Landing down in Toronto to begin my year of cultural maturity was a bit of an anticlimax, to be honest.
The excitement was replaced by disbelief, and I could have almost just have been going on a holiday. Ten days on and that feeling is still there. I have been so busy with partying and meeting new people that I have hardly had a time to stop and actually consider where I am and what I am doing! Every now and then I stop and fathom the enormity of my situation.
Toronto was somewhat of a let-down. As Samer, Laura, Caroline, Mathew, Dan and I (the BUNACers!) landed, we were filled with anticipation of snow, the freeze...and fun!
"To the bar!" we cried! Actually, that cry only came from half of us. With the jet-lag stirring and the alcohol weaving its magic, it was a challenge staying awake, but we made it through!
Explorations of Toronto took place over the next few days. There was the CN tower, and the Rogers Centre- but what else? That's where a little blonde Northern lass called Kate comes in.
An enjoyable night at the Comedy Club was the Thursday where she first made an appearance. She had been staying in the same room as Caroline and Laura, and duly being stalked by a strange Australian bloke named Steve (girls, keep your eyes peeled for this one!). On the Friday night Mat, Caroline, Kate and I all went for a drink (or ten, plus extortionately priced bottles of wine), and conversation turned to Montreal. Kate was based there and had only been visiting Toronto for a few days.
Nevertheless, she sold the place sufficiently to me and I ended up on the 11.30 bus with her the next morning! Eight hours of trees, and retails parks, and trees, and retails parks later, we finally arrived in Montreal.
This place in the North East-ish of Quebec is amazing. The buildings in Vieux-Montreal (where the hostels I have stayed in are) possess a quintessential Parisian charm about them, while downtown still incorporates all the facilities needed for the party capital of Canada (bars, bars and more bars!).
Most of my time in the first week has been spent with t' lass from Leeds (Kate), and we have crammed plenty in! Ice skating, eating, drinking, walking (PLENTY of walking!). We had been looking for a lovely romantic carriage ride, but someone doesn't want it to happen (first other travellers, then the weather, then no carriages!). Something for the future maybe!
Live music here is a cut above. In the first week I have seen Irish folk, acoustic, Soul Jazz (with turntables and scratching!), listened to French reggae- the experiences go on. The town is so classy, the people well dressed, the clubs swanky (you have to buy a BOTTLE of vodka to be able to sit down!). But I love it here. Vive la Canada!
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