an ode to Toronto

A couple of nights ago I stepped into the first snowfall of my trip home. While others hurried past, eager to get home and out of the accumulating slush, I kept couldn't stop looking up.  Because sometimes when it snows, it's perfect. Clusters of snowflakes took circuitous routes to the ground and the dizzying effect of looking up was like being in a giant snow globe. These are the moments that I especially love Canada.

Toronto is the city of my adulthood. There's a memory on every corner: the nervous energy of my first 'real' job downtown, late nights turned to early mornings with my girlfriends, the intersection where a ringing phone brought good news, the hopefulness of a first kiss. I grew up here. I have found courage and contentment in those who have helped me to fill these streets with memories. I faced challenges and found strength to meet them over countless coffees and the steady rhythm of my feet on its pavement. Returning, I still find peace in the familiar-but-changing landscape of the city.

This trip, I was initially taken aback by the dirtiness of the city and the bleak eight hours of almost-daylight each day. My thoughts drifted back to the 5:30 am sunrise in Dar. But slowly, Toronto reeled me back in. A chance encounter with a guy who managed to get an ear bud lodged in his ear canal and the ensuing removal in my brothers' kitchen reminded me that strange (and sometimes wonderful) things happen everywhere. A conversation with a taxi driver that lingered after the meter stopped affirmed wisdom that I've heard around the world: be prepared, do your best, be yourself. An unexpectedly candid Christmas party conversation posed a challenging thought about North American culture: Is it predicated on lies? Why do most of us start by telling our children about a cast of imaginary characters? As I traversed the city, I saw poverty and riches - feeling alarm at the people who have set up camp in vacant storefronts instead of empathy and questioning myself: have I changed?

And then there were people. Suffice it to say Toronto is my city of love.

This morning I got up far too early to leave Toronto - for now. As if to reinforce my building sentiment I was greeted with mild weather and, finally, sunshine! As I walked downtown, the morning light hit the CN Tower, casting it in a faint pink glow. I remarked to myself that the city looked pretty clean for just hours after the revellers stumbled home. I took a deep breath, enjoying having the streets mainly to myself. And then I looked around and saw Toronto again: the discarded liquor bottles, McDonald's wrappers and errant confetti pieces. In the distance, I could see city workers, hard at work cleaning the debris. A fresh start. I thought it symbolic of the new year - the chance we all have every day to start again. My New Year's wish is to take up that offer: to see my city, my experiences and myself anew each day. 

A happy New Year to you all!!!