Toronto: Celebrating Diversity
Brittany Shamess captures the vibrancy of Canada's largest city, Toronto; a city brimming with global cultures and creative energies.
Toronto Skyline
Photographs of the Toronto skyline provide no insight into the vast cultural diversity and distinct characteristics of Canada's largest city. In spite of its modern skyscrapers, the infamous CN tower and the large shopping malls, Toronto is much more than just another "Western city." The city is home to a vibrant community that draws its life source from the array of cultures and passions that have been brought together into one unique cosmopolitan. With a multitude of ethnic neighbourhoods, a thriving art community and an active and conscientious population, Toronto is certainly the most unique Canadian city.
The World in a Nutshell
As one of the most multicultural cities on the planet, Toronto provides the opportunity to travel the world in only a few hours. One can browse through endless varieties of silk in the textile shops of Little India; listen to joyful exclamations of 'Opa!' while walking the streets of Greek town during the summer months; discover exotic herbs and natural remedies in Chinatown; or enjoy the visual experience of wandering through Little Portugal, a neighbourhood characterised by its brightly painted buildings and houses. Alternatively, if one hasn't the time to cruise from neighbourhood to neighbourhood, there's always Kensington Market for a taste of the world at an even quicker pace. Immigrants from all around the globe, including China, India, Vietnam and the Caribbean have opened up restaurants and shops in Kensington, making it one of the most eclectic and fascinating neighborhoods in Toronto. On any given day, Kensington is crowded with people rummaging though the best vintage stores in Toronto, enjoying exotic meals at the quaint restaurants, finding hidden wonders in the boutiques and art stores, and mingling with friends over a cup of coffee on the patios of Kensington's charming coffee shops.
The Distillery District
One of the most amazing things about Toronto is that some of its greatest treasures can be enjoyed without spending money. The Distillery District is a perfect example of this. Only opened ten years old, but already regarded as Canada's leading arts, culture and entertainment destination, the district is a collection of Victorian Industrial buildings that have been transformed into a one-of-a-kind village. Here, creative minds come together to feel inspired and share new ideas in the many galleries, studios and theatres. In fact, walking into one of the stores is not even necessary when just being in the district is a sensory experience all on its own. The elegant stone roads and picturesque brick buildings provoke a feeling of romance and tranquillity that complement, almost paradoxically, the creative and lively energy that flows out of every inspired visitor of the Distillery.
The City that Never Sleeps
A Crowd outside the Art Gallery of Ontario
Even when the sun goes down, Toronto doesn't sleep and a dynamic nightlife rises up. Street vendors open up their hotdog and sausage stands outside of the music venues, local artists welcome friends and colleagues into the art studio for their latest collection, young adults rush into taxis to beat the line at the trendiest club, and the second wave of street musicians open their instrument cases in the hopes of catching the passerby's attention.
Downtown Toronto
There can be no doubt that Toronto is an inventive and vibrant cosmopolitan. It is a city for everyone, where diversity is celebrated and new ideas are welcomed with open arms. There is always something more to discover, friendly people to meet and new places to explore. So if you're in Toronto and only have a limited amount of time to enjoy the city, I suggest that you go without the visit to the CN tower. Instead, opt to admire the tower from afar and utilise it as a compass for when you navigate through the streets. Because to truly enjoy Toronto is not to view the city from above, inside a tower - it is to enjoy the wonderful riches of the world and feel the creative power of humans that is ever so evident in this wonderful metropolis.