magic pony

we got up early enough this morning, after yet another night of sore feet, sweats and bad dreams. i believe that the sweats might have something to do with pg piling extra duvet on me in her sleep.

we walked to the promenade to familiarize ourselves with the place and take a bus; the pseudo-station there is badly marked and confusing and we didn't have a dollar of the exact fare that's always required. it was a sunny, comfortable morning and we walked down to the gas station shop by the next stop, grabbing a couple of protein bars and gatorade in order to break a twenty and returning to the stop just in time to board the bus. we arrived without a hitch at the osgoode station and walked from there, giving up on the trams because they seemed to be taking too long and regretting it because they passed us between stops.

we found magic pony quite by chance, as they'd completely redone their window, but were dismayed to discover that the large totoro plush we wanted costs $120 :(

pg got something crafty, i admired the amazing figures and art, and we braved a tram and a subway to meet up with nystire's brother. his instructions were confusing, but we eventually managed to find him. it was beginning to get nippy and he was walking around in shorts...

we ate at rawlicious, which was an odd but generally positive experience, then missioned for tea until we got him to understand that we didn't need exotic teas before heading to his place for a cup of coffee. a lot of talking got done during all of that, and then we were off north again so that we'd have time to do some quick shopping at eat sum more (the south african specialty store) for the montreal family; by that stage it was really, really cold, it began to rain, and pg was spectactularly underdressed for the occasion.

we braved the weather and got everything we needed, including flowers for our current hosts and a small brolly, then returned home for warmth, a thoroughly enjoyable meal, an exceptionally good dessert, some pinball*, and lots of jovial, familiar and sometimes inappropriate chatter with the family.

* i've been meaning to play on their machine in the basement the whole week: it's a great game, but there's something disorientating about infinite balls and something infuriating about it not allowing two players.

we've basically said our goodbyes, though my cousin's going to take us to the station tomorrow, and we're pretty much packed and ready to go. as tough as the middle of the trip was, spending time with the family was wonderful and the taste of toronto left me with a much better idea of what goes on on this side of canada.