Kingston Tax Bills - Kingston, Ontario

zhan X. (. S.

My trip to Kingston City Hall was a blend of high hopes and delightful serendipity. On a Saturday that dawned with the kind of sunshine that makes you want to high-five a stranger, I hit the road for a three-hour drive to the historic city of Kingston. Filled with the excitement of a child on a playground, I planned my Sunday morning visit to the city hall, dreaming of the grandeur that awaited me inside. Alas, the universe had other plans—Sunday was a "no visitors allowed" kind of day at the city hall, which was like being told there's no cake at a birthday party. A bummer, for sure.

But fear not, for I am a resilient explorer! The city hall's exterior was a spectacle that didn't disappoint. It stood like a proud, old guardian by the water, with its expansive green lawns and the river's glittering dance mirroring its stately presence and whispering tales of old. And there, an antique locomotive, the grand old gentleman of the scene, regaled us with silent stories from a bygone era, making me feel like I'd stepped into a living history book.

The highlight of my trip was the cultural festival in the square behind the city hall. The winter cold tried its best to put a damper on the fun, but the spirit of the event was as fiery as a dragon's breath on a Game of Thrones set. Young musicians, clad in what seemed like a brave defiance of the cold (or perhaps they just have a higher tolerance for frostbite), regaled us with a musical feast that would make even the coldest heart warm up. The audience, huddled around large wood-burning fireplaces beneath the stage, enjoyed the melodies and the fire's glow, turning the chilly day into a cozy, communal gathering reminiscent of a warm hearth.

So, while my quest for the inner marvels of Kingston City Hall was thwarted, the city's natural charm, its historical whispers, and its lively cultural spirit more than made up for it. It was a trip of unmet expectations but met with unexpected treasures, leaving me with a curiosity and affection for Kingston that even a treasure map couldn't chart.

Carrie-Lynn B.