Squirrels Part V

To celebrate Part V of my ‘Squirrels’ series I wanted to bring myself great joy by harking back to the first squirrel I ever saw in real life.

The year was 2012. I was in Toronto for work. Whenever I travel for work I make it a point to get up really early in the morning and go out for a long walk through whatever locale I find myself staying in. Mornings are a great time because depending on the reason for my travel, I might be with a bunch of people who like to stay up late into the night and conversely start their day later in the morning. I too enjoy late night tales but I also force myself to be an early morning person so I can enjoy a few hours that are completely my own. With no pressures from the work side and no personal obligations I can enjoy a new city during one of the peak times when fewer people are around and I have the city to myself.

Toronto was great for this purpose. I was staying at the original Four Seasons Hotel in Downtown Toronto on Yorkville. My morning walk took me first through the most dense parts of the CBD until the city started opening up a little. 

30 minutes in I was enjoying the brand new podcast Serial when I came across an inner city park. Inside the park I caught a sight my eyes had never previously been blessed with. Everywhere in front of me, with reckless abandon, little fluffy dark squirrels darted along the ground and amongst the trees. Racing horizontally then jumping vertically. They moved with ease and utter haste. I’d never seen anything like it. One brave squirrel broke away from the pack and pulled up within 10 feet of me and stopped. It was the first time I had seen a squirrel so still that I could take the time to admire it. Kind face. Slender body. Nubbly arms. That tail. Thrashing the wind like a conductor’s baton. It was love at first sight.

I had a great time in Toronto. I ate poutine in a hockey bar. I went to an IMAX cinema and got tactical sleep during the movie. I listened to a DJ play Hot Creations tracks at a nondescript luxe nightlife place. But most of all I remember the squirrels. I’ve never been back to Toronto since. But when I do return I will find that park again.