Destination: London, Ontario

Well, since this is supposed to be a travel blog and all, I figured that to fill time until I get to Spain (and to delay writing my thesis), I would write about places I've lived or traveled.  You know, recommendations and stuff.  I thought the easiest place to start would be the city I've lived in on and off for the past 6 years of my life: London, Ontario.

London is a mid-sized city in south-western Ontario, and a big university town.  it is also known as the forest city.  However, the city is large enough to carry its own without the University of Western Ontario breathing down it's neck.

Here are some things to do if you want to venture to campus:

1) Workout at the newly built gym, the Western Student Recreation Centre.  $9.04 will buy you a day pass where you can explore all the recreation facility has to offer.
2) See a movie for ultra-cheap at Western Film (like, $4 cheap).  While you're at it, buy a trough of popcorn.
3) Take one of the scenic hikes along the Thames River.  The river runs right through campus, and adds a touch of charm to London.
4) Grab a beer at the Grad club.  There you will see faculty, and be able to choose from a number of beers on tap (there are a lot! They even have Mill Street Lemon Tea beer, my fav.)
5) See if there are any exhibits open at the MacIntosh Gallery, or if the Cronwyn Observatory has opened it's doors to the public.
6) Attend Homecoming at Western.  Current students and alumni alike gather to partake in copious amounts of drinking and purple-wearing whilst tailgating in the parking lot before the big game.  It's about as American as you can get, in regards to school spirit and varsity athletics.  Super fun!

Now, of course there is off campus to explore as well.

Natural Environment: There are two really nice parks in London - Victoria Park (in downtown London) and Springbank Park (a little off the beaten path).  Other than that, London has the perk of being in a really nice location natural-environment wise.  There are provincial parks nearby to spend the day at (along Lake Huron and Lake Erie), as well as conservation sites that are a bit closer.

Food: Disclaimer - I am a foodie.  I feel at home in large cities where I can explore a range of different kinds of foods, and find hole-in-the-walls to frequent.  I love food.  In regards to restaurants in London, I have found that there are 3 types that you could fit any restaurant into here: crappy, chain or expensive.  I have been to many crappy restaurants... hoping that I would find a little known gem in London (6 years and no luck with that one).  The chains are the usual - Jack Astors, Kelseys, The Keg, Milestones, Moxies, etc. Now, the expensive, here's where it gets good.  There are a list of great places to eat here, but none of them are particularly cheap:
1) Davids Bistro.  The best.  David knows exactly what he is doing with his menu and his dishes, and he knows the perfect wine pairing.  If you want it cheap, try the lunch menu (where mains won't run for more than $15).  Same portions as dinner too! But seriously, the food here is delicious.
2) Garlics, Black Trumpet, Kantina, Abruzzi, Tru, and the Tasting Room are all other great ones (and they all have websites, with the exception of Black Trumpet).  They are expensive, but you will get a good meal.
3) You may have noticed that there are no ethnic restaurants on this list... unfortunately, I find it very hard to find good ethic food in London.  The best so far include: King of Pigs (portugese, they make excellent rotesserie chicken, and their pirri pirri sauce is to die for!), Ozen (very good japanese food, made well, priced reasonably, and including a rather unique menu), Barakat (excellent lebanese food... try their vegetarian platter and get extra garlic puree and try their lentil soup) and Budapest (really interesting Hungarian food... in a REALLY cool setting... it would be worth it to go here just to sit in the authentic restaurant).
4) If you want to cook food yourself while here, go to Covent Garden.  This is the fresh, local market.  The food vendors there are great, and you can get the freshest and tastiest produce around, as well as artisan items and gourmet foods.  Also, as random as this sounds, but Field Gate Organics (an organic meat market) sells the BEST bacon I have ever had.  Seriously.  Get some and fry it up, you won't be disappointed.

Etc: There are other ways to fill your time in London other than being outdoors or eating (although I would sometimes beg to differ...)
1) The Grand Theatre - I've seen some shows here before, and a lot of good ones come through (most recently, Hair, The Great Gatsby and Cinderella).
2) If you are lucky enough to be here during the festival season in the summer and fall, go to Victoria Park to check out any one of the festivals that frequent during the warmer months.  My favorites are the Latin festival (where you can salsa your ass off) and LoLa (London Ontario Live Arts Festival).  Both fun!

3) Aeolian Hall.  This is tied for my favourite music venue (tied with Massey Hall in Toronto).  This beautiful establishment is run entirely by volunteers.  The people who work there are amazing.  The Aeolian does so much for the community as well, so it just feels great to support that cause and at the same time see a musical artist that you love.  I have seen Owen Pallett, Dan Mangan, Basia Bulat, Obijou, and Whitehorse here... all spectacular shows.  Also, they offer a bottle of wine and plate of cheese for, like, $20. A night at the Aeolian  =  a great night.

4) See a foreign film or documentary at Hyland Cinema.  Also, another great establishment of London.  This place shows the best movies, stuff that I have never seen offered at any other theater.  It's a great hub to stay in the loop with artistic films.  Grab a rose tea and a seat in the dark, old theater and enjoy the show.
5) Walk around the Old North area of London (where I am lucky enough to live).  The houses are beautiful.  They have such character, and its a nice little architectural stroll.

These are the gems of London (in my opinion).  They are special aspects of this city that are unparalled by gems in other cities.  There are other things in London (such as a Museum, some sort of old army base, some sports teams), but they aren't better than the ones that exist in other cities (nor do they really come too close).  These are things that make London special, that I will miss frequenting, and that are worth experiencing if you are in this city.