The Journey Begins

Today the adventure begins! I am officially without a car in Toronto. That doesn't make me unique in this metropolis where tens of thousands of others who get around without wheels, but for me, after 34 years of access to an automobile, it is a very strange feeling indeed.

So I thought I would write about the things I learn, struggle with, and-- alas, enjoy! --about life without a car.

Here's my first celebration: It is 11pm as I write this and I *don't* have to run out in the cold and move the car from off the street before I go to bed! Ha! No car! Since our house has no private driveway and overnight street parking is illegal in our neighborhood I have had to park the car in the driveway of the church next door. (With permission, of course, since they are our landlords.) That was especially difficult on weekends because various congregations use the church facilities and often extend their worship services past 11pm. I had to wait until the last person left so I wouldn't block them in the driveway.

Once, earlier in the year, I forgot to move the car and was hit with a parking ticket. Thirty-five dollars in the city coffers later, I decided it was better to plan a later bedtime than get poor on parking tickets.

So, I am looking on the bright side on this day number 1. There are advantages to being without an automobile in Toronto.