🛣️Roadtrip Ey? ... Summer In Toronto

السلام عليكم ورحمة الله وبركاته أختي  مرحباً

 Hey Sis, What’s Up?

How was your week? Mine was cool. I was sitting here thinking about what to write this week, and it hit me—why not share something special and close to my heart? So, here it is: my travel experience this past summer in Toronto!

I had an amazing time, and honestly, one of my favorite parts (among many) was the drive. Crazy, right? It was 10 hours long, with stops, of course, but I got to drive one of my dream SUVs: the 2024 Chevy Tahoe. Growing up, I always loved these trucks—the height, the size, the interior, just everything about them. Maybe it’s because I’m tall, but 12-year-old me would be geeked knowing I’d one day be road-tripping to Canada in one. Just thinking about it makes me smile.

The trip’s main purpose was to attend an Islamic conference, which was so spiritually refreshing. I loved connecting with sisters from different nationalities and learning from the talks. One of the sessions focused on self-care for sisters and reminded the brothers to appreciate all the hard work we do—because let’s be real, it often gets overlooked. Another talk emphasized remembering Allah in all our affairs and making the Qur’an a daily commitment—not just to read or recite, but to implement.

That reminder really stuck with me because, on this side of the world, distractions are everywhere. May Allah aid the Muslims striving to break free from the hold of these Western lifestyles. One thing I deeply appreciated was the safety I felt being in a Salafi masjid. The dawah in my city is so different from what I follow, and I rarely find sisters or masjids practicing true Salafi dawah here. So, getting to spend time with like-minded Muslims was incredibly special.

Oh, and the food—Canada knows how to do halal! Toronto’s huge Muslim community means there’s a halal restaurant on almost every corner. We had sushi that was chef’s kiss. Spicy tuna is my fave, with spicy salmon right behind it. My friend tried salmon sashimi, but it wasn’t my jam. We also grabbed juicy burgers from the Burger Factory. They’ve got all kinds of crazy-stacked burgers, but I kept it simple with a cheeseburger and fries.

The views in Canada are just as amazing. It’s so family-oriented, with gorgeous homes, clean streets, and parks. I also got to visit Lake Ontario, which was stunning even though it was nighttime. On the way back, we stumbled upon this picturesque lake in Towanda, Pennsylvania, right before sunset. It was so breathtaking that it became my laptop wallpaper—a sweet reminder of an unforgettable trip.

Traveling with my 16-year-old baby brother made it even more special. He’s quickly becoming my favorite travel buddy. If I could get paid to travel, I’d jump at the chance—it’d never feel like work!

Sis, if you’ve been waiting for a sign to get out there and explore, this is it. And don’t forget to bring your mahram with you! Until next week, stay blessed.