One may call it a summer butterfly. Yes, summer is indeed like a butterfly if you look closely—a butterfly emerging from its cocoon. Spring pushes the butterfly to get rid of the cocoon.

Did you have a chance to visit the waterfront this winter? It was absolutely stunning, especially if you were lucky enough, or crazy enough, to put your feet on the frozen lake. I was dragged there by my wife, promising she would save me if, God forbid, something goes south. Given that I do not know how to swim and I am 30 kilograms heavier than she is, if the butterfly of summer had suddenly arrived at the time I was slipping on the ice like a clumsy duck, I would have gone with this winter! Anyway, fortunately, winter was not eager to give me a ride.

So I am here, writing about my experience as a wanderer of words at the waterfront. It's pretty ironic—the cocoon is already gone, and summer is going to fly freely and bare soon, while the bare trees that passed the exam of resilience over the winter are now giving birth to their flowers, the gorgeous customs they will keep till the arrival of next autumn.

The streets are becoming crowded again, and people who may have experienced hibernation are turning back to the streets. Seagulls are turning back more suspicious than before, and swans swagger like the breeze.

If you would like to hear more about this neighbourhood and see how different cultures mingle together in Toronto, you are welcome to join the journey and subscribe to this page!