Indelible Adventures: Living the ex-pat life

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What does your National Day holiday mean to you? For many its a day of celebration with family and friends irrespective of where you live. This past week we celebrated Australia Day (January 26^th), and if you lived in Australia you'd be celebrating around the BBQ enjoying the summer warmth, but not so much here in Toronto...brrr!

For some of us who have settled in other countries our National Day is still and will always be a special day, which we undoubtedly celebrate no matter where we find ourselves.

So what better way to celebrate Australia Day this year than at a local and iconic watering hole. As an ex-pat living overseas (yes, I still see myself as Australian) important cultural days like this are often an opportunity to connect and in some cases reconnect with your community and friends.

Those new to Toronto will have undoubtedly heard through the grapevine or via their network that we have a strong Australian and New Zealand ex-pat community, along with many of the comforts of home… Here are just a couple of my favourites:

Indelible Tip 1: Hemingway’s (142 Cumberland Street) has been a mainstay in Toronto’s trendy and upscale Yorkville neighborhood for more than 35 years. As you can imagine, that is some feat, especially given that traditionally the bar and restaurant game can be a fickle business and sometimes tend to turn over rather quickly.

Before our big Australia Day bash this week I met with co-owner Daimin Bodnar to find our why Hemingway’s had been so successful.

Daimin said that he and his co-owner, Martin have always been focused on creating a "home away from home" atmosphere for those ex-pat Australians and New Zealanders traveling the world and who visit Toronto…whether its for a few days, a few years or a lifetime. A place you feel welcomed immediately. I must admit its nice to feel at home when you're traveling, nothing is more satisfying that a friendly face, a familiar accent and some local food - seriously what could be better when your away from home?

The second important point that Daimin made, and I think speaks to Hemingway’s longevity in that its long been considered as a Australian/New Zealand cultural center for local Torontonians as well, thus providing them with a glimpse into the people, culture and traditions from those downunder for over 35 years. Australians, New Zealanders and Canadians have always felt at home in each others company, and its certainly evident with the eclectic mix of patrons that I met while sipping my cold beer and celebrating Australia day.

As an additional bonus, Hemingway's always televise large sporting events such as the Australian Football League grand final and the recent Rugby World Cup. Not surprisingly, Hemingway’s became the unofficial home of the Rugby world cup in Toronto, and not just for the Australian and New Zealand fans. Daimin told me the story that during the Rugby world cup France was playing in a game and out of the blue over 200 French fans decided to descend on the bar to watch the game, which would have been fabulous if it hadn't been for the other 100 fans already there - apparently it was quite a raucous and fun filled day. Nice!

For those of you who are local in Toronto, next up is New Zealand’s National Day celebrations (Waitangi Day) on February 6th. You’ll need to call ahead to reserve a spot…yep its going to be huge! :-)

Indelible 2: Familiar Foods As I said Toronto has a strong and surprisingly vibrant ex-pat community, and with that influx has come some of the traditional fare from back home, including Vegemite (not my fav personally), Milo, Tim-Tams, Golden Syrup and meat pies to name but a few…

Strangely many of these are now openly available in local supermarkets (Loblaw, Longos), whereas in the past we’d often be begging our families to ship us food parcels on a regular basis.

In addition, Toronto has finally discovered the beauty of the Australian meat pie! There are a number of wonderful little pie shops now operating very successfully in the city – The Pie Commission (935 Queensway), Kanga Australian Meat Pies (65 Duncan St) and the up and comer Wiseys Pies and Bakehouse (874 Eglinton Ave E).

As an aside, a couple of years ago I was in Marietta, Georgia (USA) and discovered to my complete surprise the Australian Bakery Cafe in the towns square. The food was amazing and just like being at home. Definitely try the Bundaberg Ginger Beer (real old fashioned ginger beer that almost takes your breath away) - I was in heaven - so delicious!

Indelible Tip 3: Familiar sports and activities. A little know fact is that Toronto is home to the largest Australian Rules football league outside Australia and has a men’s first and second division league competition, women’s league and youth program. The vast majority of players now being Canadian, with the original league starting in 1989 of which I am proud to say that I was one of its founders. :-)

This is the main competitive Australian Rules football league in Canada for men and women, and thus provides the majority of the Canadian National Team (Northwind) that competes at the Australian Rules International Cup for both men and women held every three years. Not surprising, the Canadian women’s team are the current International Cup holders; the next International Cup is scheduled for 2017 in Melbourne at which more than 20 countries will compete for the title.

If Aussie Rules isn’t your cup of tea, of course there’s Rugby! Hemingway’s has been a big supporter and sponsor of Rugby Canada and the Nomads Junior Rugby club for many years as well - so lots of physical pursuits to get involved in.

I retired many years ago after my body had taken enough physical abuse playing football, but to this day I still find it impossible to watch without thinking I could still play...well, my mind thinks it can but then my body laughs uncontrollably! :-p

There is no question that coming to a new country and has been an amazingly rich experience, but I still crave the things from my childhood and I guess there is no getting around the fact that Toronto now has it all!

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“Hanoi Posting”

A series of fictional micro-stories by Terence Wallis

Episode 30: Reunited

Phuong waited at the Star the next morning at the usual time, but there was no sign of Bill. He made his way to the office and waited but there was no word from Bill and by 10:00 am he began to worry.

Parking his scooter in front of Bill's apartment complex on Cát Linh đường phố, he sensed something was amiss as the hair on the back of his neck began to tingle as he dismounted his scooter. All of his training now kicked in as he flattened himself against the wall of the complex and stealthily made his way toward Bill's apartment. Even from a his vantage point at the corner of open corridor he could see that Bill's apartment door was slightly ajar...

He now regretted not telling Bill about what he learned about Anh and the enquiries that Trung had been making about him during his absence. Time stood still as he crept along the wall, pausing to listen after each few steps. He slowly pushed the door with his fingers, keeping concealed against the wall incase there was someone inside. The door slowly swung open, he peeked into the semi dark room and noticed the body on the floor.

There was a pool of blood on the floor next to Bill, he crouched and slipped into the room softly. His ears tuned to the slightest sound, she noted that the blood seemed to come from a superficial head wound on the back of his skull He carefully rolled the unconscious body over to see if there were any other wounds, checking his vitals he surveyed the body but he seemed to be uninjured except for the deep gash in his head.

He noted Bill's eye lids begin to flicker and slowly open, and in a croaky voice ask where he was. Phuong peered into his face, until the glimmer of recognition passed over his face.

It was then that Phuong noticed the slogan painted and smeared across the walls "leave our country you imperialist dog" in dripping red paint.

So this was the tactic they were using Phuong thought..." nghiệp dư "(amateurs) he thought to himself with a dismissive sigh.

Next week: Episode 31: Unexpected

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This week's selection of photos is from a couple of recent photo shoots here in Toronto.

Enjoy!