Panamania in Toronto

This summer, Toronto hosts Pan Am and Parapan Am Games and even though I tried, I could not ignore it anymore.

I'm not into sports (other than running) and I certainly don't follow up on world events such as this particular one.

I have seen parts of Olympics a few times, but that was either because there was nothing else on TV or I actually stopped flipping the channels if something, like woman gymnastics, caught my eye at the moment.

Or male gymnastics. Russians were cute at the time.

I do come from a country that is very proud in sports and yields lots of world greatest athletes - whether they're into skiing, swimming, handball, tennis, athletics or (I'm going to say it) soccer.

We have lots of great athletes, and I can maybe name ten of them. But Croatia has always been very sport oriented and we still have great results in every competition held.

Still, that haven't intrigued me to follow sports on TV or, god forbid, going to see games (!).  It's a huge part of Croatian history, but it doesn't exist in my world.

However, it exists now, when there are special traffic regulations introduced and there are crowded people everywhere and you can read PanAm on every sign, screen or piece of newspapers.

It's the PanAm fever that's happening all over North America. One good thing I've learned, being connected to lots of bikers, is that motorcycle riders can use HOV lanes and they will have the best summer riding ever! At least while cruising around the city of Toronto. I failed to see other advantages, except for global euphoria that makes people nice and hearty. That's always a good thing.

So I thought to give it a shot and went to see what's going on down there at Toronto Exhibition Place. Free concerts, food, beer, lots of enthusiasts and enormously expensive souvenir shop with prices blown up to the skies, because of Pachi, the little porcupine mascot is on every mug, t-shirt and key chain.

There are events all over the city connected to the Games, from different workshops, celebrations and concerts.

Every day something new is going on and everywhere you turn, you can see the famous logo of the porcupine. Personally, I liked Vucko more (hint: 1984 Olympics).

The Pan Am Games are over in couple of days (they end on Saturday) and Parapan Games begin on August 7th.

Athletes from more than 40 countries participated in different sports from archery to roller figure skating.





And all I can say is: I wish the best luck to each and every of them! I'm going for a run now, and hopefully I'll be swimming next week in beautiful Adriatic sea. After that, the only sport I'm going to participate in is eating my mamma's food and sunbathing like a lizard.
I need to train that more...

The Toronto Summer Dawn

Yes, I woke up at 5.00 just the other day. No alarm clock, just me. As I became aware of the time, it dawned on me that I could use that to go out and get some shots of the sunrise.

I was actually thinking of doing that the day before, so my inner clock made a decision instead of me and decided to go with it, thus conveniently wake me up at 5.00 am.

I got my coffee and warmed up the car and soon was on my way.

There is a nice spot relatively close to me where you can sit on the lakefront and enjoy the view of the cityline, so I headed straight there.

What I learned here, in a huge city like Toronto, is that whatever crazy thing you do, you won't be alone in it.

Accordingly, there was a couple sitting on the very same spot I was going to sit, I guess waiting for the sunrise too. So I sat down 10 feet away. Just me and them and ducks. A bit weird. And we're all waiting.

Turned out the spot where I was sitting was a great one, as the sun was positioned right next to the CN tower silhouette. So the sun began to rise and it was quite a view.

I don't see the sunrise often, even though I am an early bird. There was a mist or a light fog around, but the colors were still nice.

On my way back, a snail blocked my path so I shot him too, quite a few times. Good thing he's not really  a cheetah so I had time to put on my macro lens before he vanished.


I didn't feel like going back home so instead I headed over to my favorite bridge to see what's happening there at 6 am. 

People walking, bicyclists bicycling, runners running, dogs on a leash snooping around. 

I'm always amazed by that bridge and it feels nice standing in the middle of it. 

Never been there so early in the morning, but it's as alive as thru the day, and the sight is even more beautiful.

There are little parks around and butterfly sanctuaries, but I haven't seen any yet.

On my way back, I saw weird flowers - they looked like they were withered, but still hanging in there. I just thought they looked pretty. 

My excitement didn't really last long after that and I started to think about the nap. I felt like I could use the rest of the sleep, or another cup of coffee to stay awake until noon, at least. I guess this early bird got lazy lately...

Toronto skies and one cut off tree

I've mentioned couple of times how clouds here in Toronto can be spectacular. I don't know why exactly, but there are times when they make the sky look awesome.

Sometimes there's overcast everywhere and there is still sun shining thru.
Sometimes they're just ripped like cotton pieces all over the blue skies, and when the storm is coming, it sometimes feels like two worlds are colliding.

I used to hate clouds (seriously, I had a huge problem with them at one point in my life), but then you grow up and get used to them, and eventually, you might even start liking them.

Especially if you're right here where I am.

One autumn afternoon, the skies were so colourful that I had to take a photo.

But, the problem was I was working so I couldn't exactly just leave. Also, I'm in industrial area with huge buildings around, power cords and trucks so getting a clear shot was almost impossible.

And it was cold outside so too, so I kind of wanted to stay in.

There is one spot I found to shoot the skies, but the certain tree had to be in the picture.

And not even the whole tree, the top is missing because of the power cords and the bottom because of the street, buildings and traffic.

So, I settled for the next best thing and took a picture of cut off tree, from inside, thru the shop window.

The next afternoon the skies were even more interesting, so I took another photo from the same spot.

So I did the next day as well.

The fall here makes the skies, on late afternoons when sun is setting down, quite unusual.


And every day they look different. So I ended up having a whole set of the cut off tree in front of different backgrounds. Not bad for a cloud hater.

Once the winter passed by and spring came, the sights like these became more rare. But, Canadian summer is already half way gone so the fall will be here soon again with it's spectacular colors.

Canada Day..... And the glorious ribs!

1st of July - a national holiday that celebrates the birthday of Canada! And instead of going for the cake, I went for some meat.

Three colonies - New Brunswick, Nova Scotia and the Province of Canada - united in 1867 and formed a single country named Canada, today being 148 years old.

Conveniently enough, there are parties all over the city (and country, of course).

Being hungry as a wolf, I decided to visit the one that promised some good food. I don't really care for fireworks and whatnot, but I do care for meat. So I thought Toronto Rib Festival was a good choice - not exactly Canada Day related. I wasn't looking for that. I was just looking for some food. Some pork ribs seemed like a very good idea.

That is, until I came closer. Rivers of people and streams of cars flooded the place, leaving no empty spots nowhere near to park.

Dark clouds were marching all over the skies, threatening with rain, so I kind of wanted to park close to the area.

Me and another 10 000 people.

Soon enough, I found a spot on the grass and I left the car there, hoping that towing company won't be able to take it away because of all the commotion and crowd.

As soon as I reached the entrance, I've realized that this might have been a huge mistake.

I was convinced I'll stay hungry. The queues of people waiting for food were enormous.
Because of bad weather, the Rib Fest was closed this weekend, so today, being half-sunny, and a holiday, the place was ridiculously crowded.

But I was hungry for ribs.

So I chose a line to stand in and bravely claimed my place in it.

I was going for Kentucky Smokehouse.

Apparently, their ribs were more tender than my mama's love. I fell for that.

Also, the huge "Hillbilly Heaven" sign reassured me I'm at the right spot. They had a lots of piggy awards too.



So, I'm waiting in line and looking around. All people in Canada-wear.

All red and white.
Hats, tees, flags.

All proud to be Canadians.
I loved the sight and wished I can wear that kind of tees too, today.
It would be nice to feel like you're in your own country. Of course, my mama's love would have to be around, and not just tender ribs.

But anyway, I got my hot stuff and I left the place in a hurry to devour those sweet, tasty ribs. They were heavenly indeed.
It's just that I'm craving for a cake now. I need to get some.

And yes, Happy Canada Day!