What to do, what to do??

I woke up this morning with no plan for day 2 of my month-long adventure-a-day challenge. Thought I’d have them all planned out? Nope. I do the same thing when it comes to travel. The dates are booked well in advance and then….nothing. Eventually my husband books the flights and accommodation and I’m put in charge of arranging the itinerary for the trip.  I figure it all out on the plane ride there. That’s how I roll. I’m not convinced that strategy is going to work well for my daily adventures though.

I thought about visiting a waterfall that I’ve heard of, but never seen and then I started checking out the listings for various film festival screenings but nothing was calling my name. I was staring at my calendar when it hit me. November 2nd.

Today is not only day 2 of my adventure challenge, it’s also day 2 of Mexico’s Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) – the wonderfully whimsical and colorful 2-day Mexican festival that occurs every November to celebrate the living memories of loved ones who have passed on. Skulls, skeletons and altars.

There was my answer. Today’s adventure would take the form of seeking out a little Mexican culture in the spirit of the Day of the Dead. I headed to Toronto’s Distillery District, to El Catrin, where they were preparing for a special Dia de los Muertos party tonight.

Adventure-A-Day: Day 2 

The Distillery District is a pedestrian-only village located in downtown Toronto that is entirely dedicated to arts, culture and entertainment. It’s also a national Historic Site thanks to its well-preserved Victorian Industrial Architecture – it was once the site of The Gooderham and Worts Distillery (think whiskey).

There’s much to see and explore there, but today I was headed to one if its recent additions, the Mexican restaurant El Catrin.

El Catrin has authentic Mexican cuisine, an amazing decor complete with a mesmerizing wall mural and a killer (heated) patio. I’m also in love with their light fixtures.

We arrived at lunch time so that our appetites would match our enthusiasm to take part in a little bit of Mexican culture. I enjoyed all my favourites – a lime margarita, soft fish tacos, guacamole and churros – and watched as the restaurant readied itself for tonights party. The staff was having their faces painted to look like calacas (skulls), a stage was set up for salsa lessons and tequila, mescal and cocktail samples were on the ready.

Okay, so I wasn’t rock climbing or dangling off the side of the CN tower but it WAS an adventure none-the-lesss. I could have stayed home, made stew for dinner and tried to make a dent in the never-ending laundry piling up in my home but I didn’t. I went downtown, took in the fresh air, soaked up the cultural vibes and raised a margarita glass to toast Mexico’s Dia de los Muertos celebration.

We’ll call it a soft adventure.

After 2 days of adventures in beer, meat pies and margaritas, I think tomorrow’s adventure had best involve me getting exercise in some form or other.  Wish me luck!

Did you have an adventure today?