Ok, so here's the last blog from the train and then we'll get into today, if I have time. If not, I'll blog tomorrow about today, which might even be better.

Day 5: August 26

Well, update a bit. The other night I did have an axiety attack but I worked through it. Dad said it was probably because of the delays. Stupid. Ok, when Via said we would be taken away from podunk town nowhere, Northern Ontario in two hours, they apparently meant 14 hours. And then after a trip of 7 hours to get back to Winnipeg, we sat on the train with no power for six hours waiting for an airplane. Anywho, long story short, we got into Toronto finally at 2:30am. I made them get me and my new friend Caitlin a hotel room(which ended up being worth $400) so I could walk back to the station at 8:00am this morning. I'm now on my last leg of my travels to the far East before I get to a city. Needless to say it has been an extremely long and exhausting but adventurous and expecting trip and I am absolutly ready to do some sight seeing.
However! Let me share with you a concern I have had from the beginning and after arriving in the Montreal train station has only been ingrained in my head. I don't know how many of you realize I don't speak French. I don't. But all of Quebec is French speaking. Now, I do realize that people do speak English, but ever sign is in French and they speak French first. It's intimidating. And I feel like they expect me to speak French, which they probably do, but then I always think they're going to be angry at me for not knowing French. So, in essence, I going to have to face Quebec City like I've never faced anything before and just figure it out. Thats what this whole trip seems like it is. I swear, when I get back to Bellingham, I'm going to feel like I can conquer the entire universe. Ok, maybe that is pushing it a bit, but at least my own life. Yay for me and figuring out how to serve my purpose.
Ok, now that my five day train ride is coming to an end (thank god), let us reflect on what we've learned. After day one, you realize that people may have started the trip looking decent with their makeup and hair done, including me. ut as soon as that morning hits, it is not normal for anyone to look presentable or pretty, and the people who do look weirder than you do. So, if a group of really cute guys sits in front of you, don't expect them to pay much attention to you until day two, because they don't understand...yet. Lesson number two: sometimes derailments and track contruction happens. There's nothing you can do about it, and if you're going to get a free flight and 5star hotel out of the train company, you might as well be happy about it. Lesson number three: the states needs to desperatly get Tim Hortons, as I have become rediculously obssesed with their iced cappacinos. Anna, it's so not about the double double. Lesson four: Mandie, Monica and Anna, I finally saw 2 episodes of Jon and Kate Plus 8 while on the place. It's freaking magical! I think I actually like kids now...ok, not really, but I'm getting a soft spot for them. Lessons five: the chest strap of the backpack actually does something! I didn't want to use it as I walked to the hotel last night in Toronto because I thought it just squished my boobs together, and lets be hoest, I don't need that while I'm walking down York Avenue at 2:30am. But then I realized there was no weight on my waist like there is supposed to be, and it really wasn't comfortable at all. I just said to myself "Suck it up, you grown up". But I was standing in line at the train station this morning in Toronto and I slipped it, and it felt so much better. Moral of the story: Kristina, use the stupid chect strap. All girls have boobs, with the rare exception. Lesson six: Don't think that shoies with holes in the already will last a train trip and a month long backpacking trip. I threw away my moccasins and I love dearly this morning at the hostel. The holes had only gotten bigger. But hey! I breakthrough! Kristina through out shoes!! Last and final lessons. right as you get into Quebec, you should immediately realize, it is normal for a sheep, 3 alpacas and 2 cows to be in the same pasture, hangingout close together like buds. Ot's kinda funny.
Ok, day one in Quebec, coming tomorrow.