Hot Off the Press- My new pix of Toronto

[Nouvellecosse]

Originally Posted by Taller, Better

This old building used to be a community centre, and played host to "Homo Hops" back in the early 70's.

So, um, the obvious question being, have u ever gone to one of these "homo hops"?

But I must warn u, if u say yes, there's a very good chance I'll never stop laughing.

Incredible pics btw. Some of the best TO if ever seen on here in fact.

[Taller, Better]

^ No, never did any homo-hopping.... those were the days before I moved to TO! Here are some more pix from the last couple of weeks. I got a new camera, and have had fun playing with it. First stop, Kensington Market. This is one of the last remaining open air markets in North America, and most definitely there is no other place like it in Canada. It was started about 100 years ago by Jewish immigrants, who created a little self contained village by adding shops to their houses. Over the years Kensington has remained popular with new immigrants, but most of the original Jewish population moved to better parts of town in the 50's. They were replaced by Italians, Ukrainians, Hungarians, South America and people from the Caribbean. There were plans to demolish it in the 60's to create a new urban development, but luckily a new mayor, David Crombie, put the kybosh on the idea. I suppose he was one of those NIMBY'S that get skewered daily on SSC! It remains slightly grubby, rundown and a bit ramshackle... but also remains one of the most fascinating area of our City! And besides.... how can you not love a neighbourhood with a store like this?





















The last time I spent any time in Kensington was about 15 years ago. At that time it
was even more authentically old time European, with cages of live chickens for sale on the sidewalks, and the fish stores had fish spread out on ice. I have to say, as I walked down these streets last Monday, that this is the only area in Canada or the USA that I have ever been that really reminded me of Sao Paolo in Brasil. The open air shops with clothing hung on the front of the run down shops, the graffiti and painting on the shop walls.... the exotic goods for sale in bins. Took me back to Brasil!























a group of British tourists that appeared to be totally lost:

















There is an element of trendiness slowly creeping in. So far it fits in nicely with the laid-back community, but one fears someday it may become another Queen Street West:







A very cool Spanish (as opposed to South American) tapas bar:









I loved this little South American grocery store. I stocked up on quantities of Brasilian farofa, rice and beans, Mexican Mole sauce, etc... even if a person fancies whipping up some cactus for dinner, here is your source:







I've not seen a shop with Piñatas hanging from the ceiling since last I was in Puerto Vallarta!



Houses in the surrounding neighbourhood range from the respectable well maintained Victorian



to a mish-mash of styles and conditions:







And, now we walk a block or so east til we reach Chinatown.











dried shrimp





















Sections of Chinatown are quite Vietnamese influenced:

[Taller, Better]

The sun was beating down on your intrepid reporter, so after a refreshing ice-cold beer on an outdoor patio I biked South to King Street, and Queen Street. Just a few
sights I saw on the way:



King West is a VERY up and coming area, and is home to many of Toronto's hottest restaurants:







a hot new place, Blowfish:



One of my very favourite watering holes is actually the oldest surviving pub in Toronto... opened in 1849, it has been slinging suds ever since:





Inside the Wheat Sheaf is a framed copy of the Illustrated London News of 1859 featuring a brand new King's College over in Toronto, Upper Canada:











A bit further East, and off Dundas I found a very interesting old Catholic Church serving the Chinese community:



Over to Queen Street, which is positively booming these days. Perhaps it has lost some of its bohemian charm through gentrification, but it is a very exciting area to live or visit:











This enterprising lad was selling hugs for 25 cents. I gave him enough for four hugs,
but politely declined on the merchandise:



a souvenir-mobile peddling his wares:



A fire many years ago destroyed most of St George the Martyr Anglican Church, except for its handsome tower:





The oldest pub on Queen St.- The Black Bull, in a Georgian building from the 1830's





A Goth on Queen Street painting his black paintings:



On the bike, and North a few streets to College Street. Here is a beautiful Gothic Revival Church from 1858, St Steven-in-the-Fields:



I love the old Victorian firestations of Toronto... each has its own whimsical theme and style. This Italianate town hall style with a handsome campanile graces College Street (No 8 Firestation)



The area was tradtionally settled by many Portugese people. This style of house is very popular, and they usually have well tended gardens. This one has an outstanding feature of two large mooses on the balcony:



Knox United College, 1875, built by the same architect who had built the Canadian Parliament Buildings:

[Taller, Better]

Another day, another tour. This time I cycled North along Avenue Road, toward my destination of Casa Loma. Built around the turn of the century by Sir Henry Pellat, this "Castle on the Hill" occupies one of the most prime residential locations. Of all the great Victorian homes built in Toronto, this ranks as the biggest and... well, most ostentatious as well. A combination of many styles, it is a little overwhelming to the visitor:











Even the horse stables can only be described as.. well, grandiose:





Nearby Spadina House, another gracious Victorian house with beautiful gardens:

[Taller, Better]

And finally, as the hour is getting late, I will just post some pictures that I took that have not fit in to any of the previous postings, or which I may have missed first time round. Just a mish mash of snaps:





















A picture for everyone who thinks Toronto is completely flat...











A statue of Peter Pan, dedicated in the 20's to the children of the neighbourhood:





A fountain built in the 20's by a Dutchman to remember his home in Amsterdam:





Another Gothic Revival Church, St Peters (1893):









A brand new Pharmacy Building at the University of Toronto, with "pods" that act as
classrooms, in the atrium space:







Another University of Toronto building, for Molecular Research:



Its interior is very sculptural, and contains a mature forest of bamboo:









Our new Opera House which just opened this past week:








a condo under construction, taken at night:





























The CN Tower, taken from my balcony with my new camera:



And now, I bid you good night! Thanks for joining my little tour!

[Ashok]

oh cool, I never seen this thread..

Really nice pictures dude.. especially the night ones!

[Taller, Better]

Thanks Ashok! I am enjoying my new camera and particularily like to take pix outdoors at night.

[salvius]

Taller_Better, nobody takes street shots like you... I don't think we've had a half-decent database of pictures of Toronto outside the CBD or Yonge on this forum before you... There was an odd pic here or there, or an odd neighbourhood photo tour, but nothing of this depth.

[xfogus]

Wow, very thorough tour, makes me think I need to get out more

Great job!

[Taller, Better]

Thanks guys! Also I am learning more about my city because of these outings. You look at things differently and closer when you have a camera!

[LordMandeep]

nice, another pic to show toronto is not falt is to take a drive along the 401 or Don valley Parkway or young street when it goings down that massive hill towards the 401.

[Marcanadian]

I say this to all good photographers but I think you should enter some of those in the UPC. I like the OCAD one with the CN and the moonlight. Gives a surreal look to it.
Good work

[softee]

I love these pics! Keep 'em coming.

[Taller, Better]

Will do! Getting lots more pix of people out celebrating World Cup Games, and will post them when I get them all organised!

[parisuite]

I always enjoy your tours..Beautiful pictures!

& ooh can't wait for the ones of World Cup fever

[nanonano]

I am so happy to see the pictures! They remind me of my wonderful trip to Toronto!
I love it so much. I remember to have seen a lot of these places when I was there
My favorite is the chinatown.

[thryve]

GREAT photos... you captured Toronto in your photos, as always.

I hope it shoes the public that in the 21st century, Toronto really can be... dare I say it... sexy and outrageous.

-thryve

[Taller, Better]

Thanks guys! I am utterly exhausted... spent the entire day at College and Dufferin in the Portugese/Brasilian area celebrating the big Brasil win. I am getting so many photos of World Cup pix that I think I will do a separate thread for them. So much fun,
and I don't watch soccer at all! Just the people having fun!

[Wildchild]

TB,
You definitely do your city proud. I'm really loving your pictures.
If I can ask a request from you, I'd ask you take pictures of Liberty Village. It's an area I don't think I've visited and I hear many make reference, mostly in part many buildings are under construction.

[Taller, Better]

Odd you should mention that... I rode my bike down Liberty today after taking some pix of 53 Fraser. Liberty is an amazing street now with so much going on, both new and renovations! Very exciting area!