...but this Saturday, it was Toronto, the host of "Nuit Blanche" an all night, city-wide art experience. 140 different sites, food, music, art, art and more art. And did I mention free chocolate? It was originally started in Paris and Toronto sort of just picked up the idea. The rain and cold weather only slightly dampened the fun (and made it good for jumping in puddles) but it was the best evening to be had for fun. And how perfect that Kat was here for it. This event became more or less Part One of her trip to Toronto.
Of course any cold and rainy even must start with a pub visit. Of course, after going to get Shannon (the Australian), our pub visit lasted over three hours. But since the "dynamic duo" were back again, we had to make the best of the situation and tell the most embarrassing stories of each other. But once we'd drained our last pints, we'd decided since the rain had stopped, we'd go out in search of art.
I'm not sure what I liked best. Galleries had their doors open all around town and we wandered in and out staring at several different paintings and had tea. We also ran around U of T seeing screenings at pools and playing around the fog at Philosophers Walk. Where some guy (probably more drunk than us) ran, tripped over the fog machines and went tumbling down the hill. It was as rude as it was funny. And it was pretty funny. There were lots of screenings in the street and some exhibits around. I remember there was someone who put up these panels of people who emailed him artwork and little things. It was really cool.
There was this light up dance floor where Kat and I decided to dance. Shannon stood off all by his lonesome self. We also saw a lot of performance art. There was this long table with beautiful cakes and a woman in Victorian clothes. They were sitting there eating cake for 12 hours. It was all about city opulance and excessiveness. Ouch.
There were also random dancers that dressed as police officers. They hopped out of cars, danced the tango, got back in and drove off. It was brilliant. We saw it probably two or three times. For a while, we hung out at OCAD where there were games and food and we could sit down and stay dry. That's really what counted as it started to rain again.
I also learned what poutine is. Apparently it's like cheese curds and gravy. Canadians like it on their fries. I haven't tried it yet, but when I finally do, I will be sure to share with you if it's any good and exactly what it takes like.
Shannon walked Kat and I home by 6:30am where Kat and I sat up and chatted before passing out sometime after 7am. It was long day for the both of us. Day 2 was spent mostly sleeping and hanging out with my roommates. But finally we got up to grab food at the Eaton Centre (where I had wannabe Chipotle....how I miss you) and then we headed to the CN tower.
It was dark out, so it was amazing to see the city. I was so impressed with how beautiful the city looked. It was fun to just look around and take pictures. I looked down at the buildings and cars and realized that I was a part of the city now. A part of these people's lives in some way. It's incredible to think of it when you're standing up so high and staring down on little buildings. They had once enveloped you and looked so huge and now they are so small. I realized that I belong in Toronto and once again, no matter where I go, I've found myself home.
I'm happy that Kat could be here to see it. I'm just a small girl, with big city dreams. And from up there, anything seemed possible. And my independence saw where it's wings had taken me. I have fought and struggled so hard to get it and it was an affirmation that I've done it all right in the end. More importantly, it proved that I can get the better of my fears.
Monday brought class and then it was time to take Kat to the airport. Sadly, we were delayed on our subway train at the Jane stop. And do you know why? Apparently there was some medical emergency that warrented a 30 minute delay. No one was even carried off in a stretcher. Some emergency. I got Kat on the 192 bus and headed back home. She called me a little later and said she'd missed check in for her flight so they had to put her on a later one. I felt so bad. But of course, it was just another story in our adventure. I missed our adventures. I was happy to have another weekend of them. That meant everything to me.
It made me miss DC in a way. But Kat told me she was happy to see the life I've made for me. There's class that I love--photography is why I get up every morning--and the girls I hang out with who I call the Fab 5. Then there's my roommates who I adore and we have become the Parliament House Family--we drink together, eat together and watch TV together. And then there's even Shannon, who I can count on to go enjoy art with me and get me drunk when I have a shitty day. And so I have an Australian accent to listen to since I no longer have Saturdays at the Equipment Room.
So this weekend has been a success. And now it's on to my week filled with presentations, the George Eastman House and of course the upcoming Canadian Thanksgiving.
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