The capital of Canada is commonly called the heart of the country, the everything of Canada, even little New York City.  Many consider Canada to be an extension of the United States but many don’t realize that Canada has its own culture.  Toronto is known as the most multicultural city in the world with roughly 50% of its inhabitants not residing from Canada.  Here are the top 5 things to do in Toronto:

Downtown Area

Distillery District – If the biggest collection of Victorian Industrial Architecture doesn’t impress you go for the art galleries, theaters, boutiques, café’s, and award winning restaurants

The CN Tower – Towering (literally) at over 1,800 feet you can see incredible views of Toronto from all angles.  Don’t forget to visit the 360 degree restaurants and the shops as well!  If you stay until the sun goes down you can catch a glimpse of a great sunset.

Kensington & St Lawrence Market – Cafes, Shops, Food, treats and people watching. Need I say more? St. Lawrence market is closed during Sunday while Sunday’s are the best time to visit Kensington Market.

Dundas square – The reinvention of Times Square where you can access the world’s largest underground mall, walk along the world’s longest street on Yonge Ave, and get a great people watching experience!

Dining

With so many different cultures in the city its one of the few places in the world where you can find authentic food from almost any culture you wish.  Whether you want panoramic views at Panorama or experience eating in complete darkness at O’noir.  There is a restaurant for everyone in Toronto!  Don’t forget to try Canada’s own Poutine (please read the warning label as you are only allowed 2 servings a year otherwise you are at risk of a heart attack… I kid… I kid, but its seriously greasy)

Summer Festivals

Caribana – The 3^rd largest Caribbean festival in the world; masqueraders, reggae, dancing, craziness.  See the Caribana page if you don’t believe me.  Caribana 2011 will certainly be great fun!

Canada Day – It would only show respect to celebrate the birth of the world’s 2^nd largest country in the country’s largest city

These are just some of the largest festivals.  In the summer you can find a festival every weekend.  I was fortunate to be able to have the world cup where I spent a lot of time in the Italian part of town.

Museums & The Arts

Harbourfront Centre – Not a museum per say, but it’s filled with boutiques and places to see.  Also get great views of the new part of Toronto.  Many events are held here and you also see the beginning of the longest street in the world: Yonge Street.

The Royal Ontario Museum – One of the largest museums in North America and it hosts premier exhibits on natural history and anthropology

Art Gallery of Toronto – This massive art museum hoses over 68,000 works from some of the most popular Canadian artists and masters such as Picasso, Rodin, and Van Gogh.  Works dated as far as 1^st century AD can be found all the way to the present day as well

Ontario Science Center – Incredible hands on and interactive exhibits across the museum for world culture and natural history.  Its hosts a great rainforest re-creation and after your done sit down for a great IMAX movie experience.

Outdoor activities

The vast country of Canada provides great activities for hiking, camping, wrestling polar bears, and even diving (yes I said diving).  In the summer many Canadian’s love to spend their days at the beach on Toronto island parl.  Who wouldn’t want to be in the sun after those winters?

Notable Mention:  Casa Loma -  A castle providing a breathtaking view of Toronto and great history of a part of Canadia.  Its in a Gothic Revival syle and located just north in midtown Toronto.

Don’t forget to check out our top 5 section for more things to do in Canada and around the world.

I really wanted to go back to New York City to see a Yankees game before I left North America.  I think everyone should go see a game in the Bronx since its one of the great american pastimes.  I was still able to see the New York City skyline and other parts of the city especially one my favorites: the Wall Street Bull.  The CN Tower is comparable to the Empire State Building but you cant watch a baseball game from 1,800 feet in New York City.  I literally sat there for a while and watched the game with the zoom on my camera.  The Roger’s center in Canada is where the Blue Jays play and it is constructed right next the CN Tower, one of the most popular things to do in Toronto.  You can also get a great pic of the famous tower from ground level on the CN Tower Toronto Attractions post.

Dont forget to check out our top 5 section from more things to do in Canada and around the world!

I really like them… my Speedos.  I mean they have an American Flag on the front! I won’t dare to share what they have on the back (you really shouldn’t judge people).  But now that I have your attention I will share that the main problem with an around the world trip is that you aren’t planning on coming back for a long time, keyword: long time.  There are many reasons why I am excited about living in South America, packing however is not one of them.  When packing you have to be both practical and smart about what you actually need and what you really want to take.  You don’t want your suitcase bursting out of the seams where it’s going to fall apart and everyone is going to see your underwear at the airport, yes it does happen and you can read about it here.

Backpackers fit all of their belongings into one bag since they are fairly nomadic throughout their travels.  I consider myself a “homepacker” because I find apartments when living overseas and make a home base and then backpack from there.  As I day trade in the stock market I have to put all my technology in my carry-on luggage since I can’t afford to have it stolen or “misplaced”.  As I struggle to repack things I only need here are some tips you can consider for packing.

Everything that you want to take on your trip should be placed on your bed and then separated into what you need and what you really want.  There is a significant difference there; ladies you don’t need 5 pairs of shoes, men: leave the sponge bob boxers at home.  Here are some examples of what I did to save on space and maximize weight.  It’s helpful to make a list for your trip whether you are going overseas for an extended period of time or if you’re taking a two week vacation.  This will allow you to realize what needs actually are.  After you have your list then you can consider other items “that you really want” which can fit into the extra spaces in your luggage.  You can cut on time and weight by taking just a carry-on and a book bag.  Here is what my list looks like:

What I Need list:

-toothbrush

-all technology  (laptops, cables, etc)

-cameras + batteries and chargers

-socks for a week

-underwear for a week

-American flag Speedos (don’t judge me, you really never know right?)

-1/2 pairs of shorts

-20 t-shirts 10 t-shirts

- 20 button down shirts (really?) 5 button down shirts for those classy events

-6 pairs of jeans (how many jeans can you really need?) 2 pairs of jeans

- 3 bottles of cologne 1 bottle of cologne

- 1 pair of sneakers, 1 pair of sandals.

- Patience and Sanity

Here are some additional tips that you can consider:

• Make sure to pack 2/3 days in advance so you don’t have to rush and forget things
• Make sure to write out a list of what you need and then add in extra items that you really want if you have the space
• Bundle socks, underwear, and undershirts in your shoes to maximize space and weight
• Place sneakers & jeans into your carry-on luggage (heaviest items).  Remember 12 oz = 1 pound
• People aren’t going to notice the same pair of jeans if you wear them often: 1 or 2 pairs is more than enough
• Try to bring more light t-shirts and less heavy clothes
• Wear your bulkiest shoes to save weight

What you are seeing is the interior of an abandoned bull fighting ring in Uruguay.  The Plaza de Toros Real de San Carlos is currently blocked off because the building is crumbling.  How often do tourist obey do not enter signs?  I’m an avid fan of architecture and as you can see above at the right angle you can get impressive shots when you adjust for the sunlight.  Some of you that have been following my site know that I like to bend the rules like when I climbed a Greek Theater.  Bull Fighting is extremely popular in Spain and as their empire grew they brought it to many cultures around Latin America.  It was introduced to Uruguay in 1776 but it was banned by the Uruguayan government in 1912.  Bull fighting is still very popular in Spain.  This actual bull fighting ring only hosted 8 fights before the ban was set in place.

Check out our top 5 section for more things to do in Uruguay and other things to do around the world!

You remember that vacation, the time you visited the place (that is pronounced theeee place, not the place).  The (theee again) kind of place that you couldn’t stop yourself from dreaming about until you have actually been there.  Then once you are there it’s everything you expected.  You sit on the plane or the train thinking about just how spectacular it was and immediately start making plans to return.  All because it is the place (you should have the pronunciation down by now) you have always wanted to visit.

Once you arrive home you gander at all your pictures only to reminisce on how fantastic it would be to return.  Return once more to experience the dream again.  The second time around you are anticipating a dream within a dream because you already realized what that first one feels like.  Only the second time around it’s not the same feeling.  That feeling that you got the first time you arrived isn’t there.  The people are the same along with the gorgeous sites to go along with them.  The food is just as delicious and the air still feels just right.  But somehow, it’s just not the same.

Everyone has their favorite destinations and as they continue to return to those places the feelings are the same.  What could possibly make this different?  Sometimes people change and other times places are actually different.  Our passions change as we get older and have different priorities in life.  Cities get older showing their true age while others keep their charm forever.

I’m sharing this because I’ve returned to Buenos Aires and the charm that was once there has somehow changed.  There is more graffiti on the walls when you see the beautiful European architecture.  Buenos Aires was once the place to be in the early 20^th century when Europeans wanted to flee; they built gorgeous buildings, instilled their traditions, and created an aura commonly being dubbed the Paris of the South.  Currently you can see the age of the city through its walls and sidewalks.  While not the top choice of immigrants, it is still a very popular destination.  I alone have met over 10 people that have moved to the city and created successful business.

While still beautiful and holding parts of its European charm, things are not the same in Buenos Aires.  There is more graffiti on the walls, a lot more than when I visited in May of 2010, and the true age of the city is seeping through the cracks in the sidewalks and the crumbling corners of buildings.  As a finance major I can tell you that Argentina is currently living on its reserves.  Once the country runs out of its reserves it’s going to have a hard time staying afloat.  At the Casa Rosada (Argentina’s version of the White House) there are barriers lining the area.  Not just in front of the building but also lining the sides of the popular plaza.

There are significantly more than I previously saw when I visited Buenos Aires on holiday.  May I remind you that there is a medal barrier and gates protecting the beautiful Casa Rosada already.  These new barriers couldn’t be to stop thieves or graffiti since they already have those gates in place.  I sat down for a moment to admire the beautiful 60 degree weather to think about this.  What did I come up with? Crowd Control, the government can easily seal off access to the popular plaza with the new gates.

While still not that dangerous (notice the word that), you now need to have an extra bit of caution when going to the city.  When arriving at the airport they have two people, not just one, handing out pamphlets letting you know to be careful about getting into unlicensed cabs.  They also have a barrier after you get out of the airport terminal keeping everyone behind the thick glass.  If you are planning on going to Buenos Aires I would highly recommend that you visit soon.  I’m afraid that things are beginning to change and soon it may not be as safe to visit.  These changes may not come for another 6 months or maybe even a year as they are very gradual day to day changes.  But I can notice the significant difference in the short time that I have been away (3.5 months).  It’s a gorgeous city that I think everyone should experience and enjoy.  I was able to find a great apartment as I now will be living in Buenos Aires for a period of time.  If you are planning to visit the city I would recommend do it sooner than later because I am afraid things are not going to get better in the Paris of the South.

This is one of the original statues by Rodin properly titled The Thinker.  Situated in the picturesque Plaza de Congresso square near the center of the city, this is one of the most popular things to do in Argentina.  From the plaza de Congresso you can walk down Rivadavia avenue and see some of the wondrous architecture in Argentina.  At the end of the street you find the ever popular Casa Rosada (Pink House) which is commonly referred to the White House equivalent in Buenos Aires.