EV US

This is one of the worst shopping centres I ever came across around the world: worse than many places in London UK, Paris etc or USA and Canada. Why? Because people make a place and more specifically the shop attendants I came across here in so many shops - a repetitive negative experience, you are left wondering: do these people have something against European women arriving here to spend money in many shops? No wonder millions of us prefer spending heavily online nowadays. Less trouble.

I have not experienced anything like this in Yorkdale shopping centre and in the end I left this place as it really destroyed my day.

I researched in advance, checking the map on their website and arrived mid-day after NYE discovering some shops were busy while others completely empty (so no negative experience there) and the management really put lots of effort into attracting shoppers with a variety of unique and brand shops I keep buying for decades despite having dozens of the same white coats or black shoes varieties for example.

I started with Zara, as I used to always shop in the UK, Spain and other parts of Europe: the young staff here was so rude, always pushing me around as if saying 'hey customer, you are in my way, just go away'. I ended up saying to them 'excuse me' and 'thank you' as some were simply expecting you to move out of their way and sink in the clothes on the rail!!!! I came across some older staff and they were smiling and being polite, too few though. If young staff has something against women with long blonde hair, instead of dragging my hair they should write at the entrance of the shop: 'do not enter here, we are rude!!!!'

I then went to Sephora to buy some creams and asking a young lady a question, she only made eye contact me with me and chose to ignore me completely by looking down on the shelf. I have never seen anything like that anywhere in the world!!! I spoke with another lady who apologised for the attitude of her colleague yet could not find her as the first girl was hiding behind a shelf, probably thinking: 'that will teach that blonde lady to ever come here again'.

I then went to Marc Robinson jewellers to replace the batteries for a gold watch and a vintage precious stones watch. An older guy with a belly made eye contact with me and I explained what I needed and if it can be done while I was there. What followed were so many questions that I decided to show him both watches: he did not even have the decency to wait for me but started speaking with some people from his country, while exchanging so many sentences despite being monosyllabic with me. He then looked at the watches over the shoulder for a split of a second and said 'we cannot replace the batteries here'. No politeness, no respect, no interest, similarly to what I have experienced in the previous shops, probably because I am European, polite and respectful and would have thought I would receive the same in return.

Probably these shop attendants live nearby and prefer to deal with people who formed the majority of the customers in this shopping centre or maybe they cannot be bothered to learn how to treat people with respect in this time and age: it is called integration and their attitude really shocked me.

In a 'word': ask me if I will ever bother to come back or recommend this place? Not unless somebody wants to experience what I have experienced. When I shop, I really shop, I do not go to a mall 'just to tag along with the family'. Pity the big spenders are treated with so much disrespect.

To reach the lower town you either take the funicular from the Dufferin terrace for 5 CAD one way/per person (the entrance is located inside the glass square houses right near the statue - don't forget to press on the door to access this area) with the capacity of the funicular of max 6-8 people and going every minute, reaching the old town in 1 minute.

The other option is to walk all the way here, if you have the energy, and immerse yourself in more touristic attractions with lots of over prices cake shops/ice cream shops/nougaterie or restaurants and fashion shops far detached from the French or European fashion though.

Cobbled streets located near the water, the ferry not far from here, a gorgeous piazza with people watching as in the style you find in most of Med countries, if you are fortunate to be here on a sunny day.

This is a beautiful cathedral, not as big as Notre Dame in Paris though, but having the same lines, stained windows etc as you find in all the major cathedrals in France, Germany etc - a stated elegance, not enrobed in lots of details as you find in the Portuguese and some Italian or Spanish cathedrals.

There was a small queue when we arrived here mid September and we had to pay the entry fee of 18 CAD (I think).

All the distances in this part of the town are very small and everything is a nice walk. This area reminds me a lot of many European cities, however downtown Quebec City is more on par with the gorgeous little historic places like Venice and Seville

After having a meal at the Cheesecake factory we decided to access this place for a bit of retail therapy:

- this place is massive, so I suggest to take a map and learn where you want to go
- a good mix of international designers where staff wants to know your name even before purchasing something and cheaper shops where everything is very accessible
- I was pleased to discover that Lush has a presence in Canada, just like in the UK as I could not find it in the USA during my travels - I love their bubble bars they keep surprising me with
- clean cut place with lots of nicely done toilets too, lots of chocolate shops and anything you fancy
- we came here during the week and apart from the above mentioned restaurant, the main mall was not busy - I suspect at the weekend could be madness

Most surely we will be back

This is another museum in Washington I keep returning to after the National gallery of art and being free is an added bonus:

1. Plan in advance, check their website or maps here of what you want to see
2. The map is not as detailed of National Gallery of art museum for example but there are some great sections: the American artists of the early 20th century have some great paintings here with amazing details for example
3. The presidents section is also great and Clinton has a very interesting painting
4. Relax in their green area surrounded by plants and hopefully not having kids splashing water while parents only watched and filmed!!!!!

Most surely we will return here.