I find exploring back roadways interesting at times. Each cities industrial sections have their own feeling but without comparing I find I have a love/hate relationship with the ones in Toronto.

Take for instance the area north of Overlea by the East York Town Centre. There are many little factories and outlet stores to explore. Abandoned lots, broken down buildings, graffiti that can be art or horrible, little wonders etc.

I recently explored the area south of Eglinton, just West of Birchmount. I found an excellent meat wholesaler, (Cheap lean, ground beef and 87cent large chicken legs!) and many picture opportunities like this one:

I enjoyed seeing a NYC yellow cab just sitting on the lawn of this shop buried between an abandoned wreck lot and a street covered in garbage. That is the part of these areas that I hate. It’s as if you are entering a different world. All I saw were police cars, people walking around poking at the garbage and well… garbage.

I still will continue to explore these areas but for me they can be exciting and disgusting all at the same time.

Related posts:

1. Love / Hate about the TTC - a suggestion
2. Exploring Underground Toronto
3. Chili
4. Why I Hate Toronto #1
5. Crosswalk shuffle