TRAVELLING TO TORONTO

THURSDAY 24 AUGUST - TORONTO

I awoke from the sound of my alarm at 9am after a very NOISY night. My room overlooked two main streets and I heard street cars (trams) until 2am every 15 minutes, sirens, people etc etc. But all part of the experience!!! :)

I met my assigned volunteer, Ed, from the Toronto Ambassador Program (TAP) at 10am in the foyer of the hostel. Ed had a personal half day tour planned so that he could show me the not so common sights of Toronto. Apparently Adelaide has a similar volunteer program which I may look into when I return. In fact there are several things about Toronto that are similar to Adelaide...but more on that later.


First it was north to Chinatown which was very cheap for souvenirs, fruit and vege. Then it was onto a small cafe, Kensington, for breakfast and a chat about Toronto. I tried a Boureka (looked like a sqaushed horseshoe which was filled with feta and spinach).

The walking tour then progressed to Baldwin Street filled with Cafe's from Indian to Italian to Thai, past the Ontario Art and Design School which had been built in the 90s and was very different with black and white tiles and multi coloured 'pick up sticks' like columns, City TV building with a car protruding from the side (purposely) and Much Music (simlar to MTV).


A short walk later and it was onto Old City Hall which looked much better then the New City Hall (which was actually built in 1967), Nathin Phillips Square (which had food stalls including a dozen hotdog vendors, music and a large pond which apparently freezes in the winter months and is used for ice skating -no thank you- and is also a prime location for New Years Eve), Dundas Square (tad like Piccadilly Circus), Canon Theatre, Bloor St/Yorkville (which is the Rodeo Drive area of Toronto and usually is the area for the Toronto Film Festival), park area on Cumberland (which even had a mini Ayers Rock - a rock which had been transported from north Ontario for kids to play on)!




I was also privileged enough to see Toronto's version of 'Johnny' complete with 3/4 pants, jocks pulled up, no shirt, santa claus hat and complete with a boom box. He decided to park his ass outside Sassafras (nice dining place) and put on a show.

After riding the subway it was farewell to Ed and experiencing Toronto myself. I purchased a seat to Monty Python's 'Spamalot' from the Canon Theatre for tonight. A full price ticket is $95 however I managed to score myself a 'bar stool' right at the back for only $26. I stil could see and the play and ended up sitting next to a very friendly couple, Lola and Solo, who were amazed I'd discovered the 'cheap' tickets after only being in town for less then 24 hours!

The show was about King Arthur and the Knights (of the round table) who were asked by God to go in search of the holy grail. It was definitely Monty Python humour hence was a good laugh and half.



WEDNESDAY 23 AUGUST - SAN DIEGO - CHICAGO - TORONTO

It was one of those dreaded early rises - 5.00am but woke at 4.45am. Packed and ready to go I headed out to wait for my 5.40am pre-booked shuttle to the San Diego airport. Mmmm. It was 5.50am and I was wondering where it was as I know the US are strict on check in times. After another 5 minutes I phoned Cloud 9 shuttle and apparently the shuttle had already been. Hmmmm I dont think so!!!

Anyway after a short moment of panic I was picked up in a private shuttle and got to the airport in enough time. As I flew with Qantas they let me over the 50 lb limit otherwise it would have been $25!

The flight to Chicago (3.5 hours) went fairly quickly as dozed, chatted to a Chichago lad, Jason, about the US and Australia and listened to my ipod. Lucky I could amuse myself as American Airlines within the US is very similar to Virgin Airlines but without the eye candy for the guys!

I asked Jason what state the Chicago was in and was given an 'are you for real look.' He finally told me Illinois after which I asked him if he knew the States/Territories and Capitals of Australia since we only have 8 states in lieu of the US's 50!! Jason's listing of Australian states began with Perth.... I need not say anymore! Jason was also curious as to Great White Sharks (and associated deaths) and the movie 'Wolf Creek.' Our country does have such a good reputation! :)

Three hours at the Chicago airport was stimulating with an overpriced internet kiosk, more food (this time disgusting) and a long long walk from terminal to terminal. In the US there is a great respect for the armed services and they get into most places for free - complimentary lounge service at the airport, free admission into Seaworld etc. Prior to the show in Seaworld all marines or, family of, were asked to stand so the crowd could applaude. Just a totally different world and values I guess.

The flight to Toronto was brief (1 hour) and arrived into a drizzly city but was still fairly warm. The day had flown by the time I caught the shuttle to the Global Village Backpackers as had lost 3 hours from change in time zones.

My room was on the third floor (have an awesome view of the CN Tower) and luckily a young lad was nice enough to offer to assist with my luggage. I went for a quick wander and then retired for the evening.



TUESDAY 22 AUGUST - SAN DIEGO (LAST DAY)

Happy Birthday to Andrea - you are now officially old (dirty 30s) and apparently can be described as wise and mature??!! Well we will see when I catch up with you on Saturday!! :) I will report back on this subject in a week or two!

Today was the first day I had a major rest and it was well earned. I awoke at 7am feeling a little worse for wear but got up for an hour or so. Then it was back to bed for a snooze but still didnt really help me.

At 11am JJG and I were ready to head out...both feeling a little sorry for ourselves so we skipped the big American Meal and just did a bit of essential shopping. Then it was an afternoon of packing for both of us. Me - as heading to Toronto tomorrow and JJG - as heading to Australia tonight to sort out his visa for his new job after his last job wasnt quite what had been promised.

JJG left at 6pm whilst I headed out with Juliet to Pacific Beach to the PB Bar & Grill for Tuesday Taco night which meant cheap mexican including magharitas. Tacos in the US are not just 'Beef' either ...they range from shredded beef, minced beef, chicken to fish (not game enough to try this one) and all with different flavours and additions.

Then it was home to chill out and chat with Marissa (JJG's housemate) about the adventures that lay ahead for me in NY.

I must say a big THANK YOU to JJG for his hospitality. He was a fantastic tour guide, chaffeur, photographer, food critic, concierge and friend! Thanks again and hopefully one day I can repay the favour. In the mean time I will be putting your services on e-bay :)