Toronto is the provincial capital of Ontario. It's a busy city throughout the week, particularly in the core. And it's a city filled with delusional fools devoted to a hockey team doomed to never win a championship again (hi, Leafs fans!). It's gone by some nicknames down through the years since its founding, including Hogtown and The Big Smoke. These days the city is plagued by a drug addled incompetent alcoholic rage machine who thinks he's the mayor, and who has turned the city into an international joke. Incidentally, in person, the man is even more obnoxious than you see him on the news.
Coming through the city on Christmas Eve, I had enough time to stroll about the downtown core and take some shots. This one is near City Hall. I just liked the look of the building, a hydro-electric building dating back to the twenties.
The Eaton Centre is a shopping mall in the downtown core, the huge glass ceiling a signature of the place. There were very large glass and steel frame reindeer mounted in several places inside, lit with multicoloured lights for the season.
Their scale when seen with people passing by is impressive. I found myself wondering how long it took to put these together.
Outside, I paused for this shot. The Canada Life Building is down the street on University Avenue, a Beaux-Arts tower that was opened in the early thirties. Beyond it is the one building in Toronto that most anyone the world over knows: the CN Tower.
That's a lovely stroll and a nice rant!
ReplyDeleteIt's a wonderful old classic building William, those windows are magnificent! What always surprises me, and it's happened here too, how do these maniacs get in, there must be a lot of daft people out there that vote them in oui!
ReplyDeleteThat hydro-electric building is a classic ! Since it's in the city enter, is it office space?
ReplyDeleteI've been in that mall -- it's amazing, as gorgeous as a shopping mall could be! Toronto is one of the prettiest cities in the world. What I found especially nice was how the old and the new came together for the whole. One doesn't see that too often. Now, ahem, about those Leafs . . . I've only seen one hockey game at an arena in my life. Don't know jack about the game's finer points. But, William, the poor Leafs . . . I feel sorry for them. Surely they'll come back! (Geaux Leafs!) About lunatics in office -- this, too, shall pass.
ReplyDeleteNeat shots of the Eaton Centre Christmas decor. Ah, so when you think of Toronto you think of Ford and the Leafs? Fascinating. ;))
ReplyDeleteThe mayor's been in the news quite a bit here! That is a lovely stroll about, love that glass ceiling mall.
ReplyDelete@Ciel: thank you!
ReplyDelete@Grace: daft in this case was an understatement!
@Stuart: I think it's a utility building, from the looks of it.
@Kittie: I'll have more of a mix of old and new tomorrow. And I must make fun of the Leafs! I've got cousins who are big fans of the team.
@EG: well, that's not all I think of when it comes to Toronto, but these days, the Chief Idiot does tend to draw all sorts of attention for the wrong reason...
@LondonLulu: there's a similar mall- on a much smaller scale- that once had that name in my father's home town. I photographed it as well while I was away. It'll turn up sooner or later.
It's too bad about Rob Ford. The funny thing is though, I wouldn't count him out to get reelected. Toronto is a crazy place! I love seeing my old city though. Thanks for the shots. :)
ReplyDeleteEnjoyed the tour!
ReplyDeleteNow I see something from the real city. Nice pictures. The shopping mall is fantastic. Greetings.
ReplyDeleteI like your photos of the Eaton Centre, impressive!
ReplyDeleteI have to admit that these shots are much more appealing than anything you could have gotten in your one close encounter with Mayor Crackface!
ReplyDeleteInteresting shot of the Canada Life Building. Everything looks so dirty at this time of year. I'm trying not to think about the mayor but do hope that the Leafs pull it out finally one year!
ReplyDelete@Halcyon: him getting reelected is possible... but it would be a nightmare!
ReplyDelete@Lauren: thank you!
@Inna: thanks!
@Karl: it's an interesting mall to walk through. For me, the amount of light that comes in makes it work.
@Norma: I still should have asked him if he had any crack on him.
@RedPat: anytime I've passed through town, I've looked for a different angle of the CN Tower. The two towers together seemed fitting.
Wow, those windows are amazing. And the reindeer - how beautiful!
ReplyDeleteI am envious of Toronto these days. It seems to be having an economic building boom.
ReplyDeleteThe scenes from inside that glass-topped shopping center are impressive!
Your photos of Eaton Centre brought back recent memories as we toured Toronto for several days in early Sept. Our hotel was in Mississauga and we rode the GO commuter train daily to get into the city. This downtown mall was impressive (Square One in Mississauga as well).
ReplyDeleteNice shots!
ReplyDelete@Krisztina: they're certainly bigger than the other animal sculptures in this mall, which I photographed!
ReplyDelete@Jack: if only they could get rid of the idiot in the mayor's office!
@Beatrice: I've been in Square One many a time. There was a video store there- I hope it's still there- with a great selection of stuff you'd have a hard time finding elsewhere.
@Cheryl: thank you!
Jane: Great south view of University Ave! The Canada Life building is a landmark for me. It enables me to get to Queen St. I hope you had time to check out the north view of Unversity Ave where the instituations there pump out so much great work!
ReplyDeleteThank you!
Delete