Austin's Travel Blog

What makes Toronto so special in my opinion is this collection of ecclectic neighbourhoods, organically grown residential areas that have history, character and vibrant street life. One of these neighbourhoods is the Annex.

I started my discoveries of the Annex just south of Casa Loma, headed underneath the railway tracks on Howland Avenue and entered this popular area. One of the first sights that came into view was the Royal St. George’s College, an Anglican private school for boys that is the choir school for the Cathedral Church of St. James.

Once arrived on Bloor I made my way to Bathurst Street past another Toronto landmark: Honest Ed’s, the landmark discount store opened by Ed Mirvish all the way back in 1948. Another landmark, the Metro Theatre, is apparently the last o movie theatre left in Toronto. Further west I moved into the Korean area west of Bathurst. It was time for a late lunch so I decided to sample a vegetarian platter at Lalibela Restaurant, a popular Ethiopian restaurant on Bloor Street West. A huge platter featuring a combination of split peas, lentils, chick peas, cabbage and collard greens combined with the typical Ethiopian bread really hit the spot.

After a very filling meal I walked back almost all the way to Spadina Avenue and admired the many boutiques and specialty stores. I discovered “hemp beer”, all sorts of ethnic giftware, vegetable and fruit stores, futon stores, funky restaurants and delicatessens and a whole lot more. Entertainment institutions such as Sneaky Dees, the Montreal Delicatessen, Future Bakery and the Brunswick House are just a few of the dozens of eateries and entertainment places that thrive in the Annex.

For more of my travel stories please visit http://www.travelandtransitions.com.

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Technorati Tags: Annex, Bloor, Canada, exploration, the, Toronto, visit

My Story: I had a challenge. I needed to move to Mexico for my health and to retire, and I spoke English; I also knew a few words of French from high school, about 12 words of Spanish which could wind me up in fight or jail, yeah – mostly curse words.

I was in trouble and when I arrived I needed help. Luckily I met Reuben Varela, a well known Restaurant owner from Lake Chapala, and Gerardo Tolentino, an English teacher from San Juan Cosala.

Reuben pushed me to find ways of learning and practicing Spanish, and Gerardo worked with me to create the Gringo Guide. I’m the gringo — and I sure needed a guide to get me through the experience of living in Mexico.

We searched the internet, and books on Spanish, and listened to conversations in the English speaking sections of restaurants in Ajijic and San Miguel de Allende where most of the gringos hang out.

We talked to Americans and Canadians in Mexico and asked them what they needed, and we listened to what they asked of the waiters, restaurant owners, etc. Later, then Gerardo accompanied me to doctors and we went to travel through Mexico.

Now, you can speak like native in Spanish speaking countries/Mexico. It’s that easy.

The audios cover every pecularity of pronounciation in the Spanish language. The printed book will fit in your shirt pocket for use whenever you want.

The electronic pdf will fit on pocket devices to help you communicate on the spot with electronic support.

So, when someone says: Que quieres tomar? You’ll immediately know the answer — una marguarita, por favor. Or, una coca, limonada, cerveza, or whatever you want!Fulfill all your needs to communicate in Spanish for Spain, Mexico or Latin America?

The book comes with a full guide, by sections to learn, use, and get answers to all your questions. It’s guaranteed to make your vacation — fantastic.

Vacationing in Mexico, South America, Spain, learn the Spanish you need to enjoy your trip like you were born there. Gringo Guide for Speaking SpanishPocket or digital guide with mp3 to learn sounds. Grab a totally unique version of this article from the Uber Article Directory

Technorati Tags: Dr. Jay Polmar, Gringo Guide, Lake Chapala, Learn Spanish, Mexico, South America, Spanish, Spanish for Holiday, Spanish for vacations, Travel, vacations