The time following my return from Santa Fe this past week has allowed me to explore our city and province in many different ways.

Everything started with one of the most extraordinary invitations of my time here in Toronto, an event hosted by the luggage manufacturer Rimowa in cooperation with Lufthansa at the Island Airport (or Billy Bishop Airport as it is officially called), featuring an old JU 52 plane from the 1930s that took us lucky guests on scenic flights over downtown Toronto. Imagine yourself circling the CN Tower really close! It was quite unforgettable and ended with a wonderful dinner in the old airport hangar.

Early the next morning I drove to Haliburton for a few days with the Highlands Opera Studio. Now in its sixth year, this summer program run by Richard Margison and Valerie Kuinka brings together a carefully selected group of talented young Canadian singers with coaches, teachers, managers and general directors from North America and Europe. The line-up is impressive and I immensely enjoyed spending time with the members, individually as well as in our final group discussion. The only downside was the weather, pouring rain for most of the time.

Fortunately, the rain stopped by the time I arrived in Georgian Bay to spend one night at a Board member's cottage and I got to swim in the lake once, at least. I love this part of the province. One day up there feels like a week of vacation and I hope to be back soon.

For now I am back in Toronto and got to attend yet another extraordinary event yesterday. Walter Carsen, a wonderful patron of the arts and father of the director Robert Carsen, celebrated his 100th birthday. I have no idea whether I will ever get to attend a 100th birthday celebration again, but this one was very special and I felt privileged to be invited.