High Park Cherry Blossoms

Location: Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Address: High Park
Date: May 2015
Website: http://www.highparktoronto.com

   Since 1959 there have been sakura in High Park.  Sakura is the Japanese name for cherry blossoms.  Toronto was given 2000 trees by the Japanese ambassador for helping Japanese-Canadians after World War II.  When the sakura tree blossoms it is a beautiful sight.  The trees all tend to bloom around the same time, but some trees will bloom sooner than others.  The timing has to be just right if you want to see the blossoms as they only last for about a week.  If a heavy rain occurs all the blossoms could fall even sooner.  In High Park it is usually late April or early May when the majority of trees are in bloom.  We kept a close eye on the website above in order to make sure that we did not miss the event.  As soon as the announcement was made that the trees were in peak bloom we headed to the park.

 
  We were not alone as thousands of people come to witness the beautiful blossoms each spring.  Cherry blossoms are usually white or pink in colour and have a star shaped pattern inside.

  There are a few spots where sakura trees have been planted in High Park, but the best spot to see the trees is along West Road and the edge of Grenadier Pond.   The cherry blossoms are said to be a metaphor for life.  They are only here for a short time so appreciate their beauty while it lasts.

---

This location is near High Park subway. Visit other Toronto TTC stations.

Map of Our World
High Park Cherry Blossoms

---

Post # 109

Queen Elizabeth II Statue

Location: Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
Address: 450 Broadway
Date: Oct 2014
Website: https://www.gov.mb.ca

   Queen Elizabeth II was born on April 21, 1926.  She will turn 90 years old this year.  She is currently the world's oldest monarch and the longest reigning British monarch of all time.  Queen Elizabeth II is not only the Queen of England, but also the Queen of Canada.  Therefore, she visits Canada quite frequently and there are many statues and monuments in her honour across the country.
  When we were in Winnipeg, Manitoba we visited the beautiful legislative building.  On the east side of the grounds near Kennedy Street is a monument which commemorates the Queen’s address to the Manitoba Legislative Assembly during its provincial centennial in 1970.  The sculpture was created by Leo Mol who also has hundreds of other sculptures located in Winnipeg's Assiniboine Park. When the statue was relocated to the legislative building grounds the Queen and her husband, the Duke of Edinburgh were there for the unveiling.

---

Map of Our World
Queen Elizabeth II Statue

---

Post # 108

Dimitrios Mitropanos

Location: Athens, Greece
Address: First Cemetery of Athens, Logginou
Date: Aug 2015

  Dimitrios Mitropanos was one of the most highly regarded Greek musicians of all time.  On April 17, 2012 he passed away leaving millions of fans saddened.  At least his music will live on and bring them comfort.  Some of his most popular songs are Ta Lathathika, S'Anazito and Panta Gelastoi.  When we were in Athens we decided to pay our respects. At the front gates of the First Cemetery of Athens was a woman selling flowers, candles and other religious articles.  Her stall was surrounded by the ever present pigeons and at least one sleeping street dog.  We purchased some white roses that we planned to leave at the grave of Mitropanos.  We knew that he was buried somewhere in the cemetery, but despite trying to do some research beforehand we did not know exactly where.

  After entering through the front gates of the cemetery we came across the Church of St.Theodori.  We had seen video clips of Dimitrios Mitropanos' casket being carried through the crowds and into this church.  Now we just had to find his final resting place.  We knew that he was in an area of the cemetery along with other artists and musicians.  We walked up and down the rows of graves in hopes of spotting his name on one of them.  After some time we decided to ask for help and consulted with a guard at the western gates.  He sent us towards an area on the other side that we had not checked.  Again we walked up and down the rows with no luck.  The cicadas buzzed in the trees that sheltered us from the midday Athens sun.  We were prepared for the heat, but we feared the flowers may not reach their intended destination.  As we headed back towards the front gates, a groundskeeper approached us.  He had no doubt been observing this couple wandering from row to row with flowers in hand.  We asked if he knew where Mitropanos was buried and he said "Of course".  We followed him as he wound his way through the cemetery until we reached a section far in the back corner.  We realized that we never would have found this place without his help. 

   We thanked the groundskeeper and then placed our roses at the foot of Mitropanos' grave.  We stood in silence for a moment and then turned to be on our way.  We took one last look as a dove flew down and landed on the cross of the grave next to Mitropanos.  As Dimitrios sings in his song Akou, "Listen, I'm still living".

---

Map of Our World
First National Cemetery of Athens (Dimitrios Mitropanos) , Ekklisia Agii Theodori Malamou

---

Post # 107