Kensington Market

Kensington is one of Toronto's most vibrant and diverse neighbourhoods. SOmehow it has always been at heart an immigrant community, housing first waves of Scots and Irishmen, then Jews and Italians, then people from the Caribbean, Central America, Somalia, Ethiopia, Sudan, Iran, Vietnam, Chile. Most were fleeing somewhere; all brought something in exchange. It was here in the 70s that I tasted my first Jamaican patty (spicey!)

Paige and I had a great time just walking down one side of Augusta and up the other. I don't know if you can fully appreciate it, but this car is filled with soil. The windshield has been replaced by turf and a variety of crops have been planted in its engine compartment, sunroof and trunk - mostly tomatoes and corn. Apparently, it has been sitting their for years, slowly rusting, being repainted every now and again. I love that such a thing is tolerated here. It certainly would not be allowed in my neighbourhood!

There is a proposal afoot to raze a whole city block of Kensington's small shops, greengrocers, galleries and cafés and put up a Wallmart. People here will chain themselves to fences and lie in front of bulldozers rather than let it happen. If you want to help them, sign the petition.