AIRPORTS- A PLACE FOR HELLOS AND GOODBYES

I am an airport geek. I love to people watch. So while waiting for a family member to arrive at Terminal 3, Pearson Airport I had the opportunity on Tuesday. Just Canadian flights coming in and mostly West Jet so not those fun international flights with throngs of people. And no customs. Watching the arrivals board so knowing the flight was on time and when it landed. The people with the tour signs for their group. The Montreal flights and lots of French being spoken. The dazed look on people as they entered the terminal area from the baggage claim area. Where do I go now??? Two little girls with welcome signs for their person! Hugs and kisses for many! If you love the movie- Love Actually, the scenes at the Airport are my favourites. At the beginning and the end of the movie, a statement of humankind. There is little support for those of us who were waiting, few seats to rest our butts. So standing and leaning. I also watched the ground personnel. The security people did not give me much faith. Talking and not observing the crowd as I thought they should. I guess there are security cameras watching us but first observations and awareness of who is there is also important. The Social Worker in me to be aware of all behaviour and people around me at all times. Even if it seems like I not looking. I really am!! So a little Airport fix for me. Do you like airports? Do you like to people watch?
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STREET OBSERVATIONS WHILE WALKING AT 630 a.m.

I love going for my power walk shortly after I arise on a Saturday or Sunday morning. Today I tried to observe as much of my environment as I could. The 4 speeding police cars returning to the police station a short distance from my home. They were changing shifts. The old lady from the apartment walking her dog. The older male walker that picks up plastic bottles. The pickup truck with the security guard watching the library waiting for his shift to be over. The red eyes flying over to Pearson Airport in the West End! Wondering why people from the West are coming to Toronto? To stay or connect with another flight? The morning sky changing to let the sun in. The people waiting at the bus stop at Yonge and Major Mackenzie- why are they up so early? Going to work or coming home from a long night shift! Listening to several songbirds singing! Such an early morning sound! Do you ever really pay attention to the world around you or are you plugged into your i-pac or radio or texting that you are missing life? Practising good observation skills takes time and an awareness of detail!

HEARING AND LISTENING-ONE ASPECT OF MINDFULNESS

While walking today, I decided to hear all the sounds and noises in my environment. The song birds singing. The traffic noises with cars speeding and a truck making a loud sound. The red eye plane from the west heading to Pearson Airport made a welcoming noise in the early morning sky. The honking of a Canada Goose that made me divert my walk from the stairs to walking through the parking lot at the Richmond Hill Library. The geese are known to chase people so I was really not in the mood to be chased. My feet making noises as I pounded the pavement. The wind rustling through the trees. Being attentive to the surroundings let ideas and thoughts prevail. The main reason I do not plug into a walkman or I pad or whatever else as they  drown out the world. Listening to the world! One aspect of mindfulness that allows the senses to expand. As we try to find excitement in our life, it can be the small moments that bring some meaning. Hearing and listening to the world, to others, to ourselves- takes concentration and discipline! How mindful are you in your environment? Do you hear and really listen? Or do you try to block out others and the sounds around you?

A POSTCARD FROM TORONTO ONTARIO CANADA

Toronto, the capital of Ontario, is a great city with tourists coming from all over the world and Canada to visit. For me, it is my birthplace. My mother was born here and although she has lived out west for the last few years of her life still calls it home in her heart. My children were born here too.

Initially called Muddy York due to the Ontario mud, Toronto means meeting place. Transportation is good. A ride on a streetcar is a must. Do you like the TTC (Toronto Transit Commission) archival pictures. Neat, eh?

Some of my postcards from the early 1970's. Family had a few trips to Woodbine Race Track. Mom liked to go a few times a year. Her Dad took her to the old racetrack in the city that is long gone. Do you like the skyline of Toronto- no CN Tower! Moore's sculpture at City Hall was so controversial. Is it art? I always loved it. Trendy Markham Street and Yonge Street. It was a cheap date for Adolph and me to go downtown and walk around Yonge Street!

Modern Toronto with cultural diversity, Bay Street, a great police force- Toronto Cops are Tops- slogan.
Today there is the Occupy Toronto demonstration going on. The city and its people accept protests and peaceful demonstrations. Just hope this one stays calm! Different areas still have a sub-group- Danforth- the Greek community; St. Clair- the Italian community, although a lot have moved to Woodbridge; Bathurst Street- the Jewish community;  many areas have people from the Caribbean and other parts of the world; and of course there are many multi-generational Canadians still living there in the city or near Toronto like I do. The shopping is good with trendy areas and of course The Eaton Centre! When there was the old Eaton's and Simpsons, Mom used to love to go downtown-taking the bus and subway from Richmond Hill to shop and get the bargains. Her favourite haunt was Eaton's Annex where all the returns, end of lines and real bargains existed. We all have fond memories of shopping with Mom. She always could find a bargain. Most of our clothes were bargains-even if the colours did not match our wardrobe!

Pearson Airport with its 3 terminals is an International Airport of modern standards. Look closely at the postcard above and you will see the old Malton terminal. Hard to imagine the small little airport that once existed. I recall departures and arrivals as a child from it.
Vibrant, ever changing! Toronto- love it or hate it! Home to millions and another a million or two in the Golden Horseshoe.The Toronto Maple Leafs, Toronto Argonauts, Toronto Raptors and Toronto Lynx also call it home. Don't forget the Entertainment District! Come visit and judge for yourself! I have room! There's lots of room, it is a big city.
Do you like Toronto? Do you hate Toronto? What are your favourite memories of the city?
If you want a postcard featured here, email me at abdm@rogers.com and I will send you my address so you can send me a postcard.