Kensington Market

We dropped my sister-in-law off at the airport last Saturday afternoon.  She was off on an adventure of sorts....flying out to British Columbia to turn right back around and accompany her son for the long drive home through the Rockies, across the Prairies and finally back to Ontario.  I told you about my nephew last September...who in the blink of an eye, packed up and moved house to the other side of the country.  He is coming home! 

The experience turned out to be an opportunity for both mother and son....he doing what young men do - chasing dreams and her having her son all to herself as they made their way home, with two puppies and trailer in tow.  That's a lot of miles to spend together sharing meals and talking.  As a mother, I can only imagine how wonderful that was.  They made good time having left on Monday and arriving home Thursday afternoon - still talking! 

It was late afternoon and we didn't have any real plans after we left the airport.  Having recently bought our very first brand new car we were happy enough to wander aimlessly and tour about the city, breaking in the new wheels while breathing in that new car smell.  After driving through Toronto's Little Italy and Little Portugal, we ended up parking and strolling through Kensington Market.  In November, 2006 Kensington Market was declared a National Historic site.  Today, it is a vibrant and diverse neighbourhood with many shops and attractions for tourists and Torontonians alike.  My husband and I visit frequently....there is a cheese shop and a bakery there that I am crazy about.  Through the summer months, the market features Pedestrian Sundays, where the streets in the Market area are closed off to traffic the last Sunday of each month.  There are festivals, music and great food to be had while sitting on a patio or wandering hand in hand.

One of our guilty pleasures at the Market, the Big Fat Burrito.  We never seem to be able to go without stopping here for lunch.  They have many burrito fillings to choose from and even more toppings.  When placing your order, you tell them what you don't want - I always find this confusing - it's like reciting the alphabet backwards....I can do it - but I have to think about it.

His and her burritos.

His.....steak burrito with all the fixings

Hers....ground beef burrito with nearly all the fixings.

A mural of Miles Davis being created before our eyes.

Peer into the doorway....there is so much stuff jammed into this little shop!

We arrived late in the afternoon....many stores were closed or closing for the day.  Still there is always lots to see in the Market, from the eclectic mix of people and shops to the graffiti-covered buildings.  Definitely worth a visit Dear Reader if you're in my neck of the woods.