During the summer months, on the Sundays when automobiles are banned from the Kensington Market, the district changes from a European-style market into a street carnival. Food stands, buskers, and kiosks appear on roadways usually reserved for cars. People descend on the streets to enjoy the sights, sample the foods, and shop without having to worry about the traffic.
I shop in the market almost every day, and I am familiar with the shops and streets, but on car-free days I view the market through new eyes. Sitting in one of the cafes to enjoy a coffee takes on new dimensions. The food that is offered is endless, with not a hamburger or hotdog in sight, most of the proffered items being either Asian or South American. However, in front of a Portuguese restaurant they grill sardines on a charcoal grill. Musician magically appear, their music enlivening the area. The variety of the music is amazing. As one walks along the avenues, and the notes of one musician die away, the rhythms of another appears, to the delight of youngsters and adults alike. The market presents a kaleidoscope of endless colour and sound.
People on Augusta Avenue enjoying the street scene
Characters available to have your picture taken with (no request for a fee was in evidence)
Grilling sardines – Portuguese style
Giant sidewalk scrabble board Letter writing activity
I have spent much of my adult life researching and photographing Toronto. I love the city and enjoy exploring it through my writing. One of the books, “The Villages Within”, was nominated for the Toronto Heritage Awards. If interested in novels with a Toronto setting, descriptions of the books are available by following the link: https://tayloronhistory.com/2012/03/22/toronto-author-publishes-seventh-novel/
They can be purchased in soft cover or electronic editions. All books are available at Chapters/Indigo and on Amazon.com. The electronic editions are less that $4 on Kobo and Kindle. Follow the links:
There Never Was a Better Time: http://bookstore.iuniverse.com/Products/SKU-000056586/THERE-NEVER-WAS-A-BETTER-TIME.aspx
Arse Over Teakettle: http://bookstore.iuniverse.com/Products/SKU-000132634/Arse-Over-Teakettle.aspx
The Reluctant Virgin; http://bookstore.iuniverse.com/Products/SKU-000188306/The-Reluctant-Virgin.aspx
The Villages Within: http://bookstore.iuniverse.com/Products/SKU-000175211/The-Villages-Within.aspx
Author’s Home Page: https://tayloronhistory.com/
Authors can be contacted at: [email protected]