I am at the start of what the Guinness Book of World Records dubbed the longest street, Yonge Street, at 1896 km. This is no longer true: now the street officially ends a mere 89 kilometres up the road. The original follows the path of Highway 11 to Rainy River. By nightfall, I will be at KM 1444 in Thunder Bay. Instead of the 19 hours of driving, I take the fast way. Turbulence on the flight--no refreshments, no bathroom privileges, no relief from the seatbelt confines. Thunder Bay gets the brunt of the storm with marble sized hail.
Toronto has built structures with superlatives attached: the tallest freestanding structure (CN Tower, which was eclipsed by the Burj Khalifa in Dubai last year), the world’s biggest bookstore (by shelf space), the widest highway (Hwy 401), and the longest street. Ironically, the Trans-Canada Highway, longest in the world, threads together this expansive country without passing through the largest city in Canada. While Toronto tries to build its reputation by these structures, one realizes that “these biggest and best’s” do not make cities great.
Years ago, I was being a bit of a jerk, living in Toronto but bemoaning the fact that I was a displaced Vancouverite, away from " the best place on Earth". I had an 'aha' moment seven years ago while spending some time at home in Vancouver: I love Toronto a lot more than I thought. This turning point has made me a happy part-time Toronto resident. I revel in this city, the most culturally diverse (one of the few superlatives of this city that does enrich it).
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