Finally - my last day of work!! Mark has been here with us in Toronto since Tuesday and we've been staying in the Canadiana Backpackers Inn again since we left our home last Sunday.
Our travels plans are almost finalised, and we've managed to pack just one small bag between Mark, Paul and I (we're leaving the rest of our luggage behind in Toronto!)
The boys have been very busy booking accommodation and 2,424 km of transport! It was almost impossible to find places for tonight in Toronto and the four days in NYC - but now we're booked and ready to enjoy :-)
Travel itinery below!
Friday, September 5th - Toronto
We move to hotel for one night.
Saturday, September 6th - Montreal
Four of us take Greyhound bus coach to the French city.
Monday, September 8th - Toronto
Shane departs Montreal for one last night in Toronto. He flies back to Dublin on Tuesday :-(
Wednesday, September 10th - New York
Paul, Mark and I catch a train going south, across the border! We've booked The Bedford Avenue Loftstel for our stay.
Sunday, September 14th - Philadelphia
Time to go further south - again by train. No accommodation booked as of yet!
Wednesday, September 17th - Washington
We catch another train even further south to Washington DC for the last leg of our tour...
Saturday, September 20th - Toronto
Time to fly home to Toronto! This time we stay in Global Village Backpackers for two nights.
Monday, September 22nd - Dublin
Flight leaves Toronto around 8pm and scheduled to arrive in Ireland seven hours later for 8am GMT.
Friday, September 5, 2008
Friday, August 29, 2008
Random thoughts for the day..
Am on a one-day placement just for today, in a gorgeous big office on the 27th floor of a downtown building... and because it's the Friday of a bank holiday weekend, when no-one in Toronto does any work, I've literally taken two phone calls since I came in at nine am!
It's both Paul and Shane's last days in work in the city. Paul finished and went for lunch with his office at one pm; Shane is also finished by now, as far as I know, and he tells me that cake has been had!
It's the last month in Canada for Paul and I, while Shane is leaving us on the ninth :-( I didn't work this week apart from Wednesday, in a well-known pizza company's payroll offices.
We said goodbye to one of our friends from Toronto last night, who returns to college next week. "Frosh" (Freshers') Week is happening around this time in the universities around the city. Hopefully will get a chance to call by U of T to see what they're doing for it on Monday, which is Labour Day and a bank holiday here in Canadia. I will be working Tues-Friday next week and then I am done :-)
Today is the last day it will be just the three of us here. Sean's flying down from Chicago to see us tomorrow, Aoife will be joining us at some stage Sunday/Monday and Mark will be flying from Ireland on Tuesady to join us for the last leg of our travels! We move out of our house this Sunday, August 30th.
Crazy that we've been here almost three months now!
Laters x
It's both Paul and Shane's last days in work in the city. Paul finished and went for lunch with his office at one pm; Shane is also finished by now, as far as I know, and he tells me that cake has been had!
It's the last month in Canada for Paul and I, while Shane is leaving us on the ninth :-( I didn't work this week apart from Wednesday, in a well-known pizza company's payroll offices.
We said goodbye to one of our friends from Toronto last night, who returns to college next week. "Frosh" (Freshers') Week is happening around this time in the universities around the city. Hopefully will get a chance to call by U of T to see what they're doing for it on Monday, which is Labour Day and a bank holiday here in Canadia. I will be working Tues-Friday next week and then I am done :-)
Today is the last day it will be just the three of us here. Sean's flying down from Chicago to see us tomorrow, Aoife will be joining us at some stage Sunday/Monday and Mark will be flying from Ireland on Tuesady to join us for the last leg of our travels! We move out of our house this Sunday, August 30th.
Crazy that we've been here almost three months now!
Laters x
Saturday, August 16, 2008
Niagara Falls
So I'm back in Toronto for a few days with the guys. The first night I slept (hours of sleep to catch up on from camp!) while the guys went to see a puppet theatre musical production called Avenue Q. From the sounds of things it was quite the show.
Yesterday after the guys finished work we took a bus with 25 other tourists out the wonerful place that is Niagara Falls. I was so excited because it is somewhere that I really wanted to visit but didn't think I would get the opportunity. But thanks to the wonderful planning skills of Jen, Paul and Shane we were on our way! It took us a while to get there due to friday evening traffic (which the tour guy claimed he didn't realise would be so bad!!!). Once we got there we went on the "Maid of the Mist" bost tour right into the middle of the falls. It was incredible. We got to wear the wonderfully fashionable blue waterproof jackets and took loads of photos. After the boat tour we went on a wander around the town. It is like a mini Vegas. Lots of tacky lights, food and casinos. I don't know how people stay there for too long. The Falls are unbelievable but we were done with the rest of the place in a matter of minutes! We went for a lovely meal in the Hard Rock Cafe, followed by cocktails on the balcony watching fireworks over the Falls. A really lovely way to spend a night with the guys.
Loing forward to tonight where they plan on taking me out for my first experience of the Toronto clubbing scene!Can't wait!
I'll be back again in a few weeks.
Aoife
Yesterday after the guys finished work we took a bus with 25 other tourists out the wonerful place that is Niagara Falls. I was so excited because it is somewhere that I really wanted to visit but didn't think I would get the opportunity. But thanks to the wonderful planning skills of Jen, Paul and Shane we were on our way! It took us a while to get there due to friday evening traffic (which the tour guy claimed he didn't realise would be so bad!!!). Once we got there we went on the "Maid of the Mist" bost tour right into the middle of the falls. It was incredible. We got to wear the wonderfully fashionable blue waterproof jackets and took loads of photos. After the boat tour we went on a wander around the town. It is like a mini Vegas. Lots of tacky lights, food and casinos. I don't know how people stay there for too long. The Falls are unbelievable but we were done with the rest of the place in a matter of minutes! We went for a lovely meal in the Hard Rock Cafe, followed by cocktails on the balcony watching fireworks over the Falls. A really lovely way to spend a night with the guys.
Loing forward to tonight where they plan on taking me out for my first experience of the Toronto clubbing scene!Can't wait!
I'll be back again in a few weeks.
Aoife
Monday, August 11, 2008
Recent activities!
What we've been up to...
Saturday, August 9th - torrential downpours made for a very wet Taste of the Danforth Festival. The three of us braved the rain to visit Toronto's Greek District for their famous annual food festival and taste what they had to offer. Crêpes and waffles with hot lattes ensued before hailing a taxi home.
Tuesday, August 5th - went to our first ball game to support our adopted home team, the Toronto Blue Jays! Surprised overselves by enjoying it so much, we munched on fries, oreo cookie, butter popcorn and mega pretzel, danced along to the interval exercise, took part in the mexican wave (a little), and joined the other 23,577 people in the crowd on our feet to cheer the Jays victory!!
Monday, August 4th - stayed in Canada's Wonderland until well after closing. See Paul's post on Behemoth, below. Water rides... in clothes? 'Nuff said!
Sunday, August 3rd - spent the day cycling all along the sunny east coast of the city beside the water. Had our bikes back just in time (!) and went for a plate of fish and chips on the waterfront. And almost ordered another.
Saturday, August 9th - torrential downpours made for a very wet Taste of the Danforth Festival. The three of us braved the rain to visit Toronto's Greek District for their famous annual food festival and taste what they had to offer. Crêpes and waffles with hot lattes ensued before hailing a taxi home.
Tuesday, August 5th - went to our first ball game to support our adopted home team, the Toronto Blue Jays! Surprised overselves by enjoying it so much, we munched on fries, oreo cookie, butter popcorn and mega pretzel, danced along to the interval exercise, took part in the mexican wave (a little), and joined the other 23,577 people in the crowd on our feet to cheer the Jays victory!!
Monday, August 4th - stayed in Canada's Wonderland until well after closing. See Paul's post on Behemoth, below. Water rides... in clothes? 'Nuff said!
Sunday, August 3rd - spent the day cycling all along the sunny east coast of the city beside the water. Had our bikes back just in time (!) and went for a plate of fish and chips on the waterfront. And almost ordered another.
Dirty Dancing the musical on Wednesday, July 30th => brilliant :)!
Also, a treat on the way home as we passed the much-hyped new IKEA showroom on King East.. the invitation-only launch party was just finished and we got chatting to the staff, who told us to come in and help ourselves to the leftover chocolates, woop!
Tuesday, July 29th - caught this week's free film in the huge outdoor cinema on the harbourfront.
Wednesday, July 23rd - couldn't decide where to eat this evening. Booked a table at 360 Restaurant at the top of the CN Tower. *Amaazing*!!!
Saturday, July 19th - went on a trip to Centre Island with Dave - this is when the tan happened! (Photos on left)
Sunday, August 10, 2008
Explosion in Toronno...
At about the same time as we were going to bed last night (3.30am), up north, a large propane facility was exploding...
So far, over 12,000 people from a 1.6km radius have been evacuated to York University. We're following the latest news on cp24.com. The latest broadcast was live from the fire station around the corner from our house.
Camera crews have interviewed victims of the blast, many of which describe how the windows in their house blew out, ceilings cracked and door handles melted. Electricity failed and many evacuees were forced to make their way to friends and relatives. Emergency services have been praised for their quick response, providing shuttle buses to York University campus.
So far, over 12,000 people from a 1.6km radius have been evacuated to York University. We're following the latest news on cp24.com. The latest broadcast was live from the fire station around the corner from our house.
Camera crews have interviewed victims of the blast, many of which describe how the windows in their house blew out, ceilings cracked and door handles melted. Electricity failed and many evacuees were forced to make their way to friends and relatives. Emergency services have been praised for their quick response, providing shuttle buses to York University campus.
Tuesday, July 8, 2008
Proud, patios, Canadian, clubs
Dragging our feet with the blogging now that we've settled in and made lives for ourselves here in Toronot! Shane's bagged himself a fulltime job until end of summer with the Canadian Olympic Committee, Paul's running every McD's in sight, and I'm still loving my work at CMA.
Weekend before last was Pride in the city (photos up very shortly, thanks gallagpa). They speak for themselves really.. The whole city was proud (crazy), the Gay Village was cordoned off, filled with various stands, stages and stalls, and the clubs (in broad daylight) spilled out onto the streets.
Myself and Shane took a wander into the district on the Saturday to see what was happening. Caught a bit of Mel C in concert and lots of weird and wonderful sights before meeting Paul from work and heading for some yummy food in Elephant and Castle. Sunday brought the parade, which brought the entire city out on to the streets, children and waterguns in tow.
Tuesday July 1st was Canada Day - no parades or street parties this time, but another day off for myself and Shane. A group of us headed down to the lake in search of the much-rumoured fireworks display once darkness fell. The night was finished off with chips and pop (crisps and fizzy drinks) in our friends' apartment, overlooking the city.
Friday night's club was hilarious - Hawaii beach party-esque, while Saturday night brought what we'd been waiting for: Guvernment - seven rooms, three/ four levels, manies the DJ, lazers, moving ceilings, rooftop patio, woop!
We've done lots of exploring in the past fortnight, especially down around the lake shore and the distillery district, right beside where we live. We now understand and share the Canadian obsession with patios, following Sunday evening - live music, BBQ, wine and sun.. Mmm..
Plan for tonight was outdoor Juno screening at the Harbour Front, but thunder and lightning outside says otherwise. Just about to settle in to watch Heros with the guys in our living room - laters! Xxx
Weekend before last was Pride in the city (photos up very shortly, thanks gallagpa). They speak for themselves really.. The whole city was proud (crazy), the Gay Village was cordoned off, filled with various stands, stages and stalls, and the clubs (in broad daylight) spilled out onto the streets.
Myself and Shane took a wander into the district on the Saturday to see what was happening. Caught a bit of Mel C in concert and lots of weird and wonderful sights before meeting Paul from work and heading for some yummy food in Elephant and Castle. Sunday brought the parade, which brought the entire city out on to the streets, children and waterguns in tow.
Tuesday July 1st was Canada Day - no parades or street parties this time, but another day off for myself and Shane. A group of us headed down to the lake in search of the much-rumoured fireworks display once darkness fell. The night was finished off with chips and pop (crisps and fizzy drinks) in our friends' apartment, overlooking the city.
Friday night's club was hilarious - Hawaii beach party-esque, while Saturday night brought what we'd been waiting for: Guvernment - seven rooms, three/ four levels, manies the DJ, lazers, moving ceilings, rooftop patio, woop!
We've done lots of exploring in the past fortnight, especially down around the lake shore and the distillery district, right beside where we live. We now understand and share the Canadian obsession with patios, following Sunday evening - live music, BBQ, wine and sun.. Mmm..
Plan for tonight was outdoor Juno screening at the Harbour Front, but thunder and lightning outside says otherwise. Just about to settle in to watch Heros with the guys in our living room - laters! Xxx
Wednesday, June 25, 2008
Sun's coming out!
It's official: summer has just hit Toronto. Finally, a chance to wear all of the little clothes that were packed two weeks ago with weather like this in mind!! Woop!
Shane got a job today - the agency rang this morning and asked him to get downtown asap. He's in "the media", very interesting stuff by the sounds of it.
I'm loving my placement :-) It's great being the new Irish girl in the office, everyone wants to talk to you, lol! And summer time is coming in next Monday - this means lunch breaks are shortened to 45mins each day, and everyone leaves the office at three on Fridays. I'm thinking that it's the way forward! Breaks every 75 minutes, free food and drink in the canteen, lovely friendly people, glass on three sides and right in the heart of the financial district (five mins walk to both Shane's and Paul's workplaces) = pretty perfect!
Paul's working late tonight, and he's right, our new house is great! Huge fridge freezer, wireless net, endless hot water, and even an exercise bar in the basement... Myself and Shane are in our living room at the moment, "overhearing" the neighbours chat about our landlady; very intriguing.
Weird / strange / wonderful things spotted oot and aboot in Toronno to date:
street beggar carving masterpieces from bars of soap and a razor blade; lady with large iguana on her shoulder walking down street, followed by tittering guy in a suit who could barely contain his excitement at the sight; a line of ecocabs all leaving their nighttime home and filing into the city at 8.30am; man with Gucci bag larger than himself wearing cowboy boots and denim hotpants; lots of ladies with mad hair; an oriental gathering in the middle of the street with 9 billion cameras; racoons; huge music awards hidden around a corner... tbc (maybe)...
Shane got a job today - the agency rang this morning and asked him to get downtown asap. He's in "the media", very interesting stuff by the sounds of it.
I'm loving my placement :-) It's great being the new Irish girl in the office, everyone wants to talk to you, lol! And summer time is coming in next Monday - this means lunch breaks are shortened to 45mins each day, and everyone leaves the office at three on Fridays. I'm thinking that it's the way forward! Breaks every 75 minutes, free food and drink in the canteen, lovely friendly people, glass on three sides and right in the heart of the financial district (five mins walk to both Shane's and Paul's workplaces) = pretty perfect!
Paul's working late tonight, and he's right, our new house is great! Huge fridge freezer, wireless net, endless hot water, and even an exercise bar in the basement... Myself and Shane are in our living room at the moment, "overhearing" the neighbours chat about our landlady; very intriguing.
Weird / strange / wonderful things spotted oot and aboot in Toronno to date:
street beggar carving masterpieces from bars of soap and a razor blade; lady with large iguana on her shoulder walking down street, followed by tittering guy in a suit who could barely contain his excitement at the sight; a line of ecocabs all leaving their nighttime home and filing into the city at 8.30am; man with Gucci bag larger than himself wearing cowboy boots and denim hotpants; lots of ladies with mad hair; an oriental gathering in the middle of the street with 9 billion cameras; racoons; huge music awards hidden around a corner... tbc (maybe)...
Tuesday, June 24, 2008
Trinity Street: I'm lovin' it!
So we moved into our new house last Wednesday. Photos are there on the side. It's great, a proper kitchen for us to have our breakfast in, internet to live our lives on, television to fill the void in the sitting room, a phone to make free local calls on and beds to Zzzzz.....!
It's fairly central with everything in walking distance, if we know the destination is a bit away there is loads of public transport to choose from. Jen pointed out that the TTC (the Toronto Transit Commission) encourage people to share their weekly travel tickets - something Dublin Bus could learn from. There is a flat fee ($2.75) to anywhere in the city, with transfer tickets available at each stop along the way.
I've started back in McDonald's as an assistant manager on Thursday. I am working at the Union Station location. It's a really busy store with only 7 tills, a tiny kitchen/back area, no lobby and no crew room. The managers and the crew are all lovely and are so quick to answer any questions I have. It took a while to get used to the toaster, "Made for You" system, menu items, tills, PDA's and all the other different things they do. So far I have only worked 11-7 shifts, I would prefer earlier shifts so I can spend more time with the guys so we will see what can be arranged.
In the mean time we are just getting settled in, awaiting pay cheques and more job offers! The weather may or may not be picking up - I'll keep you posted!
I've started back in McDonald's as an assistant manager on Thursday. I am working at the Union Station location. It's a really busy store with only 7 tills, a tiny kitchen/back area, no lobby and no crew room. The managers and the crew are all lovely and are so quick to answer any questions I have. It took a while to get used to the toaster, "Made for You" system, menu items, tills, PDA's and all the other different things they do. So far I have only worked 11-7 shifts, I would prefer earlier shifts so I can spend more time with the guys so we will see what can be arranged.
In the mean time we are just getting settled in, awaiting pay cheques and more job offers! The weather may or may not be picking up - I'll keep you posted!
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
MMVAs 2008
I got my bronze cross on Sunday so I am now officially able to work in Camp. Yay! Got a lift into town to meet the guys to watch the Red Carpet for the MMVAs. Unfortuately another huge thunder storm forced us to retreat back to the hostel. Due to lack of funds we decided to cook at the hostel for dinner. Seeing as nowhere in Toronto seems to sell mince/chicken we decided to make a vegetable, bacon and tomato sauce with pasta and lots of (overpriced!) cheese. It really hit the spot. After some room chilling time Shane noticed that the Storm had passed so on went the shoes and we headed over to the MMVAs. We were standing at the performer stage and even got to see all the back stage action. After a girl screamed his name, we noticed that we were standing beside Sean Kingston (with only a barrier between us!). After his performance we got to see loads of other "celebrities". I use quotation marks because some of the acts included people like the excuse to wear no clothing girl band "Girlicious" who we wouldn't have recognised except for the fact that Shane was up to date with his American Reality TV girl band shows! Other celebrities included Mel C, Whitney and Brody from the Hills, our new obsession "JabbaWockeeZ" (see video below), and the main attraction of the night Rihanna!
On the way back to the hostel we passed by the club where the after party was taking place. Jen and I, looking as amazingly glamourous as we were, got our photo taken by the Paparazzi (and Paul!) at the celebrity posing stand...Hilarious!
Didn't do much on Monday. Jen got a job!Woot. We also found AMAZING shoes and Jen will be buying them once she gets her first pay cheque!We also did a bit of drinking.
The guys went and paid for their house today so we will be moving out there tomorrow. There is huge excitement about finally being able to unpack.
Probably my last blog for a while, off to Camp on Thursday. I'm sure the guys will be keeping you posted though.
Have a nice day!!
xx
On the way back to the hostel we passed by the club where the after party was taking place. Jen and I, looking as amazingly glamourous as we were, got our photo taken by the Paparazzi (and Paul!) at the celebrity posing stand...Hilarious!
Didn't do much on Monday. Jen got a job!Woot. We also found AMAZING shoes and Jen will be buying them once she gets her first pay cheque!We also did a bit of drinking.
The guys went and paid for their house today so we will be moving out there tomorrow. There is huge excitement about finally being able to unpack.
Probably my last blog for a while, off to Camp on Thursday. I'm sure the guys will be keeping you posted though.
Have a nice day!!
xx
Sunday, June 15, 2008
10 Beds in Two Weeks (and counting...)
So yesterday was our first lazy day :-) We left our rooms in UofT in search of food after getting some typing tests from our respective recruiters out of the way. Another visit to Gabby's and a long leesuirely wander all over the downtown area (including snacks and drinks in Fox and Fiddle - love it!) and we decided to head back to campus with drinks; tiredness getting the better of us (it was 9pm, after all)... The crazy Torontonians we first encountered in Pogue Mahones decided to yell out to us as we passed them, scaring the life out of poor Aoife. It was then that we discovered that all of the beer/liquor stores closed around 9. Madness altogether.
Checked out of UofT this morning and taxi-ed over to our new hostel around eleven (Official Toronto Taxi Taking Time at this stage) to deposit the baggage. Went for a walk in the gorgeous sunshine. All of a sudden, sky turns gray, then navy, then The Rain starts... We're now safely back in the comfy hostel lounge area, eating shreddies, on the toplaps, having survived the storm and the crazy laptop pikey-lady (weirdo!!!). Time for more computer literacy tests! This is happening tonight. Will keep ya treated x
Checked out of UofT this morning and taxi-ed over to our new hostel around eleven (Official Toronto Taxi Taking Time at this stage) to deposit the baggage. Went for a walk in the gorgeous sunshine. All of a sudden, sky turns gray, then navy, then The Rain starts... We're now safely back in the comfy hostel lounge area, eating shreddies, on the toplaps, having survived the storm and the crazy laptop pikey-lady (weirdo!!!). Time for more computer literacy tests! This is happening tonight. Will keep ya treated x
Saturday, June 14, 2008
1 Manager, 2 Hostels, 3 Interviews and Too Many Taxis
Friday, June 13th
An early rise for interview preparation, outfit coordination, makeup and hairstyling. That took a little longer than expected so our friend the TAXI made sure we were on time for our 11:30. More forms and interviews ensued. Jen was off to another at 2pm, mine was at 2:30p.m. and Shane was up for his at 3:30p.m.
Aoife arrived and she was covertly installed in our room. She was really tired and went straight to bed. Dinner this evening was in BB-Ques, three chicken burgers and wedges and we were done. Realising how tired we were too we retired to our room. A walk was out of the question when a huge thunder storm began over the whole city. The sky was lit up for over an hour as huge bolts of lightening and cracking thunder followed. Friday was done!
Thursday, June 12th
Over to the University of Toronto at 9a.m., we tried out the McDonald's breakfast menu. The student accommodation that we really wanted was booked out, so we settled for booking the one we has toured the night before - not the best but it would do until Sunday. We went back to our hostel, TAXI back to UofT with our luggage.
We took the street car or TTC downtown and visited the landlady to confirm we wanted to rent her house! We went to a Fresh Food Market near our new home and had lunch there, walked around down town including a visit to the base of the CN Tower. We then went back to UofT to check in.
On arrival at UofT we were kindly informed that our credit card confirmed booking meant nothing. All rooms were booked and there was no room at the inn. Having been told nothing was confirmed, the three of us were not taking no for an answer and the accommodation office manager soon "found" rooms for us. A broken lift, an ignorant porter, an unmade room and an hour of complaining to management later we had the accommodation manager personally carry our 75kg of luggage to the 4th floor. In the midst of all this the three of us had been interviewed by AltisHR on the phone and arranged interviews.
A quick trip to the supermarket and we were WRECKED again.
Wednesday, June 11th
It was up "early" again, just in time for our 11 o'clock TAXI to Trinity Street for an apartment viewing. The landlady was a mad woman but is really nice. The house is gorgeous and we loved it. Heading back into town, we grabbed a smoothie and decided it was time to begin the intensive job hunt. We called all of the recruitment agencies and started the long walk up to staffworks at 1235 Bay Street and had interview number 1.
Following that we walked around the University of Toronto looking for accommodation. We found out who we had to call and made plans for the next morning as this was our final night in our first hostel. It was another early night for the three of us.
Tuesday, June 10th
Our first morning in Toronto and it was time for the orientation meeting from our working holiday company, SWAP. Still wrecked a lie in was necessary and therefore a TAXI to our meeting at 11a.m. in the SWAP office on King St. West. Three hours of information we knew already was greatly appreciated and we decided it was time to eat.
Gabby's was the location of choice as we wandered the streets amazed by the tall buildings and sights of our new home. Of course our waiter was Irish and was more than happy to sit with us and tell us all about living in Toronto and to point out the different hot spots on our map. Drinks on the house, our meal was delicious - not a bad choice at all.
The banks and mobile phone companies seem to be a little behind in terms of charges and rates compared to Ireland; this made our decision here a little harder. On the advice of SWAP we opened free student accounts with TD Canada Trust. This account gives us a maximum of 25 transactions per month before they charge us for EVERYTHING. However we did get our ATM/Laser card immediately. They were ultra-friendly.
Getting our mobile phones was slightly more of an ordeal as we entered the main shopping centre in the downtown area, the Eaton Centre on Yonge St. One sales man praised our accents, looks and even our shoes in a bid to sell us his "special" deal. But the cheapest option was to be found with Rogers, at $75 including $50 credit for the Nokia 6080. Luckily we were offered $10 to complete a survey after we bought the phones which took the sting out of being told we will be paying an arm and a leg to make, receive and think about calls.
We stopped off for some chicken wings at the beer garden of Pogue Mahones Irish bar. Sleep ensued.
Monday, June 9th
We landed at Pearson International at around 3p.m., made our way through passport control and declared our intentions at immigration. Each of us being asked different questions and getting different answers. Eventually our work permits were securely fastened to our passport pages, stamped and we were ready to go.
It was 36 degrees when we landed but the weather decided to take a turn and began to rain once we exited the terminal. Our coach arrived and brought us to the city centre, an IKEA and a few industrial parks later. We lugged our bags from the coach into a TAXI and headed to Sherbourne Street.
Installed in our basement apartment, we had two double beds, a kitchenette and en suite. We walked down town to the thick of the action, decided to celebrate our arrival in the Hard Rock Café at Dundas Sq. on Yonge St. (a very important street in Toronto navigation), the Canadian version of Time Square. Too tired to think and now in another rain shower it was a TAXI back to the hostel for a well deserved sleep.
An early rise for interview preparation, outfit coordination, makeup and hairstyling. That took a little longer than expected so our friend the TAXI made sure we were on time for our 11:30. More forms and interviews ensued. Jen was off to another at 2pm, mine was at 2:30p.m. and Shane was up for his at 3:30p.m.
Aoife arrived and she was covertly installed in our room. She was really tired and went straight to bed. Dinner this evening was in BB-Ques, three chicken burgers and wedges and we were done. Realising how tired we were too we retired to our room. A walk was out of the question when a huge thunder storm began over the whole city. The sky was lit up for over an hour as huge bolts of lightening and cracking thunder followed. Friday was done!
Thursday, June 12th
Over to the University of Toronto at 9a.m., we tried out the McDonald's breakfast menu. The student accommodation that we really wanted was booked out, so we settled for booking the one we has toured the night before - not the best but it would do until Sunday. We went back to our hostel, TAXI back to UofT with our luggage.
We took the street car or TTC downtown and visited the landlady to confirm we wanted to rent her house! We went to a Fresh Food Market near our new home and had lunch there, walked around down town including a visit to the base of the CN Tower. We then went back to UofT to check in.
On arrival at UofT we were kindly informed that our credit card confirmed booking meant nothing. All rooms were booked and there was no room at the inn. Having been told nothing was confirmed, the three of us were not taking no for an answer and the accommodation office manager soon "found" rooms for us. A broken lift, an ignorant porter, an unmade room and an hour of complaining to management later we had the accommodation manager personally carry our 75kg of luggage to the 4th floor. In the midst of all this the three of us had been interviewed by AltisHR on the phone and arranged interviews.
A quick trip to the supermarket and we were WRECKED again.
Wednesday, June 11th
It was up "early" again, just in time for our 11 o'clock TAXI to Trinity Street for an apartment viewing. The landlady was a mad woman but is really nice. The house is gorgeous and we loved it. Heading back into town, we grabbed a smoothie and decided it was time to begin the intensive job hunt. We called all of the recruitment agencies and started the long walk up to staffworks at 1235 Bay Street and had interview number 1.
Following that we walked around the University of Toronto looking for accommodation. We found out who we had to call and made plans for the next morning as this was our final night in our first hostel. It was another early night for the three of us.
Tuesday, June 10th
Our first morning in Toronto and it was time for the orientation meeting from our working holiday company, SWAP. Still wrecked a lie in was necessary and therefore a TAXI to our meeting at 11a.m. in the SWAP office on King St. West. Three hours of information we knew already was greatly appreciated and we decided it was time to eat.
Gabby's was the location of choice as we wandered the streets amazed by the tall buildings and sights of our new home. Of course our waiter was Irish and was more than happy to sit with us and tell us all about living in Toronto and to point out the different hot spots on our map. Drinks on the house, our meal was delicious - not a bad choice at all.
The banks and mobile phone companies seem to be a little behind in terms of charges and rates compared to Ireland; this made our decision here a little harder. On the advice of SWAP we opened free student accounts with TD Canada Trust. This account gives us a maximum of 25 transactions per month before they charge us for EVERYTHING. However we did get our ATM/Laser card immediately. They were ultra-friendly.
Getting our mobile phones was slightly more of an ordeal as we entered the main shopping centre in the downtown area, the Eaton Centre on Yonge St. One sales man praised our accents, looks and even our shoes in a bid to sell us his "special" deal. But the cheapest option was to be found with Rogers, at $75 including $50 credit for the Nokia 6080. Luckily we were offered $10 to complete a survey after we bought the phones which took the sting out of being told we will be paying an arm and a leg to make, receive and think about calls.
We stopped off for some chicken wings at the beer garden of Pogue Mahones Irish bar. Sleep ensued.
Monday, June 9th
We landed at Pearson International at around 3p.m., made our way through passport control and declared our intentions at immigration. Each of us being asked different questions and getting different answers. Eventually our work permits were securely fastened to our passport pages, stamped and we were ready to go.
It was 36 degrees when we landed but the weather decided to take a turn and began to rain once we exited the terminal. Our coach arrived and brought us to the city centre, an IKEA and a few industrial parks later. We lugged our bags from the coach into a TAXI and headed to Sherbourne Street.
Installed in our basement apartment, we had two double beds, a kitchenette and en suite. We walked down town to the thick of the action, decided to celebrate our arrival in the Hard Rock Café at Dundas Sq. on Yonge St. (a very important street in Toronto navigation), the Canadian version of Time Square. Too tired to think and now in another rain shower it was a TAXI back to the hostel for a well deserved sleep.
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