We arrived in Toronto a little after midnight, after a much more pleasant bus journey, jumped in a taxi and headed for the hostel. Not so much an exciting start to a city, but after spending all day on a bus, my bum cheeks were incredibly happy. It was a little strange changing out of pyjamas into other pyjamas. Yes, I had got on the bus in my pyjamas, but they could be mistaken for joggers. Maybe?
The next morning was a little confusing for us. The 2 girls who had been in the dorm also had both gone, suitcases and all. However, there was a LOT of stuff and belongings that was still hanging around, things like shampoo, a toothbrush, magazines, drinks, cold medicine... Goodness knows how long some of it had been there.Anyway, having all sufficiently cleaned ourselves up for the day, we went in search of breakfast. This wasn't hugely successful and we ended up at subway. It did however allow us to whip out the maps and plan the day properly. Actually, no it didn't. We just worked out how to get to The Royal Ontario Museum - Victoria's choice.
The cold had definitely caught us out. It must have been at least 10 degrees colder than New York (celcius that is, just to specify).
So yes, a short walk to the subway, where I picked up a free metro newspaper. Not that I read any of it but I did pass much of the rest of the day absorbed in the crossword. :D
As we approached the ROM, the others noted a few signs saying that the Terracotta Army was in town. I sighed. I'm not even exaggerating when I say that army stalks me. I tried to convince them it wasn't worth seeing. I failed however, the $8 surchage did the job.
I promised them that this was just as good. It also turned out that there were miniture versions for sale in the gift shop which is almost better seeing as they copied the ones with complete faces and with no limbs missing.
We spent a good long while mosying around the museum. It had plenty of things to look at and an exhibition for everyone. I got all excited by the Chopin one. I don't even like Chopin. Well, I have nothing against the man or his playing but I find his compositions a little samey. Nevertheless, the exhibition was good.
Thursday is obviously a day for school trips because there were school children (of varying ages) running around all over the place. Ok so not all of them were running, most of the older ones were in fact wandering around with clipboards occasionally taking note of something of interest (though mostly their faces suggested anything but). We found Dorey, or a Dorey look-a-like in the wildlife section. Did you know that if my species were picked at random I would be a plant? Not even a specific type of plant, I could be a tree, or a flower or alagae, just a generic plant. This was around the time that I discovered Hannah's surprising knack for recognising animal skulls. We lost Nicole and Victoria for a while but found then hiding out in the dinosaur section. After a while our tummies began to rumble so it was time to leave the lovely big museum and find lunch. We went to so egg specialist place, at least I'm fairly certain everything on the menu included eggs. Apart from my tea. That was egg free. Thankfully.
After lunch, which took us to the mid afternoon, we planned out the rest of the day which included an onward march towards Casa Loma. I was the chief navigator :) I always get us where we are going and 3 minutes before last entry. Oh yes.
Casa Loma was Nicole's choice. It's a mock medieval chateau built by some scottish general. As a result there were several Scottish flags around :D
We all sorted ourselves out with a leaflet and an audio guide each. I was very good and got both in French. I was only one to get the audio in French. It was quite easy to understand. Well when it wasn't hopelessly dull so I stopped listening. There's only so much I need to hear about a dining table and I'd had enough after 5 minutes. I wonder if he said anything more interesting... I think the Princes may have visited at one point. I could be making that story up though.
We realised that the place was wanting to close so we didn't actually get to see all of it, but the majority at least. Time had slipped away from us so we went back to the hostel. We were planning on going out on a bar crawl that night so we wanted plenty of time to eat and get ready.
Once back at the hostel, Hannah promptly fell fast asleep and Nicole, who had picked up a cold, also looked like she could use a good night's sleep (and a healthy dosage from me and my travelling pharmacy). Around half 8, Victoria and I decided in hushed whispers to forsake the night out and set about finding takeaway instead of ushering the others out of bed and off to a restaurant . A good choice over all I think. We had delicious pizzas which were very large and left us contently stuffed for a "quiet night". Since when was it a quiet night with 4 girls in a dorm room though? I think it accumulated in singing "Be Our Guest" from Beauty & the Beast at the top of my voice around midnight. Not exactly the most considerate for my neighbours sadly. The next morning, whilst wandering down the corridor with Hannah, a girl actually said "Oh you're the singer from next door." Half embarrassed, half shocked I didn't get much of a response out. So before I start day 2, I'll post this, so I don't get too far behind.
The next morning was a little confusing for us. The 2 girls who had been in the dorm also had both gone, suitcases and all. However, there was a LOT of stuff and belongings that was still hanging around, things like shampoo, a toothbrush, magazines, drinks, cold medicine... Goodness knows how long some of it had been there.Anyway, having all sufficiently cleaned ourselves up for the day, we went in search of breakfast. This wasn't hugely successful and we ended up at subway. It did however allow us to whip out the maps and plan the day properly. Actually, no it didn't. We just worked out how to get to The Royal Ontario Museum - Victoria's choice.
The cold had definitely caught us out. It must have been at least 10 degrees colder than New York (celcius that is, just to specify).
So yes, a short walk to the subway, where I picked up a free metro newspaper. Not that I read any of it but I did pass much of the rest of the day absorbed in the crossword. :D
I promised them that this was just as good. It also turned out that there were miniture versions for sale in the gift shop which is almost better seeing as they copied the ones with complete faces and with no limbs missing.
We spent a good long while mosying around the museum. It had plenty of things to look at and an exhibition for everyone. I got all excited by the Chopin one. I don't even like Chopin. Well, I have nothing against the man or his playing but I find his compositions a little samey. Nevertheless, the exhibition was good.
Thursday is obviously a day for school trips because there were school children (of varying ages) running around all over the place. Ok so not all of them were running, most of the older ones were in fact wandering around with clipboards occasionally taking note of something of interest (though mostly their faces suggested anything but). We found Dorey, or a Dorey look-a-like in the wildlife section. Did you know that if my species were picked at random I would be a plant? Not even a specific type of plant, I could be a tree, or a flower or alagae, just a generic plant. This was around the time that I discovered Hannah's surprising knack for recognising animal skulls. We lost Nicole and Victoria for a while but found then hiding out in the dinosaur section. After a while our tummies began to rumble so it was time to leave the lovely big museum and find lunch. We went to so egg specialist place, at least I'm fairly certain everything on the menu included eggs. Apart from my tea. That was egg free. Thankfully.
After lunch, which took us to the mid afternoon, we planned out the rest of the day which included an onward march towards Casa Loma. I was the chief navigator :) I always get us where we are going and 3 minutes before last entry. Oh yes.
We all sorted ourselves out with a leaflet and an audio guide each. I was very good and got both in French. I was only one to get the audio in French. It was quite easy to understand. Well when it wasn't hopelessly dull so I stopped listening. There's only so much I need to hear about a dining table and I'd had enough after 5 minutes. I wonder if he said anything more interesting... I think the Princes may have visited at one point. I could be making that story up though.
We realised that the place was wanting to close so we didn't actually get to see all of it, but the majority at least. Time had slipped away from us so we went back to the hostel. We were planning on going out on a bar crawl that night so we wanted plenty of time to eat and get ready.
Once back at the hostel, Hannah promptly fell fast asleep and Nicole, who had picked up a cold, also looked like she could use a good night's sleep (and a healthy dosage from me and my travelling pharmacy). Around half 8, Victoria and I decided in hushed whispers to forsake the night out and set about finding takeaway instead of ushering the others out of bed and off to a restaurant . A good choice over all I think. We had delicious pizzas which were very large and left us contently stuffed for a "quiet night". Since when was it a quiet night with 4 girls in a dorm room though? I think it accumulated in singing "Be Our Guest" from Beauty & the Beast at the top of my voice around midnight. Not exactly the most considerate for my neighbours sadly. The next morning, whilst wandering down the corridor with Hannah, a girl actually said "Oh you're the singer from next door." Half embarrassed, half shocked I didn't get much of a response out. So before I start day 2, I'll post this, so I don't get too far behind.
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