Places we have been.

Friday, June 27, 2008

Still on Euro 2008 Football Cup


Germany and Spain Teams are onboard for the final match on June 29 (Sunday). Certainly, it will be a lot more exciting to watch it with the crowd. I'll have to check the best place to be because the Pride Parade will also be taking place at the same time. I can't imagine how will it be in Europe specially in Germany. It must be crazy.

I was at the Brookfield Place during the first semi-final match (Germany vs. Turkey). It was relatively full but I managed to take a corner with a good view to one of the big screens. In the beginning I was kind of observing the atmosphere because I wouldn't know which team are they cheering for. So I stayed a little discreet when I cheer for the Germans. Not long enough, I got the sense that I was against the tide. We were out-numbered by the pro-Turkey team fans. Back in Germany, the fans must have been divided because there is a big population of Turkish immigrants specifically in Mannheim. The first half time culminated with a 1-1 score.

During the second half of the match I was in a better place, closer to more German fans. Some of the young ones had their football paraphernalia i.e. flags, shirts and caps. As the game was heating-up, the broadcast was interrupted, and interrupted and interrupted. I can't believe it but what could we do but release a big sigh and just watch the screen very closely for the score at least until the game was over. I was ecstatic that the Germans made it to the final. For a moment, I couldn't believe that I am this hooked to this football mania.
Back in June 2002 when I had my European tour, the football mania was very much in the air in every places we have visited. We could hardly comprehend how much the people there were glued to watching the game in the TV screens; in the bars, restaurants and open areas with humungous screens. I do remember, my friend and I kept talking a lot about it during the trip but now I think I understand (lol).

I happened to chat with a friend in Germany and I wasn't prepare for what she's going to tell me. That because the German team won the match over Portugal team, the major electronic shops and many other shops in Germany were offering major discounts in celebration of the team's victory. Funny huh! But it's true. She was one of those who arrived late at the shop hence, all the Wii games were all taken. I am wondering if there are more major promotions now that they won again the semi-final match.

Today the Spain team advanced to the final game facing the Germany team. In contrary, I watched the match alone at home. Spain team dominated the game with a 3-0 standing against Russia.

Looking forward to the final match on Sunday. Good luck! (Viel Glück!)


Posted by: Jernie
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Wednesday, June 25, 2008

This Week: Pride Festival and Toronto Jazz Festival

Pride Week is the fun and fabulous arts and culture festival celebated every year in Toronto. It celebrates the diverse sexual and gender identities, histories, cultures, families, friends and lives. It culminates in the annual Pride Parade on Sunday June 29. This is the world's second largest gay pride festival.

Location: The Gay Village and Downtown Core
Website : http://www.pridetoronto.com/


The TD Canada Trust Toronto Jazz Festival is a world-class jazz festival showcasing more than 1,500 of the best Canadian and international musicians. One of the summer's best festivals which shoul not be missed.

Location: Various venues






Posted by: Jernie
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Allan Gardens

I have heard a lot about the Allan Gardens but I waited until the weather gets better to visit it. Looking at the map, it is just a walking distance from our place. I took the route, Church St. going to north until Gerrad St. then headed east to the Horticultural Ave.

It is a park and an indoor botanical garden which is one of Toronto's oldest since 1858. At the center of the park is a Victorian conservatory known as the Palm House constructed in 1910. The garden features six greenhouses comprising over 16,000 square feet of colourful seasonal plants which supplement the permanent plant collection. The garden and the main part of the property was donated by George William Allan, a one-time Mayor of Toronto and long-time Senator.

When I got there, a group of people dressed well were standing in front of the conservatory. There must have been a sort of wedding pictorial in the area. So I decided to wander around the park first and waited until the crowd disappeared. While sitting in one of the bences, the gray and blacks squirrels running around kept me amused. It's a pity I didn't have peanuts with me, it would have been fun. Also threre was a big flock of pigeons in the garden. It is definitely anice place to enjoy piece and nature.

After some minutes of waiting, the crowd was still there and there were no signs of them leaving so I went inside the conservatory and started exploring the green houses. The admission by the way is free. There are also organised tours available, check this website for details http://www.torontobotanicalgarden.ca/tours/allangardens.htm

Inside the conservatory are rare tropical plants from all over the world ranging from palm trees, hibiscus, banana plants, coffee to cacti. As I have read, the trees in the park represent the northern tip of the Carolinian forest with species such as black cherry, American beech, red oak, sugar maple and sassafras. Most are over one hundred years old. But I am not well informed about the different kinds of trees so I could hardly identify which is which. The park is home to three varieties of squirrel, the gray, the black, and, unique to this park, the red tailed black squirrel. The park is also home to the city's largest flock of pigeons, a roving peregrine falcon and a statue of Robert Burns.

Here are some of my nice shots in the park.













air garden

Posted by: Jernie
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Monday, June 23, 2008

European Football fever is on!

The currently running Euro 2008 football tournament keeps Europeans glued on to their televisions during matches and I am not an exception. Although I don't understand fully the mechanics and the technicalities of the game, it doesn't stop me from getting hooked to it.

Last week's quarter final matches had left the four teams afloat for this week's semi-final match:
Germany vs. Turkey (June 25) and Russia vs. Spain (June 26). I was so thrilled and nervous during the match of Germany vs. Portugal that I decided to watch it at home and kept a constant contact with Herbert during the course of the game. Every time a goal was made by either of the teams, the news reached him rightaway. I know very well the Germans' unrelenting loyalty and support to their team as I experienced it during the 2006 Football Worldcup.

Fortunately, the game went in favor of the German team. I was ecstatic that I had to call my parents-in-law in Germany rightaway who were still cheering for the victory. My mother-in-law said that she was exhausted with the stress and pressure of the game. Whew! How much more for those ones in the stadium? The football mania there is unbelievable! If there is a match in the evening you can be 101% percent sure that the streets will be deserted. You won't see a single soul wandering around. When the favored team makes a goal, suddenly you would hear horns coming on, drums beating and cheering from the neighbors. Some of them have to even wear their team's shirts and put on face paints facing in front of their televisions. The flags are hanged by the windows and attached into their cars.

This football fever is also resonated here in Toronto; cars carrying flags and some bars/restaurants have European flags displayed outside.I just dont know how it is in other parts of Ontario or Canada as a whole. During my usual strolls I bumped into the food court of the Brookfield place where they put huge TV screens for the football game. I thought it must be fun to watch the game with other people around so I decided to go down there for the Turkey vs. Croatia match.



This coming Wednesday will be a big event in Germany. I'm thinking of watching it outside, surely it will be fun and scary. I just hope that the German team will make their way through the Final. 'Mal sehen', as the Germans say. (We will see)

For the latest news about the Euro 2008 Austria-Switzerland tournament, visit their website. http://www.euro2008.uefa.com/countries/index.html

Posted by: Jernie
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Thursday, June 19, 2008

On Foot around Downtown Toronto

The William Lyon Mackenzie house. He was the first mayor of the city in 1834. He was born in Scotland and came to Upper Canada in 1820. He became a prominent radical journalist and first elected to the assembly in 1828.

Live band performance at the Dundas Square during the Music Festival.

Outside Eaton Center. This talented artist using his chalks draws images on the ground.


Along Dundas Street West, international restaurants lined next to each other. A clear picture of Toronto's diversity.




More international restaurants along Dundas St. west.

The Art Gallery of Toronto undergoing a transformation and will be opened on November 17. More details in their website http://www.ago.net/

Very interesting Pub along Dundas St. West



One of the galleries along Dundas.






Part of China Town along Dundas St. West

Mouth-watering tropical fruits at the China Town: Guava, Lansones,Mango and ripe Jackfruit.

more fruits at the China Town



During the 1920s, it was known as the Jewish Market. Today, you can sense the city's rich, multicultural mix, obvious in the shops packed with goods from Europe, the Caribbean, the Middle East, South America and Asia. A visit to Kensington is like a sensory trip around the world. It's also a treasure trove of vintage and second hand clothing shops, tucked in among eclectic restaurants and cafés.





Visit their website for more information http://www.kensington-market.ca/Default.asp?id=11&l=1

One of those sight-seeing buses running around the city. I spotted it at the corner of Front and Yonge Sts.


At the PATH (underground concourse)

This shop sells items made of paper, really unique and beautiful.


Football fever is on! One of the many food courts at the underground concourse. I didn't realise that there are so many football fanatics here. The place is equipped with huge TV screens showing the European Football matches. They even hang a set of European flags. During my walks around the city, I have seen cars carrying their respective european flags.

Posted by: Jernie
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Sunday Escapade

We intended to visit the Warplane Museum in Hamilton last Sunday. It is approximately an hour drive from downtown Toronto. On our way to North York to pick-up my friend Maricel, the sky started to get dark and not long after the heavy rains poured down, it was actually a hail. We had to drive really slow because of the poor visibility. How could we drive to Hamilton if the weather stays like this? Nevertheless, we went on to pick-up Maricel at the Baycrest Ave. It was impossible for us to drive to Hamilton in that weather condition so we decided to change plan. We continue driving south of Toronto while coming-up with a new destination, the Dixie Mall. Discount Sale seem to be a whole-year-round phenomenon here. The two hours we spent there felt like just few minutes while we were pre-occupied fitting shoes and clothes. Fortunately, the mall was not that busy.

At around 5pm we started thinking about dinner. I suggested going to the place where Maricel normally hang-out, Filipino restaurants along Bathurst and Wilson Streets. Since she has mentioned it to me several times, my curiosity enticed me to see my 'kababayans' (countrymen) get together. As we were closing in to the Bathurst St. from Highway 401 she asked me to prepare my camera. I took a shot of the 'Uncle Mel's Family Restaurant'. Further down the road came more Filipino shops and restaurants. It is so apparent that a big population of Filipinos must have settled in this area. She said that when she walks around this place she feels like she is in the Philippines.


We stopped at Sampaguita Village family restaurant. It is not that big but its 'Pinoy' inspired interior; the wall painting which depicts our traditional culture; and the Filipino channel which is continuously on, made the place like home.
Ironically the restaurant is owned not by Filipinos but Thai couple and a Thai cook. The crew though are mostly from southern Philippines so we talked to them in our dialect, Visayan. Their menu consists mainly of Filipino dishes and a few Chinese. We were immediately served with freshly sautéed peanuts and lumpia Shanghai . For the main course, we ordered sinigang na hipon (sour shrimp soup), grilled Tilapia, sweet and sour pork, some vegetables and steamed rice. Whilst we were still thinking what more to add, the lady told us 'Oh, that's enough'. I quickly stared at Maricel wanting to ask if I heard it right but she quickly explained to me that she didn't mean anything bad at all. She normally does it so the customers won't have left-over. Obviously, she was right. Taking home of left-over food (doggie bag) is no stranger to us. In fact, there was a table with styro and plastic containers in different sizes piled-up on it. Customers can help themselves to pack their leftover. We asked Maricel to take it because she hardly has time to cook for herself. The food was generally ok, nothing special about it. It was just so amusing to see kababayans around.





It brought me back memories when I was still in Dubai. There was one Filipino restaurant (Fareast) near my office, it was not big too but cozy owned by a Filipino family. That restaurant has been an extension to my kitchen. Living alone gave me no motivation at all to do something in my kitchen. Let alone planning what to cook and spending time going to the supermarket. Most of the time, I order food to be delivered to my place. If I crave for dried fish or any hard-smelling-dish, I would just call them to prepare it for me. I never dared having dried fish in my flat because the smell would not go away for weeks. Moreso, in 1997 there were not that many Filipinos in Dubai. This place served as my refuge whenever I miss home not only because of the food but the comfort it offered me when I am there. I guess it must be the same with my friend here. The other Filipino restaurants here have the popular 'karaoke' systems. For most of my kababayans this is the best place to relax and unwind.

After our dinner, we dropped Maricel in her place and we drove back to our place thru Yonge St. The rain didn't really stopped. I knew that there was a red carpet event (Much Music Awards Night) held at the Queen St. in that afternoon, I wonder if it was interrupted. I heard that famous music artists are in town for the event such as Rhianna, New Kinds on the Block, and many more.

Posted by: Jernie
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Wednesday, June 18, 2008

Meet Me at the Market

This is the theme of the St. Lawrence Market neighborhood located in the Old Town of Toronto. It features historical architecture, exciting theaters,quaint shops, charming restaurants, the beautiful Cathedral of St. James, a 19th century garden,the Flatiron building and Toronto's first city hall.

Last Saturday morning, a band music echoed in th e St. Lawrence Market area while the place was busy because of it's usual Saturday fresh-produce market.As I looked down from the window I could see a live band performing right beside the north hall. I went down to join the crowd. It was band of very talented African children. They really make very good music and very nice dance numbers. In between their performances, it was announced that these musically inclined young students are raising funds to sustain their cause and for them to continue their studies. I stood there for a good hour enjoying their music. Cash donations flowed from the audience. Leaflets were also distributed featuring every memeber of the band. Check-out their website for more details. http://www.smyle.co.za/




Thereafter, I merged with the shoppers at the North Hall looking at the produce they have on display. There were ho,e-made cookies, pies and cakes; fresh fruit juice extracts, sausages, fruits, honey, maple syrup, meats and many more. On Sundays, they normally have a flea market.




Also, I visited the Market Gallery at the South Hall showcasing "A Common Thread: A History of Toronto’s Garment Industry".

The exhibit chronicles the history of the garment industry that began over one hundred years ago and centred around Spadina Avenue. Photographs, vintage clothing, shoes, under-garments, sewing kits and old sewing machines were showcased in the exhibit. While reading the history wall, I was surprised to find out that those people or families who owned the major textile business were actually immigrants from eastern Europe (from Russia and Poland). Though the gallery was not that big but they have very interesting items and information on display. http://www.stlawrencemarket.com/gallery/ex2008.html#current

Posted by: Jernie
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