A seasonal odyssey: Embracing summer, cuisine, and travel
Students share what they’ve been up to this summer.
Waves of joy: A memorable summer escapade to the Toronto Islands
Sukaina Rizvi
As the sun-kissed days of summer unfolded, a scenic adventure awaited my family and I on the captivating shores of the Toronto Islands. We embarked on a journey filled with laughter, exploration, and unforgettable memories as we welcomed my aunt and cousin to Canada for the very first time.
The highlight of our escapade was our mesmerizing visit to Centre Island—a haven of tranquility just a ferry ride away from the vibrant city. The ferry’s gentle sway mirrored our excitement, each wave a promise of the adventures to come. Stepping onto the island felt like entering a different world; a paradise adorned with sandy beaches, lush greenery, and the melodic symphony of lapping waves.
With bicycles as our trusty companions, we set out on a leisurely exploration of the island. Pedaling through the winding paths, the wind whispered secrets of the island’s history while the scent of wildflowers carried the essence of summer.
The azure waters beckoned to us, and soon we found ourselves on the sun-drenched beach, toes sinking into the soft sand. Waves danced before us; their rhythms synchronized with our carefree spirits. As the sun painted the sky with hues of gold and pink, we snapped countless pictures, each frame capturing not just the beauty around us but the joy in our hearts.
Reflecting on those precious days, my takeaway from this summer is crystal clear: it’s the moments spent with loved ones that truly define the season. The shared laughter, the simple pleasures, and the feeling of togetherness—these are the gems of summer that shine the brightest. All of them etched a canvas of happiness in our hearts.
Summer’s palette: A culinary exploration
Meighan Atkinson
I ate this summer. Double scoops of ice cream, melting in the sun, dripping onto rough recycled paper napkins. Salads of dark red tomatoes, webbed in kaleidoscope sections of gel-like flesh, dressed in olive oil and salt. Pesto with basil from my boyfriend’s mother’s plant, smeared on good, crunchy sourdough or tossed through steamy strands of fettuccine.
Last summer, I gallivanted across coastal Europe, aching—yearning—for a Niagara peach. This summer, I ate two at a time right over the kitchen sink as the juice dripped down my elbows. I lounged by the pool with pints of my dad’s sangria while he grilled steaks and corn on the cob—corn from a side-of-the-road stand, where you drop your cash and take your produce on an honour system. I picked away at many a charcuterie board, stacking wedges of sharp cheddar and raspberry jam.
Trinity Bellwoods Park buzzed with the feeling of summer, dispersed by groups of young professionals off work, but still in their business-casual attire, sipping canned coolers under a tree’s shade. My friends and I shared sub sandwiches at picnic tables, listening to jazz musicians wail on their saxophones and quietly observing friendly (but clearly very competitive) games of spikeball. My boyfriend and I sat on patios, sipping our C$15 cocktails, savouring Ossington in its best season. We’d stop somewhere for a scoop of hazelnut gelato after dinner. In the summer, there’s always room for dessert.
Escaping Summer’s Heat: My final journey
Prisha (Maneka) Nuckchady
Summer? Nope. Instead, I escaped the heat to my home country’s winter. To be fair, winters are quite mellow in Mauritius—they’re more akin to Canada’s late spring, with temperatures in the low 20s. Honestly, I’ve always disliked the heat. So, I was mostly looking forward to the mild, windy weather and seeing my family while Canada was experiencing its hottest days ever—literally. When it came time to return to Canada, I was dreading the heat. But as it turned out, I wouldn’t spend much time outdoors for a little while.
Coming back to Canada meant two things: 1) stocking up on my favourite foods that I cannot acquire in Mauritius, and 2) a long journey after which I always swear I will never make again. This trip was no exception. As I made my way to the airport—realizing that my luggage was grossly overweight as I did not properly account for everything I was bringing back for family—I mentally prepared myself to streamline my selection of edible goodies. I ended up bringing none.
Aboard the plane, which was at maximum capacity, I attempted to soothe a facial allergic reaction. I found myself in an aisle seat next to a man. Mostly half-asleep for the rest of the journey after taking some medication, I noticed the man next to me coughing. I fooled myself into thinking he had a cold.
At the transit airport in France, I was hit by a migraine followed by the “surprising” announcement that my Air Canada flight was delayed—as per usual—by around four hours. The terminal was tiny, with nothing much to do, and I winded up calling my mum teary-eyed.
Fast forward to my arrival in Canada, over 24 hours later, I greeted my dad as I arrived at our apartment. I tested myself for Covid-19 every day for the next four days, since I was feeling weird.
Day five showed up as positive. I cancelled all my immediate plans, napped for the next two weeks, and scrambled to finish all my late assignments for most of July and August. I guess I didn’t have to worry about summer that much after all.
As for the journey? Yeah, never again, please. This time for real—I think.
Staff Writer (Volume 50) — Meighan is a published author and Strategic Communications professional. She recently completed her bachelor's in Professional Writing and Communications & French Studies at UTM. Her short fiction, "Birthday Cake," appears in ICCIT's Vision Journal. Meighan specializes in Arts & Entertainment and News writing, with a particular interest in Food & Travel Writing. In her spare time, she can be found dining at Toronto's newest restaurants and planning European adventures.
Features Editor (Volume 49) | features@themedium.ca —Maneka is a third year student completing a specialization in Philosophy with a minor in political science. Previously, she served as one of The Medium’s Staff Writer and Associate Features Editor. As this year’s Features Editor, Maneka hopes to raise awareness, shed light over current issues, and highlight student voices and organizations. When Maneka is not studying, writing, or working, you’ll probably find her binging on, or rather re-watching her favorite shows, listening to music, thinking about her dog, or likely taking a nap.