Beautiful Things: All Canadians, All The Time.

by HijabMan :: posted 17 March 09

While my father rarely shared details about his past, he often speaks fondly of his time at the University of Toronto as well as the University of British Columbia. I haven’t visited Vancouver yet (coming soon), but Toronto I’ve visited plenty. From asking for a “double double” at Tim Horton’s, to calling my male companions, ‘guy’ and telling my friend Pari that she is both “Yonge and Dundas,” Toronto provides endless adventure.

1. Alexa and Danielle at Lush in Square One, Mississauga. These two young women hung out with me for almost half an hour while helping me pick out a gift for TakeMeToTheRiot’s Birthday. Thanks for making me feel comfy enough to dance around and tell you random stories while you suggested various soaps, exfoliates, and bath bombs. Your boss should give you a raise!

2. The folks at Aunties and Uncles, my favorite brunch place in all of Toronto. I’m not allowed to tell you this, but I’m going to anyway: they kept the kitchen open for my friend and I, after I told them I had come from the states and read 5 star reviews of the place (truth!).

Try the waffles, the cinnamon toast, or my personal favorite, the chickpea salad something-or-other with potatoes and mango curry. It’s three-quarters down the menu. It is great!

3. Lovely friends.
a. Aadil and Kirstin, They host me most of the time I’m in Toronto. Between our adventures in search of halal Uyghur food, Kirstin’s Mom’s chicken (secret ingredient: peanut butter), and their warm company… well let’s just say I love them very very much.
b. Pari. We laughed hysterically for a good 3 days straight. In those three days, I discovered that she 1. won’t go near most condiments and white things but will gladly nibble away at a Cadbury Cream Egg, 2. she often puts her butt up to a map on the street to get perspective, though she still has no idea where she is going, and 3. sings well, but prefers to sing off-key. 4. Bonus: I caught her snooping in my car!
c. Dean. Dean, who works for CAA, towed my Proletariat Chariot (aka the Civic) to the nearest Canadian tire, after it’s transmission failed. Note: Early 2000 Civics tend to have transmission issues :( He’s my hero.

4. Family. I don’t hang out much with extended family, but there are a select few whom I love and would do just about anything for. After my transmission died right before I was about to drive home, my cousin and his wife opened their home to me, and chauffeured my car-less bum around. They used more family connections to get my car fixed up. If you ever need your transmission rebuilt in Toronto, find Milla at Rexdale Transmission Great guy.

5. Sidewalk Cheesecake.

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1. zainab at 17 March 09 :: #

   whaaaaaaaaat?
   in Toronto? geez guy, you need to announce these things!
   Toronto is AMAZING, bro.

2. yasmine at 17 March 09 :: #

   i must hear more about this sidewalk cheesecake. ONE BULLET POINT is not cutting it!

   also! i miss french toast in toronto. why did no one tell me about Aunties&Uncles?! i shake my fist at the torontonians.

3. ammena at 17 March 09 :: #

   square one eh? love it.. lived just down the road and miss it enormously. Glad you had tons of laughs and food though :)

4. Alexa at 18 March 09 :: #

   HELLO.
   you’re friendly LUSHious helper. xD
   aha. thanks for being super cool.
   sorry to be a bother, though. but could you maybe take down the bit about the discount? it’s probably no big deal but i’m all paranoid. :]

5. fathima at 19 March 09 :: #

   the torontonians didn’t know about them either.
   also, i recognise those legs and those steps.