Of all the days to arrive in Canada as an America, yesterday was pretty low on the list. Last night, for the first time in 50 years, the United States beat the Canadians in a men’s Olympic hockey game. In case you didn’t know, Canada IS hockey. Hockey to Canada is like honey to Winnie the Pooh. It’s the equivalent of Canada beating the United States in baseball.
Despite the empty threats, my boyfriend’s family didn’t make my dog and I – the lone Americans – sleep in the shed. Since it is cold as balls (and forecasted to snow five out the next six days), I’m glad they didn’t pin the American victory on me.
Meanwhile, in another week, I’ll be off to my temporary residence in a glitzy area of Toronto called Yorkville. Of the six apartments that I’ve rented in Toronto, all but two were in different neighborhoods: Queen West, College Park, the Entertainment District, the Gay Village and now Yorkville. Each neighborhood is like a city in and of itself, complete with its own culture, vibe and energy.
On a related note, I have never been to Toronto during the winter. It is much grayer than I imagined; the sky, trees, dwellings, roads and open spaces all seem to have a filter of desaturation. It’s as though someone photoshopped all the vibrant colors out of the surrounding city and replaced them with duller hues. It is beautiful scene in its own rite, but quite different from the sparkling summertime Toronto that I know so well. Perhaps I will be discovering a new city after all.
More to come as I get settled in!
February 22, 2010 at 8:10 am
And, being so close to Canada, I know the drab, gray weather you are talking about!! It can really bring you down if you don’t have the knowledge to know how to circumvent that kind of low feeling.
Now, I live in sunny Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Here’s a video i made at the beach yesterday!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mqUDXLEP3Pw
February 22, 2010 at 8:14 am
It snowed so much this morning and it’s still snowing!
I hope you enjoy your winter here! <3
Today really was a terrible day for you to come to Canada.
February 22, 2010 at 8:30 am
I lived in an apartment over a store at 120 Yorkville Ave in the late 60′s while at University (yes I’m ancient).
In many ways, Yorkville in the 60s was the Canadian counterpart to Greenwich Village and Haight-Ashbury.
The Riverboat, Canada’s most famous coffee house of the time, was in its prime when Yorkville was the “music mecca of Canada”. That was when Gordon Lightfoot, Joni Mitchell, Neil Young and Murray McLauchlan and Sal Mineo haunted the nightclubs on the street and hippies were abundant. Many exciting experiences.
February 22, 2010 at 9:44 am
That is a really pretty picture. You’re fortunate to be able to experience different places — I look forward to hearing all about it!
And yeah — I was born in Detroit, right across the river, and the hockey thing is pretty strong there, too, especially since we (the Red Wings) are like, you know, the Yankees of hockey. I’m not big into sports, but I can definitely get into pretty boys on ice. =)
February 22, 2010 at 9:49 am
Well im glad you made it safe Mr Wavey!!! I so have plans for canada this year and im super excited!!
February 22, 2010 at 9:53 am
winter is reality in T.O.if youre looking for something like summer-try May.the wait is worth it.as far as hockey-its THE life of the land.when a loss ensues-its a virtual funeral going on.if you heard anything of trashtalk the last week-you wont hear that going on-team has no bye in tournament-and its now four consecutive victories in a row-one tall order.in Canada-there really are two seasons-hockey-and two weeks of summer.
February 22, 2010 at 10:07 am
Two thumbs up USA!!!!
February 22, 2010 at 10:08 am
Hockey!!! lets get the gold!!!
February 22, 2010 at 1:56 pm
YES lets go for the gold…
As I was watching last night, was thinking about David going into the heart of hockey country. The Canadians take their hockey VERY seriously!
February 23, 2010 at 11:10 am
seems like the Americans also taking their hockey seriously also
February 22, 2010 at 9:12 pm
Them’s fighting words!!! Canada will win the next 4 in a row for the gold!!
February 23, 2010 at 9:52 am
today-tuesday-Canada will take on Germany-ice hockey war on ice.by this evening-Canada-will prevail.Germany has a good fundamental game-for two periods-Canada will wear them out-German team knows this-then Canada-will have to play Russia-maybe different story.
February 22, 2010 at 10:59 am
Davey, I saw your pictures in an email from DNA magazine. You certainly made a splash while you were over there. Thank you for all that you do for all your readers and blog buddies (me included…). Let me know when your tired of the northern winters and are coming down to Florida. It seems like it’s nothing but Canadians down here at this point in the year.
February 23, 2010 at 9:59 am
Snowbirds-if it wasnt for Canada Snowbirds-Florida woulve been broke years ago.More Maple Leaf flags flying high than Stars and Stripes.yeah-Florida-is Canada South.also explains why Florida has two NHL-Hockey Teams.
February 22, 2010 at 11:35 am
Hi Davey,
Glad you made it safe and soundly. Stay warm and safe and I look forward to seeing all that comes to fruition during your stay in Canada.
Be well,
Chris
February 22, 2010 at 12:28 pm
Welcome to Toronto, Davey! Not all of us are “Hockey fans”. I’ve never watched a game and I am a Canadian.
Yorkville is a cool area with lots of “high-end” shops (save your money) and even more bravado. Enjoy your stay! Peace-Don
February 22, 2010 at 1:02 pm
Cold . . . Cold . . . COLD?
Davey . . . what are you talking about? It’s not cold at all compared to places in the Excited States. Toronto is having an amazing winter (if your’re not crazy about snow). Generally it’s been an unusually mild winter and there’s been very little snow (though I understand we may get a few centimeters this afternoon)
Welcome back to T.O. You will enjoy Yorkville but it’s very expensive. I was at Whole Foods on Saturday and noticed a tube of calendula gel that was 5 dollars more expensive than in other stores. You’ll have to find a cheaper place to shop.
Have a great winter. Go skating in front of City Hall, go tobogganing down some of the great hills (when we get some snow) or just stay warm in the underground city.
Ciao, David
February 23, 2010 at 10:08 am
at Whole Foods-Asparagus-even in season in Northamerica-is three times the price than Loblaws or another supermarket chain.plus Whole Foods CEO-works against Healthcare reform in the States-have you heard of Whole Foods boycotts?Yorkville is pricey-thats why when im in T.O.-i stay in Greektown.it really doesnt matter where in town you stay-TTC-Ride The Rocket-safe clean and the way to go.
February 22, 2010 at 1:18 pm
You will be right near a restaurant called “Jacque’s Omelletes”. Not so cheap but they have a couple of terrific waiters that are worth visiting the place just to see and chat with. Also some of their food is really very good. The lemon tarte is worth a visit. ( too much white sugar and flour, but very good nonetheless!)
Also, on the west side of Avenue Road — how’s that for redundant? — is the beginning of the Annex. A cool neighbourhood. Not sure where it ends exactly but it has some of the nicest areas in the city. Beginning with the ‘tony’ area near Yorkville with big old houses and slowly descending into a more working class area farther west and south of Bloor Street. The University of Toronto is near as well which is a great place to walk through. Check out the various colleges especially Trinity, which is beautiful and boast all sorts of interesting coats of arms dotted around the place.
This will bring you closer to Harbord Street. Some great restaurants — try “Olive and Lemon” and “Harbord Fish & Chips”. Continue west and south and you will be on College Street. One of the Little Italy’s that we have in TO. “Bar Italia”, “The Diplomatico” (The Dip), “Gatto Nero”. GN has great coffee, a regular good staff and a regular neighbourhood clientele of artist, film types, actors and regulars that make it a really interesting place to go and read a book or newspaper and hang out. Even the Italians in Canada have the Dolce Vita down to an art.
Next door by about 3, is El Convento Rico. Used to be a great place to go for Latin dancing, drag shows and sometimes food put on gratis. Not sure how it is now, worth a visit though. The Portuguese, Brasilian and Central and South American guys really know how to dance! Lots of fun and
easy on the eyes!
GD
February 23, 2010 at 10:17 am
ive been to all three places in Little Italy-Piccolo Italia-also go to Via Italia-St Clair and Dufferin-northwest T.O.dont forget all the Chinatowns-two-west end Gerrard St East-Ino-Pak Town-Polonia-near Lakeshoe-Roncessvale.Portugal Town just west of Little Italy.
February 22, 2010 at 1:27 pm
We all pretty much have a shadow of accent in the way we say about. Some less and some way more. Those that REALLY have a twang tend to pronounce it the way we say the grain, oats. Try ‘ab-oat’, if you want to capture the uncapturable. Don’t make a meal of it, just brush by it quickly and without opening your mouth too much, as though it is minus 15 and windy. Then add ‘eh’ and really harden your ‘r’ and drop your ‘g’, rise at the end of all sentences but even declarative ones, for no known reason. You’ll be speaking Canadjun in no time.
GD
February 22, 2010 at 1:34 pm
It is greyer this year but as it is El Nino it is much warmer than usual. Often at this time of the year it is very, very bright and very cold. It makes winter bearable. I think we are having what is more typical of March/April weather at the moment, rather than our typical winter. It might be Spring RI by the time you head home but it won’t be nearly Spring up here. Winter or something close to it just drags on and on. But finally there is glorious June to look forward to.
GD
February 22, 2010 at 1:50 pm
$300 a square foot? Thats insane!!!
I hope you have fun :]
XOXO B
February 22, 2010 at 3:33 pm
It sounds like Edinburgh, haha! Glad you had a safe trip! =)
xx
February 22, 2010 at 4:11 pm
I feel your pain, it’s really yucky out there right now. (Funny enough, yesterday was warm and sunny, too bad you missed it!) You’ll probably be here for that first ‘nice’ day of the year, when Torontonians are polite and kind! (it’s part of our spring thaw ritual)
Anyways, welcome back to Toronto, I hope you pack a ray of sunshine with you.
February 22, 2010 at 4:56 pm
Put on some FURRY UNDERWEAR for your Canadian Winter experience. But not BEAVER.
Stay WARM.
February 22, 2010 at 7:20 pm
Yorkville is totally fancy place to live. There is a little grocery store on the corner, but everything is totally overpriced. Anyways, enjoy the ice sculptures
February 22, 2010 at 7:31 pm
hey pro, where you been? dont see you on skype or twitter much.
February 22, 2010 at 9:15 pm
Working at work and working on my relationship with friends too. That takes my time. Sorry, Davide.
February 23, 2010 at 12:27 am
dont be sorry….its cool
February 22, 2010 at 7:49 pm
Hey Davey,
I’ve lived in Canada my whole life with an exception of three years of my childhood in Eugene, Oregon. I can tell you I’m 29 now and still some years those grey days with no color still get to me, lol. The worst is when the sky is a flat grey with no texture for like a month in the coldest dreariest part of the winter. But at least we can always play winter sports every year no exceptions, lol. Some times the best part of those days are when you get home at the end of the day at like 5 and it’s totally dark and you get to cuddle up and watch a movie with someone you love all night go to bed at 10 and you feel like it’s the middle of the night, lol.
Cheers,
Kenneth Livingston
February 22, 2010 at 7:54 pm
I just wanted to say that I am glad you made it safely and in one piece. Making it anywhere in one piece is usually my biggest struggle! Enjoy your time, enjoy your partner, and I look forward to hearing how things are going. Love
February 22, 2010 at 10:01 pm
I can’t help but wonder David how you earn a living, considering how much time you spend zooming around the world. You never mention work or what you do for a living.
February 24, 2010 at 4:22 am
http://www.breaktheillusion.com/?page_id=2
Read the 4th paragraph.
February 23, 2010 at 2:39 am
Have a good journey and a nice experience!
February 23, 2010 at 5:12 am
I love TO in winter as well as summer. There’s always something to do. And you never know what you’re going to get. I’ve been there in winter when it was 25 degrees (C)and experienced snow in mid May.
And since everyone is recommending places to eat. Try Fire on the Eastside on Gloucester at Yonge.
February 23, 2010 at 8:06 am
Now if USA could only beat them in curling…..
February 23, 2010 at 10:25 am
oh yes curling-and Lacrosse too.
February 23, 2010 at 8:13 am
Am a little surprised at you, Davey. Two Writing 101 errors:
1. You used a subjective pronoun when an objective one is required: ” . . . my boyfriend’s family didn’t make my dog and I – the lone Americans – sleep in the shed . . . .” Should be “make my dog and ME.”
2. You used “RITE” when you meant “RIGHT: “It is beautiful scene in its own rite, but quite different from the sparkling summertime Toronto . . .” should be “beautiful scene in its own right . . . .” RITE, as we all know, is a ceremony.
February 24, 2010 at 5:54 am
Awesome, Kit. Now please go to work on MOST television newscasters!
February 23, 2010 at 9:21 am
All of northern Europe, including Paris, has a gray cloud cover for 8-10 months of the year. Ever wondered why they’re obsessed with getting down to sunny Spain?
I believe Canadians have remained thrifty and prudent with money (unlike people in the US) just so they can buy a place in Florida.
February 23, 2010 at 10:27 am
Learn “O’Canada”, pronounce Toronto “Tron-to”, learn to use “eh!” after your questions and you will soon overcome the hockey defeat even if real Canadians won’t.
During the winter, Torontonians spend a lot of time underground in the shopping plazas and in Yorkville bars and restaurants. If you are in the western part of the city, the Living Arts Centre in Mississauga is a great indoor venue for developing one’s craft, attending performances and eating. And, Spring really is coming—we can see hints of it South of Boston.
February 23, 2010 at 11:31 am
I thought you were going to move in with the BF to see aboot living with him wood be like?
Davey, you can pin me any day
Love you, Joey
February 23, 2010 at 12:11 pm
I must have missed something in earlier posts, but I too was under the impression that Davey and Scotty were going to live together in the same apartment; with neiter one being a guest of the other.
I have no idea if Davey and Scotty are meant to be “partners” for some time but I hope both of them can take the risk to move in together. A LD relationship (US-Canada) is one thing, living in the same city & spending time together (at each others apartment?) is another experience.
But moving in together, open to what happens is the real experience and test. Rubbing shoulders every day (in addition to being butt to butt in bed at night, hehe), seeing what happens when the messy guy & organized guy have to deal with what the apartment looks like, seeing how one guy reacts we he wants the bathroom to shave and he sees the other guy naked and bent over the wash basin, a big part of what it’s all about.
When two guys live together (even if will not be as “partners” “forever,”), the degree of openness in their relationship will often be tested when third or fourth guys are in the picture of “domestic” life.
BTW, I’m US and a strong supporter of the Red Wings, but I wish the Canadians would have won the US-Canada gave & that Canada will win the gold. Maybe it’s because Canada and Canadians so wonderful. Or it might be because my family originally came from France (1600s to 1800s) and then to the US, eh?
February 23, 2010 at 4:58 pm
Davey, I’m sure you’ll love being here! It’s gonna take some adjusting to what you’re normally used to but soon enough you’ll love Toronto all year round!! Good to have you north of the border… =D
February 23, 2010 at 10:25 pm
SAD: Seasonal Affective Disorder. The lack of natural light depresses people. Living in Madison, WI, I am getting “stir crazy” from SAD. I experienced the same living in Rochester, NY and in southern NH. I look out the window and see nothing but the end of winter — layers of snow after successive melts, each grundged by salt and sand until they are nearly black. Gray cloudy skies obscuring the sun. But I know that each successive day the Earth orbits closer to the Sun and the days will become warmer and longer and lighter. In Toronto, you may have to wait longer than I will in Madison, but the natural progression of the seasons soon will lift your mood and bring the renewal of Spring.
February 24, 2010 at 3:55 am
Hope you look out your window some time during the night. Since we actually have snow now, it reflects the moonlight really well. It’s one of my favourite things about Winter.
February 24, 2010 at 7:50 am
Welcome home! Hope to run into you on the streets again!
February 28, 2010 at 11:01 am
Oh Davey…I wish I was joining you in the gloomy TO area! I live in gloomy rural Michigan and have always loved any chances to go to Toronto…and, for some reason the only time I am able to come is the Winter…
What makes it so appealing to me…besides all of the hustle & bustle…is the diversity of the people and the much more civilized way that people treat each other…(even if they did lose at hockey this time
Enjoy it while you can…I hope to join you someday!
Peace Out,
Ron