You may have heard of or seen this curious word in passing. Perhaps in a food or travel magazine or creatively used by a lifestyle columnist in the daily newspaper to describe something as cool, or hip. It's tested the waters of the English language on occasion, but how many people truly understand what hygge…
Author: Kelsea McKenna
Going Through the (E)motions: Cycling in Copenhagen
It was already dark outside at 7pm, as I whipped through the streets of Copenhagen on an electric bike, rain pelleting towards my face. I don't think this is entirely safe, I thought, but I kept going. This was my last night here and my final attempt to be a novice cyclist in this city. Earlier…
Continue reading ➞ Going Through the (E)motions: Cycling in Copenhagen
Reflections of Bergen
Perhaps it's just me or others can relate, but I'm a very contemplative traveler. By this I mean breaking away from the tourist label and taking a moment to be there. Take time to observe and live a familiar life in an unfamiliar setting. Simply put, I cannot miss my October autumn walks, no matter…
A ‘Grave’ Situation in Boston
Death was all around me in Boston as I stumbled along Tremont St.'s narrow red strip. No one died of course, and it wasn't because I was barely functioning on one hour's sleep. It was hundreds of souls who have passed on decades before me, lying beneath my feet. My friends and I began our…
Life in Leeds: The First Expedition
Four years ago, my gravitation to traveling emanated while I was just an exchange student. Being first travel piece on this blog, it is only fitting that I start where it all began: Leeds. For those of you like me who desire to explore a new country or city, and really get to know…
Big Bands and Baseball: The Good Old Days at the D.I.L. Recreation Centre
Leisure time was a luxury when you had to work eight-hour shifts on your feet per day. Even weekends would be often spent catching up on some sleep or doing your laundry. On occasion, the Ajax D.I.L. workers had some leisure time and perhaps the energy, and would enjoy a dance or a…
Continue reading ➞ Big Bands and Baseball: The Good Old Days at the D.I.L. Recreation Centre
Something fishy used to go on down by the lake…
When you think of Ajax's history you think factory, bombs, warship, wartime homes and fish? During the postwar period, fishing for smelt was one of the most popular pastimes, and there were hundreds of them! Many of those who grew up in Ajax between the 1950s to the 70s remember going to the lake in…
Continue reading ➞ Something fishy used to go on down by the lake…
Mapping Historic Ajax
I decided to try out Google My Maps to create a miniature Ajax Timescapes. This consists of notable DIL-era buildings, memorable shops and schools, and buildings and spots which still exist today, and residents remember fondly. A big part of remembering places in Ajax is imagining the community back then through a geographical perspective. Maps…
Snapshots: Veteran’s Point Gardens
Summer picture of Veteran's Point Gardens, built to commemorate the legacies of HMS Ajax and Defence Industries Limited. Located at the Waterfront, south of Harwood Ave., the Gardens' ship-like architecture is no coincidence (notice how the street lights look like masts). For More Information
The Ajax Bomb Girls At Work
The video below is exclusive footage of Defence Industries Limited, provided by YouTube as well as the official Town of Ajax website (www.ajax.ca). The video explains how Ajax ultimately became the ideal spot for DIL to operate, and an overview of the experience of its workers, who were predominately women. As you watch this video,…
