Solstice 2009!

"Astronomically marks the beginning of shortening nights and lenghning days, interpretation varies from culture to culture, but most hold a recognition of rebirth."

I celebrated a solstice for the first time in Yellowknife a couple of years ago, but that was the summer one, when you have the longest day of the year. This time my friend Tania convinced me to it is even better to celebrate the Winter Solstice. Why? Because although we have the shortest day light in the year, it means that from now on it will change, and the days will get longer again. I hope I remember this by the end of January... Anyway, I guess it just another reason to celebrate. and Tania and I started at 5pm with a bottle of champagne!

Later our friends Ralf and Shan joined us for a delicious vegetarian chilli cooked by "Chef Tania."

Mateusz and Eric also came to check the Festival of Lights on Kensington Market. You can see lots of excitement in the car, on the way there!

FROM WIKIPEDIA:

The Winter Solstice occurs exactly when the earth's axial tilt is farthest away from the sun at its maximum of 23° 26'. Though the Winter Solstice lasts only an instant in time, the term is also colloquially used as Midwinter or contrastingly the first day of winter to refer to the day on which it occurs. More evident to those in high latitudes, this is the shortest day, and longest night, and the sun's daily maximum position in the sky is the lowest. The seasonal significance of the Winter Solstice is in the reversal of the gradual lengthening of nights and shortening of days. Depending on the shift of the calendar, the winter solstice occurs around December 21 each year in the Northern Hemisphere, and June 20 in the Southern Hemisphere.

Worldwide, interpretation of the event has varied from culture to culture, but most cultures have held a recognition of rebirth, involving holidays, festivals, gatherings, rituals or other celebrations around that time.

We arrived a bit late, so we missed most of the parade, but we could still walk along with hundreds of people carrying the hand-made lanterns. Great atmosphere!

FROM WIKIPEDIA: The annual Kensington Market Festival of Lights is celebrated on the streets of Kensington Market and at Bellevue Square Park during the Winter Solstice in December. This carnival parade of giant puppets, firebreathers, stiltwalkers and samba was first created by Ida Carnevali in 1987 as a way of beckoning the return of the sun on the longest night of the year — an ancient solstice tradition celebrated around the world. Parade goers of all ages make their own fantastic paper lanterns at Red Pepper's storefront studio in popular workshops during the month prior to the parade. All parade imagery is collaboratively created by community artists, local schools, community organizations and volunteers working with Red Pepper's creative team.

The procession wends its way through Kensington's narrow streets witnessing surprise theatrical scenarios on rooftops and at intersections throughout Kensington Market. A giant fire sculpture marks the final send-off to the old year. The Festival of Lights remains hand-made and commercial-free since 1987

The procession ends with a huge bonfire in a park. You can't really see it in this picture, but believe me: it's HUGE! It reminded me Festa de Sao Joao in Brazil, except it was -10 degrees Celsius.

In the park various artist perform with fire. I could not get closer, but here is one photo from Ralf's shoulders.








Kids normally dress up in out of this world creatures, and the snow (bellow) also participated in the big party!

Fun and Creativity! These are the two stronger elements of the night, besides the light, of course. Here are some great characters of the evening! Enjoy!!!

The musicians were the best! Great job!!!

He was my favorite!

I love the way the community participates!

We asked someone to take our photo. I know it is out of focus, but that's the only picture we have.

Since we are here, we might as well try a bit of our luck...

The party wrapped up early, around 8pm. I guess it is not that much fun to stand outside for too long. Time to go home...

... but not before stopping at Ilona and Piotrek's home for a few more drinks! Thank to both of them for such a warm hospitality!

What a lovely night! We will definately will be there next year for another Kensington Market Festival of Lights in wonderful Toronto!


HAPPY SOLSTICE, EVERYONE!!!

Boston - Nov. 22 - Sunday - Day 4

Last day in Boston! After a very lazy waking up, we checked out in the hotel and decided that we were in the mood for Brazilian BBQ, after all it is Sunday, Churrascaria day! From what I heard Boston is one of the best places in the US to eat Brazilian food, just because there are thousands of Brazilians who call this city home.
Although there is no official numbers, I was reading that there are between 150 000 to 250 000 Brazilians in Boston and area. I am not sure where they are because we didn't have a chance to meet anyone from Brazil. I heard you can find churrascarias, stores selling bikinis and bars with coxinha and pastel in Framinghan, Cambridge, Somerville and Allston . We picked Cambridge because it was the easiest area to get by subway.

These are a couple of Brazilian restaurants (one right across from the other) in Cambridge. Since Mike is allergic to fish, Moqueca Restaurant was out of the question. So it wasn't hard to pick the BBQ house, The Midwest Grill.

If you haven't been to a Brazilian BBQ place, here is how it works: you have a buffet with all kinds of Brazilian food like rice, beans, beef stew, many different types of salads, fried bananas, farofa (cassava flower), fries, corn, cheese and many vegetables. After you almost pass out looking at the abundant buffet, the waiter comes to your table every 3 minutes with a huge piece of meat on a stick straight from the barbecue. It's different kinds of beef pieces, lamb, chicken wrapped in bacon, sausages, pork, etc. If you say yes, he will slice out a piece of the meat in your plate. And the meat feast continues until you can't eat anymore and start feeling sick. that's when you ask for the bill and roll back home.

This restaurant was pretty cheap, only $12.95 for lunch a person. All you can eat meat plus buffet! Can you believe it? We recommend!

After few caipirinhas (Brazilian drink with tons of alcohol), Mike and I left the restaurant singing and laughing very much. Then we went back to downtown to go shopping. Bad idea!!!! You don't want to try on clothes when your stomach is completely full! Anyway, we had only one hour to enjoy Boston's bargain stores. We were told that there are no outlet malls in Boston (?), but that we should check out this place called Basement. It is basically like the Canadian Winners, that sells brand name items with discount. Like in Winners, you can find something interesting with a bit of luck and time. I got a couple of winter tops. Mike, instead, rushed to the coffee shop to kill some of the caipirinha effect.

Gabi's best shot in this trip!!!!!

4:45 we got into the little plane back to Buffalo, and then drove back to Toronto.

Boston was fun, beautiful and clean. But it is not really in our list of places to go back without a reason. Totally worth checking out once, though!

Bye Boston!