By Jackie DeBucci

It can honestly be said the clover sisters started this year’s trip out with a bang.  One hard, fast bang into a pole that sprouted up behind them.   Fortunately nobody was hurt so that was only a momentary delay  (they were already 3 hours late) soon they were out of the parking lot and onto the street.  (That’s right the pole grew in the parking lot.)

The drive to Toronto was uneventful.  When they reached the border to Canada the border-patrol asked for their licenses.  They than quizzed the border-patrol guy as to who was oldest.  “Of course he got it right, after all he’s looking at our drivers license,” said the oldest.

Onward they drove until they reached Niagara Falls safe and sound (well at least safe).  This is where they spent the first night.

The next day they arrived at Toronto in time to settle in and get ready for Mama Mia.  As they exited the hotel dressed in night-on-the-town cloths they tried to flag a taxi.  When a taxi finally stopped the driver said he could only take four in his cab.  So rather than leave someone out they proceeded d to jog (in all their luster and glamour) to the restaurant and then the theater.

They sat in the balcony ,three doors from heaven.  The oldest sister said a prayer as her ears popped and her hair stood up on her head (spray net and all).  When the curtains raised and the play began the elevation melted away.  The theater was filled with song and laughter. 

Next came the desert, desert, desert, desert, desert and the end of a perfect day. 

The next morning as the sun began to warm the new day the sisters started off towards the water and a boat ride.  They jogged, hopped, skipped and jumped swiftly through the streets and towards the water. 

As they inhaled the scenery from the boat they discussed the rest of the day and come to only one conclusion.  They would go to the shoe museum.  The only obstacle was how to get there.

It was after the boat rides that, with literature in hand, they vigorously charted their course.   Several options were discussed as they entered the trolley.

The trolley driver was confused when she arrived back at the trolley station with 5 ladies still in the trolley.  The sisters were not confused, they were lost. 

“Ok”, said the trolley driver, I will give you transfer tickets and turn you over to the new trolley driver and he will get you to the shoes museum.  “Thank you” said the sisters in unison, no one ever said they weren’t polite, just lost, but polite.

“This is where you get off”, yelled the new trolley driver.  The oldest sister yelled “Hooray for Claire” as she clapped her hands. 

After leaving the trolley another major decision came.  Which way do they go now?”  One sister thought it was left, the other thought it was right and of course the sisters proceeded to go in the wrong direction for two blocks before they realized it was the wrong way.  So they turned around and began marching in the other direction.  At this rate when they got to the shoe museum they would each need to steal a pair of shoes? 

As always they finally arrived at their destination. They saw shoes from all ages and all cultures. Shoes that belonged to famous people and shoes that belong to crazy ladies who wrapped and deformed their feet because the smaller the feet the more beautiful they were.  After the sisters were filled with the knowledge of shoedom they were ready to continue their journey.  Problem was they didn’t know where to go next.

Finally a decision was reached, they would take the subway to the mall.  They went down into the subway and jumped on board.  One sister discovered a runner in her hose and was examining her legs as a dirty old man watched.  Ppsst, pppst the other sisters tried to get her attention to no avail.

When they stepped out onto the curb they turned around to make sure the dirty old man wasn’t following them.  He wasn’t he must have had a heart attack on the spot.

As they reached the outside the air filled their lungs and they looked around in disbelief.  They were not at the mall.  They were, however, at their hotel where they were staying. 

As they came above ground one things became clear.  The people of Toronto must love to dress as Santa clause.   There were gangs of Santas everywhere.  Some were tall some were short, one was even a midget.   Some were smoking, some were eating, some were scratching their heads (and other parts). They were sitting on the curb and leaning against the buildings.  None of them however said “ho, ho, ho”, they weren’t even smiling.  This could cause a real identity crisis for these unholy old men.  After all how do they know who they are when everyone around them is them too?  Anyway it was a sight to see.  (There were also movie cameras and wardrobe trucks on the street.   They were making a movie).

One sister decided to try to find some shopping area while the other sisters returned to their rooms to figure out where they had been and how they had gotten there.

They ate at the restaurant in the hotel that evening so they didn’t get lost.   As the day come to a close some sisters went to the sauna and the others relaxed and prepared for the next day.

So it was that on Sunday morning, as the clouds hid the sun, the sisters loaded their vehicle and began their trip.  They left behind the Santas & shoes, trolleys & subways, seats-in-heaven & deserts, deserts, deserts. 

What they brought with them was what they took out, until they reached a place called Ikea.  This is a magical kingdom of home-everything-and-then-some.     They made some very frugal purchases (good prices & then Canadian ex change.) 

They ate lunch frugally too and in no-time-at-all they were home again. 

Next years trip destination is Chicago.  See you then!!!