I had a few more stops on Saturday's Doors Open Toronto event. Leaving Queens Park I went thru the University of Toronto campus which has many historical buildings but they were not included until Sundays Doors Open Event.

The Robarts Rare Book Library was however included in todays event on the corner of St George and Harbord Streets. I've passed it before but never went in.

It was designed to show the rows of books to a central atrium. However we were not allowed on the upper levels.

There was also a special exhibition taking place on early aviation so many displays on that theme.

A short walk away was the Coach House Printing Press in a small laneway that was hard to find.

Despite all the advances in technology these enthusiasts still use old archaic methods of production along with the noise and smell of using an old ink printing press.

Just outside back on Spadina Ave was the Knox Church, and old British style grand church with stained glass windows, an organ, and upper balcony.

Another more interesting venue for me was the Kadampa Meditation Centre on Crawford St. I visited every kind of Temple in my three years in Asia so this was quite nostalgic.

Last year and this year again was a Tibetan Buddhist Temple near the Dundas/Keele Junction area (see entry http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-en tries/londone7/28/1401305176/tpod.html )

At the Kadampa Temple since they spoke English for a change as opposed to when I was in Asia I got chatting about the different temple designs I encountered but didnt understand why when I was in Asia.

Final stop today was the Gladstone Hotel at Queen and Dufferin. This used to be quite a run down area and a hang out for drunks and drug addicts. The hotel was a distinctive landmark and it was a shame it was in such neglect back then.

I saw a documentary on TVO a few years back about two sisters that inherited or bought the property and their efforts to restore it. There were homeless people living inside for weekly rates called 'the residents'. The place was infested with rats and the interior was condemned by the city for so many violations and unfit for habitation.

They tried to move 'the residents' out but two elderly people refused to goto shelters far from downtown. The sisters agreed to let those two stay until they died and continued with the restoration.

The hotel is now a major anchor in the revitalization of Queen West, and a venue for cultural events. It's worth watching that documentary if it airs again on TVO