Canada, Canada, Canada. This is one big country and I'm not to sure I was prepared for how big this place is. Case in point being that it took me 36 hours on a single bus ride to only go halfway across this beast. Still Cross it I did and I saw some awesome sights along the way and as ever, a good selection of randoms thrown in for good measure.

So on my last blog I had just made it to Vancouver and was lauhging at our lovely welcome to the place, namely the ladies bike getting stolen and avoiding syringes on the street. All in a days work for us travelling folk. Depsite this rather seedy side to the city, Vancouver is also pretty cool with some funky areas to hang out in and a good micro brewery to. After 3 days in the place though it was time to make a move. It was also time to bid adieu to the Italian who whilst stalking me halfway across the world has also been a top travel mate to. See you in Bolzano for skapeta! Anyway before heading to the bus I had a sudden urge to nip into Subway and grab some grub for the journey. Thinking I had loads of time this was no issue. Little did I know that a queue going pretty much around the bus station was already forming for my bus and that my Subway addiction was costing me my place. After joining the queue and waiting 30 mins to get on the bus I get to the front only for the guy to turn to me and say "sorry bus full". "What...but I have a ticket" I pleaded. This ticket doesn't actually guarantee you a seat on the bus as I found out, only permission to queue up by the bus and hope you get on. The Greyhound is a strange organisation. The buses never leave on time, the ticket doesn't actually mean your'e going to get on and generally the other passengers treat you with contempt if you hold the line up. It's almost uniquely British in it's organisation. Despite this, you do seem to always get to where you need to go and the drivers and staff are almost uniformly friendly unlike PMT Pat at my local train station back home. Anyway I managed to get on another bus that magically appeared 5 minutes later and I was soon off to Banff. I should mention that on this trip a guy on my bus started a fight with the driver at our first stop and then the police were called which delayed us a while. Then we had to fill in witness statements before heading off. I love it. The most entertaining way to travel ever.

So after an eventful night I made it to Banff in one piece looking forward to a hot shower and a power nap. "Sorry sir you can't check in until 3pm". Being 8am I'm sure you can understand that I was a little miffed, so I turned to old habits to cheer myself up, Food, Food, Coffee and more food. 6 hours later and fully fresh I headed out to explore the town. Being only a small place this didn't take long so I headed back to the hostel to meet the residents. They were all a cool bunch and we were happily watching the olympics and the start of Phelp's awesome run when we were interupted by a crazy Canadian girl. Quick facts about Candians. They're all super friendly, like to say f*** a lot.....a whole f***ing lot...and are generaly quite laid back. My illusions were however shattered by this girl who walked in. "Man the f***ing olympics...turn this s*** off, I wanna watch f***ing funny stuff. All the f***ing time, the mother f***ing olympics.....seriously turn this s*** off". Not even a buy your leave! We all sat there a little stunned and gradually the others stated to leave as she started talking to me. Thanks a lot guys. I was stuck with this lass who it turns out was applying for a job at this hostel as their customer service clerk. Good luck love. Still I managed to escape looney lil and headed of to the bar! Ahhh much better. The next day I headed off into the national park and did a few treks in the hills and took in the superb views from the top. I was sitting at the top taking in the view when a chipmunk started runing around my feet. I took a few pics and then it petered off. A few minutes later, I jumped put of my skin when the little b***** jumped, claws in as well, on my back. After hopping around like a madman for a couple of seconds It jumped off leaving looking like a proper loon in the process much to the hilarity of the locals. I plodded back down the hill to console myself with some suhshi. The next day I made a grandiose plan to walk up another mountain but on the approach to the beginning of the trail I suddenly realised that I could'nt be arsed so went back and chilled out for the day.

The next day it was back on the Greyhound. I again couldn't get on the first bus as it was packed out so had to wait. This is the best way I've realised as you then get 2 seats to yourself. I had to stop in Calgary for 2 hours before continuing to Winnipeg so I thought I'd wander into town to get lunch and a book for the trip. Evidently walking isn't allowed in North America as the only way down town was by car or bus. Having no cash this wasn't going to happen. So I illegally ran across the freeway. As I'm sure you'll understand this wasn't easy with my backpack on to and I was knackered by the time I got to the otherside. Still I made it and set off in search of my goods. I was befriended by a homeless guy immediately, as he probably assumed I was homeless to. He was a nioce guy though and he showed me to a bookstore and a Subway! (I'm getting used to these stares now by the way) After this little excursion I powerwalked it back to the bus station and again found the queue halway round the building. Bloody Subway....it always screws me over! Anyway I found out that as I'm a connecting passenger I can skip the line and join a shorter one. Wahoo. I asked the guy in front of me If I was in the right line and he replies yes, and then gives me a curt look and says " hey buddy I was in front of you aye?" "errrr I know I was just asking if this was the right line" I replied. "Ok but don't get any ideas about jumping in front". What a dick. Anyway it turns out that he wasn't even allowed on the bus because of a throwaway comment he gave to the driver. hahaha. Later he managed to beg his way on and I was really pleased when halfway through the trip the overhead locker door fell on his head. hahahaha. See the Greyhound is amazing.

"Why the hell are you going to Winnipeg". This, I was asked by the crazy girl in Banff and now I can see what she meant. Hmmmm it's not a bad city, it's just that I could'nt actually find anything to do there that was worth writing home about. To make matters worse, I was there on a Saturday which strangely meant that the whole city shut down. I guess if the Uni Students were still there it could've been quite cool but I have to say that I was bored as. Luckily, I managed to fill the 2 days I was there hanging out at the hostel and continuing to watch Phelp's amazing run. That guy is irritatingly good! The Hostel owner was a nice chap. He and I had a few beers while watching the tube. He however went a little crazy with one guest who gave his hostel a bad review on hostelworld.com . He basically shouted at the guy and then booted him out of the hostel which was slightly OTT I thought but needing a bed for that night I kept my trap shut.

So out of Winnipeg and back on the Greyhound.....hurrah! Well not hurrah as it happens as this bit of the journey was 36 hours long. Man alive. Luckily the trip was interspersed with various stops at Tim Hortons. This place is everywhere. Basically it serves plain brewed coffee and Muffins etc. The first Timmies I had was disappointing but it I've gradually come round to it. It's strange though as at every store there is a long line of cars queing to go through the drive through. Like I said, there is an embargo on walking in North America.

So Toronto here we are. The Hostel which Adam recommended to me is nice although I was slightly concerned by all the organised fun that they seem to promote. Mmmm bar crawl sounds good but I'd rather not go with the overexcited staff who seem to think that having any drink is super awesome...wooooooo.......yeah! Anyway I've succesfully managed to avoid these douchbags and enjoyed the city a lot. By the way if you were wondering where all the Routemaster buses went when they left Londons streets, they all ended up here. Strangely enough they all number 12's on their way to Peckham of all places. Turn back turn back before it's to late ;-). Today I suprised myself by sticking to a plan and getting up early to go to Niagara Falls. The Falls were cool but the town surrounding it was weird as. When you get of the bus you end up in a small town but walking down the road for 2 kms and you end up in Las Vegas. Madness. Still I got the snaps and headed back to Toronto

So there's my week. Next I'm off to Ottawa, Montreal, Quebec City and then New York before coming back to blighty. Being super skint when I get back, I look forward to many drinks from you all in recognition of my awesomeness!!!

Ta da

Will

P.S. My lovely Cousin just informed me of a beheading that happend on the Greyhound last week. Cheers Em, Nice!