29th Oct 2007…

Up earlish, well old Chinese lady told us we had to get up…shes always awake no matter what time it was! Marc was going back to NYC ready for his flight the next day and I decided I would go and chack out Toronto considering how close I was to Canada. Booked a hostel called Clarance House - was meant to be the best in the city.

On my own now for the first time since I really got here. Everything I needed to do , Laundry, changing hostels etc I did with Marc…so here goes…Kinda good though, feels like I have been on traveler training camp for the last week and a half. The hostel really is the b******s, everything is so clean - like a hotel but with dorm beds, the two guys that run it, Oliver and Danny seem pretty cool too. Quiet night in tonight - got some food then back to the hostel to watch Hot Fuzz!!

30th Oct 2007…

Sorted myself out with some much needed sleep and caught up on my internet blog. Met Kieran from OZ. Went out to check out Toronto and got some food. Vegetarian restaurant - nice to get some healthy food inside me - was the most expensive meal to date though $24. Walked around Spadina Av and popped into the Uni of Toronto to check it out. Chilled out back at the hostel, watched TV and chatted to randoms.

31st Oct 2007….

Meet up with Sue - 29, Senior editor for Sky TV. We did the CN tower - tallest building in the world - amazing views and then on to Casa Loma - old castle. Took us ages to walk there but was good. Shame we couldn't get to see all of the castle as they were making a movie so part of it was closed off. Movie was called 'Love Guru' - Cushions were everywhere - I'm thinking it was a cheeki little porno.

Was Halloween so I was up for a big one, Sue - not so much but I still managed to get her out for a few drinks - took ages to find anywhere though, in the end had to ask the concierge where to go in the most exclusive hotel in the city - where the queens stays. We ended up playing on this quiz machine for hours - so additive. Not a bad night but was hoping for more really!

1st Nov 2007….

Met up with a girl called Aime - don't think I have spleat that right, but I couldn't say it either,23, irsh, ginger that talked quite a bit - nice girl though. Went and got a 'Tim Hortons' - there everywhere around here - like starbucks but better. Then went shopping in the underground city - 16 miles worth of stores all under the financial district in downtown - ladies you would have loved it. Some how maged to spend $200 to two pairs of shoes and a couple of hats - worse than a bloody female. Back to the hostel - just chilled out - watched 23. Most of the hostel people seem pretty chilled out - quite a few longer term guests so were not up for going out much - plus canadains only really seem to go out at weekends.

2nd Nov 2007….

Another fairly lazy morning - had to change hostels as mine was fully booked. Moved just round the corner on Widmer street called the Canadiania backpacker hostel. Seemed ok but a lot of French speaking groups. Walked around the city- checked out city hall and more of the PATH shopping network - no purchases this time.

Wanted a good night out tonight but there wasn't really anyone to go out with until a group of girls came a sat next to me in the hostel - Amanda, Kerri, Natalie and Kim. Got chatting, had a few glasses of wine with them and then headed out to a fews bars/clubs. Had a wicked time, was a good laugh. Went to Seven - R&B Club, started off ok but 15 minutes later the place was packed - I was officially the only white guy in there - Token. Still enjoyed it but moved on fairly quickly to Picadilly Circus night club - gole. Was quality, underground signs everywhere - that place was made for me, not bad music either. Didn't get back until 4ish- good night out, with a nice group of girls from Ottowa - prob the best night yet.

3rd Nov 2007…

Met up with the girls from last night to get some breakfast. Took ages to find anywhere, was recomened this place so we walked miles to get therefore it to be closed - good - we were so hungry. I left the girls to go shopping and I heading to ther ROM - Royal Ontario Museum. Building is stunning from the outside - and too much to see in the inside. Got in for free - normally $20, but sue gave me her voucher that she didn't end up using which was cool. Learned all about the first peoples of Canada over a guided tour - loads of other stuff too - Eyget, Reptiles bats etc. After that headed to the bus terminal to catch the 6.30pm to Chicago - 11 hours/

Randomness of the day - guy in nfront of me on the bus was also traveling to Chicago - ok that bit isn't so random but like me is traveling to Peru, like me stayed in the same hostel as me - Canadiania, in the same dorm 21, and we didn't even see each other. And we were heading to the same Hostel in Chicago. Jason from Sydney. Quite good really as wasn't really looking forward to hittin Chicago at 4 in the morning - cool.

So Toronto - bit of a slow start, after the week before with Marc but have met quite a few people, very clean city, not that big but maybe lacked a little bit of atmosphere but was still really nice. Plus had one of the best nights out - plus great theme - geek. Underground city of shops was pretty cool - must be good in the winter.