Hello and Happy New Year.
I’ve had conversations with some old friends over the past few days, reminiscing about dancing, with our arms flung high, in crowded spaces on New Year’s Eve, shouting out “Happy New Year” as balloons and confetti fell from the ceiling at the strike of midnight. And then going around the room hugging and kissing people, some that we knew and some that we didn’t. To quote one friend, “I am aching to be in a mosh pit or at an epic rave”. (We’d specifically been reminiscing about this fun evening spent at the Gladstone Hotel, a few New Year’s Eves ago)
But, of course, the world is now in the midst of this pandemic which has robbed us all of the option of such carefree joy in welcoming a new year — for future readers, this was the second New Year’s Eve spent in Covid’s tenacious grip, with numbers higher than we’ve seen so far. So, everything was shut down this year, and celebrations were limited to very small groups of family and friends. Toronto’s decades-long tradition of a big outdoor celebration in the square in front of City Hall was cancelled for the second year. They did, however, still put on a firework display which began at twelve o’clock, launched from a boat out in the harbour. Most enjoyed the show televised or online from their living room, but some, including myself, who lived close enough, went for a masked and socially distanced walk to the waterfront to see them in person.
I wish I could say that the fireworks looked gorgeous, but, thanks to the low hanging clouds they weren’t all that visible. Regardless, they did still happen, and based on the reactions I observed, were appreciated by many this New Year’s Eve which lead the way to 2022.
To look on the bright side, the weather was dry and mild, so it made for a very nice walk and the city looked beautiful. Here are some photos taken during my late night adventure …
↑ I liked how this place displayed some lights on a tree strapped to the top of a vintage VW van. ↑
↑ A historic building in the process of being renovated. It’s been like this for several years now, presumably because the work simply cannot go on. ↑
↑ Liberty Village seen from The Bathurst Street Bridge ↑
Here’s wondering what the year will bring. Thank you for reading, xo loulou
