Toronto pre dawn

My dear Friends

The time is 4.45 am and I have been in Toronto just over 24 hours. I arrived on Saturday night, St David's Day, after a smooth British Airways flight, where they tended to me really well. I had spent a beautiful week with my friend in Surrey, in her lovely house on the top of a hill next to a 13th Century church and again I was looked after - I was happy because I had worked really hard especially with the concert.

Now in the Youth Hostel my new friend at reception is working the night shift and there a few floaters around, a bit hung over after whatever party they have been to. I am back to my normal time zone, restless in the middle of the night as in Cambridge I always get up at this time and drink tea, pray or write. It really is wonderful to be in Toronto; I had a good Sunday, going to Mass in the Catholic Cathedral, which is flanked on other sides by the Anglican and Church of Canada Cathedrals.On the 4th Sunday of Lent the Gospel is the healing of the blind beggar, a foretaste of the sacramental life of the Church, when Jesus puts paste on the man's eyes.

As you know, I really just enjoy wandering the streets, it is not that cold and I am cossetted by an enormous winter coat which a Canadian friend in Cambridge lent me-she says it has always got her through the winter in Newfoundland. So I found bookshops, cafes and some nice and interesting Canadians to talk to.

Youth Hostels have changed-this one is cosy, and I am sharing a room with 2 congenial young women, one French and the other from here but of Japanese parents. I hope they don't mind my nocturnal activities! It is difficult to imagine life in Cambridge or England-I am sitting at the computer with some piled up snow outside and a lovely lit up skyscraper facing me.

More later, have a good week wherever you may be!
Shalom from
Sister Gila