I grew up being obsessed with all things Canada and hockey. I dreamed of stepping foot in Canada one day, but I never knew I would love it as much as I did. This is my personal experience with Canada. This my personal love for a country I do not live in.
Canada is so cool. Toronto is fairly similar to Chicago or New York City. Yet, there was something so special about it. It could have been because I dreamt about that trip for years. Despite personal feelings, Toronto is a city that many could love.
Toronto has the Hockey Hall of Fame. Loving hockey that was the first place I visited. I got to see the Stanley Cup, historic pieces of hockey, learn some interesting facts that I did not know, and solely enjoy a place I dreamed of going.
My thoughts are scattered all over the place with how to describe how incredible Canada really is. I think that visiting at the end of the year was great because I had a real "Canadian Experience." It was cold, but I didn't mind it. In fact, I learned that Toronto is not used to being "so cold" for an extended amount of time. It has a pretty mild climate.
Citizens of the Toronto area were wrapped in winter coats, scarves, gloves, hats, and more when they were outside walking through the streets. Unsurprisingly, there were a few people who appeared to have the "It's Not That Cold" mindset. Classic Canadians, am I right? Due to the locals also being wrapped up, I did not feel out of place. In fact, I actually enjoyed the cold up there! That's not weird, right?
To give even more of my love for Canada, I grew up dreaming of going to Canada and living there one day. I now know that I could totally live there. In fact, one of my friends texted me saying "So, when are you moving there?" That is how much love I expressed for Canada. It was great.
Furthermore, Canada is so unique. In Canada, their transit is run completely different than the United States transit. In Canada, there are no turn styles to get through an enter a subway. They are incredibly trusting that people will pay for their ride. In America, there are turnstiles that you must swipe a card to get through.
I should also talk about how hockey is literally everywhere! Everywhere you look there is something that relates to hockey. Whether it the Wayne Gretzky restaurant, a game, or a store, it is all over the place. It was great. Hockey is always being talked about in Canada and it was a dream.
There is also the fact that their shops do not open until 10 or 11 A.M. Yes, you read that right. And on the weekends, their downtown is practically completely shut down. Which to an American is weird since our country is almost always running. We have 24-hour stores, while some Canadian coffee shops don't open until 11. America would have some angry businessmen and businesswomen if that were the case.
I learned a lot and fell in love with a city so unfamiliar to me. I lost my way a couple of times, but it was totally fine. I ran into unexpected places. I journeyed around, and it was altogether simply amazing.
