Friends -- III
Date: 01 January 2009 23:08:04
Toronto was on my itinerary to visit a friend I had not seen since 2001 -- and to meet his wonderful wife whom he married several years back [and whose wedding I could not attend due to me being short of cash at that time -- Canada isn't the cheapest destination from Oz!] We met on a Contiki tour of Europe in 1998 and have remained in contact, frequent at times, less frequent at other times, since. I visited Toronto as part of Canadian holidays in 2000 and 2001, and I had not seen him since. I was looking forward to it.
It was simply wonderful. John is a great guy and his wife Bessie is exceptionally charming, beautiful and simply a most wonderful person. They made me feel at home and I had such a wonderful, and relaxing, time with them: the three days I spent with them felt more like a week -- in the best possible way. I even slept in past 9am -- unheard of for me generally! From wandering in snow-laden parks with superb views to feasting at every meal it was a wonderful winter adventure in Toronto. I had arrived after the first big snowfall and it truly was beautiful -- streets and parks and trees covered in snow truly make a place look magical. We also went to see a Christmas concert put on by a local Catholic school which was simply superb -- from infants to those about to leave school the music was uplifting and joyous, and truly helped me to get in the Christmas spirit.
Saturday night was a wonderful night in which John and Bessie hosted a Games Night [with Australian music and Vegemite :)]. I was blessed to meet a number of their friends and relatives and it was a truly fun-filled and fantastic evening. Surprising to me [I cannot stand the stuff!], the Vegemite was enjoyed by many there. Dinner, cooked by Bessie [with help from her mum who came over] was simply superb -- one certainly does not go hungry at their place. I cannot remember the first game we played [I did not have that much to drink!] -- it was played using a DVD and there were questions about TV shows and movies. Whatever it was called, it was great fun and there were plenty of talented people who knew the answers. It was then time for Taboo which was great fun. Truly a fun and greatly enjoyable night.
Sunday I slept in, and John being a bit under-the-weather, we missed Church. We did go after and I got to meet his priest who seems a wise, caring and extremely loving father in Christ. The rest of my final day was spent talking, eating and having a great time.
Again, I am blessed with great friends. And I pray I can get back to Toronto again one day soon.