Toronto - Blogabond

I have arrived in Toronto for an elongated stay. I open this entry with that info, as I will probably not update my Blog for another 3 weeks or so (I am just so busy with the city life!)

As per usual, my first few days in a new city involves a lot of walking. I like to navigate & familiarise myself with everything, so that I know the best places to go & the best things to do. Toronto is another clean city, with a very big downtown area. The city's suburbs spread far into the North. There are plenty of bars & shops dotted around downtown, & a LOT of fast food places (the Canadians have more restraint than the Americans, obviously, because I haven't seen many obese Canadians!). Due to the location of Toronto (there are plains all around) it can quite windy. As the temp begins to drop you can really feel that wind chill factor!

My first hostel was a complete nightmare, so I quickly found somewhere else. I will spare you the details, but one of my friends says that he has stayed in cleaner squats than this first place. I am now living very close to Dundas Sq, which is the centre of downtown. It is Toronto's version of Times Sq - although nowhere near as grand. I have been looking for a job, but as I am only here for one month my options are very limited. I wasn't planning on working although C/C fraud has cost me over $2000 - & Egg are taking their sweet time deciding on whether or not I will be refunded. I expect to get it back, although I' rather be safe than sorry! No one wants me home early!

On a more positive note...Niagara Falls = DONE

I took the train down there for the day & checked it out. I went on the "Maid of the Mist" boat which takes you right into the spray of the falls, which was like being in a massive rainstorm. I also went behind/beneath the falls. There are a series of tunnels with viewing sections. Not that exciting, although the noise was impressive! I also walked a few miles up river to the "Whirlpool," which is exactly as it sounds. The whole of the river & the falls are spectacular, especially in fall, although the town of Niagara is purely tourist commercialist. Plenty of fair ground rides, fast food chains, casinos etc etc. It's best to keep you back to this & your eyes focussed on the natural spectacle.

Yesterday I went to Toronto Zoo - which was quality! They have a great diversity of animals & the setting is spectacular, as you walk through the woods to all of the enclosures. We saw one very hungry Elephant...unless, that is, it is normal for them to eat their own shit! :-)

I played Dodgeball in the evening. I have joined my friends' teams for the next month, so I get to slam balls into people's faces every Thursday night. Some people take it really seriously, which is hilarious. It is a lot trickier than you think though, but very satisfying beating the teams that turn up with matching kits...you know the sort!

Over the next month I have a lot of exercise planned, as I have now joined a gym..addict :-) I am going to the Halloween MonsterMash Ball, as that is a BIG deal here (apparently). So my next installment should have some good pics from that! I have also got some tickets to bands I have never heard of, which friends are taking me to, & I intend on getting a ticket to see the Kings of Leon on Nov 7th. It is sold out, but where there's a will, there's a way!! Noble will not fail.

Lastly, I have a Canadian "cell" number now, so should you wish to reach me I am on +1 416 838 3631. I'm just chuffed I can remember the number...I don't expect any calls!

Speak to you all soon Blog fans ;-)

written by

johnnoble on October 24, 2008 from Toronto, Canada

from the travel blog: John's year off...

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