The Lemon Life | online magazine offering a fresh perspective on post-grad life.

Words by: Sam Clemens

Image by: Duchamp

My task is to explore and document a day in Toronto without spending more than $20.

Important Note:

Toronto is currently in the midst of a garbage strike, thus an unholy union holds the city hostage in its own filth. As a result, several city run events and attractions are closed but I will not be discouraged.

Items required to experience the sights, sounds and pungent smells of Toronto:  $20, Bicycle, Water Bottle.

Off we go.

To Market, To Market.  Kensington Market that is.  I hit up my favourite fruit stand and pick up some snacks for the day: blueberries and a plum.  I peruse the knock off stalls with their walls of wayfarers and various fedoras and contemplate the uniform of the typical Toronto quasi-bohemian…Feeling increasingly unoriginal I navigate the bustling market streets and head south to the Lake.

Running Total:  $3.50

Water Babies:  As Harbourfront is typically sprinkled with the toddler set I lock my bike up and wander a bit through the under 4 crowd before arriving in front of the tall ship parked at Queens Quay.  I sip on chocolate milk and admire the slightly worn vessel, imagining myself on the high seas (or great lakes as the case may be) hoisting the sails and fighting off Pirates (French Canadians?). Maybe the 4 year olds and I have more in common than I thought…

Running Total:  $6

Sandy Feet:  I get back on my trusty steed and pedal westward along the lakeshore to Woodbine beach.  I take in some afternoon beach volleyball and pop blueberries like candy before dipping my toes in the freezing cold lake.  Feeling sand and water between ones toes is a signature of summer and must be endured regardless of temperature.

Flower Power:  I then brave the subway with my bike as my next destination is too far to ride (and mostly uphill).  I hear my token clink and the friendly TTC employees open the gate so my bicycle and I may pass. I take the TTC to Lawrence Station and ride north to the Allen Gardens Conservatory where I explore the Victorian greenhouses full of exotic flora while I snack on plums.

Running Total: $8.50

Dinner Time:  I then bike south and then west to meet a friend at Nazareth, the hole in the wall Ethiopian restaurant that has quickly become a staple in my Lemon Life diet.  For under $8 I can eat a gigantic plate of delicious vegetarian fare (with my hands) and sip on a half liter of red wine.  It really doesn’t get much better than this. It should be noted that after several visits to this establishment I have never been disappointed by cradle of civilization cuisine.

Running Total: $15.50

Lickity Split: My friend and I eventually leave Nazareth feeling full and slightly giggly. I walk my bike and pop into a convenience store to purchase one chocolate Popsicle and one banana Popsicle and my friend and I break them and share so as to get the right balance of artificial flavours that so perfectly embody summer.

Total Dollars spent:  $17.50

Raindrops begin to fall as I part ways with my friend.  As I cruise through the streets of Toronto, thinking myself impervious to raindrops (sadly my bike brakes can’t say the same) I find myself back in Little Portugal (aka Home), intoxicated by the delicious smell of Portuguese bakeries preparing their morning treats.  And another day in The Lemon Life begins to take shape…

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