5 things I noticed in Toronto...

Memorial Day Weekend 2017, my boyfriend and I visited Toronto, Canada. First of all, I LOVE TORONTO! The weather was perfect and the people were very welcoming. On the way back to the States, I felt the need to write about my experience there.

1. Although we were surrounded by white people majority of trip, we really didn't notice it after a while. I know race is an issue abroad. However, we didn't feel the wrath of racism in Toronto as we do here in the United States. I actually pointed out on the trip that Canadians are super laid back while Americans are hostile. We didn't feel judgement when moving in majority white areas. I enjoyed that aspect of being in Toronto.

2. Even though our surroundings looked familiar, we were definitely in a different country. Toronto has 6 lane highways, beautiful skyscrapers and high rises, many shops and restaurants... in a way we felt like we were still in the United States. Until, we interacted with people. Until, we used GPS. Until, we got gas. Basically, until we got out of our car or AirB&B. It was so different to hear kilometers instead of miles and so on. I actually wish the United States operated like the rest of the world and used kilometers instead of miles, liters instead of gallons, Celsius instead of Fahrenheit. We need to do a better job of teaching conversions in school, especially if kids (and adults) plan on traveling abroad.

3. The food was excellent, and served in the correct portion size. We ate good. We ate the right portion, and we did not go hungry. I absolutely hate how wasteful and gluttonous restaurants (and people) are in the United States. I read that 40 percent of food in the U.S. is wasted yearly. 40 percent!!! That's absurd. In Toronto, the menus aren't as extensive either. Most restaurants had 1-page menus. The only exception is the New Orleans Seafood & Steakhouse, and Sunset Grill - a breakfast place like Waffle House.