Post-pickleball, relations with my browsing partner had soured. Within a span of seven days, tensions rose steeply then abated into silence. Ongoing work stresses had me postponing the issue, as well as all reflections surrounding it, until moments where a clear head space could be maintained. In the blink of an eye, the weekend arrived.
Saturday morning marked the start of an all-day agenda that had been planned roughly one month in advance. Before these activities proceeded though, it was in our mutual interests to review and establish a path forward, which we did.
And then came a series of drawn-out waiting periods. The process of assembling the sizable group had not been finalized, leading to on-the-go correspondence and adjustments on the fly.
Saturday morning marked the start of an all-day agenda that had been planned roughly one month in advance. Before these activities proceeded though, it was in our mutual interests to review and establish a path forward, which we did.
And then came a series of drawn-out waiting periods. The process of assembling the sizable group had not been finalized, leading to on-the-go correspondence and adjustments on the fly.
I began to grow wary when I learned of two intermediate stops along the way, one of which wasn't even in the same direction. Next came a wash of anxiety, for we hadn't even commenced the eastbound drive yet when the tentative schedule noted arrival.
But stops along the itinerary did not see re-prioritization. In a way, I was glad, for the Peterborough Farmer's Market had indeed been an event of interest for me. If my memory serves me correctly, I had never even been to Peterborough.
The drive estimated 80 minutes. Being utterly devoid of congestion, we arrived in the Peterborough BIA with ease. Street parking was available in the form of lay-bys, wherein fees were only enforced during weekdays, with weekends and holidays free.
But stops along the itinerary did not see re-prioritization. In a way, I was glad, for the Peterborough Farmer's Market had indeed been an event of interest for me. If my memory serves me correctly, I had never even been to Peterborough.
The drive estimated 80 minutes. Being utterly devoid of congestion, we arrived in the Peterborough BIA with ease. Street parking was available in the form of lay-bys, wherein fees were only enforced during weekdays, with weekends and holidays free.
A little less than one block away was the Farmer's Market. It operated differently from other markets in that the area appeared to be designated for the erection of temporary structures. It wasn't a parking lot nor a covered facility. The base was concrete, thus offering far greater strength than required for a pedestrian-oriented facility.
The market also differed in its selection of vendors. Beyond the standard produce and bakery stalls, there were sightings of art and crafts booths (homemade soap, prints, leather goods, etc.), craft brewery, coffee vendor, and a variety of ready-to-eat lunch options. We had managed to arrive before its closing time of 1 PM, reaping the benefits of variety for our mid-day meal.
The market also differed in its selection of vendors. Beyond the standard produce and bakery stalls, there were sightings of art and crafts booths (homemade soap, prints, leather goods, etc.), craft brewery, coffee vendor, and a variety of ready-to-eat lunch options. We had managed to arrive before its closing time of 1 PM, reaping the benefits of variety for our mid-day meal.
In place of food trucks, I was pleasantly surprised to find vendors offering quiches, empanadas, pierogies, and even Jerk Chicken and Oxtail. Save the Caribbean option, the others were quite affordable compared to the likes of GTA.
The group roamed the aisles for a while. While some members settled on a small container of charred BBQ ribs, I proposed Pierogies to my browsing partner.
Constituting of 6 pierogies and 1 cabbage roll, the $10 Lunch Combo enabled us to mix and match any type of pierogi being offered. As such, we opted for 4 savoury (Potato-Cheese) and 2 sweet (Sweet Peach).
The Potato-Cheese were delectable, especially when paired with the container of chive sour cream. These bite-sized morsels were distinctly more popular than the icing sugar-dusted neighbour.
And for good reason, for the Sweet Peach simply did not offer the same complexity nor textural gratification as the Potato-Cheese.
And for good reason, for the Sweet Peach simply did not offer the same complexity nor textural gratification as the Potato-Cheese.
Dressed with a ladle of tomato sauce, the cabbage roll was a sizable specimen that required a fork and knife for consumption. The interior was stuffed with meat and grains of sorts, making for a hearty, carb-free selection. Of the assortment, I enjoyed the cabbage roll the most. But the portion was hardly sufficient given that we were sharing the small container.
I had also proposed obtaining a cup of Cold Brew from Carolina's Colombia. Bracing myself for some obnoxiously high number, the unsealed cup was learned to be extremely economic at just three dollars.
For reasons beyond me, the Cold Brew had apparently been crafted from Espresso beans. Either way, the potency was a noticeable step down from my usual morning java and leaned closer to a medium roast than the downtown coffee snob's favourite of light roast. Of course, this may be owed to the business being an importer and supplier, rather than a preacher of unwashed single origins. The staff were older and dressed more commonplace than the typical Torontonian; they barely knew how to use the Square device, and was further compelled that receipts could be emailed to customers based on previous Square transactions.
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Our large party of nineteen was split between two of the countless picnic tables on site. Featuring a number of bench options, the facility had definitely considered fixtures for eating on the spot. That said, while there were tables, there were no water fountains nor flushable toilets. Two port-a-potties were spotted at the south end of gathering space. Both required climbing stairs for access (read: not accessible), boasted grimy door handles, and positively reeked within.
Consequently, all washroom needs were taken to the nearest bubble tea establishments instead.
Consequently, all washroom needs were taken to the nearest bubble tea establishments instead.
There were two establishments within the district: Bobo Tea and Milk + Tea.
While Bobo Tea was equipped with a self-serve ordering kiosk for ease of menu browsing, their prices were notably steep without embracing originality.
My browsing partner and I headed to Milk + Tea across the street instead. Compared to Bobo Tea's plain, white walls and harsh lighting, the interior exuded an inviting aura. This was evident in the number of patrons within the store as well.
Incorporating wooden finishings and artificial plants gave off a sense of serenity. Adjacent shelves included merchandise such as stickers and art prints, as well as board games that could be borrowed during one's stay. Contemporary décor of a custom tufted rug, artificial plants, and wooden accents caught me by surprise: the interior was undoubtedly modern with respect to the quiet vicinity of Downtown Peterborough. Consequently, the crowd occupying the seating area appeared to be younger too.
While Bobo Tea was equipped with a self-serve ordering kiosk for ease of menu browsing, their prices were notably steep without embracing originality.
My browsing partner and I headed to Milk + Tea across the street instead. Compared to Bobo Tea's plain, white walls and harsh lighting, the interior exuded an inviting aura. This was evident in the number of patrons within the store as well.
Incorporating wooden finishings and artificial plants gave off a sense of serenity. Adjacent shelves included merchandise such as stickers and art prints, as well as board games that could be borrowed during one's stay. Contemporary décor of a custom tufted rug, artificial plants, and wooden accents caught me by surprise: the interior was undoubtedly modern with respect to the quiet vicinity of Downtown Peterborough. Consequently, the crowd occupying the seating area appeared to be younger too.
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I silently expressed reservations towards the chalkboard menu, for it reminded me intensely of the powdery abominations from McMaster's basement-level hideout in the Student Centre. Prices were acceptable, though it was uncertain whether the quality would live up to urban standards. My browsing partner was indifferent towards the selection and shifted decision-making duties to me. I relayed my request before making my way to one of two accessible stalls near the back of the hangout spot. Expectations were low with regard to hygiene levels, but I was pleasantly surprised to find all supplies intact and minimal grime adorning the white floor tiles.
Much to my surprise, my browsing partner had yet to order when I returned to the counter a couple minutes later. There had only been two customers before us, so I concluded that Milk + Tea operated at a slower pace than anticipated. $4 Bubble Waffles were contemplated, but ultimately foregoed on the bases of time constraints and low demand (seeing as the grill saw infrequent usage). The final order was a regular-sized Passionfruit Lemonade with Coconut Jelly.
My choice of topping was met with a "What flavour of coconut jelly would you like?".
Perplexed, I requested further clarification. "There are flavours??"
"Yes, we have them over here." The cashier gestured to the two pink signs to the right.
"Oh." My eyes widened at the availability of this never-before-seen customization option. "Lychee and Green Apple please. A mix (of them)."
Much to my surprise, my browsing partner had yet to order when I returned to the counter a couple minutes later. There had only been two customers before us, so I concluded that Milk + Tea operated at a slower pace than anticipated. $4 Bubble Waffles were contemplated, but ultimately foregoed on the bases of time constraints and low demand (seeing as the grill saw infrequent usage). The final order was a regular-sized Passionfruit Lemonade with Coconut Jelly.
My choice of topping was met with a "What flavour of coconut jelly would you like?".
Perplexed, I requested further clarification. "There are flavours??"
"Yes, we have them over here." The cashier gestured to the two pink signs to the right.
"Oh." My eyes widened at the availability of this never-before-seen customization option. "Lychee and Green Apple please. A mix (of them)."
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Still hungry, I notified my browsing partner that I'd head next door for tacos while we waited for the drink.
El Camino's was a peculiar place. The storefront reminded me of Churrasco Villa at Eglinton and Mount Pleasant, while the interior was extremely dated and reminiscent of late night diners catering towards those in their late 20s and early 30s. I spotted a CRT TV in the corner, seemingly now being used as structural support for a Canadian flag.
El Camino's was a peculiar place. The storefront reminded me of Churrasco Villa at Eglinton and Mount Pleasant, while the interior was extremely dated and reminiscent of late night diners catering towards those in their late 20s and early 30s. I spotted a CRT TV in the corner, seemingly now being used as structural support for a Canadian flag.
Staff within were equally strange. There appeared to be three people in total. Navigating between the kitchen and order area was a lanky man with tattoos and bad posture, while taking orders was a friendly but awkward young man somewhat hard of hearing. He could not comprehend my order on the other side of the Plexiglas barrier and also appeared to have eyes that gazed in different directions. Nevertheless, he was kind and patient, albeit a bit slow in the face of zero customers.
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A Medium Beef Brisket Burrito set me back $9.99 plus tax and about seven minutes from order start to finish. Sauces were complimentary, so I took to the Camino's Sauce (garlic) and Tropical Tijuana (fruit-based). Once wrapped, the man asked, "Do you need a box and bag?"
"Does it cost anything?"
He responded with a bewildered expression. "No??"
"Oh okay, then yes please."
He then paused for a moment, which caused me to grow anxious as my browsing partner warned me of an imminent departure. "Do you places charge you?!" He asked incredulously. I nodded, which caused him to follow up with "Where??"
Unsure whether I should name specifics and prolong the conversation, my reply was: "I forget exactly, but I've definitely been charged before. So it's safer to ask."
"But why??"
"Sustainability right? To reduce waste."
He looked disgusted. "Sounds like a scam to me. I'll just give you a plastic bag since it might rain later, and you don't want your food to get wet."
Frankly, the aluminum wrapper of the burrito would have been sufficient in defending against moisture penetration, but I appreciated the gesture and consideration nonetheless.
"Does it cost anything?"
He responded with a bewildered expression. "No??"
"Oh okay, then yes please."
He then paused for a moment, which caused me to grow anxious as my browsing partner warned me of an imminent departure. "Do you places charge you?!" He asked incredulously. I nodded, which caused him to follow up with "Where??"
Unsure whether I should name specifics and prolong the conversation, my reply was: "I forget exactly, but I've definitely been charged before. So it's safer to ask."
"But why??"
"Sustainability right? To reduce waste."
He looked disgusted. "Sounds like a scam to me. I'll just give you a plastic bag since it might rain later, and you don't want your food to get wet."
Frankly, the aluminum wrapper of the burrito would have been sufficient in defending against moisture penetration, but I appreciated the gesture and consideration nonetheless.
We were to make haste shortly afterwards, for the group had ordered pizza and sushi for consumption in the picnic shelters at Riverview Park & Zoo. The takeout pizza was far better than the microscopic burrito, in which the brisket was mediocre instead of gratifying and a sour taste was perceived off-putting instead of zesty.
With the burrito and odd-looking concoction of a Passionfruit Lemonade in tow, we headed back to the car and looped about the vicinity to facilitate pick-up of the older members of the group. It was through this detour that it dawned on me: Peterborough looked like Toronto in the 70s. The historic images hoisted throughout the municipal buildings weren't sheer moments in time, but a reality for the smaller towns and cities beyond the GTA. Eerily quiet streets with dulled building faces and hunched, homeless citizens pushing grocery carts have become a regular sighting in most rural-suburban BIA areas, as tourist traffic is higher. In ways, the district exuded a similar aura to Downtown Kitchener, save fewer outlets for Asian food and more malnourished citizens on bicycles - on the sidewalk instead of the on-street cycle tracks, as my browsing partner had noted.
With the burrito and odd-looking concoction of a Passionfruit Lemonade in tow, we headed back to the car and looped about the vicinity to facilitate pick-up of the older members of the group. It was through this detour that it dawned on me: Peterborough looked like Toronto in the 70s. The historic images hoisted throughout the municipal buildings weren't sheer moments in time, but a reality for the smaller towns and cities beyond the GTA. Eerily quiet streets with dulled building faces and hunched, homeless citizens pushing grocery carts have become a regular sighting in most rural-suburban BIA areas, as tourist traffic is higher. In ways, the district exuded a similar aura to Downtown Kitchener, save fewer outlets for Asian food and more malnourished citizens on bicycles - on the sidewalk instead of the on-street cycle tracks, as my browsing partner had noted.
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Riverview Park & Zoo was about twenty minutes away. In spite of the numerous signage, the entrance configuration was as confusing as the Toronto Zoo, while the parking lot was as busy as one would expect for a zoo with free admission. Internal organization of the public space was similarly confusing, as the picnic shelters were located at the base of a steep asphalt pathway. Meanwhile, the playground structure, zoo, and stuffy washroom facilities/change room were at ground level.
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Eating near the waterway made for a scenic stopover, despite being neither accessible nor convenient for navigation purposes. Upon unravelling our items, I learned that the takeout pizza was far better than the microscopic burrito. Encased within was brisket that was mediocre instead of gratifying and a sourness perceived to be off-putting instead of zesty.
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We ate swiftly, then collectively made our way towards the Peterborough Marina for the main event of the day.
Read Part 2 HERE !
Read Part 2 HERE !
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