December 18: High tea a la Chinese

I pulled off the dusty cover to reveal the black and white keys. It has been a while since I’ve touched my piano, averaging about once yearly in the last decade. Instead of listening to music, I decided to make music today. My fingers are stiff, yet they managed to find the right notes to Fur Elise.

I head to a tiny church nearby for their Christmas concert. What is that instrument? Is it a mandolin? The concert was long yet thoroughly enjoyable.

I walk over to the Royal Ontario Museum (ROM). I argue with them once again about my reciprocal membership privileges. I really just had a few minutes to spare anyways. I head to the bat cave--no, not the one in Gotham. I wasn’t sure what to expect, half expecting live bats to be flying around. That would have been great to see.

I meet Christine and Alessandra for high tea at C5, the restaurant in the ROM. C5 serves up one of most memorable afternoon teas in Toronto. Instead of cucumber and watercress sandwiches, we are presented with a modern take of dainties. As a nod to the current Emperor Warrior exhibit, the style drifted from the English to the Chinese, serving up sticky rice and dumplings along with ginger scones, topped off with Devonshire cream. The tablespoon of cream served was not enough even for me! I ask for seconds and thirds as I load up my scone with cream and jam, the way they are consumed in the Cotswolds.

I watch the throngs of shoppers along Yonge Street on this last weekend before Christmas. I and my fellow shoppers pause to admire the lights and glitter on display.