21 Aug 2013 – 11+hrs on the Canadian Greyhound

And I am still in the same state of Ontario! Left Toronto Tue 0100hrs to arrive on time 0600hrs to Sudbury, supposedly 1.15hrs layover became 2hrs layover. C$72 S$88 on a full bus all the way with a few short 15mins stopovers but too sleepy and tired to remember where!

Appreciations to May&Lock for meeting me at the station (45mins delayed arriving at 1230hrs), which they thought was in town but have since moved to the Howard Johnson Hotel. Blue sky and lovely weather to welcome me. Roadside local produce on sale with the biggest broccoli, cabbage and cauliflower ever seen. Seems like someone is moving house and this literally gives the term to move house exactly as the words to move house!

Sault Ste. Marie (pronounced Soo Saint Marie) is a city on the St Mary’s River in Algoma District Ontario with a metro area of 805.38sq km 310.96 sq mi, pop 75,141. The community was founded as a French religious mission: Sault either means jump or rapids in French, and thus the entire name translates to St Mary’s Rapids or St Mary’s Falls. Although the word sault is pronounced like so (soʊ) in French, it is pronounced like soo (suː) in the English pronunciation of the city name. Residents of the city are called Saultites. With a mission established by French Jesuits in 1668, claiming of the area one of the oldest European settlements in Canada.

Thanks to May&Lock for delicious Italian lunch at Solo*** and looking forward to learning more about this area with USA boarding on the International Bridge.

Yummy yum yum lobster and quail dinner made by May, the best cook. For now very contented to be in their beautiful house by St Mary’s River and facing Sugar Island/USA as I post this blog. The first time here was in the 1980s and then again in 1990s both times in the winters and now for the first time in the summer. It is absolutely serene and delightful here with a view of the St Mary’s River and USA, an inviting indoor pool and an amazing staircase.

No one saves us but ourselves. No one can and no one may. We ourselves must walk the path – Buddha

21Aug 2013 – And Enjoying Every Moment!

The Regent Park Revitalization Plan is an initiative that began in 2005 by the City or Toronto with fellow development, government and community partners, with the focus of rebuilding the neighbourhood for 12,500 residents over 15 years. This means turning what was once a rather undesirable area into a self-sufficient mixed-income, multi-use community.

There is a new aquatic centre, condos and various developments with interesting exhibits of upright painted pianos and swinging girl made up of keys.

Bell Canada outdoor junction boxes located throughout the North Downtown Yonge and Danforth East neighbourhoods is doing the Bell Boxes Murals Project. What an excellent idea to brighten up these boxes and by giving artist a chance to show their talent.

7Aug- 4Sep: Ghost Month: almost as important as honoring your ancestors, offerings to ghosts without families must be made, so that they will not cause you any harm. Ghost month is the most dangerous time of the year, and malevolent spirits are on the look out to capture souls. Yun & I went to pay respects to her parents’ grave and to do some cleaning. Did not attend 5th auntie’s funeral, Sophie was born the day auntie died.

Case Loma: entrance for seniors C$15 S$18  http://www.casaloma.org

a Gothic Revival style house and gardens in midtown.  Now a museum and landmark. It was originally a residence for financier Sir Henry Mill Pellatt. Casa Loma was constructed over a three-year period from 1911–1914. The architect of the mansion was EJ Lennox, who was responsible for the designs of several other city landmarks.

Appreciations to Yun for her company, putting up with me, driving and tourist guiding me around, all the delicious meals, etc etc. Thanks to Chai for his company and dinner and to Minos for dim-sum lunch. Goodbye to Toronto, catching the 0100hrs Greyhound bus for a 11+hrs ride to Sault Ste Marie visiting with May&Lock. Looking forward.

The past is a ghost, the future a dream and all we ever have is now – Bill Cosby