Canada

I would love to say I still have got it but I want to crawl into bed and it’s 6pm. Zakaria and I went to Toronto over the weekend. We drove and my brilliant self said we should leave at 3:15am to make the most of our day. All excited to get my 7-11 coffee and start our journey…nope, the 7-11 didn’t have any coffee at that hour. Alright, weirdly concocted winter wonderland latte, you will have to do. Zakaria is the best travel buddy ever. He picked a yummy breakfast place for us to stop at in Altoona. I prayed Fajr in the car before we went in and honestly, I think I fell asleep half way through.
We made it to the border only to realize I didn’t have a document from my ex-husband saying I wasn’t abducting Zakaria. Luckily, I had the email I sent to him telling him about this trip. The guy then asked Zakaria for his dad’s name and apparently, Zakaria passed the test.
We then took in Niagara Falls and they were amazing. I really wanted to go on a boat like I did as a kid but they aren’t open in the winter. I obviously had to get the cheesy green screen picture of Zakaria and me.
We then drove to our hotel and while walking into the lobby and thinking I must have hit the club part of our hotel, Zakaria asked where in the world I had booked us. It was the Fairmont because…I fancy. Seriously though, I guess Canadians have to jam it up in the hotel lobby.
We ordered food from Uber Eats and I might have kissed the box of halal poutine.
The next day, we hit the CN Tower, Ripley’s Aquarium, Kensington Place and Little Canada. Zakaria loves public transportation and it’s awesome watching him figure out trams, buses, subways, etc.
Palestine is never far from my mind and I continue to wonder where the humanity is. While I looked at all the amazing creatures Allah has put on this earth at the aquarium, I wondered what unique creatures all those beautiful children that we have lost in the genocide get to see in Jannah. I can imagine Hadi telling them to give all the reptiles names. The thoughts of what these trips would be like with Hadi, Leena and even Aamir come at me like a ton of bricks. Grief…oh, my constant companion. You have taught me so much. You still suck.
We hit a halal breakfast place on Sunday and then started our drive back. Obviously had to get some Timmy’s. I made it to just outside Pittsburgh and decided we should spend the night because I was tired. Walmart to the rescue for some fresh night suits (yes, night suits) and Monday outfits. Pittsburgh Walmart made me feel like I had stepped into the Hypermart in Topeka. Nothing like a Walmart to remind me how not white I am. Got us some potato salad and macaroni salad and set off to our Wyndham hotel…again, I fancy. Boo to the potato salad having bacon…I missed the “loaded” label. Watched the Super Bowl. No, Zakaria, I am not sure how many times Usher will take off his shirt.
Finished my presentation for my coursework on addiction, got a few hours of sleep and headed out. Maybe I am addicted to making myself exhausted so I don’t have to think. Pretty sure that’s not healthy.
I also think I am addicted to Sheetz.
Go Chiefs…though reading a score online that clearly says the 49ers won but a headline saying the Chiefs did right above it when you are on little sleep will really mess with your mind.
La halwa wala quwatta, illa billa.
Free Palestine.
#toronto #FreePalestine #cntower #ripleysaquarium #grief #gochiefs #roadtrip #Poutine #sheetz #timhortons

Read More