Friday 25 June 2021

Thursday, June 24, 2021

Avondale, North York

 

On Yonge

 

It takes a mere 20 minutes to get to Avondale Park from the ashram where I live in Old Toronto or downtown Toronto. You are wise to go north on Yonge St., which I’ve done on foot, to arrive north of the busiest highway in Canada, the 401, from the downtown to the midtown, then uptown – all along on a pleasant retail strip. You cross the mid-Don River, which is hardly noticeable by vehicle, and the elevation gradually increases as you go north. Ascending is also practically inconspicuous, unless you’re walking it.

 

As I was in a car with Karuna Sindhu as a driver, I mentioned to him that Yonge St, which we were on, accommodates the summer’s Ratha Yatra parade festival in the downtown, perhaps the major Ratha Yatra in North America. I told him, when my knees get back in shape, I might entertain walking the whole of Yonge, the world’s longest street at 1896 kilometres / 1178 miles from Toronto to the Minnesota border.

 

He was somewhat doubting that I could do it. In any event, we arrived at Avondale, which is a green and friendly rendezvous place surrounded by modern high rises where many diverse newer immigrants reside. Lila Mayi had invited me to the kirtan chanting party, which was already underway when we arrived. She was leading the chant and it was a grave spirit that she carried throughout the mantra. Park guests responded really well.

 

May the Source be with you!

2 km



 

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