Buildings higher and higher

It is not simple to photograph these tall buildings. 
Too far away ? Not good... Too close ? Worse...
I just took a few snap shots and will not present them as "Photography"...  Just a snap here and then, a snap there.

even amidst these skyscrapers, many squirrels finds a home

in one of the many parks surrounding the Steel and Glass.

The glass front of one of the newer properties 

with the glass kept as a distorting surface 

of the building across the road.

A Steel Band - in St. James Town

St. James Town is a small area within Toronto, consisting of 19 High Rise apartment buildings, housing between 20 and 25 thousand people of varying ethnic backgrounds. It is one of the most densely occupied areas within North America. The population is a mix of immigrants from Asia and Africa.
Unemployment within the population is high and income low.
Not unexpectedly, the "City  within a City" has become notorious for all types of criminal activity, particularly Drug Dealing.

Many attempts have been made from the outside, but more importantly, from the inside to give the Youth of this difficult environment something constructive with which to occupy themselves.
Here are some pictures of one of these efforts:

This concert was given at Harbour Front, Toronto 

on the shores of Lake Ontario.

Unless you have heard a Steel Band play, 

you will never believe the 

wonderful variety of sounds which can be produced..

These instruments had their origin in the steel drums, 

containing Petrol in its varying forms.

The RCMP at City Hall - in the Garage - and more !

I drove downtown and parked in the underground garage at City Hall.
As I am about to get out of my car, a big UV pulls in beside me and Five Officers of the famed RCMP (Royal Canadian Mounted Police) get out. Three male, 2 female members in full regalia.
I said: "what a lucky break ! Five members of Canada's finest and I have my camera at the ready.
Please line up for the best picture I have ever taken !!! They laughed and lined up for this "Family Portrait."

This is the "RCMP" in their working uniform.

I would have preferred them in their red tunics.

But, maybe it's better this way.

The new City Hall of Toronto, 

preparing for the closing ceremonies 

of the Pan American Games

for the disabled.

The Games, so I am told, were a huge success.

Canada ! I have arrived.

Hallo, everybody !
I have been here now two whole days and tonight it seems as if my "dogs" are preparing to go on strike.
I walked and walked and then I walked some more.
And, of course, I took many pictures. Some will be repetitions from earlier visits, but I shall take great pains to avoid duplications unless a specific reason calls for it.

Let me introduce you to a man called "Mel Lastman"
Mel was a Jewish boy with the greatest gift for convincing people of whatever he himself was convinced of.
From very small beginnings Mel built a large chain of Kitchen appliances: Stoves and Refrigerators.
He was so successful, people said, because he could easily talk an Eskimo into purchasing a Refrigerator from him.
He could also convince people of an idea. 
The principle was simple: If I truly believe that something is a great idea, then why would anybody think otherwise ?
It follows therefore that Mel Lastman became a truly successful mayor of a city of about 500,000 inhabitants, called North York.
When North York amalgamated with 5 other cities situated in closest proximity to each other ( Toronto, York, East York, Scarborough,  to form Metropolitan Toronto, who do you think became the Mayor of this now very large City. Mel ran his cities similar to the way he ran his business. 
As best as I remember, under the guidance of Mayor Lastman, Toronto had no deficit.

It made sense that the area in front of the City Hall of "North York" should be called: Mel Lastman Square.

And now we come to the crux of this story:
Out of a little fountain at the entrance to the Square rises a column topped by a multi coloured,  ever changing message board. I think that the messages thereon reflect the spirit of what is Toronto and ultimately Canada:

"Welcome to Mel Lastman Square"

This says it all: The sign addresses all the people 

and bids them "Welcome".

The City will celebrate an

Iranian Summer Festival on August 15th 

On the 4th and 5th of September 

we shall enjoy the sounds of a "Hispanic Fiesta"

A Korean Harvcest Festival

on 29th and 30th of August.

A Kurdish Heritage Festival on August 23.

CANADA; here I come !

In about 2 hours I shall be off to Vienna and tomorrow, early in the morning, Air Canada will fly me to Toronto where I shall spend one month visiting people and places dear to my heart.
My two children and two grand children shall be #1 on the agenda.
I've also got tickets for "Hamlet" and "Carousel" in Stratford on Avon ( Ontario ) and... I've got a reservation at the Arowhon Pines in Algonquin Park.
I will also help my soccer team in celebrating the 40th Anniversary of our tour of Austria.
I will be visiting Andy in Toronto and in Collingwood, both visits connected with Boating.
There is, of course, lots of time left in between.

Naturally I will take two of my cameras with me and my lap top, so, if everything works out, I shall post a few images on my Blog, to show you all the beautiful and exciting places I will visit.

Till the next time !

Bertstravels
is looking forward to this adventure
CanVac 2015

Recommended Reading

For the lazy, hazy days of late Summer I recommend a few books which will open your eyes and fill your mind with wonder.

You will aks yourself: Is this possible ? And the frightening answer will be :"Yes, it is not only possible but it actually happened:

So here are the books I recommend:

 for German readers:
1.) "Gottes Erste Diener" by Peter de Rosa.
2.) "Papst Entzauberung" by Hubertus Mynarek

for English Readers:
1.) "The Vicars of Christ" ( translation of Gottes Erste Diener )
2.) "Divinity of Doubt" by Vincent Bugliosi

These books will make you shake your head and I hear you say: "I never knew".

 Bertstravels
shook his head not only once.

Cruizing after Diving

A sailor knows :

Someone who is not a sailor will never know :

the feeling of being driven ever faster by a strong wind...!