Is That Andy?

I woke up early this morning, around 7am, and laid in bed until about 8, when I proceeded to get up and shower. Around 9 we left the hostel, and now we’re in the coffee shop that I’ve found myself in half-a-dozen times on this trip. The BBC says that more than 12% of Americans show signs of addiction to the internet. I say ‘bullocks.’

Soon, we’re going to head downtown with a mission in mind: experience Toronto. The last few days we’ve been in Toronto, but we haven’t been immersed in Toronto. So, last night, I did what any American tourist would do, headed to Chapters, and bought Frommers Guide to Toronto. There is a guide in here that looks like it could really help - because I think we’ve walked past everything in Toronto, just didn’t know what it was. (i.e. there are 16 miles of underground shops beneath Toronto’s streets.)

Torontoarians love shopping, that’s for sure. I’m sitting in a coffee shop, that is near a mall bigger than most malls I’ve been to. 5 minutes from here, to the north, is another huge shopping center, and 5 miles past that is yet another huge shopping area. 20 minutes north of here is a shopping area - in the town of Vaughan - called Vaughan Mills. It is hands down the biggest area of retail stores I have ever been. From Vaughan, heading south towards town, on Yonge Street, is another gigantic retail strip. I’m almost certain that there is a GAP every 10 minutes when you’re in Toronto. GAP and Roots.

Boxing Day is huge in Canada. It was December 26th, but every store is still having their Boxing Week sale - featuring most things at huge discounts (Roots had 50% off entire store.) It’s crazy, and the Canadians love it. It’s like American Black Friday for an entire week and the deals are spectacular. Awesome.

So, here’s to today. I need to get some lunch then it’s time to experience what I set her to experience: Toronto life.

INTERESTING LINKS FOR 12.29.06
The BBC, 100 Things We Didn’t Know Last Year
Roots, Canadian athletic wear
Yakima Challenges