TRAIN: VIA RAIL 65
DATE: THURSDAY, MAY 15, 2014
DEPARTURE: MONTRÉAL, QUEBEC, CANADA 11:50
ARRIVAL: TORONTO, ONTARIO, CANADA 16:50
ELAPSED TIME: 5 HOURS
TRAIN HOURS TO DATE: 16 HOURS, 15 MINUTES
As I departed Montréal I had no idea where I'd be sleeping that evening. Luckily I found the most bomb cheap hostel ever in Downtown Toronto. I checked into a six-bed room and was the only person in that room for over 3/4 of my stay.
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| The view from my hostel. The CN Tower. I didn't go in it because it was expensive. |
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| They put a maple leaf by Canadian player's names on the scoreboard, which was a nice touch. |
I ventured the city primarily through public transport, the Toronto Transit Commission. The Streetcars, while running on no specific schedule it seemed, were a nice way to see the area in relaxing bliss. Except when they were packed beyond belief, which was every time. In doing research for this post, I found that there is a Toronto Transit Society (TTS) - yes, a society dedicated to public transportation in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA). They are a fully functioning group with an executive board, monthly meetings, and open membership. My American readers may join here. If this sounds like a cult, it is likely because it probably totally is. I hope to someday infiltrate their ranks and have it be my magnum opus piece in my illustrious investigative blogging career.
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| If only you knew the secrets of the TTS. |
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| This picture was crooked so I made it smaller to distract you from that fact. |
A highlight of my full day in the city was the St. Lawrence Market, where I ate the largest eggplant sandwich you have literally ever seen. It was from a booth called Uno Mustachio and this was good enough for me.
Something off the beaten track was Toronto's First Post Office. I went in expecting a quick 10 minute history lesson and got a one hour crash course on writing with quill and ink for only $2.00 CAN. I wrote a nice letter to some good friends back in New York City.
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| Delivery options included steamship and pony. Additional fees applied. |
I later went to Massey Hall because it is famous and because my favorite work by Neil Young was recorded there in 1971. It was a bigger deal to me than it was to you, so I'll spare you all but a picture. A big picture.
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| It wouldn't let me make it any bigger. |
My final day in Toronto was punctuated by a trip to the Toronto Railway Museum. I feel, while I just happened upon it, it was unavoidable. Sadly the lady at the front desk wouldn't haggle with me, as I refused to pay the $5.00CAN entrance fee when the museum was only opened for 15 more minutes. So I didn't go in. But they had a lot of cars out front, and a brewery that's Canada-famous.
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| This picture is awful, I'm sorry. |
In all, Toronto was the New York City of Canada. Or maybe it was the Seattle. I'm not really sure. But it existed, I was there, and that's pretty much all you need to know.
Till time next.
