Simcoe Day

Today is Simcoe Day. It's a 3 day weekend up here and there's not a single car driving by me at the moment, which is extremely serene. I, of course, have to work. No, I am no idea who or what Simcoe is.

Let's see, where did I leave off? Monday I went out to lunch with a few people I knew. We went to this Korean BBQ place that's walking distance from me. You get soup, tea and your main course for $4.95. What a deal! And I couldn't eat all of it. I am definitely going back there again. I worked late a lot last week, so I didn't do much of anything exciting. Unless you count making 2 placements as exciting.

Saturday, I went to Caribana. This is the largest, wildest festival they have here. I met up with some friends who had also never gone and we went, full of excitement. It said the parade is from 10-6. We wondered how a parade can possible last 8 hours. We got there and it was like you imagine Carnival in Brazil. Girls of every size and shape wearing sequined bikinis and feathered headpieces and then there were the showpieces. These made what showgirls in Vegas wear look like small, homemade costumes. They were 30 feet high and as large as a car. They had to have wheels on the bottom so the people could walk in them. My friend took pictures and I'll post them as soon as I get them.

So, we walked past the staging area to the parade route, and it didn't look like a parade at all, just a mob of colorful people waiting, just like in the staging area. After about 10 minutes, the mob moves, in a mob. About 3 groups go, then nothing. There is no one behind them. We know there's lots me (we saw it in the staging area), but nothing. So we started asking the people around us.

Apparently, the parade is done on island-time. Every 30-45 minutes, they send out 3-4 groups. So, you watch for half an hour, then wait half an hour, watch for half an hour, wait for half an hour. Now we know why the parade lasts 8 hours. Well, none of us had the patience for that. So, we walked back around and tried to go look at the vendors while waiting. But you had to pay $25 just for the privilege of seeing what the overpriced vendors were selling. Nope. There were a few vendors out for the general public, but they were selling corn on the cob, pizza and hot dogs, not Caribbean food.

We watched the next group of 3 get ready to go in the staging area, then we left. We went to the Wheat Sheaf and had a lovely lunch. Then my disciplined friends went home so they could go to the gym.

I, of course, am not that disciplined. But when I got upstairs, I got antsy. I needed a new telephone (my 2nd Panasonic in 2 years died), that was my most important errand to accomplish. I had planned on driving around on Sunday. But the stores downtown were open late on Saturday, so I walked. I walked to Eaton Center, then up to College Street, around a few blocks, picked out a phone from the 3 stores, purchased it, and walked home. I walked for 3 1/2 hours. Yes, I sat in the hot tub when I got home.

Yesterday I laid by the pool and finished my book, played with my cell phone and unpacked the last few boxes. That's right, ALL the boxes have been unpacked. I am very proud of myself. And, I even have storage room to spare. Does that mean I can go buy some more stuff???

And I finally placed with my cellphone. I now have songs on it and games. Progress.

Not a single car has gone by the entire time I have been typing. Even Sunday mornings are busier than this is. Maybe I should see who this Simcoe is.