I don’t get many opportunities to start a post with the letter x.
On my way after a morning appointment in Glebe. Across from the Glebe Town Hall someone left their runners on a bench but kept the laces.
It feels a bit spy thriller, like a “drop” location. I was hoping for a cryptic note, or USB drive with secret plans on it.
Maybe I’ve been watching too much “Homelands” and “The Americans”. There was just an abandoned sock and, as usual, usable shoes.
I’m in Toronto for a few weeks and thought I wouldn’t be seeing any abandoned shoes here but it is a veritable minefield, a cornucopia, a smorgasbord. Plenty, in other words!
Here’s what I found within this past 10 days:
The first one was this bag / box arrangement near a bus stop: As I neared the corner, I saw it coming and it was great to find a handy bag next to it as well.
They even took the lovely lid off, to help you consider the contents. I was tempted to look inside the Sears bag but decided against. It felt wrong. Something about the lid says Europe, don’t you think?
At the park near my folks, out in the west of the city, there’s a cute little playground. Near it is a bench and some bins, for local residents to picnic, and a nearby recycle bin. This pair were sitting here for days, and are still there a week later, as if no-one dare claim them, although they have been shifting round a bit, so I recon people have been trying them on. Not good enough for anyone to take home though. Used shoes are so personal, so intimate! I now understand better why some cultures consider the importance and significance of feet and shoes so much.
Now for some adventure!
While here in Toronto, I’m staying in this B&B, (Hi Lyndsey!) near Dufferin & Davenport, quite a nice European immigrant neighbourhood, mostly Italian and Portugese. It’s a look I know well and defines this part of the city, in particular on their compact front lawns. I extensively photographed it back in the 80’s when I was a student of photography here and am open (on request) to bore you with some scans from those days.
These flippers were found out on the corner, on the edge of someone’s front lawn, hopefully so someone could take them on their summer holiday. In good nick, if you’re interested. I already have a pair though, so they’re all yours.
And finally, another pair, right by the door to the Dufferin (and Bloor) subway station. It was a crowded, intensely sunny morning, so I didn’t notice them in the shadows for a moment, then pleasantly surprised. Not my thing, but perfectly OK, which is why someone left them out for interested parties, I assume.
Here’s another pic, closer, in case you’re interested. A bit of heel, for those who seek it.
Four pairs in just over a week.
Eyes peeled for more on my ride out along the ravine this afternoon.
Bonus time again in the abandoned shoes found in the street department.
Yesterday I found a pair of these mock crocs out in front of the Newtown Community Centre. For some reason, left atop a bin, near the market area. They looked in great shape, even if they’re crap shoes.
But much stranger were this other pair, left right outside my door. Not only am I noticing these shoe-leave-behinds, but I think they’re following me.
There they were, right at my front door, waiting for me. Sadly, not my size. Funky orange striping though, bet they’d make good cycling shoes.
