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It is a frigid -18C (that�s 0F for my American friends). I had been walking for 27 minutes to make the 2.4Km (1.5 miles) along jagged, hard, icy sidewalk. My bone-chilled body made it to the central bus terminal, frozen but elated to see a bus. It was about to depart. With new vigor, I ran in front of the bus to halt its advance. Looking at the destination sign on the front of the bus, it read, �Union Station�. I signaled him to open the door. �Are you going to Toronto�, the driver asked. YESSSSSS, I squelched. �That will be $7.70�, he said. My frozen fingers exchanged the money for the ticket and I went to my seat. I did it. I was heading home.
How did I end up in Brampton, ON (hometown of comedian Russell Peters) far from the civilization of Toronto? Sue, my dearest friend of 23 years had bought a home there a while back. Prior to New Year�s Eve, she had suggested sending New Year�s Eve in Brampton to see what was happening there and to escape the humongous crowds as well. She asked if I would accompany her. We planned on taking transit for two reasons. First, Sue wanted to take it back and forth to Toronto to reduce the expensive daily drive. Subsequently, she needed to learn the transit system which was free for New Year�s Eve.
It was fantastic. The City of Brampton put on a great party. A band called the Carpet Frogs performed some awesome cover tunes. The Mayor of Brampton played drums for the band on one tune. She was very good. A very quaint tea shop, T By Daniel, was handing out �hot� sampling of their delicious Lemon Ginger tea.
They had marshmallow roasting over open fire, under watchful I of the Brampton Fire Department. The marshmallow stations were also a great spot to warm up. Brampton Transit also had some buses on hand as �warm up� stations. They had the countdown, but no fireworks this year. Due to recent ice storms in the Toronto region, there was too much tree debris in the area which was a hazard both of fire and of hindering road navigation. The Party ended at 12:30am.
We took the bus back to the house. We chatted over pizza. She gave the Grand Tour of the place. Then we prepped to heed back to Toronto. One thing lead to another, coupled with our not understanding the routes lead to our missing the last bus to Toronto. Oh, well. We went back to the house chatted till the wee hours of the morning. Saying farewell to my friend, I made my late morning escape.
Alas, you�re never hopelessly stranded when you are in the company of good friends. Enjoy your friends and family, laugh often; none of us are here to stay. Have a safe and prosperous 2014.
Courtney Thompson, I Work by the Beach (you can too if you follow me), Toronto, Canada
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