1. Fly into Toronto after a sunny morning spent drinking too many cups of chocolate almond milk coffee in New York, and immediately make your way to the airport’s immigration area. Fear excruciatingly tedious bureaucratic hurdles and an intrusive pat-down, but instead find yourself being handed a two-year working visa within minutes.
2. Before being sent on your way, have your immigration officer lean forward, look you directly in the eye, and tell you in a low voice that under no circumstances are you to work in the sex trade during your time in Canada. Laugh and laugh, then wonder afterwards whether it’s a bad thing that you somewhat interpreted this as a compliment. Decide to postpone analysis of psyche-as-related-to-self-esteem to a later date.
3. Ponder whether your new visa makes your soul Canadian and, if so, whether said soul now requires regular doses of poutine. Decide to keep quiet about Melbourne vegan poutine experience, as you’re starting to think it probably wasn’t authentic.
4. Settle in at your long-lost soulmate’s apartment, and spend hours with your Lisa talking, laughing, talking, laughing.
5. Discover that, regardless of whether you find it marinated and grilled at a restaurant (Fresh, if you’d like to know) or in health food stores, every single type of tofu you eat in Canada seems to be the best tofu you’ve ever had.
6. Also discover that Toronto’s Live Organic makes the best kimchi you’ve ever had, and cheer for the fact that it’s raw and vegan to boot.
7. While Lisa is at work, spend two days in a row wandering around the gorgeous and unique Kensington Markets, delighting in the cheerful people, sparkling sunshine, and Fall-kissed trees.
8. Sparkles! Sparkles! Sparkles!
9. Resist buying sparkly red dress due to rational brain reminding you that, despite today’s sunshine, winter is coming, and also you aren’t allowed to work in the sex trade.
10. Become swept up in the colours of Kensington Market’s produce stalls, ignoring the inappropriately-existing summer watermelon to instead make a beeline for something your heart has long desired: mini individual fancy squashes.
11. Snaffle up a gorgeous Acorn Squash, hurry home, then roast it at 400F for an hour until it is golden, soft, perfect. Eat both halves sprinkled with pepper, nutritional yeast, Bragg’s, and apple cider vinegar, squealing to Lisa the whole time about how delicious it is and how happy you are. Subsequently have a little lie down because that blighter weighed two pounds.
12. Dance and twirl through your first week in Toronto as it flies by in a whirl of farmers market visits, late-night heart-talks, wonderful chocolate, and epic spectacular nights of dessert creativity in Lisa’s kitchen.
But those are stories for another day.
P.S. Except for the story about how I’m a little proud of myself because I absolutely fail at artsy-cleverness as a rule, yet it was my idea, when Lisa couldn’t find Fall-themed cookie cutters, to take the tulip cutters, turn them upside down, and thereby make them into little Halloween ghosts with chocolate chip eyes. This is likely to be my one and only aesthetic success all year, so you can darn well believe I’m going to crow about it.
Tulip ghosts are genius. Take all the credit you can for that one.
Why thank you! I believe I just might. Four years from now, I’ll still be patting myself on the back (I hope not).
So much groovy-ness in one post! Oh and delicious tofu-ness, kimchi raw-ities and ghosty goodies.
Wow, Toronto looks so frickin cool. Again, mucho envious of your adventures and play-mates….. and eats.
Toronto is doing its best to woo me with sunshine and deliciousness. I’m storing up as much Vitamin D as I can in preparation for the long winter.
Those ghost cookies are so cute!
That todo dish looks really good!Is that goma sauce at the side??
It took me an embarrassingly long amount of time to figure out that by “todo” you meant “tofu”. And no, not goma, it was a “rich miso gravy”.
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH whoopsieeee my bad
1. Oh good, I’m so glad you don’t have that hanging over your head! One thing off the list, right?
2. Totally a compliment. I would be thrilled to get such a warning.
And everything else is just beautiful. I’m glad you have the opportunity to experience it. <3
Thank you dear Hannah. Always look on the bright side, right? x
I’m so glad that immigration officer laid down the law … I can relax now!
Toronto sure does look lovely … I’m not a big fan of cities, but pretty cities with quaint areas are something else.
I know, right? You can rest easy in the knowledge that I won’t be bringing a pimp home with me.
I’m still getting used to the idea of living somewhere with skyscrapers.
I’m in love with Toronto just reading this! also, I’m glad you decided to stay out of the sex trade.
Well, the decision was really made for me.
I’m glad Canadian immigration officers take a fatherly interest in the young beautiful women crossing their border.
I’m thinking their must be a cat somewhere in your ancestry – you seem to fall on your feet all the time.
Great photos and posts Hannah – I’m really enjoying your experiences vicariously!
You are as clever, nimble, and cuddly as a cat, so perhaps it comes from your side?
So, so lovely to hear from you, my beloved Grandma. I’ve been thinking of you today, as you head to/are in Sydney. Much, much love.
Love your ghosts and all your toronto love – sounds like a great city – I have heard said that it is similar to Melbourne and I am sure I would feel at home with good tofu and colourful markets
There are farmers markets *everywhere*, and so many vegan restaurants. you, E and Sylvia would have a lovely time.
I think Toronto is a little infatuated with you as well. It keeps showing up with its finest sky blue and puffy white clouds on display. I’d take that as a compliment too.
I like to believe that staying with me and playing in my kitchen has brought out your creative, artistic side. If you’re starting with adorable little ghosts – I can’t wait to see what you’ll be coming up with by the time that visa runs out. That is, as long as you don’t get distracted by jobs that pay more than marble-sized bites of batter.
xo
I think being with you brings out all the better sides in/to me. Thank you for that, my dearest. And you know what? Marble-sized bites of batter are utterly magical, particularly when they’re set aside with such genuine care before the addition of orange. xo
I wish I’d had your steps (and possibly you!) to guide my brief time in Toronto 4 years ago. I’m in love with it now in a way that I didn’t quite manage back then, although in fairness to the city I didn’t spend much time in it and I did love Canada more generally (I have family between Toronto and Niagara Falls
).
The mini squashes and the hemp chocolate have stolen my heart but I am a little concerned that we are going to lose you to the COMPLETE OTHER SIDE OF THE WORLD for 2 whole years. I am excited for you with the working visa though – congratulations!
Aw, that’s lovely of you to say, and yet almost a little bit naughty coming from the girl planning to move to England herself before long…
Teehee!
I think it’s the realisation that I’ll be going just as you might be coming back that led to the concern
I think this means you should leave a little bit earlier and visit your, ahem, family in Canada on the way
Love the Halloween ghosts! And yay Canada? Did you know that when I applied for a Canadian working visa I missed the quota allocation by 8 days! But awww happy days for you! Now please eat some poutine for me
I will make sure that any and all poutine I eat is dedicated to you. And oh heavens, I think I do remember you telling me that back when I first stayed with you that time, but I’m so glad I’d forgotten! That would have made me so anxious to think of.
Some of my favourite bloggers are in Toronto. I would love to go there. Just love that sparkly red dress and you should buy it – sex workers shouldn’t have a claim on all the sparkles! xx
I have recently realised that I barely know any bloggers in Toronto! You shall have to point me towards your favourites
It isn’t so much the sex worker thing as the fact that it’s almost winter and, you know, -20C…
I am so sold on Toronto right now… Gotta get a job and bye a ticket
Cheers
Choc Chip Uru
…”and also you aren’t allowed to work in the sex trade.” you are so witty : ) i love reading about your adventures, hannah! thank you : )
Kensington Markets, Toronto
Oh gosh, thank you! Such kind words
Artistic genius.
Aaah, Canada! My aunt from Canada is actually down with us at the moment, while you are up there!
Your post is making me think I am due for a visit to my cousins up that way soon though. Hmmm. Hmmm!
And SPARKLIES. Surely sex trade workers aren’t the only ones who should be able to have sparklies? Surely?
Dear heavens, if I had family anywhere else in the world I’d constantly be coming up with excuses to visit them. In other words, Ashley… DO IT. Maple syrup awaits.
Certainly sex workers aren’t the only ones who deserve sparkles but, alas, winter is coming and if I wore that dress in -20C weather, I would die.
What a great post! I went to Toronto many years ago, and it was somewhere I have never been keen on going back to, but you made it sound so very exciting! I love your pics of Kensington markets and the farmer’s markets….maybe had I gone to either of them, I would have a different opinion of Toronto! Enjoy your stay in Canada…I’ve used my two-year visa there and it is a fabulous country
Oh golly, what a compliment! I must admit, my first day here I felt very overwhelmed, but there are farmers markets, vegan restaurants, and smiling faces everywhere, so I think it shall be glorious. Where did you live?
I lived in Edmonton, Alberta for 8 months last year, and had visited a couple of times prior. It was another place I wasn’t fond of on my first visit (it’s too freaking cold!), but grew very fond of as I made friends and learnt the places to go. One of the things that I loved the most was how close it was to the mountains….if you haven’t been already, then you really will have to get over to Banff/Jasper as the Rockies are just stunning…any time of year.
Oh my, as soon as I read “Alberta” I thought “But isn’t that one of the places of DEATH BY COLD?!” If you can survive and find happiness there, then I’m sure I’ll be fine wherever I end up. I definitely plan to explore much of Canada during my time here, but think I’ll do so in the warmer months. I have tentative plans to be a fireside hermit throughout winter.
Can you tell that I am super jealous now? I love Canada and Toronto has freaking awesome food.
Ooh, do you have any recommendations in particular?
I am SO glad you’re enjoying TO as much as you are! Too bad about that dress, though.
I’m hoping I’ll find something in a similar vein again come summer next year
YAY how long are you here for? Glad you have found Kensington and I most definitely think you should buy that sparkly, sparkly dress before you leave
Have you eaten at Hibiscus on Augusta Ave? It’s a delightful little place with the best hearty salad bowls.
Well, as I said above, my visa is for two years!
I’ve only eaten at Fresh so far, so thank you for the Hibiscus recommendation. I’ll check it out online now!
Toronto looks like a might good time! I’ve always wanted to go there.
I am so glad you are loving Toronto
Are you planning on staying for a while?? I certainly hope so! Seems like you’ve discovered a few of Toronto’s gems already- can’t wait to hear about more of your adventures here 
Well, see the part above about the two year visa?
Though, of course, I don’t know how long I’ll be in Toronto specifically, but I think I’ll probably stay throughout winter at least. Might even have to get one of these job things! 
I’m so happy you’re falling in love with Toronto already! I hope the love is strong enough to last you through the winter.
Thank you Nicole! I’m definitely already consciously storing away happy golden memories to propel me through winter. Examples include: sunshine and radiating warmth as I sat and read Main Street Vegan at the Harbourfront yesterday, meeting you and discovering you are just as lovely as I expected, and the deliciousness of roasted squash. I have high hopes for the strength of my budding love.
P.S. I’m rather excited to see your side of the Treat of the Month goodies on Sunday!
Dear Hannah,
When I read the title and started scrolling down, it was almost “shock horror” that I am not seeing any pics of chocolates. Alas, it appears. LOL.
I think that read dress would love brilliant on you besides. it’s going to be summer in Oz soon
Bahaha! Just wait, there’s a new chocolatepalooza post going up today. I’m so behind on my reviews; there may be a surfeit of chocolate in coming days.
Alas yes, summer in Oz, but I’ll be dealing with -20C here (apparently).
It’s good that you’ll be in Toronto for the winter…. it’s much warmer there overall than some of these northern US states, so it seems like the place for you to be:) Less chilly toesies, more tasty squashies!
Ack, CN Tower. Frightening memories of standing on top of the see-through segment inside the tower, looking towards the ground, as annoying teenage boys jumped up and down as hard as they could in a circle around me. Sad scary!
I LOVE YOU FOR SAYING THAT YOU MAKE ME FEEL LIKE I MIGHT SURVIVE end caps. (My Mum keeps trying to convince me to go to Vancouver over winter instead; apparently Vancouver has high minimums than even Canberra does!)
Oh, your CN Tower story does not thrill my soul. Lisa told me that they do “side walks” (I can’t remember the real name) now where you’re tethered to the outside and walk around it, or something to that effect. TERROR.
Yikes. I would so like to visit Toronto again…. (emphasis on would)
Hehehe… Your “lists” never fail to make me smile. And love how it’s always told in funny picture story form. One question, I’m not so big on the sparkles (it’d be funny if I were), so could the love of sparkles be translated into sprinkles (like 100s & 1000s)? If that’s the case, sign me up! And I love how you make it sound like an instruction when you ask us to “resist” or “become swept up” hahahah. You funny person, you.
Oh yes! Sparkles and sprinkles are definitely synonymous in my LOVE ALL THE GARISH THINGS world. In fact, you can see proof of this in my Brigadeiros and Nutella Fudge posts
Wince, you’re just great. Thanks for your spectacular words.
Ooh Toronto! Such a great Canadian city. Ummm that red dress is the best thing ever!!!! Love Live, esp their cocktails
ChocSol?! Never heard of this!!! Can’t wait till your next stop is in my town xo
Oh Heathy, I can’t wait either!! Squeeeee! I’m currently trying to navigate the flight options as the flights seems to be all very expensive and at terrible hours of the day (i.e. I don’t want to fly in at 1opm if I have to get a train or bus afterwards!). Did you once say something about Thunder Bay being an option?
Hmm, I really shouldn’t be making these plans via my blog’s comment section, should I?
I will do some research for you and email it
I would love to visit Canada…my best friend said it’s her most favourite place in the world and it certainly looks like a foodie paradise too from your post!
The tulip cutter is definitely the best idea I’ve seen in a while. Well done!
Oh, I love that! I love hearing how many people adore Canada! It makes me more excited about being here
haha! Hannah, oh my (point #2). Major lol (sorry, hate saying lol but it’s so appropriate) at point #9. But yay for the visa! I’d love to have poutine in Canada. I’d love to visit Toronto! Seems like a darn liveable place.
Heidi xo
It was totally a compliment, right? Right?
*long silence*
You’d love to visit Toronto? Canada in general, perhaps? Poutine? Me? Kombucha? Long walks by the water? You have two years to come, my darling friend. I’ll be waiting. xo
So it’s a thing? Definitely there for two years? That’s amazing. Can’t wait to hear all your adventures. A visit totally could happen! Maybe. Oh so many places to visit……I wish I could just escape work & travel the world right now. As much as I like it, I hate being tied down!
Heidi xo
Well, in truth, who knows what will happen over the course of the next two years? But I can say that from where I stand now, staying for as long as my visa allows definitely seems plausible
‘Course, at some point soon I’ll have to do the whole “find a job and a place that isn’t a friend’s couch” thing, which in a sense is being tied down… Please do come! After all, it’s my fault I left before you could come see me in Canberra.
Oh YAY, I’m nearly caught up, and get to see your almost contemporaneous life. I lived in Edmonton and Vancouver, but probably before you are born. Both great cities. I never got to Toronto sadly. It looks great. I laughed at the immigration man, but was saddened by your decision to say no to the dress- it’s fabulous. Acorn squash! I don’t think I’ve ever had that. How wonderful.
I’ve now had three amazing unique little squashes, and the Acorn Squash is currently sitting in second place. I would love to hear anything about your time and experiences in Canada! I think I’ve decided to hold off on gallivanting until the weather is warmer again (though this scarily means I may need to find a job in Toronto), but Vancouver is definitely on the cards for next year
Aw, damn customs officials and their restrictions – imagine your life with that sparkly red dress! I am so so glad Toronto fits you! It’s a gorgeous city. Want me to facebook introduce you to two former Melbourne-vegans (still vegan, formerly of Melbourne) who live there?
Actually, that might be really fun! Strangely, even though there are apparently a billion Toronto food bloggers, I barely know anyone here. (Although your friends may not be bloggers, of course!) Thank you Theresa
So beautiful and it’s making me fall in love just that little bit too. Those ghost cookies are adorable!!
Wishing you could have gotten at least ONE photo of you in red dress
Teehee! If I ever find myself in the vicinity of a red sparkly dress again, I’ll do my best to take a photo for you. Considering how quickly the weather has turned very very cold, though, I wouldn’t get your hopes up until… April.
Love point 9. Very cute.
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