by Christina Stevens
OK, it is pretty sketchy, there is no way around that. Plus the tripod is getting very heavy.
Let me back up. Since moving to Toronto almost six years ago, I have seen the "major sites" numerous times. Every time family comes to visit, we head to the CN Tower, to Casa Loma and to all the cool little neighbourhoods which bring Toronto to life. I can say on no uncertain terms that I have never dragged them down the back alleys.
Turns out we've been missing out.
Graeme Parry is passionate about his city, but it's the "real" gritty, grimy and sometimes bizarre lanes that he loves so much… That's why he takes locals and tourists alike on "lane tours" for FREE (who does that?!?!). So we went along for the walk, waiting to be convinced.
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Starting in what is known locally as "Graffiti Alley" was definitely a good move (for those in Toronto, or headed to Toronto, it is south of Queen St./west of Spadina). It really is art… massive murals, fantastic colours, pictures, graphics, so much that makes it worth checking out.
Cameraman Kevin Smith on the tour.
From there we headed west (schlepping the tripod I may add), twisting and turning down the back lanes. Here, it's not so attractive, no more "art" – just bad tagging, and of course garbage, including the requisite toilet on the side of the lane (why is there ALWAYS a toilet?).
There is a certain je ne sais quoi though that makes this whole alley tour concept start to make sense. It's a community within a community, it feels like you are away from the city, but you are in the middle of it.
It's not just what you see – it's also who you meet… Admittedly, the teenager doing graffiti wasn't exactly friendly, and neither was the guy selling the drugs out of a little alcove – but hey, what do you expect? It's an alley after all.
On the bright side, there were tons of friendly people who were excited to talk about the history of the lane, what's happening in it these days or what makes their particular lane unique, and dare I say it, downright special.
The tripod, however, is getting heavy. If you are going to wander the back alleys, I do not recommend full TV broadcast gear… The tripod alone is about 25 pounds and awkward as heck to carry. But definitely take your little point and shoot…and shoot away. You too will probably be amazed by what you get.
Christina is one of Global National's correspondents, based in Toronto.
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