It’s almost time for our rehearsal to begin and I stick my head out the door to see if any of the children have arrived. This is the neighbourhood where I live; where ancient meets modern. The condo across the street only recently opened it’s doors for the new inhabitants. Tourists ride around the streets in a house-drawn carriage to learn about the history of the surrounding blocks. The 130 year old building where we rehearse is in need of new paint, yet warm and welcoming inside.
I moved into this neighbourhood eight years ago. Within a year the huge block where the condos and many other structures, new gardens and water pools and fountains now exist was a block of heritage homes and very old government offices. Nothing was more than two stories high, and vacant areas were covered in grass and concrete. The heritage homes were carefully moved down to the east end of the block and renovated, still looking like heritage homes but now housing several families each. A large pit was dug and the rebuilding started.
Over those 6 to 7 years Toffee and I watched a new community hub being built. Through a gap between new condos and office towers from the end of my street I can see the 129 year old legislature buildings. Every morning we used to walk around the construction zone, and gradually saw more and more of the pathways opening up. One of our favourite destinations was to climb on top of the new coffee shop, when the gate to the observation deck was open, to explore and take photos of the new patios and old buildings across the street.
I am thankful that the old structures still exist among the new.
Reflections 