My classes are suddenly over and the sun has broken through and melted all the snow. The city is quickly coming out of hibernation mode and the streets are filled with bodies and bicycles. I love riding around Toronto on my new bike, kindly donated by a friend. It’s a brand new way to explore and rediscover this city I’ve come to love. I feel pretty safe on these roads, only a couple of the main streets have bike paths and helmets aren’t compulsory (!) but there’s a culture here of everyone being wary and careful of others.
I am definitely more of a sun worshipper now than I was before I endured 4 months without it. Although I still find it hard adjusting to Canadian customs, even the good ones. Last week when it hit 20 degrees and I sat with friends soaking up the rays, I was distraught that none of us had sunscreen cause I was convinced I’d turn bright red in 20 minutes. It seems though, that back home we really are exposed by our holely ozone layer, because here you apparently don’t burn that easily. My fair skin is thanful but I’m still skeptical.
So the cruelly Canadian thing about the sun coming out is that it happens at the time when school work is most pressing. Exam time is manic here. I admit to not joining them very frequently, but many of my friends and classmates are in the library all day every day. The libraries are pretty sweet, but staying inside all day isn’t very appealing especially after months of having to stay inside. I give in to the sun.