World Trip

A weekend ago, I decided to take a day trip, and heck, for fun, why not make it an across the world trip! Sure, it would take a bit of time, but heck, I brought my bike, so that would speed it up.

So I grabbed my flight crew (to take my bike) and headed out!



First stop was Ukraine. Or, is it The Ukraine, I'm just not sure!
I've always loved the traditional costume of the area,



with the skirts and the red boots on the lovely women!





Of course soldiers were around to keep everyone on their best behavoir!



Heading just across the border, I visited Poland.
Again, there were lots of people in traditional costumes,









Again, there were some lovely women,



This guy on a motorcycle cleared through the crowd, and even had a bit of Canadian content with the maple leaves on his bike!



I made a quick stop in Brazil to hear a street drum band perform!





And finally after getting back to North America, I stopped in to see what was happening in Mexico!
There was a band performing for the crowd, and after they finished, there was a contest for, of course, the best traditional costume!



Most of the contestants were small kids, who looked so cut in their costumes, representing the different states (there are 31!)







But the adults were out as well!



I was very tired afterwords, but had an enjoyable day!

The Ukraine in Canada

This past weekend (Sept 17-19)the Bloor West Village celebrated the Toronto Ukrainian Festival.
I've been to a few Ukranian events (Carabram), and everyone has seen the dancing and egg decorating, so I decided to head down and catch the action.

First on the schedule was the parade, as various groups marched through the streets, including Miss Toronto Tourism 2010, Alana Miss;



Lots of traditional dress was on hand;











The parade participants were carefully scrutinized by the Judges,



One of which was someone I worked with at the City O Mississauga, Christina. She was described as the "future" of the event!! Here she is presenting the awards for best in the parade.



Back at the other end of the event was the centre stage, where a traditional dance took place.







And of course, what ukrainian festival would be complete without lots of food,



including this massively long bread!



And with all that food, it was fitting that the parade marshall was celebrity chef Ken Kostick



Unfortunately another famous canadian of Ukrainian descent, Larysa Harapyn, was no where to be seen :(



And of course, being as this is municipal election time, the area was chock full of politicians tyring their best not to be politicians, including one who "kindly" reminded the MC that they were a "MPP" when it wasn't mentioned in the intro!