Raining on the Parade

It was a cold, dark and rainy Sunday just on the cusp of spring, and the whole world seemed depressed.  Well, maybe not the whole world, but my room-mate and I were after a long weekend indoors with little fun and loads of schoolwork.  To cheer ourselves up, we decided to make use of the Tim Hortons coupons my mom had sent me (it’s the little things when you’ve been a student for 5 years) by loading up on sprinkle doughnuts and iced cappuccinos.

Emerging from the underground at Pape station was like stepping into a different time.  Cars were spaced evenly all along the southside of the Danforth with speakers on their hoods, blasting what I can only describe as old timey music in sync.  Men, women and children in what I can only classify as old-timey clothing marched with flags westward to the music as bystanders stood on the sidewalks, chatting and watching.  Walking down the street that day was fascinating; every overheard conversation was in Greek.  It was like I had been taken to a different place and a different time.

We had stumbled upon the Greek National Independence Day Parade, a commemoration of the anniversary of the beginning of the Greek revolution against the Ottoman empire in 1821.  The next event is Taste of the Danforth – be sure to pick up your free copy of On the Danforth!

My writing teacher is going to shake her head at this statement, but I just can’t help it, Chantel!

It was pretty nice to see an entire community turn up to watch their parade being rained on.

For other Greek events, check out Greektoronto.com.

-Katie

(if you’re a book lover, check out my blog all about their covers)