A Lot About Nothing

Yesterday was Toronto’s popular Caribana parade, the highlight of the two-week celebration that brings a huge amount of tourism and Caribbean flavour to the city.

It was a gorgeous day on Saturday (after the morning rain let up at least), so I decided to make a last minute trip and head down to see the parade. I think I spent more time on transit than I actually did at the parade itself! Getting from any of the subways stations down to the Exhibition grounds was crazy. My friend and I were lucky enough to get a seat on the way down there and on the way back (makes a huge different walking to the previous stop). The bus was packed and there was a lot of traffic on the road heading down to to the parade.

Once along the Lakeshore, we were greated by wonderful sounds of steel pans, soca music and the smell of delicious Caribbean food. There were so many people, many of which were adorned in in a flag from their retrospective Caribbean nation, in costume (I guess they got all tired out from playing mas), or wearing as little as possible/dressed to impress. What sucked though that all the ‘real’ Caribbean food was on the lake-side of the parade, and there were fences sectioning off the parade from the other side that we were on: I couldn’t find a way to get the roti I was craving! Plus my friend had to head to work, so we walked around for a bit, took some photos, grabbed the most DELIOUS, sweet-tasting corn-on-the-cob ever (which was the most ‘Caribbean’ option available over hamburgers, fries, hot dogs and cotton candy) and headed home.

All in all, it was a fun day (especially the people-watching… if only we were fashion police). I was planning to go to Olympic Island today for the Island Festival, but I think I’m too late to buy tickets. Next year I’ll make better plans though, and make sure I get there early!

I hope you got all your back-to-school shopping done, and picked up those last minute groceries yesterday, because practically everything is closed today. Including:

• Most shopping malls
• Grocery stores
• Banks
• Libraries
• LCBO/Beer stores
• Government offices
• and there’ll be no mail delivery

Since the Toronto Eaton Centre is designated as a tourist area, it will be open today from 10am - 6pm. Vaughan Mills Mall will also be open until 7pm. Some of the shops (including Le Chateau Outlet) on Orfus Road will be open today for all you bargain hunters.

If you’re planning on taking the bus anywhere, TTC, Mississauga Transit and GO Transit will be operating on holiday schedules today, and be back to regular service tomorrow.

Today is the last day of The Ex, so if you haven’t reached as yet, make sure you drop by (and get your Tiny Tom Donuts!)

Enjoy what’s left of your long weekend!

When most people think about the Canadian National Exhibition, they usually think of games, rides and food. Why is it that whenever I go there I end up shopping 90% of the time? I love a good bargain. The Warehouse Outlet in the Direct Energy Centre is where I spent most of my time today (even though my main reason for going to The Ex today was to see the Toronto Urban Music Festival, and I reached there too late for that ). But I got so many clothes at a fraction of the price I would’ve paid at the regular store!!! 4 pairs of jeans for $60 and 6 T-shirts for $20 at Bluenotes… 6 pairs of dress pants for $30 at Sirens… and a (fake realistic looking) leather jacket, 2 sweatpants and a t-shirt at Fairweather for $28.

The ride home was brutal though. We had to stand the whole ride back to Union station after a 20 minute wait for a streetcar. I felt sorry for the people the streetcar passed by a few blocks away from the Exhibition grounds because it was so packed.

I’m glad I’m home now though. Maybe I’ll snack on the squished Tiny Tom Dounuts that are in my bag. I also need to make sure I have enough money left over to cover rent.

I’m never in so much anticipation for a mini donut than I am come mid-August. That’s right, The Ex is in town once again, and yours truly had the joy of heading down for the opening festivities today.

Now in it’s 129th year, the Canadian National Exhibition once again brings loads of fun, food and entertainment to the entire family. Ferris wheels, midway games and roller coasters have kicked off at the Exhibition grounds in Toronto and will be there until September 3rd (Labour Day).

With over a million visitors each year, The Ex is sure to provide a wide selection of events for everyone. My visit today consisted of a trip to the Food Building (first and foremost of course). This large establishment is definitely not for the calorie-conscious… so make sure you eat a large, healthy breakfast before you leave your house, so you won’t be tempted to gorge out on fair food the entire day. I had myself a nice mixed veggie roti from one of the Caribbean booths in the multicultural Food Building and a mango bubble tea to wash it down. My cousin, who’s up visiting from Jamaica, got some tasty Chinese food. The Food Building is certainly one of a kind with over 90 vendors.

Of course I had to stop at the infamous Tiny Tom Donuts on the way out of the building. $4 for a dozen of the most delectable morsels of dough… you can’t go wrong! Then it was off to the Warehouse Outlet in the Direct Energy Centre to tackle some shopping. Boy was I glad that I went… I picked up the Scene It DVD game that I was looking for–70% less than the regular price! I also scored some nice deals on summer clothes from BlueNotes and Sirens (Bikini bottoms, 3 for $5!).

Nearby was The Farm which houses every farm animal imaginable, including some adorable piglets and chicks. Watching street performers the Aquarêves walk down Princes’ Boulevard was cool (I wish I knew how to skip and bounce with giant pogo sticks attached to my feet). The Canadian Forces Display was very interesting. I got a chance to put my head through an army tank and sit in the cockpit of a fighter plane! We passed through the midway, being very good not to spend our hard-earned dollars trying to win a 5″ tall stuffed animal. I was tempted to purchase a deep-fried chocolate bar, but then I remembered how many calories and saturated fat I’d be consuming so I passed (and the fact that it cost $6). Also walked by the corndog stand, as much as I wanted one.

I wish I had more time (and energy) to visit the rest of the grounds, but there’s so much to see and do. Perhaps, next time I visit I’ll tackle climbing the rock wall they have up, or try my luck at the Casino. I’d also like to see the International Air Show. I’ll be back for sure before Summer comes to an end. After all I have to meet the stars from The Young and the Restless.

Make sure you visit on one of the 17 remaining days left this year. You won’t be disappointed. Tickets can be purchased online at the official site of The Ex, or on site for $14 (adult) $10 (children/senior). The gates are open from 10am to 10pm daily, with the exception of labour day (10am-7pm).