YOUNG AND EAGER

We live in the Yonge-Eglinton area (an intersection of two major Toronto streets). It's an interesting area kind of like Ponsonby at one end and Dominion Road at the other and has a nice mix of demographics. Like Ponsonby though it is becoming more populated by the upwardly mobile younger set hence we call it 'Young and Eager'.

There are lots of cafes and restaurants and many small shops (clothing, craft, homeware, speciality) which is good and long may they last before they get swallowed up by the large format malls that dominate in other areas.

Walking around the area is always good in any weather. Some highlights are:

• Toronto's 'Blanket Man' a guy who goes about in all weather with very few clothes and has a blanket draped around his shoulders. Last week he was walking through snow in old sneakers with no socks saying "Ooo, ooo, cold, cold".

• The blind guy who hurtles along the footpaths on a mobility scooter waving a white cane furiously out the front. You have to jump out of the way.

• Today overhearing two young women dressed trendily. I was expecting the "..you know like, he was like. wow, omygod, like I didn't know what ...." kind of conversation but no, one was saying to the other "..I just finished reading Kafka's Metamorphosis and it was really good .."

• Crossing the road at any non-controlled intersection. The drivers stop and let pedestrians endlessly cross in front of them. On main roads they also stop to let the odd fool pedestrian cross. I put it down to fear of litigation as they don't have an ACC system here.

• The buskers in the Metro stations. Apparently they are paid/supported by the council and have designated places to play. Tips are a bonus. Generally the quality of music is really good.

• Jamaican pasties. In a city that has no sandwich bars and little opportunity to buy any savoury food like pies these Jamaican stalls are great. They sell little meat filled pasties of varying spiciness.

• Apartment dogs that wear little boots, hats and jackets in the cold weather.