Toronto, Waterloo, Orangeville,

Highlights of my trip to Toronto, Waterloo, and Orangeville...

Left here 1 AM fri night, arrived 7 am sat morning, quite tired of course. Walked around several parts of toronto, saw some neat stuff. Evening went to High Park and saw a modified version of a Midsummer Night's Dream in the amphitheatre... I thought it would be pretty amateur but it was actually professional actor type people. Really fun and very well done. Sunday, was up early again (in fact, almost every night of my vacation was go to bed sometime after 1 am, up well before 7 am) and got a ride downtown. Friend's cousin creatively got us into the CNE. Like stampede with rides/games, but with more shows. A figure skating tribute to broadway was good. A few others too. In evening, a chinese lantern festival, very elaborate displays, and some performances like chinese acrobats doing crazy stuff.

Monday went to Waterloo. Not as much exciting stuff to do there, and a less 'active/outgoing' friend, but older/closer friend so still lots of fun. Chatted lots, played some old computer games, some new board games, went to run some errands, etc.

Wednesday evening went to the new health recovery centre near Orangeville. I'm kindof lost and not sure what's going on. But it's very pretty at night. Set up a tent in the dark. Run into people I know, got put to work right away. Got to be a librarian, in charge of the sutras for the few days of chanting. Spent most of the next couple days setting up or closing the temples, tons of chanting, and other errands in between, quite busy. When not busy, often watched the Taoist chanting (we normally do Confucian) or helped out some of the hong kong temple people. Still going to bed really late and up very early. Even when there's not much need to stay up too late, find people to have tea and chat with and relax at the end of the day. Many people from around the world. Saturday after the chanting ended around noon, even more (couple thousand) were there. Speeches and performances and ribbon cutting in mid afternoon for grand opening. Even got a rainbow in the rainless sky. Very proud / special event. A bunch of evening entertainment was very good. Feel a little lonely despite the crowds of people.

Next day (sunday) the beautiful weather of the previous few days disappeared, and I packed up the tent in the rain and went back to Toronto... Could have stayed at the temple another day, but somehow, after the special events of the previous few days, it would now probably feel pretty empty and I would miss it. In toronto, BBQ at my friend's. Badminton in the evening. Lots of fun.

Final day (monday) mostly by myself (friend at work), walked around the island (nothing special) and shopped a bit. Had dinner with my friend before going to the airport and heading home to Calgary. Arrive late, still no catching up on sleep before starting my new job, oh well.

Overall, very pleased with pretty much every aspect of my trip!

Could write so much more about the cool details. Will probably post a few photos some time... but very busy with dragonboat again for a few more days.