Now that we’re back home, I’m planning new topics, but I have a few leftover Toronto photos that refuse to be wrestled into a single coherent theme. Be warned: meandering flight ahead.
First, Toronto wildlife. Not much. Hey, it was winter, and we spent all our outdoor time in wildlife-unfriendly city neighbourhoods. But I did manage to snag two examples.
These birds found an appropriate place to carry on their conversation. I believe they’re sparrows, and judging by their fluffed-up feathers probably as cold as I was after removing my gloves to take the photo. I’d have tried for a closer shot, but my fingers got numb.
The fellow below was rambling one afternoon through a parkette on a busy street. Maybe it forgot that it’s nocturnal?
Here’s one in the interesting architecture category, except this is actually a large backlit mural at Pearson Airport. We never made it downtown to the 130-year-old Gooderham Building (aka the Flatiron Building). That’s on the agenda for our next trip. I'd like to try matching this spectacular photo with one of my own.
The rest of the photos are transport/airport related. We took a Go Transit bus from/to Pearson Airport, trips that took less than half an hour on near-empty buses, and the bus stop was right outside our hotel. On our return trip, we caught a bus adapted in 2020 when it was thought plexiglass would slow the spread of COVID-19. Most experts don’t believe that anymore, but the plexiglass remains.
Such measures seem laughable now that we know COVID-19 is airborne. Of course, some people have odd ideas about how airflow works. An elderly relative of mine was convinced that her shower curtain wouldn’t dry if not left open on one side to allow air to flow around it. (The gap above the curtain seemed to have escaped her notice.)
The airports had COVID-19 measures in place, but some seemed dubious. When flying out of Vancouver, our boarding passes allocated the two of us to different zones even though we had seats next to each other. When asked, airline staff said this was intended to allow those in window and middle seats to settle in first and minimize having to jostle with strangers.
It’s a good idea, in theory. In practice, not so much, given human nature. At the very first boarding call, everyone surged into the lineup, regardless of zones. Stampeding onto that plane trumped any safety considerations. Announcements that the flight was full and some might have to check carry-ons increased the panic. Our carry-ons ended up at opposite ends of the plane, but at least not checked in. We were thankful for our N95 masks.
The sign below about air quality at Pearson Airport was reassuring, although the reference to disinfecting air with ultraviolet light reminded me of Donald Trump’s infamous briefing ("So, supposing we hit the body with a tremendous - whether it's ultraviolet or just very powerful light.") I’m sure the airport relies on scientifically proven methods.
Keeping lineups moving and at the same time distanced is a challenge. I’m not sure the photos below capture this, but these portable posts and retractable belt stanchions force passengers to zigzag in close quarters before reaching the end of the security lineup.
As you can see, it wasn’t busy, so we took a shortcut to reach the end of the line.
We didn’t encounter any weather-related delays. The snow that fell on the West Coast around Christmas had mostly melted by the time our flight landed (though our feet got soaked trudging through slush created by the wet snow that welcomed us home). A few days later, it snowed good and proper again. See below.
I’m delighted that we missed the snowmageddon that pummelled Toronto last week. I like looking at snow through a window. I can do without trudging through it.
* Raccoon by Olga from NounProject.com
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