadians were happily honking horns and waving flags all evening.

Happy Canada Day.

Sunday, I had brunch at Mitzi's Sister previously recommended by the Toronto Brunch Association. An excellent scrambled egg with smoked salmon and dill. Mmmm. Then off to Kensington Market where someone set up a sod car (sorry I wish I had a camera). The car is engine removed, dirt and plants inserted. Sort of an environmental statement. The guys were watering it. Kensington is unfortunately a smelly neighbourhood, from all the food stores and stalls, and I guess the garbage pickup just doesn't keep up with the demand. But what a lovely lively place.

For dinner we headed to Bloor West to the terrific Japanese place New Generation. Sushi, tempura, etc etc. More yummm.

Back to clean quiet Ottawa. Plants on the balcony still alive, thanks to a weekend watering from a kind relative.