This is the 10th of a series of posts dealing with my 2024 trip to Eastern Canada. I’ve made minor corrections to these reports (typos, bits I don’t feel like making public). Also, I’ve added additional thoughts with the hindsight of a year later or to add further clarification. These are indicated by “NOW”.
I left the Neill Wycik Hotel and walked to Yonge-Dundas Square, Nathan Phillips Square, and Canada's Walk of Fame. I found that for the latter, the square devoted to itself was uncovered after all. In the area that is covered up, it says in large letters by the fire hydrant "fire hydrant" in case you were wondering what that thing that looks like a fire hydrant was. I also noticed a statue of a dog, rabbit and rhino riding a bike. The oddest part was that the first two are anthropomorphic but the rhino at the front looks more realistic. walked to King Station and got a daypass (all transit today Toronto Transit). I took a 1 train from there to College Station and returned to the hotel for breakfast. Because I was staying there, I was allowed five free items, though only one could be a breakfast sandwich.
[NOW: Yonge-Dundas Square is now Sankofa Square.]
Because I enjoyed the walks the last time I was on Toronto I made my way to Queen St W and walked along it until I reached the Parkdale Hostellerie just off of Queen, getting a Pepsi at Circle K along the way. I walked to Exhibition station and then north on Dufferin to Bloor St. I took a 2 train to Jane Station and visited the comics shop Red Nails II. I took another 2 train to Bloor-Yonge Station and walked along Bloor St E, which became Danforth after the Prince Edward Viaduct. I revisited Re: Reading and Circus Books & Music and then took another 2 train to Main St Station, where I transferred to a 62 bus south to Queen St. E.
[NOW: I didn’t go in the Parkdale Hostellerie, but because I stayed there before I wanted to pass by it.]
I had trouble finding a lunch place or even cheap convenience store food. I headed south and mostly walked west along a wooded path though the various beaches in the area. I eventually changed into swim clothes and dipped in Lake Ontario, which was colder than expected. I relaxed a bit and then walked back to Queen St E. I visited Book City, noticing that streetcars were going east but not west. I got a pizza meal at a Pizza Nova and was looking forward to enjoying hot pizza when I noticed that a 501 streetcar was already at the stop. Not wanting to risk being stuck for half an hour for a later one, I reluctantly caught the streetcar and rode it west.
By the time I got off at Church St it wasn't cold but wasn't hot either. By now it was 3 so I was desperate to just eat. I walked to Church St's Dead Dog Records, ABC Books, and Edward St. BMV; in the latter two locations got comic trades. I went to Yonge-Dundas Square to wait for a meet with my friend Aidan. He texted me to say he'd be there in 10 minutes or so so I walked to the nearby record store Paramusic and then walked back. Aidan treated me to a beer at a place with outdoor seating.
We chatted a bit and worked our way north to near St. George Station and parted company. Soon after I realized I needed to take a train there too; too late to reconnect but it would have only been for a few stops anyway. I took a 2 train from there to Dundas West Station. I walked to the Roncesvalles branch of She Said Boom and A Good Read. I walked south a little more and then took a 506 streetcar east a ways, then walked north and to a 505 streetcar east to Bay St. It was stuck in traffic a while but it finally cleared. I went to the usual McDonald’s near Yonge-Dundas Square, mainly because I could get refillable soda water there, though for my third drink I had a Coke because a conversation was happening that was blocking the soda dispenser. I then returned to the hotel.
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