Rainy day during the lock down. Downtown walk through.

I wanted to get some steps in and showcase Toronto during this lock down. Join me as I walk from Kensington Market, through Chinatown, along Queen St West and up Yonge St.

Kensington Market is all hustle and bustle on a Monday. But as we are in a global pandemic, the lock down has shut down everything but the essentials. You can still by your meats, cheeses and groceries, but all other vintage and clothing spots are closed.  I was able to secure parking easily in the main parking structure. Pre-pandemic, this would have been a struggle.

Anshei Minsk Synagogue - Kensington

I always stop to admire this unique building in Kensington. It’s called the Anshei Minsk Synagogue. Its construction was completed in 1930 and is in my opinion, the most unique building in Kensington. I’ve always wanted to go inside. Perhaps I should reach out and arrange for a visit?

Another shot of a side window. I love old brick works and stained glass.

No endless racks of t-shirts and street merchandise. The streets of Spadina are all but deserted. Its quite the eerie site as normally, this stretch of road is full of people. No social distancing during normal times.

The one thing that still remains open in Toronto is food vendors. You can stop at one of the amazing food vendors in Spadina. Have you ever had Ban Mi? Subway could never! Be sure to check out this Toronto gem for fine Vietnamese Sandwiches.

Toronto’s Chinatown is full of interesting things to look like. I feel like a tourist snapping photos in my home town. But I just love Chinatown’s diversity and choice. It’s a visual treat.

Chinatown Centre is an interesting building to visit. When the lock down lifts, be sure to pay a visit. Its full of interesting vendors. You can find traditional herb vendors, luggage, cell phones, make up and food choices here. The building itself is a little gritty, but I like it that way. Gentrification hasn’t yet touched this building and that’s part of its charm.

Heading south, we come to the end of Chinatown at the intersection of Spadina and Queen St W. To the West of Spadina on Queen St W, you have what I call textile row. Its where you can find all of your textile and beading needs. To the east, you have hipster row. Queen St W offers an abundance of trendy shopping outlets. You can often find local artists peddling their crafts just outside the MEC store.

Wow, the street is so empty! This stretch of road is usually packed with pedestrians. Today it is eerily quiet.

Long live City TV! Oops, I mean CTV News. Here is the original City TV Building, now home to CTV News and CP24. I have fond memories of watching Gord Martineau on City News at Six. It was City News Everywhere! That was a revolutionary period in Canadian broadcasting. I still have fond memories of the long-removed speakers corner and once made a five second Cameo on electric Circus. I was not a good dancer – hence my five seconds of shame.

That truck with the spinning wheels. Still there and the wheels are still rolling.

Random shot in the window. The best camera to use is the one you have on you.

Built in 1822, historic Campbell House, built in 1822, it stands at the corner of Queen St W and University, the building is flanked by skyscrapers and large roads. It stands out of place but tall and proud in Toronto’s ever growing glass skyline.  

Open gates. Is it just me, or does this building look haunted?

One of Toronto’s most iconic intersections. University and Queen St W. Wide streets and water fountains. It’s a must for any visiting shutterbug. Be sure to check it out

What’s with the wood blocks? I am wondering if the pandemic has slowed Toronto’s repair schedule? This should not be in such disrepair!

Nobody parking today!

The food carts remain. One thing bout Toronto City Hall is that you can always get poutine – pandemic or no pandemic. I love the food carts. It’s a greasy treat after a day of walking and site seeing. Some of these trucks have been there for years! But I want to ask, is it time to open up the spaces to some food diversity? A hot dog is timeless, but it doesn’t reflect Toronto’s diversity? What are your thoughts? I am all for some change. Toronto has some of the strictest food cart laws. I would love to see us open up the market. Torontonians deserve choice!

Eaton Centre tamed. I have never seen this section of Toronto so quiet. It’s eerie and I feel sad seeing it. This entry is always in motion, but today it sits empty!

Yonge St is usually busy with cars. Today you can walk across the streets with ease. Only a few cars making the trek up and down the street that connects Lake Ontario to Lake Simcoe.

This woman was so fashionable in her trench coat. I had to take this shot of her walking down into Queen St subway. The juxtaposition of the rain, the subway and her style had me saying wow.

Yonge and Dundas does look an awful lot like Times Square in NYC. Today it’s deserted. The lights still shine bright and the ads are beaming to a few weary pedestrians.

What I call random city spots. Places to sit and people watch on Yonge St.

I got my steps in, took this last shot at Yonge and Wellesley. My fingers got tired and it was cold. Catch you on the next one.