The Accidental Museum Nut
It was around 10 AM, our rented Mazda 6 cruised along Jarvis St. and then Bloor St. {the very much hyped and famed high end shopping district of Canada's biggest city, Toronto}. I was gazing outside while the rain steadily poured upon rows and rows of yellow and pink tulips, albeit cutely. When I say 'cute rain,' it's drizzling. And it was okay, I didn't mind it. I was wondering how I could squeeze in the time to go mull over the high end items for sale at Bloor {really, just to ogle them.}
My dad then pulled over at the parking lot across The Royal Ontario Museum and soon we were crossing over to the ROM where there people wearing hip clothes and talking animatedly were milling around. I honestly had no expectations with the whole museum thing because 1) The only museums I've ever been to is the National Museum and Museong Pambata and I don't even remember what I've seen in there. 2) I'd like to think I know a lot and have been to a lot of museums but I haven't. So I won't.
From the outside, one can tell that the museum is fairly new and modern and very, very contemporary. The mirror, or more appropriately, The Crystal, is ROM's new entrance, designed by Daniel Libeskind. It's pretty amazing to see in person and it's hard to contain in a single photo, hence the borrowed photo above.
The first floor was all about Canadian history: complete with how the First People of Canada {the Indians} lived through the early winters of the world: making their own winter coats, their own canoes, their own weapons for hunting food and basically surviving through the snow.
I'd love to show more pictures of the first floor but there's more in the second and third {which is my favorite}. The second floor introduced me to the world of animals and science --- a side of me which I didn't know existed. In grade school, while I did pay attention to my science subjects, and even now, I can identify every single familiar tropical animal or flower or tree but the museum introduced me to animals I have only seen in books. Yes, even if they are dead and exhibits of taxidermy.
My dad then pulled over at the parking lot across The Royal Ontario Museum and soon we were crossing over to the ROM where there people wearing hip clothes and talking animatedly were milling around. I honestly had no expectations with the whole museum thing because 1) The only museums I've ever been to is the National Museum and Museong Pambata and I don't even remember what I've seen in there. 2) I'd like to think I know a lot and have been to a lot of museums but I haven't. So I won't.
From the outside, one can tell that the museum is fairly new and modern and very, very contemporary. The mirror, or more appropriately, The Crystal, is ROM's new entrance, designed by Daniel Libeskind. It's pretty amazing to see in person and it's hard to contain in a single photo, hence the borrowed photo above.
The first floor was all about Canadian history: complete with how the First People of Canada {the Indians} lived through the early winters of the world: making their own winter coats, their own canoes, their own weapons for hunting food and basically surviving through the snow.
Look at that super long canoe!
An Indian's headpiece's number of feathers was a sign of status. The more
feathers in it, the more important and intellectual the individual is.
feathers in it, the more important and intellectual the individual is.
The First People's Winter/Hunting Clothes
Right on.
Early Canadian education systems.
And it gets more interesting as I saw some paintings:
Tara: Mama, picture-an mo ako with this painting, please.
Mama: Bakit, sino ba yan? Kilala mo?
Tara: Hindi.
Mama: Eh bakit papapicture ka.
Tara: Parang importante eh. Malay mo.
Another important gold structure.
I'd love to show more pictures of the first floor but there's more in the second and third {which is my favorite}. The second floor introduced me to the world of animals and science --- a side of me which I didn't know existed. In grade school, while I did pay attention to my science subjects, and even now, I can identify every single familiar tropical animal or flower or tree but the museum introduced me to animals I have only seen in books. Yes, even if they are dead and exhibits of taxidermy.
It's a panda!
Overheard as I was taking a photo:
Dad {to his son}: That is a giant panda.
Son: Doesn't look so giant to me.
Don't kids just say the darnedest things?
I have happy feet.
I was happy with this picture already yet I met a live one later in the trip.
To me, this is the king of the Canadian jungle. It's HUGE!
To see a polar bear was the trip's utmost goals. I saw a live one later, too.
In real life, a grizzly bear would not stare at me like that.
Every specie of bird imaginable in mock flight. It was unbelievable.
The last floor was by far my most favorite part of the entire museum, only because it reinforces by love for Victorian/Edwardian living and furniture. I felt like I was back at Casa Loma yet again and this was the part where I lingered the longest.
The 1800s' dessert plates are just too intricate! I wish I'd have lived then!
The Entertaining Room
Now, who wouldn't want to learn the harp in these surroundings?
I spent about 10 minutes ogling the Milady's Dressing table hoping to
see 18th century make up. No bueno.
see 18th century make up. No bueno.
And there was the Romantic Age ...
... which featured items such as Frederyk Francois Chopin's piano!
Hanging out for three quarters of the day at the Royal Ontario Museum made me want to learn more about history. Too, it made me realize how few museums we have {if there were any, they weren't as well maintained} and it made me wish we had more museums than malls. It was only my third day at Toronto when we visited ROM but already, it changed me in a way that I have wanted to pursue studies on science and the history of art {Now that I'm back home, I still feel the same so I guess it isn't a whim}. It made me think what a good economy can do to the pursuit of education. Hopefully, I can do something to help this sometime in the future.
On a lighter note, like my dream and life mission to visit more castles, I am making it a goal to visit the museums in the cities I will be traveling to in the future.
Do you like museums, too? Which ones are your favorites?