Multiple Beautiful Things: Toronto And Getting Lost On Purpose Edition...

by HijabMan :: posted 6 March 09

“Turn Left, Ahead”

I have no intentions of turning left.

“ Turn Left!“ The sultry female voice commands.

I continue to ignore her, and drive straight ahead.

I’m in Ithaca, NY, en route to Toronto, and the new satellite navigation unit (SATNAV) I purchased is the best thing ever.

Yeah, HijabBoy, it makes it so that you don’t get lost.

No, no, my dear reader. The best part of a SATNAV is that it ALLOWS you to go get lost as much as you want! Let me explain.

An old friend of mine named Sughra used to tell me about the ‘gorges’ near Cornell University in Ithaca, NY. Ever since then, I’ve been mildly obsessed with exploring a gorge. Is that where the word ‘gorge-ous’ comes from? Hmmm!

Two nights ago, after a meeting with my mentor (who repeatedly called me a chicken… bok bok bokbaahhhk) I drove to Ithaca, NY. (1) An acquaintance I met at Harvard many years ago graciously offered a place for me to crash, despite my arriving at 2:00 AM. After a a little chit chat and her trying the espresso spice cheesecake I baked, we both retired to our rooms. (Note: (2) Trunks of cars make great refrigerators in the winter time :)

At 7:45 the next morning, I drove into downtown Ithaca, thinking I’d ask some locals to point me in the direction of a gorge. Instead, I decided to get lost on purpose. See, if you miss a turn on your way to a destination, the SATNAV recalculates your route (3).

So at every intersection, I made a right turn, or left turn, or just kept going straight… and came upon ‘Gorge Rd.” (4)

Bingo! It must be close. A turn here, a turn there… and

After enjoying the sights and sounds of the half-frozen waterfall seen above (4), I began my journey to Toronto. On the way, I saw a lone woman riding in horse-drawn carriage smiling a huge smile (5), a farmer who tipped his hat in my direction while he rode on a horse-drawn contraption (6), and several cutesy towns in upstate New York.

I arrived in Toronto just in time to catch lunch with an on-line acquaintance [that I had never met] near her work. After a lovely chat and several high-fives, we polished off lunch with some cheesecake from my trunk. Eating cheesecake out of your trunk on the sidewalk in Toronto with someone you just met? I believe that is beautiful thing number 7!

Today I’ll be attending Friday Prayers at the Noor Cultural Centre, my favorite mosque.

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1. Humaira at 6 March 09 :: #

   Wow, that is a beautiful place to get lost in!

2. Rabia at 8 March 09 :: #

   I know where I’m going to get lost the next time I’m near Ithaca.

   Did you ever see the Glacial Potholes in Shelburne Falls when you lived in Western Mass? Not quite on the same scale, but still quite gorge-ous.

3. Anjum at 12 March 09 :: #

   hahahaa! “An old friend of mine named Sughra used to tell me about the ‘gorges’ near Cornell University in Ithaca, NY” did we ever tell you that sughra and i met & became good friends at cornell, and in fact lived “together” (blocked rooms in a dorm) in 2003.

   so yes! my lovely cornell! i’m glad you found the big gorge and enjoyed it. :) it looks fking cold, as expected.

4. Sobia at 16 March 09 :: #

   I haven’t been to the Noor Centre yet (live 4 hours from TO) but have been wanting to go for a while now. I heard that you met a friend of mine there though.

   Let’s hear more about your trip to TO :)