as I walk Toronto

Toronto is a city of surprises; a city of variety.  If you are bored with one street, just walk another block or turn at the next intersection and chances are you’ll encounter something different.  The scenery will change.  For instance, on Dundas West you leave the downtown core just after University Ave., walk past OCADU, the Art Gallery of Ontario and Grange Park… next, through a section of Chinatown at Spadina and then immediately into the Kensington Market area.   Just south of Kensington is the redevelopment of Alexandra Park….  and you’ve only walked a few blocks.

below: The newly renovated OCADU annex building on the southeast corner of Dundas and McCaul is now called the Rosalie Sharp Pavilion.  The curve of the roof contrasts nicely with the sharp edges of the neighbouring buildings

below: The northeast corner of Dundas and McCaul is yet another hole in the ground.  The Art Gallery of Ontario and Rosalie Sharp Pavilion are in the background.  I am beginning to feel like a broken record player when I mention yet another condo construction site (tangent – is there a 21st century equivalent to “broken record player”?).

below: The demolition of the buildings on Dundas West opens up new views of St. Patricks RC Church.

below: Around the corner from St. Patricks, is Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church and its bilingual signage and beautiful red door.

below: Krispy Kreme (yes, they still exist!) and Jimmys Coffee on McCaul in almost identical buildings.  Like twins but with a dash of their own personality.

below: Thing 1 and Thing 2 running down the alley

below: …but not this alley.   That’s a lot of stairs!

below: Each building has it’s own character from years of changes and modifications as people come and go.  They may not be good looking but they are often unique – someone’s little piece of the city.

below: Front yard patio

below: Critters in the window

below:  An old TTC streetcar loses its load.  By the looks of it, this image will disappear once the ivy comes back to life in a few weeks.

below: Put together by the ‘Long Time No See Photo Project’, “Chinatown, the Best” is a collection of portraits that highlights seniors in the Chinatown area along with their thoughts and opinions on what makes Chinatown great.

below: The posters are on display over eight locations on Spadina and Dundas West.

below:  In another Chinatown window is this display – pictures of food with four old black and white pictures.

below: The picture on the far right depicts Shanghai Bund and river waterfront so it is possible that the other photos are also of Shanghai?  Or at least cities in China?

below: Another window with pictures – this time The Kensary, a cannabis store in Kensington.

below: A close up of part of the window showing Casa Loma, Roy Thomson Hall, Hughs Room, the El Mocambo, the Silver Dollar, Massey Hall, and gabled Victorian era houses

below: Hoardings on Spadina where a skeleton reaches out for passers-by.

below: Kensington view of the CN Tower

below: Facilities at Bellevue Park – more than just “all gender”

below: Wanted poster for Putin the war criminal

below: There’s at least one Maple Leafs fan left!

below: Jumblefacefoto collages

below: Alexandra Park redevelopment progresses. Dundas West is the northern edge of the 16 acre site owned by TCHC (Toronto Community Housing Corp). Most of the original units that were built in the 1960s are now gone.

below: Apparently it’s okay to be white. Actually it’s okay to be brown, or black, or any shade in between too.

below: Anarchist piano lessons?

below: “They say death takes you to a better place but I doubt it”  Me?  I’m in no hurry to find out.