Random Thoughts of a Quirky Blogger
  • ~ Home ~
  • ~ What I Think ~
  • ~ What I See ~
    • Events
    • Food
    • People
    • Places
  • ~ What I Make ~
  • Blog Series
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Disclaimer

Out & About #253 | Pt. 1: Square One Things + Japan Festival Mississauga

7/9/2016

 
It's accurate to describe me as someone who prefers independent coffee shops over franchises. (Can you blame me though? The menu lacks variety and also happens to be seriously overpriced for the quantity being produced on a daily basis.)

Unfortunately, there are few cafes within Square One that offer stable Internet connection as well as outlets in a decently quiet atmosphere. In search for a spot where brief conversation could occur, we were left with no other option than to stop by Aroma to get our business done.
Picture
For those that are wondering where the hatred is being derived from, please read about the opinions from my first visit.

My partner-in-crime on this occasion was sufficiently fond of the chain store, and ordered a Matcha Latte with ease. She did find it odd that they refused to make an iced version of the beverage though. I, on the other hand, knowing full well that Aroma would not be using authentic Japanese matcha powder, went straight for the safe choice: London Fog.
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
A frothy cup of steamed milk, Earl Grey, and a dash of vanilla syrup was delivered to the pickup area within minutes. It's difficult to disappoint with a drink as classic as London Fog, but after the orange-juice-and-ice experience, I had my expectations lowered to rock bottom. Surprisingly enough, it was rather decent - perhaps it was the dash of cinnamon that I added?

Former opinions were not banished, however, since the Matcha Latte was as repulsive as I had imagined: watery and devoid of proper grassy depth.
Picture
Picture
Having settled our business, we took to roaming around the shopping centre until the commencement of Japan Festival in Celebration Square. A trip to the Disney store informed us of the return of Monsters' University Tsum Tsums and the addition of The Little Mermaid collection. Several of the mannequins' outfits at Brandy Melville and Urban Outfitters were also worth marvelling at.
Picture
Picture
Canada's first Japan Festival was scheduled to kick off at noon By the time we made our entrance at 3:00 pm, the event was already in full swing, with incredulous lineups for food and freebies at every corner.
Picture
​Camouflaged behind the frenzy of coiling lineups were food stalls, yukata vendors, game booths, and pop-ups distributing free merchandise. Lining the east side of the Civic Centre was a shaded patio area that had been sectioned off for the sale and consumption of Sapporo.
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
​Regardless of which direction we cast our eyes towards, some form of action was taking place. I unknowingly separated from the group, veering towards a table stacked with adorable plush toys and colourful yukatas as others headed in the direction of motorcycle displays and NTN smartcar demonstrations.
Picture
Picture
Picture
​The stage was constantly occupied with performances to keep lineup-goers engaged while patiently waiting for their respective turn to order food underneath blazing sun.
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
​Observing a J-Pop idol group perform from the corner of our eyes, we joined one of the massive lineups for the sake of obtaining a bowl of chilly buckwheat noodles. Some forty-five minutes later, a plastic container of soba, seaweed, and tempura flakes soaked in an insufficient pool of soy sauce was obtained. Houjicha Shaved Ice was also ordered; the gloomy-looking pile of solidified water flakes was overly syrupy, with a robust but unauthentic brewed taste.
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
View the full album HERE !
Picture
Picture
Picture
We had also taken on the challenge of lining up for Gushi simulatenously, one vendor that I had specifically opted out of trying on the day before at Union Summer. Pangs of instant regret hit me everytime the line inched forward ever so gently. My poorly made decision resulted in an Uncle Tetsu-like wait period - one hour and forty minutes to be exact! - and a disappointing portion of takoyaki and fried chicken.
Picture
Picture
On that note, Kenzo makes better takoyaki; Gushi's signature fried chicken was acceptable though.
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
By ​this point, we were more than happy to tuck into the items we had so forbearingly reaped, thus paying no more attention to the other vendors and their equally insane lineups. Some twenty minutes later, I declared a desire to try the NTN demo.
Another round of meek silence ensued, only to be informed that the car demonstration was intended solely for small children. After a brief moment of pleading, however, the operator reluctantly agreed to show me the interior of the vehicle. Score!
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
​With majority of our time at the festival having been spent on tedious lineups, it came as quite a shock to us when the sun began to slowly settle along the horizon, signifying the arrival of dusk.
Picture
​A sharp glance at my watch revealed that it was soon nearing 6:30 pm. Bidding swift goodbyes to the remainder of the group, we vamooshed off to dinner.

Read about my Hokkaido Ramen Santouka experience in Part 2 !

Comments are closed.
    Picture

    Who Am I?

    Formerly an avid owner of several interest-based portals, Random Thoughts of a Quirky Blogger presents precisely the elements expected. From experiments in the kitchen to miscellaneous musings, from IGOT7 reflections to developments in transportation infrastructure, it's all consolidated here. Welcome to the raw, unfiltered side of Quirky Aesthetics.



    Archives

    March 2023
    February 2023
    January 2023
    December 2022
    November 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013


    Categories

    All
    Ahgabond Adventures
    Ahgase
    Arctic Aquarium
    Atlantic Canada 2018
    Barrie
    Beauty
    Birthday Buddy
    Calgary 2023
    Chinese New Year
    Conquering COVID 19
    Daily Randoms
    Eyes On You World Tour 2018
    Food
    Friends
    Hallyucon
    Hamilton
    Hong Kong
    Iron Ring
    J Movie
    K Drama
    K-Drama
    Korean Beauty
    K Pop
    Los Angeles 2017
    Macau
    New York 2018
    Ottawa 2019
    Pilates
    Random Rant
    Restaurant Review
    Seoul
    Shopping
    SSMC
    Taiwan
    Vacation
    Vancouver 2013
    Vancouver 2014
    Vancouver 2015
    Vancouver 2016
    Vancouver 2020
    Vancouver 2022


    trazy.com

    RSS Feed


WHAT DOES "QUIRKY AESTHETICS" MEAN?

Quirky =  a term that commonly refers to something/someone distinctly different and unique
Aesthetics = the visual aspect of things



Together, Quirky Aesthetics refers to the things, events, and happenings seen and perceived by this blog's creator - quirky perspectives in a visual form.

Contact ME

​Subscribe

Join our mailing list today!
Join Now
© Quirky Aesthetics. All rights reserved. Last modified: August 10, 2015.