Toronto, Canada

July 16, 2017

Since my husband and I had our own car and we were not very far from Toronto, we decided to swing by on our way back down to Upstate NY. This has to be the most interesting day trip yet…

When we arrived in Toronto, it was FOGGY! …and it wasn’t a little bit foggy, it was horrible. I wanted so badly to go to the top of the CN Tower and look out over the city of Toronto–I mean who wouldn’t? Drake was born here! But it just had to be foggy. But I knew in my heart that the fog would lift. I’m from Fresno and no where could be more foggy than that place and the fog always lifted by noon. I was confident that here in Toronto, the fog would lift. BUT, my husband had no faith in me. He didn’t believe the fog would lift. So, we spent considerable time debating on what to do really since we were only spending a few hours here. While figuring things out, we took a few photos in front of the tower… and then continued debating.

I thought the next best thing to do is to take one of those hop on hop of city bus tours until the fog lifted or go to the aquarium. My husband wasn’t really interested in the city tour, but I was–what’s the point in coming to Toronto if you aren’t going to see the city? Silly. He wanted to go the aquarium. But I wanted to ride the bus. We were split and we didn’t have time to compromise–so, we went separate ways and decided to meet back up. How awful! I got on the bus and you would not believe–the sun started to come out and the fog was lifting! I couldn’t believe it! I was angry! I could actually see the tip of the CN Tower in full clarity…

But I stayed on the bus–because I had paid for it already! My bus ride came with a free boat ride on Lake Ontario, so once the bus dropped me off at the dock, I got on the boat. I have to say–it was amazing. The views literally took my breath away. Commercial break — Here are some fun facts. There is an airport on Lake Ontario and the houses on the lake can only be sold to a family member…

I was happy after all that I had stayed on the bus. On my way back my husband started to call me and told me he went up the CN Tower! I was very happy and then all of a sudden–he killed my vibes. The very thing I wanted to do–he did it–and he did it first! Hmmmm. I met him back over at the city center and asked him why didn’t he wait for me? He said there was no one in line–which I couldn’t argue with him about that because it was so foggy at first and to be quite honest I would have done the same. I got in line and little did I know–I was standing in a line that was an hour wait. I didn’t know this until I was half way through.

Some interesting things happened in line though…and it was enough to keep me entertained. The impatience of some people took the best of them. A father, son and daughter waited to get midway to the very front of the line to start cutting people–they even cut me! Shame on them. I didn’t want to say anything because I didn’t want to draw attention. Finally, this family cut the wrong people and some guy went and got security on them. Security literally had to force them out of line. The daughter began cursing all of us out but mainly the guy that told. As she acted a fool, the guy just mocked her. It was hilarious! Next thing I know, I was finally at the front of the line–one hour later. Once I got inside, it turns out that there are layers to this tower. I wanted to go ALL the way to the top! So I did–at a cost, literally and figuratively. I had to wait in line, again! ERRR! This time, 30 minutes. It’s almost 5 o’ clock in the evening by now and we have yet to eat. Finally I’m inside and I was upset because I felt like that high up was not as impressive as just the first layer up. See that’s what happens when you get greedy.

I finally met my husband out front of the tower and we took off to go eat. His friend told him about a Tanzania restaurant. He was excited to share his traditional food with me and I was just excited to eat. Period. I have to tell you–if you are looking for GOOD food in Toronto–go here. I can’t even explain in words how amazing the food was. I crave it until today. On the way to the restaurant, we came across the Kingston neighborhood in Toronto. I have to say, I haven’t been to one city where there isn’t a ghetto neighborhood. There is always one. This one was it. I saw everything from tattoo and marijuana shops to graffiti buildings and even a model, the whole nine. It was pretty cool.

We finally made it to the restaurant. Pili Pili, Tanzanian BBQ. You HAVE to try it! That was the icing on the cake for me!

Toronto in general was pretty cool. I loved seeing the tram run through the city. The city is also very clean and the people are very generous and always willing to help–whether it’s giving directions or suggestions for what to do. It was a cool place.

By the time we were done eating, it was too dark to drive upstate NY because where we were headed would eventually have no street lights. So, we had to book a hotel, last minute. But I screwed up, big time. When I booked, I didn’t realize the booking was only for a 1 person accommodation–I’m used to it being for double occupancy. Typically, that’s how it works in America. So when I got to the front desk, a young worker was telling me that only one of us could stay the night, or we have to pay more money. I said, but we are husband and wife, we can sleep on the same bed. He said, I understand but that is not how it works. You only paid for one accommodation. Let me tell you guys–after arguing back and forth with him for like 15 minutes, threatening to call the police and begging for my money back so we could find elsewhere to go, I just started crying. I was so stressed out and it was getting later and later as the night wore on. The guy suddenly started to feel bad. He walked me over to the room. My husband said he was going to sleep in the car and finally the guy says, never mind, he can stay. My husband could stay. After all of that.

The guy wasn’t lying about it being for a one person accommodation because it was tiny! We slept on a twin size bed, but hey–I was closer to my hubby and it was only for the night. By 5am, we were up and out, on our way to the Thousand Islands.