but how was Toronto otherwise, Peter?

A week and a half ago, early on a Saturday morning, I found myself on a plane at LAX, heading to Chicago

where, after some lounge time, I boarded a second flight to Toronto. 

A long (and kind of pricey) cab ride into the city (but the driver was very good conversation, a lovely man) and I was at my hotel, the Hyatt Regency on King Street.

I'd had a long day with mostly lounge and airplane food to eat at, well, odd times, and though I wasn't super hungry, I did want a late dinner, so I headed to the hotel bar for a bite and drink.  That turned into a long while with a Floridian named Amy sitting next to me, chatting to me. 

No, not hitting on me - her husband was at the other end of the bar - and yes, she was rather tipsy.  But she was friendly, and I enjoyed the chat.  Sometimes that's the fun part of being at a bar.

I slept in the next morning.  And by sleep in, I mean 7:00-7:30 range.  Not bad for me.  I grabbed a decaf latte at the Starbucks on the ground floor of the hotel,

then wandered out for a walk in the city. 

How funny that we were at the corner of King and Peter! 

Apt?  Sure, why not?  I wandered through fairly quiet streets over to the city hall area, taking photos as I went. 

Then it was time to get back to the hotel

- Allison was due to meet me to go for brunch, and I needed to get ready.

Brunch was over in the Distillery District, at a place called El Catrin Destileria.  We met up with Allison's friends Jen and Greg whom I don't think I'd seen in the more than 15 years since Allison's wedding.  Oh, and their cute little dog, as well.  The tacos I had were decent,

but it was nice to sit out on the patio on a fine day and catch up more than anything.

The afternoon after that passed simply:  Allison and I headed to the Oasis pop-up store, chatted a bit with the folks in line with us, and spent two hours waiting to get into the store.  In fact, Allison had to head home before I got in the door as her daughter was due home.  I did get in eventually, though, and bought a football jersey to wear to the concert.

And then, friends, it was the concert evening, though not before Allison and I had pizza with her daughter.  The night ended late for such an early morning ahead.

Before I knew it, it was onto the first of two flights the next day - connecting through Denver this time - sporting the other Oasis shirt I bought. 

A sixty hour trip in total, from home to back home.  Wow!  I'm not sure what will next bring me to Toronto and when, but I'm glad I at least had a nice little glimpse of it outside of the concert.