Toronto was to be my home in an alternate history but I decided instead to follow the genetic runway that led to the shores of the Pacific ocean, the ring of fire. Going back to visit now, after so many years, I turn my lenses this way and that to admire the lines and curves, the glittering lights and neon, riches and poverty, the high rises that tower above the streets. At night, the skyline is dominated by the CN Tower and the glow of Rogers Centre beside it. Above you, the tall buildings, the home of corporate giants that are the neural centers of commerce on this side of Canada stand proud, bright lines flashing and receding towards the night-sky.
Canada’s eastern side was the first to be settled, and it shows in the old quaint architecture of houses and buildings. So, it’s not uncommon to see centuries old buildings beside modern futuristic elements of architectural design.
It is an eye-catching city, and in some ways it reminds me of a young New York city. Indeed, songs by Frank Sinatra and U2 ran through my head as I walked along taking snapshots of the sights around the streets.
I enjoyed my brief stay in the city, but I was already homesick to get back to the wilds of Vancouver. While Toronto is the big brother who is a straight shooter with a corporate crew cut and refined neon suit, Vancouver is the wild little sister who’s still growing and trying to find herself. I used to dislike Toronto for some silly reasons, but looking back now, I realize that was just a natural stage of growth in which the young organism rejects the local gene pool in favor of fairer lands over the horizon.
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