La premiere semaine en Canada

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!

Counting in Hours

So there it was, tucked into the corner of my bedroom. My whole life in a metre of rucksack. I didn't realise there was so little to pack!Surely I have forgotten something?

Now all I must do is wait, kill time, watch paint dry. This is always the worst part, the pre-boredom before the boredom of travelling, and then the excitement of arriving! The winter coat is bought, the gloves are packed, the money is earnt, now the adventure begins!

After a week of carnage, first in Kingston with Mike, Simon and Maxine Carr (sorry, Steve Simmons, newly Christened Dipstick!) and then in Birmingham with the uni birds, my bro and the Skeggy six, the lull before the storm has began. I could sit and work out the minutes until I arrive, but that would surely just be sad, so instead I am taking up my time with tedium!

My last English meal (an Indian, so typically Blighty) will be tonight at 7.30pm, with the family and I will cherish every bite!

The next entry into this so far sketchy blog will be written from an internet cafe surrounded by snow and Canadians, and hopefully will be a cheery one! Au Revoir England!