Sights and Sounds of Toronto
BY: Alawi Al-Baalawy
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You’ve just landed at Pearson Airport, and already you can tell, this is going to be an experience of a life time. An experience where you will see almost every race that exists, and see sites that will WOW you. With no hesitation, your next stop in the great city, Downtown Toronto.

It’s simply amazing how even though there are numerous cities around Toronto, that it is known as the Greater Toronto Area. Maybe it’s because of the CN Tower, which seems so tall that you would think it is skyrocketing into the atmosphere. Maybe it’s because of the Skydome; where you can catch the Blue Jays, Alouttes, or Rock. Or maybe it’s the Air Canada Center where no matter what event is going on; you will hear the proud roaring fans of The Toronto Raptors and the Toronto Maple Leafs screaming for joy.

Toronto is not just about these magnificent attractions and great stadiums and arenas, it’s a place where no matter what your ethnicity is, there is a corner in the city where you can feel at home. Maybe it’s Chinatown, or maybe Little Greece, or Little Italy. Better yet, just take a ride on the TTC and you will see people that have come here from around the world to find a better future. This we can certainly say is where cultures of the world collide.

The great city of Toronto is perhaps the highlight of this great country Canada. Where neither the day life, nor the night life can be surpassed by another city in Canada. During the day, just visit Downtown Toronto and see the great lakes shimmering in the afternoon sun. In the night, go across the city and party it out at all the different clubs and lounges available. It’s a place where you can feel alive, a place where joy comes into your heart and you cannot help but smile after seeing the wonders of the city. If you’re in a hurry and can’t stop and visit all these places, then just drive on the Gardiner Expressway and you will see the pinnacle of the city the CN Tower, along with the Coliseum and the other stadiums and arenas. Just make sure you have your camera ready, because it is something you will want to see again.

If you are a traveler, a tourist, or a citizen you cannot get tired by the many things that make the city shine like headlights in the dark night. Toronto is an attraction that has something for food lovers, shoppers, party people, beach goers, and endless other things. It has infinite possibilities that will keep you entertained in any weather, rain or shine, summer or winter.

Shopping enthusiasts probably have it the best however with malls in almost every section of the city. You can find upscale, downscale, discount, specialty and the list goes on. Perhaps the highlights of the city’s malls are Yorkdale Mall and Eaton Center. Yorkdale is one floor of never-ending shopping with all the biggest brands of the world. Eaton Center is the breathtaking 5 floor shopping center that makes any mall you have visited in the city look like a plaza. You can live in Toronto all your life, and there may be one store in Eaton Center that you have not visited.

I can keep going and describe the wonders that make Toronto what it is. Perhaps everyone has their own part in the city that they love. But that’s what makes it so great. No matter what your interests are there is something for you. If you love shopping, there are countless malls waiting to serve you. If you love food, you can go the many buffets or restaurants spread out across the city and eat until you can’t breathe. If you love to party, you can dance your night away from clubs to boat cruises. If you want to wine and dine with the rich and famous or catch a movie recording, just visit Yorkville. However maybe you just love summer, then I would invite you to come around in July and enjoy Caribana, or simply just go lay down at the many beaches spread out across the city. You can certainly say that there is no place like Toronto in all your travels. If there is, it is certainly a highlight in your photo album. Chances are however, even when you think you’ve seen it all, there is probably a corner in the city where you’ve missed.

It’s not the stadiums, or malls, or arenas, or restaurants alone that make this city what it is. It is also its people and great vibe, no matter what weather and no matter what time of day. So why not make Toronto your next stop. Come and breathe in the fresh air of the city’s lake shore and be mesmerized by the sights and sounds of Toronto. If I see you, I will make sure to smile. I love my city, and there is nowhere else in the world I would rather be.